Video & Transcript Research : 'Tenth Amendment'
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WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 13th, 2026 at 10:19 am
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Question is on the adoption of the title amendment. The title amendment.
- The clerk has the title amendment. Senator Barrett moved to amend the title of the bill.
- I declare the amendment adopted. Are there further amendments to the bill? No, sir.
- Clerk has the title amendment.
- I declare the amendment adopted. There are further amendments to the bill? No, sir.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Sep 11th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate amendments are concurred in. Ayes 49. Noes 14. Senate amendments are concurred in.
- Senate amendments are concurred in. Ayes 53, noes 4. Senate amendments are concurred in.
- Senate amendments are concurred in. Senate amendments are concurred in.
- Now, these amendments These amendments show that SB 7 is not about over-regulation.
- amendments.
Summary:
The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request.
Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing.
The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319.
The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS, HHS Public Hearings 03-24-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- going to um pass it with amendments. going to um pass it with amendments.
- it with amendments. it with amendments.
- And with that, we are adjourned. amendments as necessary. amendments as necessary.
- none pass with amendments. none pass with amendments.
- of the chairs to pass with amendments. of the chairs to pass with amendments.
Summary:
The committee first considered a series of Governor’s Message nominations, largely to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and one to the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances. Testifiers and agencies spoke in strong support of the nominees, emphasizing their advocacy, community involvement, and lived experience. The committee heard from nominees and supporters for John Paul Moses III, Cynthia Fowler, Joshua Eay, Alicia Kim, Raymond Mamea, Maria Christina Valenzuela, Eden Watabayashi, Sierra Whiteside, and Brandy Lynn Macallani Hayen. After hearing testimony, the committee voted to advise and consent on each nomination, with the votes adopted by the members present.
The committee then took up SR 53 / SCR 69, which asks the Department of Health to convene a pharmacy benefit manager working group to improve transparency, fairness, and drug affordability. Supporters included the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, the University of Hawaii system, and several individuals, while the Department of Health said the issue is complex and may require additional support or a different structure. Members discussed whether the Department of Health should lead the effort or whether another entity, such as SHIPA with an appropriation, might be more workable; the Department of Health suggested a $100,000 appropriation could be sufficient.
Next, SR 56 / SCR 73 proposed a report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Wellness and Resilience supported the measure and asked for an extended deadline to the end of 2026, and several youth, mental health, and community organizations testified in support. The committee also heard SR 69 / STR 86 on creating an aeromedical services working group, with support from Air Methods, the Department of Health, and the Hawaii Medical Association, and SR 99 / STR 118 on studying the use of filtered catchment water for business activity, which drew support from the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association and comments from the Department of Health that the issue is complicated and should include the Department of Agriculture. No final votes on the resolutions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Any other questions on the amendment? Seeing none, can I have a motion to adopt the amendment?
- I move Amendment 233-8. I move Amendment 233-804.
- Any opposition to the amendment?
- I don't know what the amendments are. Maybe I should have come prepared with some amendments.
- I don't know what the amendments are. Maybe I should have come prepared with some amendments.
Keywords:
auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And those amendments, I'm not sure if they passed the new amendments out. Yeah. Okay.
- a really quick fix for those amendments in terms of... ...fix for those amendments.
- a really quick fix for those amendments in terms of fix for those amendments.
- Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations. Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.
- Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations. Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Apr 15th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the Vanette Amendment.
- Chairman, just for clarification, we're voting on the amendment. On the amendment. Mr.
- We're going to take up 1540, and if there's amendments, we'll get the amendments out on 1540.
- Anything else on the amendment? So we'll have the clerk call the vote on the amendment to 1540.
- Was that amended to the policy? So that basic amendment was given to the...
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier.
The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier.
The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (03/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, the next big amendment is amending section 120 of House Bill 2, amendment 1294H.
- section 120 of House Bill 2, be amending section 120 of House Bill 2, amendment amendment amendment
- <01:08:07.200>
an frankly similar to an amendment an frankly similar to an amendment an amendment - offered as a floor amendment. offered as a floor amendment.
