Video & Transcript Research : 'constitutional amendment'
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ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 23rd, 2026 at 09:00 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Ruby, co-chair, recommends amendments and, when so amended, recommends do pass on Senate Bill 24-1 by
- Senate Bill 2401 was amended during committee, and I will explain that amendment, which you will find
- Ruby, co-chair, recommends amendments on Senate Bill 2402, and when so amended, recommends do pass by
- There was agreement to an amended version of the original bill.
- And so this is amending that, but the bank is... ...And so this is amending that, but the bank is the
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0.
The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12.
Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.
NJ
New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Appropriations Jun 24th, 2026
Senate Budget and Appropriations
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We're on Amendment 26, and Mr. Tarr has an amendment that the clerk will read.
- The amendment is not adopted. Moving on to number 28, Amendment 28.
- I hope the amendment is adopted. It comes on adoption of the amendment.
- Amendment 42 is on hold. Moving on to Amendment 51, Mr. Tarr has an amendment; the clerk will read.
- Amendment 29, Mr. O'Connor has an amendment that the clerk will read. Amendment number 29 by Mr.
Summary:
The Senate took up floor debate on H. 4206, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth Cannabis Laws, with repeated amendment votes focused largely on cannabis regulation, transparency, youth access, and the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Early motions included suspending Senate Rule 38A to continue past 8 p.m., which passed by standing vote. Most amendments offered by Senator Tarr were rejected, including proposals on possession limits, CCC executive director appointment and removal, legislative control over medical marijuana licenses, a multi-agency task force on illegal cannabis, annual CCC hearings and reports, an ombudsman, a legislative liaison, a youth-cannabis study commission, supply-and-demand study, and increased penalties for distribution to minors. Amendment 33 by Senator Driscoll, directing the CCC and other agencies to study regulation of intoxicating hemp products, was adopted. Amendment 7 by Senator Brownsberger, allowing cannabis discount and loyalty advertising to existing customers and opt-in email lists, was also adopted. Amendment 29 by Senator O’Connor, allowing the CCC to temporarily suspend or revoke medical marijuana licenses during investigations of illegal sales, was adopted as well.
Several other amendments were debated and defeated, including Senator O’Connor’s billboard advertising restriction for cannabis and Senator Tarr’s proposal to increase penalties for selling marijuana to minors. The chamber then took up the bill’s corrective and Ways and Means amendment, adopted both, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by roll call vote. The final vote showed the bill advancing despite some opposition, including from several senators who voted no on engrossment.
After the cannabis bill, the Senate considered and passed two land-related bills by roll call: H. 4772, authorizing easements in Lowell, and H. 4362, authorizing release of agricultural preservation restrictions in Westford. The Senate also adopted a motion that when it adjourned, it would do so in memory of Stephen P. Foutou of Newton, followed by a moment of silence. The chamber then adopted an adjournment order and recessed until the next meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hied Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- clarity was needed for the A2 amendment. clarity was needed for the A2 amendment.
- So, um looking at the A2 amendment, it's the very last uh few words in the A2 amendment talk about um
- >
adopted, <00:07:18.840>it once this amendment is adopted, it once this amendment is adopted - <00:35:58.359>
that coming if that if this amendment that coming if that if this amendment - constitutional scholar, so I can't say. constitutional scholar, so I can't say.
Keywords:
undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, state grants, college affordability, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Grant, need analysis, expected family contribution, student aid, grant formula, living and miscellaneous expense allowance, dependent student, independent student, parental contribution, student contribution, surplus appropriation, biennium
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Motion to suspend rules in order to debate gun control, gun violence prevention package 5/14/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We amended it. It was amended in the Senate.
- We amended it. It was a lot, a lot. We amended it.
- Because the Republicans in this house stand firm on our constitutional rights, our Second Amendment rights
- our second amendment amendment rights. our second amendment amendment rights.
- covered under the Second Amendment. covered under the Second Amendment.
Summary:
The House took up a motion to suspend the rules so House File 5140 could be recalled from committee, given second and third readings, and placed on passage. Representative Long and Representative Greenman argued the bill was an urgent, comprehensive gun violence prevention package that had already passed the Senate and should be acted on immediately in response to recent shootings, including Annunciation School, Burnsville, and Accent Signage. They said families, students, survivors, doctors, and community members had been pressing legislators to act, and Greenman described the bill as including mental health, intervention, anonymous threat reporting, bans on weapons of war, ghost guns, and binary triggers.
