Transcript Highlights:

• :00.120><c> the</c><00:32:00.320><c> entire</c><00:32:00.960><c> NFL</c><00:32:01.799><c> in</c><00:32
• the<00:32:56.000><c> 2025</c><00:32:56.799><c> Lombardi</c><00:32:57.360><c> Trophy</c><00:32:57.919
• 03:32:02.880><c> that</c><03:32:02.960><c> are</c><03:32:03.199><c> present</c><03:32:03.680><c> the<
• :05.960><c> thank</c><03:32:06.120><c> you</c><03:32:07.040><c> um</c><03:32:07.560><c> Mr</c><03:32:
• 32:09.600><c> what</c><03:32:09.880><c> the</c><03:32:10.040><c> Trump</c><03:32:10.600><c> F</c><03:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 6, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• myself</c><02:32:33.439><c> who</c><02:32:33.640><c> worked</c><02:32:34.040><c> in</c><02:32:34.200
• chair</c><02:32:44.040><c> has</c><02:32:44.399><c> been</c><02:32:44.760><c> a</c><02:32:44.920><c>
• 02:32:53.319><c> need</c><02:32:53.760><c> this</c><02:32:54.000><c> skill</c><02:32:54.439><c> set</
• set and what<02:32:55.600><c> we</c><02:32:55.760><c> want</c><02:32:55.960><c> to</c><02:32:56.160>
• <c> say</c><02:32:56.359><c> to</c><02:32:56.560><c> the</c><02:32:56.720><c> young</c><02:32:57.080>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the whereas statement starting in line 32, it says whereas the Idaho Army National Guard
• If they do use purchasing, the purchasing rules and chapters would apply.
• of issues with respect to when they incurred necessary expenses for providing services under that chapter
• subject to legislative approval for affecting the purposes of this act pursuant to the provisions of Chapter

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee met in a special session and introduced several measures focused largely on immigration enforcement and firearms policy. The committee introduced RS 33695, which would impose an excise tax on international money transfers and provide a tax credit for Idahoans; RS 33831, requiring local and county law enforcement to apply for and participate in ICE 287(g) agreements; RS 33832, the Refugee and Illegal Alien Accountability Act, which adds reporting and status-verification requirements and restrictions on unlawful harboring or transporting; and RS 33835, which would allow certain Idaho Department of Correction inmates with federal immigration detainers and final removal orders to be released to federal authorities before sentence completion, with an estimated state savings of $3.5 million. All of these RSs were moved to print without opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1430, which strengthens enforcement of Idaho’s firearms preemption law by creating penalties and a private cause of action against local governments that willfully violate state firearms statutes, while preserving existing authority for discharge ordinances and university rules. Support came from the NRA and the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, and the bill’s sponsors emphasized notice and an opportunity to cure before litigation. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 894, concerning open meetings, was presented as clarifying that members of the public may record open meetings by audio, video, or photographs, with exceptions for executive sessions and certain correctional and parole settings. It was advanced to the floor unanimously. House Bill 932, an advisory vote measure asking Idahoans to choose a favorite firearm from a list of historically significant guns, drew extended discussion and humor from committee members and was also sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. H.C.R. 36, a resolution honoring the Idaho National Guard and supporting modernization, including a transition from A-10s to F-16s and Army force-structure changes, was approved despite one member expressing reluctance about losing the A-10s. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 888, which would shift procurement of information technology services to the Office of Information Technology Services and allow use of third-party brokers or existing procurement channels. Testimony from the bill’s supporters emphasized faster procurement, cost savings, and centralized oversight, while the Office of Information Technology Services testified neutral but raised concerns about workload, transparency, and the need for clearer selection and appeals procedures. After discussion about rulemaking and safeguards, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the whereas statement starting in line 32, it says whereas the Idaho Army National Guard
• If they do use purchasing, the purchasing rules and chapters would apply.
• of issues with respect to when they incurred necessary expenses for providing services under that chapter
• subject to legislative approval for affecting the purposes of this act pursuant to the provisions of Chapter

