Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President, I move the rules... Show the motion adopted.
• This change codifies current state fire marshal rules.
• This change codifies current state fire marshal rules.
• Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized. Mr.
• Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized. Mr.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:53.039> SOP those practices from an internal SOP those practices from an internal SOP
• So, you make the rule making clearer.
• and adopt the rules. and adopt the rules.
• With<00:17:32.559> those<00:17:32.799> rules, With those rules, With those rules, you'll
• > weren't know the rules because the rules weren't know the rules because the rules weren't codified

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules Chair Pasadomo, for what purpose do you rise? Thank you, Mr.
• Senator of the 28th, Rules Chair Pasadomo, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I move that the rules be waived and SCR 1466 be immediately certified to the House.
• chair, welcome Mayfield, who previously served this body as Majority Leader and Rules Chair.
• Madam Rules Chair, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.

Summary: The Senate convened for opening day of the 2026 regular session with prayer, presentation of colors by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem by the FAMU Marching 100. The chamber then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Ralph E. Misullo, Jr. of District 11, and welcomed a number of special guests, including statewide elected officials, Supreme Court justices, and former Senate leaders and members. The Senate adopted SCR 1466, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session to receive a message from the Governor, and waived rules to immediately transmit the resolution to the House. The Rules Chair also moved that the Secretary notify the House and Governor that the Senate was convened and ready to begin the 2026 regular session. No substantive legislation was debated; the session was largely ceremonial and organizational. In remarks, the Senate President reflected on the role of the Senate, the need for balance, deliberation, and checks and balances, and highlighted priorities such as rural Florida, citrus recovery, farmers feeding Florida, rural health care, affordability, low taxes, property tax relief, and fiscal restraint. He also emphasized faith, service, and cooperation. At the end of the session, Senator Gates announced that 52 executive appointments would be considered the next day, and the Senate adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with committee meetings and other business to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:41.760> and some context to the rules and some context to the rules and regulations
• I want to be clear that the rules card.
• <00:15:51.680> and bonafide uh go over all the rules and bonafide uh go over all the rules
• <01:03:56.559> and they were doing followed the rules and they were doing followed the rules
• So we talk specific rules that we had.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:20 Approval of June 4, 2026 Minutes 00:03:09 Prioritizing Kentucky Agriculture: Medical Cannabis 00:03:38 Prioritizing Kentucky Agriculture: Bourbon 01:41:03, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as our foster home rule development and timelines.
• Our residential childcare rules, we have approximately 1,495 of those rules for our residential providers
• Um, and then our foster home rules, they are currently under development within our agency.
• and carry over to, uh, foster home rules.
• for to for participation are and to scrupulously obey those rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, we also have the committee's rules to approve and adopt.
• Next, we will move on to committee rules.
• Those were the rules under which we operated, with the exception of two years.
• I'm proposing an amendment to continue with the 118th Congress' rules.
• Okay, the ayes have it, and it is the ruling of the Chair that the committee's rules, with a quorum being

Bills: SB298, SB300, SB371

Keywords: employee relocation, headquarters, Small Business Administration, Washington metropolitan area, telework, cost reduction, rural markets, geographic diversity, disaster loans, accountability, reporting, loan forgiveness, federal funding, SBA reforms, small business, disaster assistance, transparency, report publication, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• spent a lot of that we have internally spent a lot of time<01:24:52.960> working<01:24:53.360
• It's an internal reason, apparently, but it's not external.
• The weight is 16%, and 66% appears to be internal. So I hope, Mr.
• The weight is 16%, and 66% appears to be internal. I hope, Mr.
• The weight is 16%, and 66% appears to be internal. I hope, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm one of Senator Putnam's interns. Hi, I'm Laura Robnet.
• I'm also one of Senator Putnam's interns. Sorry, not trying to make an entrance here.
• hi I'm Laura robnet I'm also one interns hi I'm Laura robnet I'm also one of<00:04:19.639> Senator
• > trying<00:04:28.600> to<00:04:28.720> make<00:04:28.840> an interns sorry
• program that supports a and Rule program that supports a and Rule electric<00:18:31.840> cooperatives