- amendment packet uh of amendment 1255H. amendment packet uh of amendment 1255H.
Summary:
The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law.
Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 055 Mar 9th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- amendment.
- amendment is lost. amendment is lost.
- . amendment. amendment.
- amendment. I urge an I vote. amendment. I urge an I vote.
- I think it's a good amendment. amendment. amendment.
Summary:
The House convened with a color guard presentation by Colorado Military Academy cadets and the pledge led by Olivia and Owen Curry. After roll call established a quorum, members approved the journal of Friday, March 6, 2026, as corrected. Several committees then announced upcoming hearings, including Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources; State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs; and Finance.
The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1020, designating March 8, 2026, as International Women’s Day in Colorado. The resolution praised women’s contributions across history and society, highlighted Colorado’s early adoption of women’s suffrage, and recognized trailblazing women in the General Assembly. Sponsors and supporters spoke at length about women’s leadership, economic and civic contributions, and the need to continue advancing equality. The resolution also drew recognition of women and advocacy organizations present in the chamber.
Representative Bradley and other Republican members criticized the resolution as partisan and said Republican women were not included in drafting or sponsoring it. They argued the measure should have been more inclusive and should have better reflected women’s roles in the home and the broader bipartisan history of women’s history observances. Bradley announced she would vote no. In response, Representative Ricks said an amendment would be accepted from the minority caucus to address concerns about traditional roles of women, and he moved Amendment L002 for consideration.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce Development Committee Meeting - 2026-04-16
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- amendment from the other day. amendment from the other day.
- testimony, amendments, discussion. etc. testimony, amendments, discussion. etc.
- >> It's after amendments. >> It's after amendments.
- Uh are you moving the A4 amendment? amendment? amendment?
- The amendment is not adopted. So, with that, we are then to House File 3732 as amended.
Bills:
HF3732
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- My amendment is sort of the second half of balancing out the other amendment.
- My amendment is sort of the second half of balancing out the other amendment.
- committee amendment.
- I will move all three amendments, the two amendments that we have and the committee amendment, combined
- c> that three amendments the two amendments that three amendments the two amendments that we<02:25
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Retirement and Government Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Prote, you have an amendment. It is substantive. We have a substantive amendment.
- The amendment is adopted. Members, we are now on the bill as amended. Mr.
- Declare that the amendment has passed and we are now back on the bill as amended.
- So, do pass on the amendment, Senator Kirt. Will there be questions on the amendment?
- The amendment is adopted.
Bills:
SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716
Keywords:
retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 13 February, 2026; 9:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- it is a friendly amendment. it is a friendly amendment.
- the uh amendment? the uh amendment?
- All in favor adopt the amendment.
- >> An amendment at appropriate time. >> An amendment at appropriate time.
- So that's my amendment.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, received an invocation from Reverend Michael Marshall of Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The chamber then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles, and moved into the calendar. Several motions to reconsider earlier actions on calendar items were taken up and, in multiple instances, tabled or passed over without further action.
The main substantive debate centered on SB 2208, the Mississippi Public University System Governance Study Committee creation bill. Senator Boyd moved to reconsider the bill, and Senator Dupree offered a friendly amendment to add two additional members representing HBCUs, one appointed by the lieutenant governor and one by the speaker of the House. The amendment was adopted, and the bill then passed by use of the morning roll call. The Senate also took up SB 2587, concerning absentee ballots and removing the envelope requirement; Senator England moved to reconsider the failed vote, explained the bill as a way to let voters deposit ballots directly into a scanner, and answered questions about ballot security and the statewide election management system. Senator Tate attempted to offer an amendment to simplify the bill and return to current law, but the amendment was not in writing and was withdrawn; the bill then passed by morning roll call.
Other calendar items were largely handled by motions to table reconsideration. SB 2746, the Older Mississippians Act, and SB 2728, the Mississippi Chance for Youth Court Act of 2026, were both tabled at the reconsideration stage. SB 2523, relating to state institutions of higher learning, was also tabled. After completing the calendar and brief announcements, the Senate agreed to recess until noon, with the journal to reflect the later return time.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So, we are amendable to any amendments that may be needed to address those concerns.