Representative Heintzeman opposed the urgency motion and focused on specific bill language, arguing that parts of the proposal were unclear or overly broad. He questioned whether the language on protruding grips would effectively ban all handguns, whether the penalties section could turn lawful gun owners into felons for possessing multiple noncompliant items, and whether the firearms assembly language could criminalize routine cleaning and reassembly of guns. He said these issues should have been addressed in committee and argued members needed clearer answers before voting on urgency.
Greenman responded that the language was intended to target additional protruding grips, not ordinary handgun grips, and said she was willing to adopt an amendment to clarify that point. On the penalties and assembly questions, she said the bill was aimed at certifying existing weapons, banning ghost guns, and preventing harm, and repeatedly urged members to vote for the urgency motion so the full bill could be considered. The exchange remained focused on the motion to suspend the rules and on the substance of the gun violence prevention package; no final vote or other action is shown in the transcript excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/15/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:51:57.240>
treatment in that constitutional treatment in that constitutional treatment - We are officers of Superior Court, and we are constitutional officers based on the New Hampshire Constitution
- We are officers of Superior Court, and we are constitutional officers based on the New Hampshire Constitution
- Constitution based on the New Hampshire Constitution so<01:14:22.960>
uh <01:14:23.040>we< - litigation surrounding First Amendment litigation surrounding First Amendment and<01:46:50.080><
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the A2 amendment? the A2 amendment?
- The First Amendment of our Constitution says that we have the right to peacefully assemble.
- I’ve read about people entering churches during The First Amendment of our Constitution The First Amendment
- The First Amendment of our Constitution says that we have the right to peacefully assemble.
- , the Second Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment.
Keywords:
fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- amendment by 274 a constitutional amendment by 274 a constitutional amendment by representative cells
- amendment requiring is a constitutional amendment requiring is a constitutional amendment requiring
- vote this is the Constitutional vote this is the Constitutional Amendment requiring 63 votes cler lock
- sorry okay amendment to house amendment sorry okay amendment to house amendment sorry okay amendment
- clerk see the amendment Amendment clerk see the amendment Amendment clerk see the amendment amendment
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Finance Division II (05/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I see the amendment. We would be fine with the amendment.
- looking at the fiscal note as amended looking at the fiscal note as amended from<00:15:11.120>
- And is there any further conversation or discussion on the OTP as amended with SB 145, with amendment
- And is there any further conversation or discussion on the OTP as amended with SB 145, with amendment
- Why am I missing the amendment? I do not have... You have my amendment for the clerk's copy.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on SB 145, which would require sexual assault evidence kits to be delivered to the state forensic lab within seven business days and analyzed more promptly. Pamela Kyle of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence said the bill was developed after survivor concerns and extensive discussions with the Departments of Safety and Justice. She explained that most agencies already deliver kits quickly, but some kits sit for months, and the bill is intended to add structure without penalties while preserving chain of custody. Members discussed the use of common carriers or courier services for transport, the need for clear rules, and whether carriers would know what they were transporting. Representative Papovich offered amendment 2025-2301H to remove the reimbursement program for police shipping costs, arguing it would add administrative overhead and was unnecessary. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, and the committee then voted OTPA on SB 145 as amended, with members voting yes on the roll call.
The committee then opened a work session on SB 295, and the sponsor presented a replace-all amendment intended to simplify and clarify the Education Freedom Account bill without changing its purpose. The amendment would remove income-cap language, define priority enrollment groups, establish an enrollment cap for the EFA program, and create rolling enrollment rules. It would set a 10,000-student cap for the 2025-2026 school year, allow the cap to increase by 25% if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior cap, and ensure current participants can remain enrolled. The amendment also provides that certain sections would later be repealed once the Department of Education certifies that applications have not exceeded the cap for two consecutive school years. The sponsor walked through the amendment section by section, explaining that the bill is structured in two phases: one while caps exist and another after they are no longer needed.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I do propose some amendments because, in both wording and intent, this bill does conflict with constitutional
- amendments. Noting all members present. amendments. Noting all members present.
