Video & Transcript Research : 'missing persons'
Page 175 of 500
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Miss Protem, you're recognized to explain House Bill 4324. Thank you, Chairman.
- And I'm not talking about one person acting out.
- Well, I'll start with The line right above it says, 'Every person who wears a mask could covering her
- I mean, I could read the sentence, 'Unless otherwise provided by law, any parent, guardian, or person
- Provided any person obligated to make child support payments who willfully and without lawful Excuse
Bills:
HB3765, HB4324, HB3678, HB4170, HB3495, HB3040, HB3062, HB4140, HB4106, HB4109, HB4104, HB3581
Keywords:
property rights, forfeiture, noncitizen, land ownership, felony, public safety, criminal procedure, sentence modification, resentencing, judicial review, postconviction relief, district attorney, prosecutor, victim rights, victim notification, Department of Corrections, inmate rehabilitation, sentencing reform, life without parole, nonviolent offense
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Miss sure of that. All right.
- Um, I would like to see it in a personal bill.
- Um, I would like to see it in a personal bill.
- >> I think I missed it. >> I think I missed it.
- <03:44:58.479>
meeting provided $20,000 for in-person meeting provided $20,000 for in-person
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- talk about this bill, I personally talk about this bill, I personally believe<01:09:23.279>
that - Are we missed? No. >> Is everybody here? Are we missed? No. >> Yes. >> Yes.
- So seven out of 20 members have at least one other person with that name. >> You missed the two bills
- So I would... >> In the past I voted against this. personal<03:53:06.239>
experience personal - Miss Paul, for taking this question. Miss Paul, for taking this question.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 10th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We will have both those in person first, and then we will hear from everyone on Zoom.
- We have several who have appeared in person, and as I've indicated, we will hear from those in person
- I appreciate your being here in person. Thank you. Very much so.
- On a personal note, I have a six-year-old daughter.
- On a personal note, I have a six-year-old daughter.
Summary:
The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate.
The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 19, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- So what am I missing? Can you please explain that further?
- Crisis tends to cost more per person.
- That would be more hours of personal supports and more hours of companion.
- Personal care assistant service, or sorry, personal supports, is one of our most commonly used services
- If they're not getting contacted, there's something missing here.
Summary:
The Health Care Budget Subcommittee took up two bills and then continued oversight discussions with APD and AHCA. CS/HB 27, the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, was presented as a way to let Florida social workers practice in other compact states and vice versa; AARP, the Florida Chamber, and NASW Florida supported it, and the bill passed favorably. HB 1127, a child welfare bill, would create a treatment foster care pilot for children with high behavioral needs, improve DCF data collection on commercially sexually exploited children, and expand recruitment for protective investigators and case managers; the bill also passed favorably after brief supportive testimony.
The committee then questioned APD at length about the iBudget waiver waitlist, enrollment pace, spending projections, and provider capacity. APD said it had sent more than 1,100 interest letters in categories 3, 4, and 5, enrolled 1,124 people so far this year, and expects to spend about 96.4% of its waiver appropriation, leaving roughly $82 million unspent. Members pressed APD on why prior discussions suggested more reserve was needed, how long the SANS process takes, whether category 6 could be expanded, and whether the agency has enough waiver support coordinators and direct support providers. APD said it has about 1,061 waiver support coordinators statewide, adequate capacity for current enrollees, but would need further analysis if the legislature directed a much larger enrollment increase. Members also asked about outreach, annual maintenance of the waitlist, portability for military families, and whether communication efforts should be privatized.
Finally, AHCA walked the committee through the 2023 Achieved Savings Rebate (ASR) report for Aetna and explained how the report is used for financial monitoring, rebate calculations, and transparency. AHCA said the ASR is separate from the medical loss ratio (MLR) calculation, though both are reviewed, and that Florida uses the ASR mechanism rather than an MLR remittance requirement to recover funds from plans. Members asked about related-party disclosures, CVS/Caremark relationships, expanded benefits, encounter data, network adequacy penalties, denials and appeals reporting, interest earned on capitation payments, and whether rate increases were reaching providers. AHCA and the outside auditors said they review the plans’ reported data, reconcile it to underlying records, and can assess liquidated damages for network adequacy violations; several members requested follow-up data on rebates, interest, provider capacity, and related-party reporting.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House DFL Press Conference 3/10/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Because this is going to affect every person in the state.
