Transcript Highlights:

• but complement those that are on the board currently, where we can all leverage our experiences from mine
• So sitting here listening to you answer some questions from another colleague of mine, I just looked
• have their own kind of methodology behind something, and I think it's important for me to highlight mine

Summary: The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced. The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill and we'll make that one, uh, we'll ITL that one or save it as a vehicle and use his, because mine
• It should have been a million and two million, and mine I think says 5 million.
• It should have been a million and two million, and mine I think says 5 million.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• response to our colleagues who have spoken about their personal story and I want to briefly share mine
• We cannot protect murderers and rape friends and family of mine that I know that are considered angel
• aggressive immigration actions which have left many hard-working families on edge, even families like mine

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fulfill all the desires, the hopes that we've put into this work to make sure that communities like mine

Keywords: 914, all

Summary: Representative Melissa Provenzano opened the ceremony by welcoming family, community members, and legislators, and introducing the swearing-in of Sam Wargin Grimaldo as the incoming representative for House District 92. The oath of office was administered, with Grimaldo pledging to support the U.S. and Oklahoma constitutions and faithfully discharge his duties as state representative. In remarks after the oath, Grimaldo thanked his family and supporters and described the moment as a major step for South Oklahoma City. He said the campaign reflected years of hard work and community support, and emphasized his goal of building accessible, accountable government and encouraging civic participation in a community he described as often disengaged politically. Provenzano then congratulated him, noted the significance of being first to greet him, and invited attendees to take photos and join a reception sponsored by the Latino Caucus and House Democrats. She also indicated that signatures would be collected to make the ceremony official, and the group prepared for photographs with legislators and other guests.

Transcript Highlights:

• fulfill all the desires, the hopes that we've put into this work to make sure that communities like mine

Summary: The transcript captures the ceremonial swearing-in of Sam Wargin Grimaldo as State Representative for Oklahoma House District 92. Representative Melissa Provenzano introduced the event, welcomed family, community supporters, and legislators, and noted the significance of the day for the House Democratic Caucus and the South Oklahoma City community. Justice Gorge administered the oath, after which Grimaldo thanked attendees and spoke about the importance of the moment, emphasizing community support, civic participation, and his commitment to accessible, accountable representation for South Oklahoma City. After the oath, the speakers discussed taking photos, signing the Certificate of Election, and inviting attendees to light refreshments sponsored by the Latino Caucus and House Democrats. No legislation was debated and no formal votes were taken; the only official action was the swearing-in and certification of the new representative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in 2022, tragedy struck for a constituent of mine, Casey Eldred, when he was hit by another snowmobiler

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation met on February 4, 2026, with a quorum present and voting sheets received from members. Senator Serrano chaired the meeting and noted attendance from Senators Baskin, Tedisco, Helming, Cooney, and Scarcella-Spanton. The committee took up a five-bill agenda focused on arts, parks, outdoor education, and snowmobile safety. The committee reported several bills: S.115A, which would increase access to resources for culturally diverse arts and cultural organizations; S.1062, creating an arts and cultural history initiative; S.1067A, establishing a New York State Park Adopt-a-Trail Stewardship Program and fund; and S.1377, creating a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation. Each was moved, seconded, and approved without opposition, though S.115A received without-recommendation votes from Senators Helming and Tedisco. S.1067A was reported to the finance committee. The final bill, S.3256A by Senator Cooney, would increase penalties for operating a snowmobile while intoxicated. Senator Cooney described the measure as a response to a fatal constituent incident and said it would align snowmobile intoxication penalties with those for other vehicles. The chair and other members expressed support, and the bill was reported unanimously. Senator Serrano also announced that Arts Day would return on February 10, as a forum for arts community panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• With an abundance of gifts, from field to forest to mine, from lakes to streams to rivers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I want you to take mine. Let's go with Senate Bill 2843.