- amendments. Noting all members present. amendments. Noting all members present.
- <01:41:33.040>
amend defecting the date and um amending amend defecting the date and um amending - Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Amendments. All members present.
Bills:
HB1546
Keywords:
Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided.
The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute.
The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-25 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For tourist development tax provisions, as currently constituted, there will be some amendments.
- For tourist development tax provisions, as currently constituted, there will be some amendments to address
- So HJR 1257 proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution that would do two things.
- Read the first amendment to the amendment. The next amendment to the amendment.
- C.S. for H.J.R. 1215 proposed an amendment to the Florida Constitution to exempt tangible personal property
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29.
The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate.
The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Jan 21st, 2026
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, and we have an amendment currently in here.
- Thank you, Dean. amendment, it will only redact email, amendment, it will only redact email, telephone
- 22.480>
replaces <00:21:22.960>lines offer an amendment that replaces lines offer an amendment - Are there any questions about the amendment that's been offered?
- We have a second for the amendment. Uh, Representative Pastor.
Keywords:
parental rights, drag performances, public schools, public libraries, overnight programs, gender identity, minor safety, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Number 27, amendment sponsored by Senator Dismang.
- That is ready for a due pass as amended, Mr. Chairman. Members, do we have any questions?
- Chair, it's ready for a due pass as amended. Members, any questions? Motion to pass.
- Chair, it's ready for a due pass as amended. Members of any questions? Motion to pass.
- That is also ready for a due pass as amended. Members, do we have any questions?
Summary:
The committee first heard a Special Language Committee report from Senator McKee, who reported that the subcommittee adopted nine amendments related to Governor’s Letter 7 and 30, including amendments to HB 1005 and one sponsored by Senator Dismang. The committee then adopted the report and approved several items on the special language agenda, including HB 101 (Department of Corrections), HB 1017 (Department of Agriculture promotion boards), HB 1009 (Department of Public Safety), and SB 10 (Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services). During discussion of SB 10, members questioned a $10 million unemployment insurance modernization item, and Commerce/DFA explained it was a continuation of existing funding rather than a new increase.
The meeting then turned to the Treasurer’s budget, where members raised concerns about prior and proposed salary increases in the office, especially the size of raises for senior staff compared with lower-paid employees. Committee members repeatedly asked whether the new appropriation would be directed to the investment team rather than top administrators, and whether special language could cap raises or otherwise limit how the money could be used. The Treasurer’s representative said the office was willing to discuss caps and that no final decisions on raises had been made, but several members remained dissatisfied and emphasized the need for the Treasurer himself to appear. Representative Lundstrum moved to hold the Treasurer’s budget, and the committee approved the hold.
After that, the committee referred items with special language to the special language process and then batch-approved a series of supplemental and reappropriation bills, followed by individual due-pass actions on multiple bills, including HB 1006, HB 1013, HB 1016, HB 1033, HB 1048, HB 1050, HB 1053, HB 1065, HB 1078, and several Senate bills such as SB 2, SB 14, SB 19, SB 26, SB 32, SB 42, SB 52, SB 53, and SB 74. Near the end, members discussed filing deadlines and the need to suspend rules for late special-language items, and Senator Irvin released a hold on HB 1064 before the meeting adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- , and SB 1511 do pass as amended.
- SB 1496 to pass and amended SB 1511 who passes amend.
- I move that the floor amendment to the red committee amendment in my name be adopted.
- amendment to Senate Bill 1016.
- The Chair recognized Representative Martinez to move the committee amendment as amended. Mr.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several introductions of guests, including two young mayors visiting the chamber. Members then adopted House Resolution 2008 unanimously, honoring Daniel Cade Blackman, with extended remarks from his family and colleagues about his service, faith, and legacy. The House also took up a motion to reconsider SB 1456 from a prior date and proceeded into Committee of the Whole on multiple Senate bills.
In Committee of the Whole, members considered and amended SB 1170, SB 1496, SB 1511, SB 1016, SB 1335, and SB 1683, with each ultimately receiving a do pass recommendation. The discussion included a correction to SB 1170 to remove an unintended section, a municipal improvement district process change in SB 1016, an ag-to-urban water permitting fix in SB 1335, and a land-sale restriction involving China in SB 1683. The committee reports were adopted, and the bills were ordered for third reading as appropriate.