- Because this is going to affect every person in the state. Probably, yes.
- Every single person in Minnesota would probably get a change as a result of this in some way.
- be almost everyone every single person be almost everyone every single person in<00:15:46.440>
- Working with your colleagues in person as opposed to online.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Commerce and Tourism Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously all the everyone the all the people that work there miss out on tips and different types of
- Many of the small municipality miss the chill.
- Next up, we have miss a Ronald Brown Reyna.
- Chairman and currently, if a person has childcare issues or has fallen ill or any other circumstance
- And and just it's it's it's allowable right to miss an interview.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/20/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- want to thank you, Miss Weston. want to thank you, Miss Weston.
- next person. next person.
- Thank you, Miss Stone.
- Chair, thank you, Miss Stone. >> Mr. Chair, thank you, Miss Stone.
- Chair, and thank you, Miss Dennis. >> Mr. Chair, and thank you, Miss Dennis.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- And I apologize that I missed part of the bill presentation.
- I won't be personally offended.
- And missed it. AB 2023? Yes. Oh, no, came in too. Okay. McSito, no. Thank you. You missed it.
- We are putting our personal information up there.
- The user is a person who—who's the user in that sense?
Summary:
The committee heard AB 1798 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would prohibit life and non-health disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer test results, to deny coverage or raise premiums. Supporters, including the Department of Insurance, UCSF, and several patient and privacy groups, argued the bill would reduce fear of genetic discrimination and encourage early testing and treatment. Opponents from the insurance industry said genetic information should be treated like other predictive health data and warned the bill could limit access to medically relevant information in underwriting. After questions about how insurers obtain genetic information and whether doctors’ assessments could still be used, the bill was approved on a 7-0 vote and held on call.
The committee then took up AB 2190 by Assembly Member Wallace, a website accessibility bill aimed at improving compliance with disability access standards and reducing serial litigation. Supporters from the blind community and Disability Rights California said current law is not enough and that the bill would promote proactive fixes rather than lawsuits. Business and civil justice groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about workable defenses, remediation timelines, and liability for platform providers. Members discussed whether the bill would increase lawsuits, but the measure passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations, with the vote left open for absent members.
AB 2721 by Assembly Member Carrillo would require hotels to post notice when they know or should know that rooms are reserved for U.S. Customs and Border Protection or ICE. Supporters, including Unite Here Local 11 and the California Labor Federation, said hotel workers and guests deserve transparency and safety when federal agents are present. Hotel and business groups opposed, arguing the bill could invade privacy, create liability, and put hotels in the middle of political conflict, while members also raised concerns about interference with legitimate federal operations. The bill passed 6-2 and was held open.
Finally, the committee heard AB 2027 by Assembly Member Ward, which would limit employers’ use of worker data to train or deploy AI systems intended to replace workers and restrict sharing that data for job automation. Labor groups supported the bill as a guardrail against workers unknowingly training their own replacements, while business, county, and public agency opponents warned the definitions were too broad and could block useful AI tools for scheduling, safety, permitting, and public services. Members discussed the line between AI that replaces workers and AI that assists them, and the bill was left under consideration after testimony and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to piggyback off Miss I'd like to piggyback off Miss Gonzalez's<00:40:16.640>
story. - The ombbuds person also does purview.
- email, US mail, or by visiting in person email, US mail, or by visiting in person to<01:25:46.400
- Miss able to answer the budget issues. Miss Beckl. Beckl. Beckl.
- Miss Daly from legal aid to answer any Miss Daly from legal aid to answer any questions. questions. questions
Keywords:
common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2431 5/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome, Miss Oliver. Uh, language. Welcome, Miss Oliver.
- Thank you, Miss Oliver. Chair Eric. Thank you, Miss Oliver. Chair Eric.
- Miss Burch.
- Miss Burch. Robbins. Miss Burch.
- , Thank you, Miss Bur, Miss<00:54:08.880>
Robbins.
Summary:
The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote.
The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly.
The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Protection and Victim Services Committee May 13th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Protection and Victim Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'm not real personally comfortable with handing computers to young children, personally.
- Did we miss any? What else have we missed? Just one moment here.