Bills: SB2031, SB2386, SB2476, SB2801, SB2843, SB2844, SB2846, SB2885

Keywords: deer breeding, chronic wasting disease, wildlife management, release site, landowner rights, TCEQ, environmental quality, administrative actions, public notice, legislative oversight, water supply, Angelina and Neches River Authority, ownership transfer, public utilities, Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial

Transcript Highlights:

• through ANR and the Department of Health how those cancer clusters relate to the presence of asbestos mines
• in Vermont, copper mines in Vermont, Superfund sites, and, you know, your occupation, whether it be
• <01:27:33.360> in presence of um asbestos mines in presence of um asbestos mines in Vermont
• ,<01:27:33.960> copper<01:27:34.360> mines<01:27:34.680> in<01:27:34.800> Vermont
• , Vermont, copper mines in Vermont, Vermont, copper mines in Vermont, Superfund<01:27:35.840>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You also said, you know, guarding against, in your words, not mine, the unfettered transfer of funds
• the unfettered transfer of not mine the unfettered transfer of funds<00:57:41.280> between<00
• Johnson's school, which we're about 20 miles apart, his needs are different than mine right now.
• <01:03:23.200> right<01:03:23.359> now needs are different than mine right now needs
• are different than mine right now and<01:03:24.000> I<01:03:24.200> say<01:03:24.520><

Bills: HF957, HF877

Keywords: education, mandate relief, school funding, local control, state laws, fund transfers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• resonates that this is the process that resonates most<00:59:19.640> with<00:59:20.039> mine
• So that's a concern of mine. Now what are they part of? The crime scene and part of a 91A?
• So that's a concern of mine. Well, I'm sorry, I'm not the chair. It's hard for me.
• So that's a concern of mine. Well, I'm sorry, I'm not the chair. It's hard for me.
• So that's a concern of mine. Well, I'm sorry, I'm not the chair. It's hard for me.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in Hopkins with a friend of mine at her home, which was freezing, and she was renting.
• I was in Hopkins with a friend of mine at her home, which was freezing, and she was renting.
• I didn't think mine would take that long. Senator Sarah, would you like to move your bill?
• not just an it's a phenomenal uh idea not just because<01:51:55.880> it's<01:51:56.040> mine
• but because uh it's because it's mine but because uh it's one<01:51:58.400> that<01:51:59.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 558, a bill to create a formal process for removing unauthorized occupants from real property, often described as a “squatters bill.” The author presented an A2 amendment, which was adopted, and explained that the bill would give sheriffs a structured complaint and verification process, allow fees, provide immunity when the process is followed, and impose civil remedies for wrongful removal and criminal penalties for false complaints. The bill also includes a provision on holdover situations, clarifying that certain unauthorized guests of tenants are unlawful occupants rather than tenants, and a use-of-excess-force provision was mentioned. Supporters said the measure is intended to give property owners and law enforcement a clearer, faster, and more consistent way to handle situations where people occupy property without a lawful basis, especially in rural or seasonal properties and in some landlord-tenant disputes. Senator Uty read a letter from Hubbard County Sheriff Corey Oas describing recurring problems with rental issues, couch hopping, and subletting without landlord knowledge, and a testifier from Pine Island described several local examples of prolonged and costly occupancy disputes, including a restaurant tenant who stopped paying rent and a rural property trespass incident. Committee members in support emphasized the need to balance tenant rights with property rights and to avoid leaving sheriffs to make ad hoc decisions. Michael D. from Homeline opposed the bill, arguing that existing trespass and harassment restraining order laws already address unlawful occupants and that the proposal creates due process concerns by allowing removal without a court hearing. He also warned that the bill’s definition of unlawful occupant could jeopardize oral leases, which are allowed under Minnesota law. In response, supporters said the bill is meant to distinguish true landlord-tenant relationships from trespass situations and to provide a workable process consistent with Minnesota law. At the end of the discussion, the chair announced that Senate File 558 would be laid over for possible inclusion. He also said Senate File 222 would be laid over, Senate File 559 would be moved with a recommendation to pass to the Judiciary Committee, and the fourth bill on the agenda was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• I found mine yet. Okay, thank you. Hold on.
• /c><01:14:37.560> have<01:14:37.760> the The program would ensure that we have the aggregate

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I brought this one because I wanted to end with words from a constituent of mine.
• And I brought this one because I wanted to end with words from a constituent of mine.
• from Bible studies friends of mine from Bible studies from<03:05:17.040> decades<03:05:17.520
• ... ...or mine, or the next kid of any Minnesota parent is not the next victim.
• So, our lives changed on June 14th, mine in particular.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up a motion to suspend the rules so House File 5140 could be recalled from committee, given second and third readings, and placed on passage. Representative Long and Representative Greenman argued the bill was an urgent, comprehensive gun violence prevention package that had already passed the Senate and should be acted on immediately in response to recent shootings, including Annunciation School, Burnsville, and Accent Signage. They said families, students, survivors, doctors, and community members had been pressing legislators to act, and Greenman described the bill as including mental health, intervention, anonymous threat reporting, bans on weapons of war, ghost guns, and binary triggers. Representative Heintzeman opposed the urgency motion and focused on specific bill language, arguing that parts of the proposal were unclear or overly broad. He questioned whether the language on protruding grips would effectively ban all handguns, whether the penalties section could turn lawful gun owners into felons for possessing multiple noncompliant items, and whether the firearms assembly language could criminalize routine cleaning and reassembly of guns. He said these issues should have been addressed in committee and argued members needed clearer answers before voting on urgency. Greenman responded that the language was intended to target additional protruding grips, not ordinary handgun grips, and said she was willing to adopt an amendment to clarify that point. On the penalties and assembly questions, she said the bill was aimed at certifying existing weapons, banning ghost guns, and preventing harm, and repeatedly urged members to vote for the urgency motion so the full bill could be considered. The exchange remained focused on the motion to suspend the rules and on the substance of the gun violence prevention package; no final vote or other action is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanding this bill would really help families like mine, with three and four-plus children, many of
• would really help families like mine would really help families like mine with<01:13:50.840>
• <01:43:09.360> was<01:43:09.560> being and close friend of mine was being and close
• I had a friend of mine on the other side of the aisle say, 'Would you be okay if this money went to a
• The stabilization grant helped towns like mine that don't have an adequate property tax base.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to turn the gavel over to the chair vice chairman May because the next two are mine.

Bills: SB1623, SB2067, SB2132

Keywords: credit union, Oklahoma State Credit Union Board, membership, loans, investments, board compensation, financial regulations, financial exploitation, protected adults, financial institution, notification, temporary hold, credit card, surcharge, discounts, consumer protection, payment methods, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A constituent of mine actually was part of the cleanup process on the atomic bombs.

Bills: HB506, HB480, HB105, HB403, HB513, SB341

Keywords: emergency vehicles, off-road vehicles, public safety, liability, regulations, foreign nationals, voter identification, driver licenses, immigration documentation, Alabama election law, law enforcement, retirement benefits, Alabama Peace Officers, agency-issued badge, agency-issued pistol, criminal enterprise, database, data privacy, criminal justice, background check

Transcript Highlights:

• By the way, a passion of mine related to this is the issue of dyslexia.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been a long-standing policy of mine, as well as Chair Day's, and it's time we passed these much-needed
• technology is currently being used by our law enforcement agencies This has been a long-standing policy of mine
• I do have a colleague of mine who is wishing to submit her testimony anonymously today, but we have heard
• As I listened to other people's testimony, I threw out some of mine because I want to add that I'm feeling
• , Dan Edwards, and also all the members of the committee, especially for staying late to listen to mine

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's an unintended consequence for a district like mine because before the incentive was fill out
• c><01:02:35.440> a<01:02:35.480> district<01:02:35.840> like<01:02:36.000> mine
• consequences for a district like mine consequences for a district like mine because<01:02:36.720
• Districts like mine in Faribault and in Waseca and Owatonna, those districts that would have more people

Keywords: 1187, senate, all