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There have been about a dozen cities that have sent home rule petitions to the state legislature for
• I thought that they could just make the change, but they had to, I guess, do a whole home rule petition
• In lieu of going to graduate school, I have co-founded an international unincorporated association to
• I just have a couple of home rule petitions for the town of Bridgewater that I've been sitting around
• So these are a couple of home rule petitions for the town of Bridgewater that I've been sitting around

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House Committee on Election Laws, chaired by Dan Hunt and co-chaired by Senator Keenan, held a hearing on 27 bills with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker. The main policy theme was expanding youth participation in elections. Senator O'Connor testified in support of Senate Bill 526 and House Bill 854, which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they turn 18 before the general election. Lawan Allen of Vote 16 USA also supported bills to lower the voting age, arguing that youth voting becomes habitual, can increase turnout more broadly, and is already in place in several cities and states. Robin Chen, the lead petitioner for S. 508 and H. 814, gave extended testimony in favor of children's right to vote, saying children are affected by government decisions and should have a voice. Representative Sousa raised concerns about misinformation and the vulnerability of younger voters, but Chen responded that misinformation affects adults too and pointed to historical civil rights activism by children. Several local election-law measures were also discussed. Cynthia Hogan, Brockton’s elections director, supported a bill requiring candidates for local office to have lived in the city for a year, saying people have sometimes used business addresses or other questionable claims of residency to run for office. Representative Suzy testified in favor of H. 872, a Pembroke home-rule petition to reduce the signature threshold for a recall petition from 20% to 10% of registered voters, describing the change as a response to low-turnout local elections and not aimed at any current official. Representative Gallagher supported two Bridgewater home-rule petitions: one establishing a recall process for elected officials and another creating term limits for town councilors, both of which had been approved by the town council and would still require voter ratification in Bridgewater if adopted by the legislature. The hearing concluded without any bill votes or committee actions beyond accepting testimony. The chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until action is taken on the bills, and the committee adjourned after no further witnesses came forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to run through some quick reminders and some ground rules.
• 8th, 2025, and subject to extensions consistent with House Rule 27.
• This is why it is so important to establish an internal office with complete access to internal records
• The testing batch size reform specifically in these bills regarding the rule change from a 15-pound rule
• The testing batch size reform specifically in these bills regarding the rule change from a 15-pound rule

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current rules, individuals qualify for the IHSS residual program...
• But Robert's Rules of Order don't change year to year.
• We're going to be moving on to issue number five in the federal access rule.
• The access rule allows us to shift to a more person-centered, outcome-driven model.
• That's mandated through the federal rule. And it's at the end of the process.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we should not wait until families, patients, consumers, or voters are harmed before setting basic rules
• Senate Bill 1012 keeps the rules simple. AI may assist, but people remain responsible.
• We can protect innovation, Senate Bill 1012 keeps the rules simple.
• And when something’s on Facebook or something that’s a national or international company, the state—we

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to have clear rules for zoning. There is available land.
• He writes, true local control means neighbors write the rules, not tech lobbyists.
• It defines the rules, roles, responsibilities, policies, oversight.
• It defines the rules, roles, responsibilities, policies, oversight.
• It defines the rules, roles, responsibilities, policies, and oversight.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just to be clear, those are statutory as a matter of policy, and in internal rule we have created
• So, just to be clear, those are statutory as a matter of policy, and in internal rule we have created
• So, just to be clear, those are statutory as a matter of policy, and in internal rule we have created
• So, just to be clear, those are statutory as a matter of policy, and in internal rule we have created
• Commissioner Snell: Policy and in internal rule we have created those things above people who are very

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• concern that there was the bill who was subject to a point of order on the basis of the two-subject rule
• Examples of anti-Semitism, it says, are included within the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's
• anti-Semitism adopted on May 26, 2016, thereby drawing into the statute reference to a resolution of the International