- to<00:07:07.440>
any <00:07:07.680>amendments So, we are amendable to any amendments - So, we are amendable to any amendments that<00:07:08.240>
may <00:07:08.400>needed <00: - We are going to pass with amendments. We're going to adopt DCCA's amendment and their testimony.
- We are going to pass with amendments. We're going to adopt DCCA's amendment and their testimony.
Summary:
The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. SB 2198 would direct DLIR to study a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award program and report back to the Legislature; DLIR supported it so long as it did not affect its supplemental budget request. SB 2140 would authorize counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations; DLIR and labor representatives supported it as an added accountability tool, while the committee discussed whether state law alone was sufficient and whether counties would still need to pass their own ordinances. SB 3055 would prohibit falsely impersonating a union representative; union and labor groups strongly supported it, and UPW said it was open to amendments to address concerns raised by OPA. SB 3090, SB 3091, and SB 3092 were emergency appropriation bills for public employment cost items tied to collective bargaining and temporary hazard pay or salary adjustments for various bargaining units; agencies and unions generally supported moving them forward, and B&F said the amounts were still being finalized because negotiations were ongoing.
The committee also heard SB 2761, which would bar social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create or maintain accounts if the platform knows the user is under 16. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments, while CCIA and Meta opposed the bill, raising constitutional and First Amendment concerns and arguing that blanket bans could push teens to less regulated spaces online. Meta also said the bill’s carveouts were too narrow and would leave major platforms outside the scope of the restriction.
In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2198 with amendments, SB 2140 as is, SB 3055 with amendments adding a specific intent-to-deceive standard, SB 3090 with amendments, SB 3091 with amendments, SB 3092 with amendments, and SB 2761 with amendments adopting DCCA’s changes and noting potential First Amendment issues in the committee report. For the appropriation bills, the committee changed the effective date to January 1, 2077 as a placeholder. All recommendations were adopted, with reservations noted on SB 2761 from Senators Moriwaki, Fevella, and Ihara.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Commerce committee approves omnibus liquor bill, HF2027 3/27/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And um they're not amendment.
- I will move that oral amendment. Chair O'Driscoll moves the oral amendment.
- I will move that oral amendment. Chair O'Driscoll moves the oral amendment.
- All those in favor of the DE2 amendment as amended say aye. Those opposed say nay.
- as amended, and I think just to make sure the record states it's the bill as amended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/01/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- There is one amendment, Madam Chair, if someone could move that amendment. It's the A1.
- should probably introduce an amendment. should probably introduce an amendment.
- Thank you, Senator Dibble. amendment is adopted. amendment is adopted.
- amendment that I'd like to introduce. amendment that I'd like to introduce.
- the amendment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- We probably don't need to reconsider an amendment we adopted before, because that was the amendment to
- The amendment is adopted. So, any further discussion on the bill as amended?
- amendment, or do we have that?
- The amendment is adopted. So, to your bill as amended, Representative Pinto.
- Would you like me to describe the amendment? Okay, let's see, we have two amendments.
Bills:
HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273
Keywords:
Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy One - Friday, May 15 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He had added an amendment to the amendment for that bill.
- The amendment to the amendment that we were— remember we had the discussion to even the playing field
- pass the amendment.
- Discussion on the amendment. Seeing none, the gentleman is recognized to close on his amendment.
- The only thing, you know, we had an amendment in 835 that I liked. We talked about the amendment.
Summary:
The House took up a series of conference committee reports and third-read Senate bills near the end of session, with several members also recognizing House drafters and research staff. The chamber first adopted and finally passed Senate Joint Resolution 87, which drew debate over whether the measure would remove the City of St. Louis sheriff as an elected office; supporters said the change also applied to other charter governments, while opponents argued it reduced local autonomy. The report and final passage both succeeded on 95-46 votes.
Members then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 973, a package combining a wholesaler/real estate transparency measure with a land bank provision. Senate Bill 1421, a broad public safety bill, was also advanced after a motion to exceed the conference differences; supporters highlighted provisions on clean slate, masked intimidation, prosecuting attorney salaries, fentanyl, gift card fraud, unmanned aircraft, and other public safety items. The conference report passed 116-18, the bill finally passed 110-25, and the emergency clause for the drone-related portion passed 136-5.
The House also adopted and finally passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a combined conference report that included insurance consumer protections, court administration updates, treatment court and judgeship provisions, a St. Louis civil case surcharge, and the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Senate Bill 1408 was stripped back to a single issue authorizing MoDOT to consider raising rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 mph, and it passed 93-46. Senate Bill 913, extending several agriculture tax credits and adding a short line railroad credit, prompted extended debate over tax credits, budget pressures, and whether such incentives should be extended now or later; a proposed child tax credit amendment was withdrawn, and the bill ultimately passed 107-30. The House then began debate on Senate Bill 1553, a critical minerals and pharmaceutical manufacturing incentive bill, with supporters framing it as a jobs and supply-chain security measure and opponents raising questions about tax incentives and local impacts.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:09:42.880>
substantial committee amendment uh made substantial committee amendment uh - :17.199>
insert committee amendment, we insert committee amendment, we insert subsection<00:15 - committee amendment standing committee amendment appropriates<00:16:51.440>
up <00:16:51.600>< - Uh, the next amendment from the standing committee amendment is on page 103. Uh, section 11.
- No amendments.
Bills:
HB0150
Keywords:
Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 20, 2026 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair: We're in amendment number 125 9947, that is the barcode number. Amendment.
- Chair: Questions on the amendment? Public testimony on the amendment? There is none.
- Chair Alvarez: Seeing none, we have amendment barcode 522475, Amendment Number One.
- We did the amendment.
- That is the amendment. Chair Alvarez: Questions on this amendment? Public testimony on?
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Take amendment barcode 243396 by Senator Simon. Two amendments.
- All in favor of the amendment say yea. All opposed? The amendment is adopted.
- All in favor of the amendment to say yea. All is opposed. The amendment is adopted.
- The amendment is adopted. Back on the bill as amended, are there questions on the bill as amended?
- Let's go back to the bill as amended. Are there questions on the bill as amended?
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy considered several bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 70-24, on state planning and budgeting, was presented as a modernization of the long-range planning program to simplify reporting, remove outdated measures, and focus on key data points and outcomes; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 166, on administrative efficiency in public schools, made broad changes to school accountability and operations, including lowering the stakes of certain student assessments, giving districts more flexibility on evaluations, contracts, certification, calendars, facilities, and VPK oversight. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that Title I funds may be used for STEM services, and another refining how advanced degrees count on salary schedules. The bill passed favorably after testimony both supporting and opposing the changes, with supporters emphasizing flexibility and opponents raising concerns about teacher evaluation and instructional practice.
CS/SB 164, on vessel accountability, was described as a measure to address derelict and at-risk vessels by improving owner identification, creating a free long-term anchoring permit program, increasing penalties, and authorizing grants for local governments in the FWC prevention program. It received support from marine industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 472, on education and correctional facilities for licensed professions, would allow inmates to receive credit toward licensure for qualifying coursework; a strike-all amendment added coordination with DBPR and professional boards. The bill drew support from criminal justice, business, and policy groups and passed unanimously.
The committee spent the most time on CS/SB 438, on food and hemp products. Senator Burton and co-sponsor Senator Davis argued the bill was needed to regulate intoxicating hemp products, restrict child-appealing packaging and signage, ban synthetic hemp products, cap THC content in edibles and beverages, and require hemp beverages to be sold through alcohol-style distribution channels. Supporters, including alcohol distributors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve testing, labeling, and consumer protection. Opponents, including hemp retailers, farmers, and libertarian advocates, argued it would harm small businesses, reduce consumer choice, and push sales to the black market. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tab five, and the committee adjourned.