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 6, 2, 0, 6, 0, 1, Florida statutes.
• released by University of Florida that we've licensed and there was a new line you guys passed under Chapter
• Under chapter one, 19, nearly all the district's 45 black, some type of formal performance goals, objectives
• 2024, there were 25 district that failed to timely file their reports in accordance with to a 10.0. 32

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota<00:32:05.840><c> and</c><00:32:06.080><c> how</c><00:32:06.320><c> we</c><00:32:06.559><c>
• Moving on, uh, at<00:32:12.880><c> this</c><00:32:13.039><c> time</c><00:32:13.200><c> our</c><00:32:
• ><00:32:20.320><c> level</c><00:32:20.559><c> of</c><00:32:20.720><c> care</c><00:32:20.960><c> criteria
• Uh but<01:32:00.159><c> it</c><01:32:00.320><c> could</c><01:32:00.480><c> have</c><01:32:00.639><c>
• </c><01:32:04.800><c> Over</c><01:32:05.040><c> a</c><01:32:05.280><c> decade</c><01:32:05.520><c> ago

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.559><c> In</c><00:32:00.880><c> six</c><00:32:01.120><c> days,</c><00:32:01.519><c> it</c><00:32:
• :03.360><c> death,</c><00:32:04.000><c> and</c><00:32:04.159><c> in</c><00:32:04.399><c> 8</c><00:32:
• ><c> 21</c><00:32:09.840><c> as</c><00:32:10.080><c> she</c><00:32:10.240><c> died</c><00:32:10.559><
• :32:17.120><c> law</c><00:32:17.760><c> are</c><00:32:18.000><c> the</c><00:32:18.240><c> very</c><00
• Over the<00:32:39.600><c> past</c><00:32:39.760><c> two</c><00:32:40.000><c> years,</c><00:32:40.559>

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><02:32:02.960><c> years</c><02:32:03.200><c> ago</c><02:32:03.720><c> and</c><02:32:03.840><c> it<
• housing</c><02:32:06.840><c> that</c><02:32:07.000><c> may</c><02:32:07.200><c> be</c><02:32:07.359><
• with</c><02:32:12.760><c> our</c><02:32:13.080><c> lack</c><02:32:13.439><c> of</c><02:32:13.680><c>
• :27.520><c> and</c><02:32:27.680><c> they</c><02:32:27.760><c> need</c><02:32:27.960><c> a</c><02:32:
• <02:32:33.080><c> them</c><02:32:33.240><c> moving</c><02:32:33.760><c> outside</c><02:32:34.160><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market. Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded. The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Walsh of Peabody moves to amend the bill in Section 1, line 4, by inserting after the figure 32 the following
• Walsh of Peabody moves to amend the bill in Section 1, line 4, by inserting after the figure 32 the following
• The group played an important role in breaking racial and gender barriers during a difficult chapter
• Gaskey of Carver moves to amend the bill by adding the following to subsection 2 of section 110 of chapter

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House took up several Senate and House bills, mostly under suspension of the rules, and advanced a number of measures to third reading or engrossment. Early in the session, the House dealt with a Senate bill on student learning and mental health by insisting on its position and appointing a committee of conference. It also referred a Senate petition on alleviating poverty to the Committee on Children and Families after the House declined to concur with a Judiciary referral. The chamber then considered and advanced multiple Ways and Means bills, including legislation on police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder, honoring Blue Star families, land conveyance in Bolton, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, affordable housing and cultural space in Brighton, increasing access to epinephrine, and civil rights and technology. Several bills drew extended floor debate. Supporters of the epinephrine bill emphasized its life-saving purpose and described the death of Michael Brown as a catalyst for the measure; the House adopted the bill after a roll call vote of 149-0. The newborn CMV screening bill also prompted substantial testimony in favor from public health advocates and parents, who argued that universal screening would enable earlier treatment and reduce long-term harm; an amendment to add other rare diseases was withdrawn, and a later amendment creating a broad opt-out was defeated 1-153 before the bill passed 154-1. The civil rights and technology bill focused on banning weaponized drones and robotic devices, restricting misuse, and preserving law enforcement and civil liberties; it passed 154-1. The Blue Star families bill, creating commemorative plates for families of fallen law enforcement officers, passed 156-0 after emotional remarks from members and supporters. The House also passed without recorded opposition a bill facilitating better interactions between police and people with autism, and it approved a Bolton land conveyance bill and the Brighton affordable housing/cultural space bill. The chamber observed moments of silence for former Congressman Barney Frank and State Trooper Kevin Traynor, welcomed several guest groups, and concluded by adopting an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And like you just mentioned, under Chapter 566, so sexual offenses—so we're talking rape, sodomy, child
• We're only asking for six dollars for a recording fee, and we actually have 32 million Americans that
• We're only asking for six dollars for a recording fee, and we actually have 32 million Americans that
• There's some of you that have land banks currently that don't have access to Chapter 141 to clean these