- Do we miss anything? Probably.
- They have a grooming statute: a person who knowingly performs an act in person or by conduct through
- They have a grooming statute: a person who knowingly performs an act in person or by conduct through
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (2-4-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- But I also feel like as this thing is unraveling, at least I can give a personal perspective.
- Miss Brown had the same slide in her presentation about that Senate Bill 5. Yes, sir.
- And Miss Brown, thank you for the presentation you did for us, too.
- Miss Brown had the slide or third slide.
- And Miss Brown, thank you for the >> Yes.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:04
Economic Development Projects Funding 00:01:25
Blue Oval SK 00:05:20, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum to hear a recap of the 2021 special session legislation, Senate Bill 5, and then receive testimony from the Secretary of Economic Development on the Blue Oval SK project and related economic development issues. Staff explained that Senate Bill 5 appropriated five amounts from the budget reserve trust fund for a project tied to a minimum $2 billion investment: $350 million for forgivable loans through the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority, $10,639,600 to pay off a Hardin County loan tied to 47 tracts of property, $20 million for Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training grants, $5 million for KCTCS training grants, and $25 million for a KCTCS on-site training center. Staff also noted there were no job-related requirements in the bill itself.
The secretary said the Blue Oval SK incentive was structured as a $250 million forgivable loan rather than the state’s usual pay-as-you-go incentives, with clawback provisions tied to jobs, wages, investment, and changes in ownership or operations. He said the project had already exceeded the $2 billion investment threshold, that corporate guarantees were required from SK On and Ford, and that the agreement’s compliance period begins in December 2026 with payments starting in March 2027 and running through 2038. He said the state’s goal after the joint venture dissolution was to protect taxpayers, support affected workers, and preserve future job creation, while also ensuring the money would be repaid if performance targets are not met.
Members asked about the workforce impact, the training programs, and whether the jobs targets would be revised. The secretary said the project had about 1,850 workers at the site, with both production and salaried employees affected, and described state-led job fairs, a job portal, and other rapid-response efforts to help displaced workers find new jobs or training. He said Ford had agreed to continue discussions, invest an additional $2 billion in the site for energy storage solutions, and pursue roughly 2,100 new jobs, while the state sought to keep the company accountable for the full repayment obligation if jobs are not created. One senator raised broader concerns about mega-projects displacing small businesses and creating infrastructure burdens in surrounding communities.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Miss Hannah Callahan, and I'm from Lexington, Kentucky.
- I personally know at least a half a dozen Kentuckians that this bill would impact today.
- identify yourself please my name is Miss identify yourself please my name is Miss Hannah<00:14:14.120
- <00:14:25.240>
Hannah with you today my name is Miss Hannah with you today my name is Miss - know at least actual judge I personally know at least a<00:15:41.720>
half <00:15:41.880>a
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:04
SB 02: 00:01:37
Discussion in Opposition to SB 02: 00:09:49
SB 84: 00:22:19
SB 111: 00:30:35, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first considered Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Mike Wilson, which would prohibit incarcerated people from receiving cross-sex hormones or gender-affirming surgeries, while allowing a tapering period if stopping an existing treatment would cause physical harm. Wilson said the bill was needed to prevent the Department of Corrections from providing such care by memo or policy rather than statute, and he argued the care was elective and not medically necessary. Senators Thomas, Neal, Nemes, Styers, and others questioned whether any gender-affirming surgeries had actually occurred in Kentucky, whether the hormone treatments were physician-prescribed, and whether the bill would override medical judgment; Wilson said the department reported no surgeries, that 67 incarcerated people were receiving cross-sex hormone therapy, and that he would only support treatment if it fit the bill’s narrow medical-harm exception.
Public testimony on SB 2 was strongly opposed. Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign said the bill would deny medically necessary care, violate the Eighth Amendment, and target a very small and vulnerable incarcerated population. Dr. Jack Skilles testified that gender-affirming care is medically necessary and supported by major medical organizations, warning that denying it could worsen mental health and lead to suicidality. Hannah Callahan, a transgender woman, described being denied hormone therapy while incarcerated and said the interruption caused severe physical and mental harm, including suicidal thoughts. Emma Curtis, Lexington’s Fourth District councilwoman, also urged a no vote, framing the issue as a matter of compassion and religious duty.
The committee then voted on SB 2. Senator Neal explained his no vote by saying he was not medically trained and deferred to doctors; Senator Nemes said he wanted clarification that the bill would not stop ongoing treatment; and Senator Styers argued the bill was a poor priority and noted there was no fiscal note and that only 67 people were affected. Senator Wheeler moved the bill, Senator Reed seconded, and the committee reported Senate Bill 2 favorably. Afterward, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 84, sponsored by Senator Steve Rawlings, which would limit judicial deference to state agency interpretations and require courts, not agencies, to interpret ambiguous laws, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright decision overturning Chevron deference.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Preventing Gun Violence in Minnesota – Senator Ron Latz Mar 7th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Which is to say, a person who could lawfully carry and possess a firearm, um, has a right to do so.
- Which is to say, a<00:07:51.960>
person <00:07:53.000>who <00:07:53.560>could <00 - Um I don't want to have to come back another legislative session and say, "Well, we missed a turning
- Um I don't want to have to come back another legislative session and say, "Well, we missed a turning
- Um I don't want to have to come back another legislative session and say, "Well, we missed a turning
Summary:
The interview focused on Minnesota gun violence prevention efforts following the June shootings of the Hortmans and Hoffmans and the Annunciation shooting. The senator said those events prompted him and Senator Zaynab Mohamed to form a gun violence prevention working group during the interim to gather public and expert input, explore ideas, and build bipartisan support. He said the group was meant to set the stage for session work, and that several ideas vetted there are now appearing in legislative proposals, along with a package from the governor’s office.
Asked what the legislature should prioritize, the senator said there is no single solution and outlined a multi-pronged approach: enforcing and expanding red flag and universal background check laws, considering an assault weapons ban and high-capacity magazine limits, banning ghost guns and binary triggers, improving firearm storage and security, and increasing school counseling and wraparound mental health supports. He emphasized that mental health alone is not the cause of violence, but said better identification of students in distress and easier access to care could help. He also argued that these measures can coexist with the Second Amendment and said regulation is appropriate to keep firearms from people with violent criminal histories, domestic violence histories, or other prohibitions.
On politics and prospects, he said passage will depend on bipartisan negotiation in a closely divided legislature, noting that some Democrats and Republicans are uncomfortable with certain proposals while others are open to them. He said he is willing to adjust language, as he did on earlier red flag and background check laws, and hopes members will work with him and Senator Mohamed, especially in swing districts. If no package passes this session, he said the issue will return next session and voters should hold legislators accountable in the next election. He closed by telling families affected by gun violence that lawmakers are working on the issue now and should not wait for another mass shooting, adding that gun violence also includes suicides and other daily deaths, not just mass shootings.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 24th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
- And creating a future where every young person can thrive in safe and healthy relationships.
- Rare disease is really a because to the family and the person who is suffering and to the family and
- He will be missed for his smile, his laughter, and his blue-green eyes, and most he will be missed for
- More than anything, he will be missed for his love and generosity.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Feb 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I know Miss Mears is here, but I do.
- March Air person, Senator Pizzo, thank you.
- Sexual battery upon a person under 12 committed by a person over 18 trafficking, unspecified controlled
- If you pled guilty to sexual battery upon a person under 12 committed by a person under 18 in Section
- It's committed by a person in a very you know, by someone under 12.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill will establish a certified personal care assistant program, ensuring standardized training,
- This bill will establish a certified personal care assistant program, ensuring standardized training,
- assistants or CNAs who provide personal assistants or CNAs who provide personal and<00:10:49.839
- Thank you, Miss Brookmeier. Members, any questions? Senator Gruenhagen. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- got a hand up ah oh thank you uh Miss got a hand up ah oh thank you uh Miss Brooker<01:14:49.480
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- People can still participate in person. The moderator will still be in person.
- You know, if it's one person or two persons, the town has to decide what's the threshold.
- person?
- We'll bring those in person.
- We have folks in person and folks virtually. So, in person, we have Antonia Edwards.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- All unauthorized persons will please leave the chamber.
- to carry it, Jen Bradley is your person.
- So I just wanted to highlight that from a personal sense and respect all of the words that were, Personal
- I want to personally thank Mr.
- I want to personally thank 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.