Bills: HB178, HB1551, HB1939, HB2040, HB2354, HB2674, HB3029, HB3460, HB3631, HB3662, HB5201, HB5381, HB178

Keywords: Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise, religious literature, Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament, New Testament, ninth grade

Transcript Highlights:

• all of my roles, including now, I continue to champion process improvement and strengthening our internal
• our internal our internal controls<00:02:26.319> as<00:02:26.440> much<00:02:26.640
• The last proposal is about the EIDBI provisional rule and program integrity.
• I come from the private sector, and I have found some of the rules different.
• find I have found uh some of the rules find I have found uh some of the rules um<01:32:49.360>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and need to be moved to rules and need to be moved to statute<00:21:37.200> the<00:21:37.360>
• appropriation, given the complexity and size of the board's rules.
• <00:35:47.000> last Authority the board's rules last Authority the board's rules last significantly
• complexity and size of the board's rules complexity and size of the board's rules the<00:35:55.960
• <01:39:20.040> controls increased Staffing for internal controls increased Staffing for internal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You want it to go to rules? Speak on.
• internally internally make<01:01:54.799> sure<01:01:55.040> they<01:01:55.359> know
• And you're going to suspend the rules, Senator Gudger? I'll take a motion to suspend the rules.
• to do regardless of rules to do regardless of rules >> I<04:10:55.760> think<04:10:
• , That's my understanding of the rules, That's my understanding of the rules, you<04:11:05.600>

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Senate first recognized the Montgomery Academy boys basketball team for winning the 2026 Class 3A state championship, their second straight title. Senator Barfoot introduced the team and read a resolution commending the players, coaches, and school community for the 66-39 win over Southside Selma, noting standout performances by Braden Gordon, Mason Ellis, and Jarrett Friendley. Coach Jeremy Aant and school head John Williams thanked the Senate and emphasized the team’s selflessness, teamwork, academic standards, service, and leadership development. The Senate applauded the team, added all senators to the resolution, and arranged for a picture and challenge coins for the players. After the recognition, the Senate came to order, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Committee reports followed. The Committee on State Government Affairs reported House Bill 541 favorably with one amendment; the bill would create the Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act, requiring party registration for primary voting, restricting crossover voting, retaining voter history as a public record, revising voter registration forms, and requiring parties to publish candidate qualifications. The bill was ordered to a second reading and placed on the calendar. The Committee on Local Legislation reported House Bills 630, 631, and 632 favorably, all relating to Etowah County, including changes to tax exemptions and personnel board membership. These bills were also sent to second reading and the calendar. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 117, commending Dylan Nut for winning the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic, and added all members as co-sponsors. During discussion, one senator used the opportunity to speak at length about a separate concern involving alleged unlicensed real estate solicitation and the need for legislation to protect citizens from property-related scams; he also discussed the calendar process and other bills. The floor later included extended informal remarks about fishing and a separate discussion of a proposal to designate Miss America as an official state ambassador, with support expressed for a possible stipend amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• preventing the TEA from promulgating mandatory rules for a homeschool.
• homeschooler wants to participate, here are the rules that they have to follow.
• The rules are in the bill, right?
• The bill instructs the education agency to pass certain rules to have certain effects, so, yeah.
• General contractors, are those required to be bonded based on current rules? Yes. Wow, okay.

Bills: HB178, HB178, HB1551, HB1939, HB2040, HB2354, HB2674, HB3029, HB3460, HB3631, HB3662, HB5201, HB5381

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability, Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise

Transcript Highlights:

• If you forget the rules, go back to your training. Boom. That's it.
• The problem is that we have enough laws and rules, but no one checking that the rules are being followed
• So ranked-choice voting does not comport with majority rule here in our state.
• Internal Vigilance Action, Inc., and Self. Welcome, sir.
• They were supposed to stay there by the Secretary of State's rules or suggestions.

Bills: HB376, HB817, HB 1297, HB1478, HB1661, HB1783

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures