Video & Transcript Research : 'state senators'

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MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session 26-06-18

Michigan Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are Senate Bill 592, Senate Bill 49, and Senate Bill 50.
  • 52, Senate Bill 820; Item 53, Senate Bill 966; Item 54, Senate Bill 967; and Item 55, Senate Bill 968
  • President, calendar item 53 is Senate Bill 966, the bill to amend the State Housing Development Authority
  • President, calendar item 57 is Senate Bill 973, a bill to provide for the establishment of a state-based
  • No vote explanation, Senator Heidinga, Senator Tice, Senator Daley, Senator Hauk, Senator Lindsay, Senator
Summary: The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees. In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1. Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 02/05/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate.
  • NEW YORK STATE SENATE.
  • AND RECOGNIZE SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON. >> Secretary will read. >> Senate Resolution No. 1516 by Senator
  • Athletic Association Class C State Championship title on November 16, 2025. >> Senator Tedisco on the
  • STILLWATER IN THE GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SENATOR TEDISCO.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Imam Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, who offered remarks about gratitude, diversity, and support for Kosovo’s independence. The Journal was approved, and the chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Resolution 1516 commemorating the 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence and Resolution 1317 honoring the Stillwater Girls Varsity Soccer Team and Head Coach Christine Ihnatolya for winning the NYSPHSAA Class C state championship. Both resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors were authorized to seek additional co-sponsors. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures on environmental conservation, education, public health, civil service, penal law, public service, labor, and a retroactive real property tax exemption for the Silver Lake Foundation. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew recorded no votes from a small group of senators. Senator Fahy explained her vote on a bill renaming an OASAS scholarship in honor of Father Peter Young, emphasizing his work on addiction, incarceration, and homelessness. Two items drew extended debate. On Calendar 141, Senator Walczyk appealed the chair’s ruling that an amendment to a public service bill was nongermane; the Senate voted 21 to overrule the chair, so the ruling stood, and the bill then passed 52-6. On Calendar 213, Senators Kavanagh and Borrello debated a food-safety bill concerning disclosure of certain food ingredients and chemicals; supporters said it would improve transparency and protect children’s health, while opponents argued federal action was already underway and a national standard would be preferable. After the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar, it passed 56-2. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days as legislative days.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part II) Apr 10th, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Creighton. Here. Senator Campbell. Here. Senator Bettencourt. Senator Hinojosa. Present.
  • Senator Menendez. Senator Middleton. Here. Senator Menendez. Senator Middleton. Senator Parker.
  • Senator Paxton moves that Senate Bill 747...
  • Senator West, if you're ready on Senate Bill 2647, the chair will lay out Senate Bill 2647 and Senator
  • Senate Bill 2647 establishes the Texas Accreditation Agency as a state-level accreditor for institutions
Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard Senate Bill 1961, which would expand reporting on post-secondary outcomes and workforce data, including employment, earnings, regional labor demand, and credentials of value. Senator Bettencourt said the bill is intended to close data gaps and improve alignment between education programs and workforce needs. Witnesses from Opportunity Austin, Texas 2036, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, and the Fort Worth workforce community testified in support, saying better data would help students, parents, schools, employers, and regional economic development efforts. After questions from members about regional workforce pipelines and semiconductor talent needs, public testimony closed and SB 1961 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably, including SB 1325, SB 604, SB 1832, SB 747, SB 2185, and SB 2395, with committee substitutes adopted where needed. SB 1325 was amended to remove the DSHS commissioner’s authority to issue standing orders for respiratory distress medication in schools. SB 1832, relating to school transfer or private-school funding options for students victimized by a public school employee, and SB 747, relating to intimate visual material policies, were both advanced on recorded votes. SB 2185, on the bilingual education allotment, was initially moved to a local calendar but was later backed up and reported to the full Senate after a fiscal note was noted. SB 2395, on school district general obligation bonds, was also reported favorably and then moved to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 646, which would expand the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to additional professions, increase award amounts, and add stipends for rural and bilingual service. Senator West said the bill responds to mental health workforce shortages and inflation. The Texas Counseling Association supported the measure, and a Hogg Foundation representative said participation has grown sharply since prior changes. SB 646 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2647, which would create a Texas state accrediting agency and interim oversight system for higher education accreditors; supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a massage school owner argued it would improve accountability and reduce accreditor overreach, while Senator Menendez raised concerns about effects on law and medical school accreditation and student opportunities. SB 2647 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2786, which would exempt first responders from the Texas Success Initiative entrance exam, and SB 2615, which would standardize remote-work policies across public higher education institutions. The Texas State Association of Firefighters supported SB 2786, saying it would remove an extra step for career advancement; the bill was left pending because the committee substitute had not yet been adopted. SB 2615 was presented as a way to ensure more consistent in-person staffing expectations while preserving exceptions for illness, disability, and some non-teaching roles; it too was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Kolkhorst. Here. Senator Perry. Senator Hancock. Senator Hall. Senator Miles.