On third and final reading, the House passed SB 1188, SB 1560, and SB 1723, with recorded votes of 38-0-10, 48-2-10, and 51-0-9 respectively. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to HB 2265, HB 2404, HB 2950, and HB 2986, then passed those bills on final reading; members speaking in support highlighted court-fee policy, mental health crisis response, tourism improvement areas, and water infrastructure savings. The chamber then announced a Republican caucus meeting and adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 22 Morning Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They actually suggested the amendment.
- Chairman, there's an amendment on the bill.
- Amendment submitted by Ford. You're to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- Do you have further explanation of your amended bill? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- I seen Missouri votes like to constitute the House. Close the bill to pass.
Bills:
HB4104, HB3722, HB3787, HB3700, HB3701, HB3310, HB3404, HB2964, HB2398, HB3024, HB3499, HB3278, HB3279, HB3645, HB3649, HB2293, HB3260, HB3176, HB3177, HB3114, HB3172, HB3322, HB3323, HB4248, HB3720, HB2210, HB1322, HB1937, HB3301, HB4107
Keywords:
Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They based it on the constitutional law. It was regarding a father in Pennsylvania.
- Are you looking at US Constitution Article 1, Section 10, Clause 1?
- So if for any reason, any state, if the ICPC goes overboard over the Texas Constitution.
- It needs amendment. However, I have some very specific concerns about the specifics of this bill.
- As it exists, application of ICPC to parents is a constitutional problem to start with.
Keywords:
Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services
SC
South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Jun 25th, 2026
South Carolina House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You took an oath to the Constitution to abide by it.
- We can't change the Constitution.
- We can only propose amendments, just like Congress can propose amendments.
- That brings us to Senate amendments. House Bill 4042.
- And I ask that we concur in Senate amendments. All right. Mr.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In and out, um, had discussed some constitutional amendments, um, and...
- was the original. ...2003 medical malpractice constitutional amendment.
- The constitution lists them out individually.
- It's a constitutional amendment from 2003 and it.
- So in other words, it would be a constitutional amendment that prohibits you from determining the limits
Bills:
HB4806
Keywords:
civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, I believe we have an amendment. We do have a set of amendments.
- This is amendment set 3075, and I will offer these amendments up for consideration.
- Agnew, Chairman, if we adopted the amendment. We haven't adopted the amendment.
- two amendments.
- We don't have amendments, do we? We do have amendments?
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 11:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Questions on the amendment? Seeing none, we have no amendments. Sorry. Questions on the amendment.
- No amendments. Sorry. Questions on the amendment. We have no public testimony.
- So that amendment is adopted. We're back on the bill as amended.
- Any amendments?
- This House Joint Resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that will authorize the legislature to
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on March 20, 2025, and first approved HB 4025, creating the Duke Farm Stewardship District in Lee County, on a 17-0 vote. The committee then advanced HJR 1215, which proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt agricultural tangible personal property from property tax, after extended debate about the fiscal impact on counties, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; it passed 16-1. HB 411 also passed unanimously after an amendment, extending affordable housing tax exemption treatment to certain nonprofit projects on leased land, including Habitat for Humanity projects. The committee likewise approved CS/HB 669, allowing local governments to purchase certain unrated bonds, and CS/HB 4017, codifying the Vermont Drainage District charter in Charlotte County, both without opposition.
The committee also approved HJR 1039, which would let the Legislature prevent assessed-value increases for homestead properties that are improved to mitigate flood damage, and the related implementing bill HB 1041; both passed 17-0. Public testimony on these items included some opposition to the flood-related amendment, but no floor debate changed the outcome. The final major item was CS/HB 1221 by Rep. Miller, which would require local option taxes to be renewed by voter referendum every eight years, with longer terms allowed for bonded projects. That bill drew the most extensive testimony and debate, with counties, tourism groups, and local officials warning about impacts on tourism funding, infrastructure, schools, and public safety, while supporters argued for taxpayer accountability and periodic review. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a 13-4 vote.