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 126-0 vote, and then heard several points of personal privilege, including recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day and a moment of silence for journalist Ray Hartman. Members also introduced numerous student groups, interns, and special guests visiting the chamber. The chamber then took up conference committee business on House Bills 2637 and 3155, a large public safety/criminal justice package. Members discussed the bill’s juvenile justice provisions, including narrowing prosecutorial certification of juveniles to certain serious offenses, changes to age language, juvenile detention facility funding, outpatient mental health treatment, cyberstalking provisions, drone restrictions, prosecutorial salaries, and sex offender registry language. The House approved the motion to exceed the conference differences, adopted the conference committee report by 124-13, passed the bill 119-18, and adopted the emergency clause for the drone-related sections by 125-15. The House also passed Senate Bill 834, a consumer protection measure dealing with mortgage modifications and sale-leaseback transactions, by 139-1 after discussion of its protections for homeowners. Senate Bill 937, a land transfer bill authorizing the governor to dispose of certain state properties, was amended and passed 137-2-1. Senate Bill 938, which raises recording fees from $4 to $6 to support the state land survey program and recorder of deeds offices, passed 121-21-2 after supporters said the increase was overdue and necessary to sustain the program. Finally, House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 973, concerning wholesaler disclosures and land banks, was amended to remove a school property provision and add land bank authority, then passed 110-36. The House adjourned after announcements and was set to return the next day with several bills on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• EMD dispatcher who gave prior pre-arrival instructions, and ran a medical communication center for 32
• Who gave prior pre-arrival instructions and ran a medical communication center for 32 years.
• Mark Smith on behalf of the California chapter of the National Emergency Number Association, as well
• Mark Smith, on behalf of CalNENA, the California chapter of the National Emergency Number Association

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He served for 32 years as a congressman in Congressional District 1, which covers the city and part of
• He served Missouri's First Congressional District for 32 years, from 1969 to 2001.
• I'm also the president of the Ozark Rivers Chapter of the National Audubon Society.
• I’ve also served as the Kansas City Chapter President for the Missouri Mycological Society, also for

