Transcript Highlights:

• of West Virginia right now, in the state of West Virginia right now, there<01:30:52.159><c> is</c><01
• Um, believe that was also West Virginia.
• </c> would address the situation in West would address the situation in West Virginia<02:31:23.680><c
• </c> Woodcock's point, even if those West Woodcock's point, even if those West Virginia,<02:32:14.960
• :16.399><c> Virginia</c><02:32:16.720><c> families</c><02:32:17.120><c> could</c> those West Virginia

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kiggins of Virginia. Virginia, Virginia. Johnson. Kylie of Johnson. Kylie of California.
• Virginia Virginia Johnson<00:29:18.320><c> Kylie</c><00:29:18.720><c> of</c> Johnson Kylie of Johnson
• Miller of West. Johnson. Miller of West Virginia. Johnson. Miller. Meeks. Meeks. Meeks. Johnson.
• Moore of West. Wisconsin. Jeff. Moore of West. Wisconsin. Jeff. Moore of West Virginia. Virginia.
• , Virginia, Virginia, Jeff, Jeff, Jeff, self.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, we have one of these 17 labs in Morgantown, West Virginia, and we're really proud of that
• And I can tell you that I've just gotten through being the governor. for the great state of West Virginia
• And little West Virginia that a lot of people told a lot of bad jokes about, the truth along the way,
• But with all that being said, I would say to everybody, from the guy that's a white-haired guy from West
• Virginia that's a business guy, not a politician, I'm a guy that talks to you just with common sense

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• I now recognize its sponsor, Senator West, to explain the bill. Good morning, Senator West.
• Members, are there any questions of the witness or Senator West? Hearing none.
• I think you had the companion to this, Senator West, that we heard in the committee.
• Senator West to explain the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members, and Senator Hall.
• We discussed how maybe in August, when he's back home from Virginia, we can look at it.

Bills: HB50

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our real mother state, Virginia, which we broke off from, their founding document not only allowed for
• Our real mother state, Virginia, which we broke off from, their founding document not only allowed for
• Scott West has asked me to speak, and so he has some comments on the bill.
• West, thank you for the points. [clears throat] Uh, not to put too fine of a point on this.
• </c> West, thank you uh for the points. West, thank you uh for the points.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the city of Hialeah and all of the remaining portion of Miami-Dade County, and instead of going west
• Well, in this case, taking that area in West Palm Beach and West Broward and attaching it with entirely
• Because District 8 came into Orange County more, it pushed District 10 further west.
• The Virginia map looks violative of many of the concerns that people have here.
• Last week was canceled, whether they want to say they were waiting on Virginia or not.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard a Governor’s Office presentation on a proposed congressional reapportionment map. The governor’s counsel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be considered at all in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection law and should be treated as non-severable. The presentation also discussed the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais and the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision as part of the legal rationale for the map. Jason Parada, who said he drew the map alone, described the map as based on 2020 census block data, with county-level population estimates used only as a guide to identify faster-growing areas. He said the plan keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores similar to the current benchmark map, and uses traditional geographic and political boundaries such as roads, railways, county lines, and municipal lines. He walked through regional changes, emphasizing a race-neutral redesign that significantly altered South Florida, including changes to districts in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Everglades, while leaving several northern districts largely unchanged. Members questioned the witnesses extensively about the legal theory, the use of partisan data, the role of race, population growth, and the timing and review of the map. The witnesses said partisan data was considered along with other traditional redistricting criteria, but race was not used. They also said they could not speak to who else reviewed the map beyond EOG staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns about the map’s compactness, county and city splits, the apparent partisan effects, and the fact that the map was released shortly before the special session. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, 18 states have already enacted laws, including Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arizona, Virginia
• , West Virginia, and Missouri.
• , 18 states have already enacted laws, including Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arizona, Arizona, Virginia
• , West Virginia, and Missouri.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and heard five bills. SB 126, on prescription hearing aids, would remove Florida’s prohibition on mailing hearing aids when required tele-audiology testing and procedures are completed before sale. The sponsor said the bill would improve access, especially for people with travel or geographic barriers. The Florida Academy of Audiologists expressed support in concept but said it was still working with the sponsor on an amendment for consumer safety. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures. Supporters, including the Florida Nurses Association and several nurses, described surgical smoke as a workplace and patient safety hazard containing harmful chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants, and said evacuation technology is available and already required in some settings. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 264 would expand step-therapy exemptions for severe mental illness, including certain postpartum and pregnancy-related mental health conditions, so physicians would not have to require patients to fail preferred drugs in specified circumstances. Support came from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, NAMI Florida, and several medical and pharmacy groups, who argued that delays in effective treatment can worsen crises and increase hospital and crisis-care costs. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 342 would create a public-records exemption for current and former AHCA employees and certain family information, citing threats and harassment directed at inspectors and regulators. President Gaetz said he generally opposes such exemptions but supported this one because the employees are not elected officials and face real safety risks. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 294 would limit the Board of Pharmacy’s ability to add heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac rhythm disorders to the list of chronic conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice, keeping those conditions under direct physician management. The Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, and the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, while the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists opposed it. The committee voted the bill favorably. Senator Trumbull asked to be recorded in support of SB 126 and SB 152, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4 comes from House File 2305, which is from Chair West.
• Chair West, any follow-up? Thank you, Madam Chair and Commissioner.
• Chair West, and on a different subject, just for the audience.
• Thank you, Chair West, as well, for your work on this.
• Our next meeting is tomorrow, and Chair West will have the gavel.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• supply</c><00:08:55.279><c> chain</c> Won, West Virginia with a supply chain Won, West Virginia with
• had</c><00:09:05.680><c> not</c> factory in West Virginia, but we had not factory in West Virginia,
• Why West Virginia? Great question. Everyone in Minnesota asked that.
• This side of West Virginia, you know, it was the site of a former steel mill.
• Why West Virginia? &gt;&gt; Okay, last question. Why West Virginia?

Bills: HF4059, HF76

Keywords: climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia, would always say, "Thank God for West Virginia because they'd always do a little bit worse
• West Virginia, would always border from West Virginia, would always say,<00:42:57.440><c> "Thank</c>
• <00:42:57.680><c> God</c><00:42:57.839><c> for</c><00:42:58.000><c> West</c><00:42:58.240><c> Virginia
• </c> say, "Thank God for West Virginia say, "Thank God for West Virginia because<00:42:59.200><c> they'd
• underbuilding,</c><00:43:03.040><c> but</c> that, West Virginia's underbuilding, but that, West Virginia's

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:05 Roll Call 00:00:12 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:03:12 Discussion of Housing and Land Use 00:21:58 Discussion of Short Term Rental Policies 01:03:17 Adjournment 01:15:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply. Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal. The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Birth certificate from a state agency, that's $12 in Virginia.
• Birth certificate from a state agency, that's $12 in Virginia.
• Birth certificate from a state agency, that's $12 in Virginia.
• Virginia is the birthplace of James Madison, who was an architect of the Virginia Plan that created the
• VIRGINIA IS THE BIRTH PLACE OF JAMES MADISON, WHO WAS AN ARCHITECT OF THE VIRGINIA PLAN THAT CREATED

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 31, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Senator West. Good morning, Madam Chair, members.
• Thank you, Senator West. Thank you, Madam Chair and members.
• My community out in West Texas is heavily geared towards oil and gas.
• "Registered in Virginia." "It's registered in Virginia, but it's a national network." Okay.
• officials across a vast expanse of 23 West Texas counties.

Bills: SB128, SB640, SB672, SB904, SB1141, SB1263, SB1525, SB1528, SB2041, SB2306, SB2308, SB2357, SB2446, SB2695, SB2857, SB2891, SB2583

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, SB 640, Texas Family Code, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, child welfare, foster care, managing conservatorship, suicide attempt, youth suicide, mental health, child protective services, state custody, annual report, reporting requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia.
• So in a state like West Virginia, which has been a shrinking state, that was what I had mainly in my
• We probably should be privatizing some colleges in West Virginia. And how about Florida?
• West Florida.
• Virginia, Idaho, Pona Vida, Tallahassee, Tampa?

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:

• That kind of employer back into Virginia?
• That kind of labor force back into Virginia, that kind of employer back into Virginia.
• I've grown businesses in Virginia, successful large businesses. I've sold businesses in Virginia.
• Because Virginia charges unemployment, Because Virginia charges unemployment insurance tax on only the
• Federal law also does not prevent Virginia from investing in the VEC and Virginia Works to ensure that

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, and Senator West.
• West Virginia is much different, as the state absorbs those costs.
• </c> any thoughts uh I mean no I mean West any thoughts uh I mean no I mean West Virginia<01:01:52.880
• </c><01:04:50.039><c> Virginia</c><01:04:50.720><c> the</c><01:04:50.960><c> state</c> adequate uh West
• Virginia the state adequate uh West Virginia the state themselves<01:04:52.559><c> do</c><01:04:52.880