  • Senator Hughes. Senator Blanco. Senator Sparks? Here. Senator Cook? Here.
  • Senator Hancock, Senator Hall, Senator Miles, Senator Hughes, Senator Blanco, Senator Sparks, Senator
  • The committee substitute to Senate Bill 921 helps protect the Medicaid program and ensures that the state
  • Senate Bill 1677, as filed, would have directed the Department of Health State Services to conduct a
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 04/01/25

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next up, we have Senate File 2132, the giant beaver designation as the state fossil. and other retirees
  • As the senator was just saying, education is to me the greatest value of state symbols.
  • Senate File 3055 attempts to get the state better value for our public funds, and we appreciate Senator
  • Oh, Senator Clark, welcome to the State and Local Government Committee. First time being here?
  • Thank you, Senator Fate. Miss, welcome to the State and Local Government Committee.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 05/18/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Serrano, do you yield? Yes. Senator yields.
  • >> Yes. >> Senator yields. >> As you stated, we have nine budget bills to do.
  • >> SENATOR YIELDS. >> I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THIS IS A large state.
  • Resolution 1948, Senator Hinchey, commending New York State 4-H upon the occasion of hosting its 91st
  • Well, Maryland signed it into Senator Bailey: I wanted to bring up HB 75 in the liberal hotbed state
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a budget extender. Senator Serrano’s appropriation bill was recalled from the Assembly, reconsidered, amended, and sent through Rules to the floor. During debate, senators discussed the ongoing delay in finalizing the state budget, the 13th extender, school aid payments, the Yonkers school district payment, and unresolved issues such as Tier 6 retirement changes and other budget policy items. The extender was passed 57-2 after debate, with senators pressing for more transparency about the budget negotiations and the majority responding that those issues were not germane to the extender. The chamber then recognized several resolutions and guests. Senators spoke in support of Resolution 1948 honoring New York State 4-H and its Capital Days participants, Resolution 2054 commemorating Italian American Day, and Resolution 1620 mourning Denis Michael Troy of Rockland County. The Italian American Day resolution drew extensive remarks from many senators about family histories, immigration, cultural contributions, scholarships, and community traditions, and the Senate welcomed honored guests from the Italian American community. The Rosalyn Yalow Charter School fencing team was also introduced, along with the family of Denis Troy. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing measures on public service, city administrative code, municipal law, correction law, criminal procedure, real property tax, education, social services, public health, executive law, parks, judiciary, and alcoholic beverage control, among others. Several members explained votes on bills related to ratepayer protection, hip-hop lyrics in criminal cases, sovereign nations and gaming compacts, and the Traveling with Dignity Act requiring adult changing stations in public facilities. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew notable negative votes. The Senate completed the calendar and adjourned until Tuesday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Apr 3rd, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate will be in order.
  • President, and to Senator Leake, Senator Passidomo, Senator Boyd, and Mr.
  • Welcome to the Florida Senate. Welcome to the Florida Senate.
  • Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 538, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the state court system
  • Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 538, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the state court system
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including state championship athletic teams, visiting chambers of commerce, apprentices, students, and other guests. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with no committee reports or executive messages on the desk. A moment of silence was held for Walton County Deputy William Will May, who died in the line of duty. Among the major bills passed was SB 234, which strengthens restrictions on resisting law enforcement officers and increases penalties related to manslaughter of an officer; an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties was adopted, and the bill passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 7020 on open government review of certain cybersecurity information, SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, SB 944 reducing the overpayment claim period for insurers/HMOs seeking reimbursement from licensed psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, SB 878 extending probation treatment options for misdemeanor offenses involving controlled substances, SB 538 updating the state court system, SB 480 expanding nonprofit agricultural medical benefit plans, SB 472 giving correctional education credit toward professional licensure, SB 86/House companion 421 expanding peer support for first responders to include support personnel, SB 164 on vessel accountability, SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements, SB 316 creating Series LLC rules, and SB 384 requiring notice to legislative delegations before municipal annexation of state-owned lands. The most debated measure was CS/CS/SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification, which Garcia said would prohibit unauthorized atmospheric interventions, create reporting and enforcement mechanisms through DEP, and impose felony penalties; Polsky questioned the bill’s practicality, federal preemption issues, and agency capacity, while supporters said it would address public concerns and close loopholes. The Senate also passed CS/SB 166 on public school administrative efficiency after adopting several amendments affecting school purchasing timelines, third-grade retention exemptions, teacher contracts, certification, facilities planning, and an OPPAGA study of cost-per-student-station limits; senators debated testing, teacher evaluations, and school accountability. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget process guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper on SB 2500 and SB 2502 amendment deadlines, and then adjourned until April 9.
OR

Oregon 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Convenes 06/17/2026 11:00 AM

Oregon Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate will please come to order. The Senate will please come to order.
  • This is a red alert, a state of emergency. Our kids deserve more. Thank you. Thank you, Senator.
  • The Senate is received of the Senate Joint Memorial Number 112, adopted by the Idaho State Senate and
  • on the table the Senate is received of the Senate Joint Memorial number 112 adopted by the Idaho State
  • Senate and State House of Representatives during their second regular session of the 68th Idaho legislature
Keywords: 907, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 4th, 2025

Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Jaramillo. Senator O'Malley. Senator Paul. Senator Ramos. Senator Sanchez. Senator Scherer.
  • Senator O'Malley. Senator Paul. Senator Ramos. Senator Sanchez? Senator Schar? No. Senator Wirth?
  • So the state, the state.
  • We're now on Senate Bill 28, the Corporate Income Tax to State Road Fund.
  • Senator Sharpe. Yes. Senator Wirth. Yes. Senator Bergman and Senator Hamblin. Yes.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Apr 1st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Boyd, Senator Burgess Senator Calatayud Senator Gruters Senator Calatayud Ingoglia.
  • Senator Bernard, Senator Boyd, Senator Burgess Senator Calatayud Senator Gruters Senator Ingoglia vice
  • I'm standing here today in this Senate in the state Senate thing in the state Capitol asking you, please
  • Senators do not stand by while out of state corporations take our heritage history.
  • But being new to the state Senate just learning about this, this issue to guard says the thoroughbred
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Senator Blackwell >> Senator Blunt >> Senator Bowie >> Senator Brumfield >> Senator Bryant >> Senator
  • Senator Carter Senator Chassinor Senator Chisum Senator DeBar Senator DeBar Senator Delano Senator Dupree
  • Senator Harkness Senator Hickman Senator Hill Senator Hobson Senator Jackson Senator Johnson Senator
  • Kirby Senator Kirby Senator Ladner Senator McCall Senator McClendon Senator McMahon Senator Michel Senator
  • Senator Suber Senator Tate Senator Taylor Senator Thomas Senator Thompson Senator Turner Ford Senator
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Denise Pope, and led the pledge of allegiance. The body then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including the doctor of the day, student pages, Carthage Christian Academy, Mississippi Valley State University visitors, the University of Southern Mississippi’s DuBard School and related programs, and members of the Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists. The Senate took up Senate Bill 2896, which revises the Department of Public Safety salary schedule for MHP and MBN officers. Senator Hopson explained it as the vehicle for possible pay raises for troopers, NBI, and MBN officers, and the chamber adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by morning roll call. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2917, a recurring appropriations cleanup measure; its main change would allow Mississippi Valley State University to use previously designated dormitory funds for repair and renovation instead. A reverse repealer amendment was adopted before final passage by morning roll call. Senate Bill 2825, the Mississippi Health Care Industry Zone Act, was then considered. Senator Harkins said the bill extends the repealer for the health care industry zone incentive program to 2028 and noted the program has generated significant investment and jobs statewide. An amendment requested by the Mississippi Development Authority was adopted to revise eligibility language, including replacing a CON requirement with a requirement that a hospital have at least 25 acute care beds and deleting a section under current law. The bill then passed by morning roll call. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Bill 2894 on local improvement projects and the return of unexpended funds and earned interest. Senator Harkins explained that the bill would require older local improvement project funds to be returned if projects were not moving forward, require reporting to DFA and the Legislative Budget Office, allow audits, and permit limited extensions, while also withholding a portion of other state distributions for noncompliance. Senators raised concerns about projects that are already obligated or delayed by workforce and engineering constraints, and Harkins said the bill would be refined with a reverse repealer to work with LBO and avoid disrupting active projects. The bill was discussed but not finally disposed of in the portion of the transcript provided.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 20th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He stated that overall interning in the Texas Senate would not only enhance his legal skills and knowledge
  • So thank you, Carlos, and welcome to the Texas State Senate. Very good, Harris. Thank you, Mr.
  • And I think that these are y'all's way to remind a not-very-sharp state senator to stay on point.
  • And I think that these are y'all's way to remind you're not very sharp a state senator to stay on point
  • President and members, this bill is based on a recommendation of the Senate Committee on State Affairs
Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Apr 3rd, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate will be in order.
  • Senate Bill 234.
  • President, and to Senator Leak, Senator Pasadomo, Senator Boy, and Mr.
  • Committee substitute for Senate Bill 538, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the state court system
  • Committee substitute for Senate Bill 538, a bill to be entitled an act relating to the state court system
Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way. Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose. Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Conservation Feb 4th, 2025

Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It effectively uses the strong state revenues, which have significantly increased with Senate Bill 29
  • Senator Savantas? Senator Savantas, yes. Senator Charlie? Senator Charlie, yes. Senator Zeld?
  • Senator Zeld? Yes. Senator Hamblin? Yes. Senator Hamblin? Yes. Senator Pope? Yes. Senator Pope?
  • Good morning, Madam Chair, Senators. Randy, State Fire Marshal. We strongly support this bill.
  • I would like to respectfully state our opposition to Senate Bill 34.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Apr 23rd, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate and now a United States Congressman.
  • Senator Gruters. Thank you, Mr. President. I don't look at this as a support from the state.
  • To my knowledge, there is not a state appropriation for legal aid. Senator Berman. Thank you, Mr.
  • How do other states fund legal aid? Senator Gruters.
  • We started with a pick and shovel, and it was a state senator who stood in the driveway one night and
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests, students, advocates, and a resolution honoring the late USF men’s basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. Senators also observed moments of silence for victims of recent campus violence and for former FSU President John Thrasher. The chamber then moved to special order bills, with several members explaining measures and, in some cases, substituting House companions before final passage. Among the bills passed were measures updating child care and early learning provider regulation; strengthening penalties and cost recovery for false reporting and swatting; extending protections against extraordinary medical debt collection; expanding hazardous walking condition criteria for schoolchildren; creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students; and requiring private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose which accommodations they will provide. The Senate also passed a bill adjusting interest rules for trust accounts funding legal aid, after extended debate over the impact on legal aid funding and banking practices, and a transportation package that was heavily amended to address issues such as school bus camera hearings, beach vehicle use for equipment removal, flooded-street wake restrictions, expectant mother parking permits, micromobility regulation, and traffic signal modernization. The chamber also approved public-records exemptions for Agency for Health Care Administration investigators, Judicial Qualifications Commission employees, and appellate court clerks; a municipal water and sewer rate bill affecting Miami-Dade residents near a plant; motor vehicle offenses involving impersonating law enforcement and obscured license plates; trespass penalties at law-enforcement-controlled locations and large ticketed venues; refund requirements for patient overpayments; stem cell therapy authorization with source and consent limits; and insulin administration authority for direct support professionals and relatives in group homes. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, and motor vehicle manufacturer/franchise dealer legislation. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though the trust fund interest bill drew notable opposition and passed 28-10, and the Family Empowerment Scholarship bill passed 37-1.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-24 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And thank you, Senator Burton. That was lovely. Members, today is Clay Day in the State Capitol.
  • Senate Bill 892, a bill to be entitled an act relating to Florida State University Election Law Center
  • Senator Burgess, I have a concern with the bill even in its current state, and here's why.
  • , my recovery, my desire to be the great state senator from Pinellas.
  • We have no state control over drones, but you think we'd do over this? Senator Angolia, thank you.
Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar. A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields. Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Osgood. Senator Polsky. Here. Senator Simon. Here. Senator Smith. Here. Senator Wright.
  • Esteemed members of the Florida State Senate Appropriations Committee and Chair Garcia, thank you.
  • I oppose Senate Bill 1632, which, according to the state Senate website, is named 'Ideologies Inconsistent
  • State power, when unchecked, has all..." "...for me, Senators.
  • One thing that I wanted to mention was my appreciation on how you, Senator Simon, stated that we as students
Summary: The committee first considered CS/SB 536, which updates Florida’s criminal gang statutes to reflect modern gang recruitment and communication methods, including social media and encrypted messaging. Senator Martin said the bill does not criminalize gang membership, but clarifies definitions used for gang-related enhancements and law enforcement investigations. Members raised concerns about the meaning of “observed in the company” of gang members and possible impacts on businesses and bikers; Martin said the language was not intended to reach ordinary business customers and that the bill still requires other criteria. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably after debate, with some members supporting it and others warning it was still too broad. The committee also approved CS/SB 762, allowing cross-jurisdictional assignment of conflict capital cases with cost and reporting requirements, after an amendment emphasizing judicial economy and geographic proximity; the bill was described as a cost-saving measure and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1742, creating a new offense for indecent exposure or sexual acts directed at minors under 16, was amended to align with the House version and to cover observing a child for sexual gratification, then reported favorably. CS/SB 1750, increasing penalties and mandatory minimums for serious sex crimes and child sexual abuse material offenses, was amended to restore some current-law provisions and limit reclassification to offenders who were 18 or older at the time of the offense, then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1582 on statewide data sharing for secondhand dealer and pawnbroker transactions, along with its companion public-records bill SB 1792, both described as theft-prevention and law-enforcement tools with confidentiality protections and stakeholder support. CS/SB 500, providing FDLE protective security for major-party nominees for statewide constitutional offices, was also reported favorably after a technical amendment. The longest and most contentious discussion was on CS/SB 1632, which would create a process for Florida to designate foreign and domestic terrorist organizations, restrict courts from enforcing foreign or religious law when it conflicts with state or federal law, and bar public funds from supporting designated organizations. Senator Graal said the bill targets conduct, not belief, and creates due-process protections through written findings, public notice, cabinet action, and judicial review. Senator Smith and Senator Polsky repeatedly questioned whether the bill’s use of terms like “promotion” could chill protected speech, academic debate, protest activity, or legal representation, and whether the designation process could be used politically or against religious and advocacy groups. Graal said promotion was meant to cover support for illegal acts, not mere disagreement or academic speech, and said she was open to clarifying language. Numerous speakers opposed the bill, arguing it was vague, unconstitutional, and likely to be used against Muslim communities, students, nonprofits, and dissenting political speech; a few supporters argued it was needed for public safety and to prevent state support for terrorism. The committee did not take a final vote on CS/SB 1632 in the portion provided, and the transcript ends during public testimony on that bill.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Jun 1st, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Rouson. Here. Senator Berman. Senator Brodeur. Senator Burgess. Senator DiCeglie.
  • Senator Garcia. Senator Grall. Senator Harrell.
  • Senator Grall, Senator Harrell, Senator Martin, Senator Massullo, Senator McClain, Senator Pizzo, Senator
  • After five years, even though he's a young first-time homebuyer in the state. Senator Al-Belah.
  • Former state senator, current Commissioner Bobby Powell. Thank you.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • Please read in Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill, Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100 by title
  • State your name and title for the record. Good evening. Anthony Panicola, Senate attorney.
  • 2 by returning it with my objections to the Delaware State Senate without my signature.
  • it to the State Senate without my signature.
  • Senate Bill 75 simply ensures state-issued licenses have a realistic path to exist.
Keywords: 1064, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/12/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Payne here, Senator Fernandez, Senator Ortiz, and Senator Alston. Thank you.
  • Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004 is transmitted to the Secretary of State.
  • Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004 is transmitted to the Secretary of State.
  • Senator Ortiz, Senator Epstein, Senator Kubi, and Senator Sandration, on how bad this ballot referral
  • Senator Epstein. Senator Epstein. Senator Epstein. Senator Epstein. I rise to explain my vote.
Keywords: 1182, all