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met with 11 members present, established a quorum, and first went into executive session, where House Bill 2796 was voted do pass unanimously, 13-0. The committee then moved to public hearings. House Bill 2307, sponsored by Rep. Hayden, would designate the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico as the official military academy of the state. The sponsor and supporters said the academy is active, nationally recognized, and important to tourism, recruitment, and the local economy. The academy president testified that it brings an estimated $20 million to $22 million in economic impact and employs 122 people, and other supporters, including alumni and staff, described its educational value and statewide visibility. Members asked about the closure of other military academies and whether the bill would bring tourism and help recruitment. House Bill 3264, sponsored by Rep. Johnson, would make Kansas City the barbecue capital of Missouri. The sponsor highlighted Kansas City’s barbecue history, meatpacking roots, signature styles, and major restaurants and events. Members joked about Kansas City versus St. Louis barbecue and discussed possible promotion, but no opposition was offered. House Bill 3074, sponsored by Rep. Fountain Henderson, would designate April 30 as William Lacy Clay Sr. Day. The sponsor and NAACP testimony emphasized Clay’s civil rights leadership, long congressional service, and legacy of public service and education, with support also noting plans for community and school observances. House Bill 1960, sponsored by Rep. Peters, would designate the smooth chanterelle as Missouri’s official state mushroom. The sponsor and a long list of witnesses from the Missouri Mycological Society, educators, and children testified that the mushroom is native, edible, easy to identify, ecologically important, and tied to Missouri’s hardwood forests and outdoor education. Members asked about safety, look-alikes, and whether it was hallucinogenic; witnesses said it is not psychoactive and is generally safe when properly identified. The chair closed by praising the testimony and indicating support for advancing the bill, and the committee adjourned after concluding the hearing on HB 1960.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Insurance Code Title 5, Chapter 542A, Section 542.003.
• So $32 may not seem like a lot in savings, but a lot of the patients I serve are like very low income
• of these LCIPs would be entirely exempt from the utilization review requirements and oversight of Chapter
• We have population growth on a very massive scale, 14 million in 1980, 32 million today, 42 million.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS INVOLVING COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS IN 2010 WHEN I WAS APPOINTED AS A CHAPTER
• SIDES BUILDING SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM WE ARE IN CHARGE OF OUR CHAPTER 1 WHICH IS IN ADDITION TO THE
• THE 32 MUNICIPALITIES ENSURING THAT THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS IS FOREMOST IN THEIR THOUGHT PROCESS AND
• ANOTHER SERIOUS ISSUE WHERE WE HAVE 10 THREE-STORY BUILDINGS AND 32 TWO-STORY BUILDINGS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 03.840><c> what</c><00:32:04.399><c> you</c><00:32:04.720><c> did</c><00:32:05.120><c> with</c><00:32
• :11.039><c> at</c><00:32:11.279><c> HTA</c><00:32:12.000><c> but</c><00:32:12.559><c> right</c><00:32
• approved</c><00:32:15.600><c> a</c><00:32:15.840><c> week</c><00:32:16.000><c> and</c><00:32:16.159><
• ><c> have</c><00:32:18.080><c> contracts</c><00:32:18.559><c> that</c><00:32:18.880><c> need</c><00:32
• 32:15.679><c> mean</c><01:32:15.840><c> I</c><01:32:16.000><c> I</c><01:32:16.000><c> I</c><01:32:16.400

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joined by representatives from the department's allocations in this chapter, and we are available
• I'm joined by representatives from the department's allocations in this chapter and we are available
• This is the particular chapter of the bond that she specifically championed and focused on.
• This is the particular chapter of the bond that she specifically championed and focused on.
• So this program launched in 2024 with $32 million in awards for 45 grantees across 23 counties.