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of administrative regulations, most of which were advanced with staff-suggested amendments and no objection. Early items included the Kentucky Public Pension Authority’s 105 KAR 1:451, which updates reporting language and adds the contractor wizard for certain employers, and a large package of Board of Veterinary Examiners regulations that revise fees, facility and AHP registration requirements, continuing education, liability, and practice rules. The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s compact-related regulation and the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ complaint and compact rules were also reviewed and approved with amendments, along with fish and wildlife rules affecting elk hunting, youth deer season length, bear-dog approvals, and foxhound enclosure permits. The committee also approved transportation, education, workplace standards, horse racing, and several health and human services regulations, including Medicaid waiver reimbursement updates and a child care regulation that sends certain large claims to the Office of Inspector General for review. Several agencies briefly explained their regulations when members asked questions. Fish and Wildlife said the elk population is strong and the baiting change is intended to support harvest monitoring and fair chase, while the longer youth deer season was meant to give young hunters more opportunity. The Department of Community-Based Services said the $10,000 and $5,000 claim thresholds were meant to clarify rare cases involving possible fraud or unresolved recoupment issues. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 5:305 drew the most discussion: it would allow certain state-chartered credit unions with a low-income designation to participate in federal programs, including limited non-member deposits and supplemental capital, but the regulation was deferred again amid continued discussions. The Kentucky Bankers Association testified against the credit union regulation, arguing that allowing non-member deposits conflicts with existing statute limiting credit union deposits to members and other credit unions, and that an administrative regulation cannot override that statutory restriction. Committee members heard the agency’s explanation that the proposal is intended to help underserved communities and that the non-member deposit authority would be limited, but no final action was taken because the item was deferred. The meeting otherwise concluded with the remaining regulations being called, discussed briefly, and approved or advanced without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorizing the Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund to modernize and enhance Workforce West
• Virginia.
• The House amendment modifies the manner in which the employer's contribution to the new Workforce West
• Virginia Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund is calculated and collected.
• To the members, I have another special introduction to members of our West Virginia State Police who

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of House amendments to enrolled bills and, in each case, accepted the amendments and passed the bills, often with effective dates set by separate motions. Measures approved included pay increases for the judiciary (SB 29), regulation of homemade food sales (SB 44), protections against financial exploitation of eligible adults (SB 617), involuntary hospitalization changes (SB 742), transfer of the court security fund (SB 952), asbestos and silica statute-of-limitations changes (SB 1008), cooperation with bordering states by law enforcement agencies (SB 723), birth certificate access for homeless minors (SB 947), personal income tax reduction (SB 392), criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults (SB 54), child abuse investigation technology and a caseworker aid pilot program (SB 228), value-based payment requirements (SB 231), workforce readiness and micro-credential provisions (SB 402), contractor license transfer rules for immediate family members (SB 553), refusal review hearings (SB 575), coal code modernization and minors protection (SB 686), lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations (SB 906), penalties for disturbing religious worship (SB 1026), the Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act (SB 63), women’s collegiate sports protections (SB 502), and modernization funding for Workforce West Virginia (SB 153). Most of these bills passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 392 passed 31-2 on the first vote and was later reconsidered and passed again 32-2. Several bills were made effective from passage or on July 1, 2026. The Senate also considered Senate Executive Message No. 4 from the Committee on Confirmations. The chamber confirmed all nominees except number 54 in one vote, then separately confirmed nominee 54 by a 30-3 vote. After the confirmation business, the Senate briefly recessed and later returned to additional floor business. During the session, the majority leader also delivered remarks on affordability, citing prior tax reductions, a personal property tax rebate, elimination of state income tax on Social Security for seniors, and efforts to increase homestead exemptions. He urged the governor to explore ways to address rising gasoline prices. The remarks were entered into the journal by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman from Virginia is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The gentleman from Virginia is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The gentleman from Virginia is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The gentleman from Virginia is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The gentleman from Virginia is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 11, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 400,000 people in Virginia uninsured. 400,000 people in Virginia uninsured. that<00:25:07.919><c
• We are fortunate to have the West Texas.
• The gentleman from Virginia, Mr.
• Speaker, how much and go West Texas. Mr.
• </c> bless West Texas. Are we done? bless West Texas. Are we done?

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eisenhower's campaign train from Columbus, Ohio, to Kenova, West Virginia. you.<00:52:52.160><c> Mr.
• </c><00:53:36.079><c> Thanks</c><00:53:36.319><c> to</c><00:53:36.480><c> the</c> Kenova, West Virginia
• Thanks to the Kenova, West Virginia.
• </c> lady from Virginia is recognized. Mr. lady from Virginia is recognized. Mr.
• </c> from Virginia. Those in favor say I. from Virginia. Those in favor say I.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• War painting, The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire, depicts the 1863 Chancellorsville Campaign, Virginia
• ><c> Fire,</c> The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire depicts the 1863 Chancellorsville Campaign, Virginia
• Member from West Rutland. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Member from West Rutland. Member from West Rutland.
• </c><00:14:45.640><c> Campaign</c> the Chancellorsville, Virginia Campaign the Chancellorsville, Virginia

Keywords: 926, house, all