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• behaviors of<00:32:12.559><c> that</c><00:32:13.360><c> um</c><00:32:13.600><c> not</c><00:32:13.880
• today<00:32:21.120><c> I'm</c><00:32:21.279><c> sorry</c><00:32:22.000><c> would</c><00:32:22.159><c>
• you<00:32:40.120><c> need</c><00:32:40.279><c> to</c><00:32:40.480><c> do</c><00:32:41.120><c> um</c
• ><00:32:41.240><c> to</c><00:32:41.480><c> continue</c><00:32:41.799><c> to</c><00:32:42.000><c> keep
• ><c> well</c><00:32:43.360><c> um</c><00:32:43.480><c> so</c><00:32:43.720><c> the</c><00:32:43.960><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Children and Family Law Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 285, which would add language to the parental rights and responsibilities statute directing judges to consider known mental health or medical conditions that could affect parenting. Representative Ball, the bill’s sponsor, said the intent was not to require disclosure of private records, but to give judges a reminder to ask whether anything in a parent’s condition could interfere with parenting and to help ensure children’s safety and best interests, especially in high-conflict or pro se family court cases. He said the proposal was meant as a guardrail and not as a way to reduce parenting time or take children from parents. Committee members questioned whether the existing best-interest factors already cover parenting ability, whether the new language could invite stigma or weaponization in custody disputes, and whether judges already have authority to ask these questions. Ball responded that judges often do not ask, that family court can be difficult for unrepresented parties, and that the language would simply make the issue explicit. He also said he would be open to amendments, including language that more directly instructs judges to ask the question. One member raised concerns about whether the bill should say judges “shall” ask rather than “may,” and Ball said he was willing to work with the committee on wording. Sarah Horn, a NAMI New Hampshire board member and parent, testified in opposition. She described her own history with OCD, ADD, PTSD, hospitalization, and recovery, and said mental illness had not harmed her ability to parent; she warned the bill could increase stigma and discourage people from seeking treatment. In response, Ball said her testimony was part of why he had considered an amendment to include physical health as well, so the bill would not single out mental health. The hearing ended without a vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last question: I know your wife runs Beyond the Badge, one of the chapters of Beyond the Badge
• We're going to call up SB 32, Senator Sharif, injunctions for protection in cases of repeat or serious
• Tori, please call the roll on CS for SB 32. Senator Bernard? Yes. Senator Bradley? Yes.
• By your vote, CS for SB 32 is reported favorably. Vice Chair Smith? Yes. Chair Martin? Yes.
• By your vote, CS for SB 32 is reported favorably. We're going to move next to tab 3, SB 210.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 156. The committee first considered the confirmation of Matthew Walsh as Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Walsh described his background in law enforcement, social work, and juvenile justice, and outlined DJJ priorities including recruitment and retention, staff wellness, collaboration with DCF and other agencies, aging facilities, and expanding educational and vocational opportunities for youth. Members asked about his social work training, lockout youth, bed space, recidivism, and the Florida Scholars Academy. The committee voted unanimously to favorably report his confirmation. The committee then took up SPB 704, a committee bill extending the public records exemption for conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information. Senator Martin explained that the exemption was originally created to protect active innocence reviews and should continue past its current sunset date. With no opposition or debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably as a committee bill. Next, the committee considered CS for SB 32, as amended, which creates an injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and adds it to the statewide injunction verification system and related enforcement provisions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to give judges a faster tool to protect victims who have reported serious violence to law enforcement, while supporters said it addresses cases where victims are harmed before a repeat-violence injunction can be granted. Eric Friday of Florida Carry opposed the bill, warning it could be misused against self-defense situations and create problems in cases already covered by existing injunction laws. After debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 210, which extends public records protections to petitions for injunctions for protection against serious violence by a known person, including dismissed petitions and identifying information before service. There was no opposition, and the committee voted unanimously to report SB 210 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• But Chapter 70—now I heard my colleague just... But Chapter 70.
• But chapter 70, now I heard my colleague just, while I'm talking to you, but chapter 70.
• Never been treated well by Chapter 70.
• Never been treated well by Chapter 70.
• This Chapter 70 is huge.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 budget for education and local aid. Opening remarks from Senator Pavel Payano, Representative Pat Duffy, and local leaders emphasized the importance of education funding for Lawrence and other Gateway Cities, with Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero highlighting the city’s high-need student population, Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, early college and career pathways, and the need for sustained support to close achievement gaps. The Education Secretariat testified in support of the budget, with Acting Secretary Amy Kershaw outlining investments in early literacy, universal pre-K, student mental health, school meals, high school redesign, higher education affordability, and early childhood systems. Commissioner Noi Ortega described higher education proposals including expanded free community college, continued free tuition at public four-year institutions, student success funding, early college and dual enrollment investments, and the Bright Act and Drive Act. Commissioner Pedro Martinez detailed K-12 proposals such as full Student Opportunity Act funding, increased Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, transportation aid, literacy initiatives, and a new Accelerating Achievement Initiative aimed at schools with the greatest needs. Commissioner Kershaw also described early education proposals including funding for C3, child care financial assistance, CPPI, workforce supports, and administrative funding restoration. Committee members questioned the administration about the pending local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to address health care and other cost drivers in school funding. Officials said the local contribution report is expected by the end of June and that a draft will be shared for public comment after data analysis is complete. Members also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities between districts and urged a broader review of the formula. In response, the commissioners said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but further work is needed, and they pointed to the new achievement initiative, literacy efforts, and early college expansion as ways to improve outcomes. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lines 32 through 44: this is your other categorical.
• Page 31, 32, and 33 are the difference sheets for those special schools.
• Page 31, 32, and 33 are the difference sheets for those special schools.
• You know, I want college to not be a new chapter in some students' life.
• You know, I want college to not be a new chapter in some students' life.

Bills: SB37 , SB29

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach