Transcript Highlights:

• It is not only a flag; it is a depiction of a flag.
• /M.I.A. flag. But it is flags that are intended to send a political message.
• So a map is not a flag, and so in the same way a picture is not a flag.
• What of the flags that represent the military, What of the blue line police flag?
• There’s also the Juneteenth flag, the Pan-African flag, and Black Lives Matter flags.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up two bills and one presentation. Senate Bill 108, on administrative procedures, was presented by Senator Burgess on behalf of Senator Grall. The bill would require agencies to systematically review rules over five years old, submit annual regulatory plans and reports, and take action on reviewed rules; it also would speed publication of proposed rules after new rulemaking authority and expand transparency for incorporated materials and rule histories. Americans for Prosperity appeared in support, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from State Board of Administration Executive Director Chris Spencer on implementation of statutory investment restrictions affecting state funds. He reviewed the SBA’s structure and fiduciary duties, said the agency must maximize financial return using only pecuniary factors, and described the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions involving Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He noted recent changes, including expanded Iran restrictions after the October 7 attacks, the addition of China-related divestment requirements, and the SBA’s move to eliminate China and Hong Kong from its global equity benchmarks; he said the agency is ahead of schedule on required divestment and in compliance with the law. Senate Bill 100, on display of flags by governmental entities, was then presented by Chair Fine. The bill would prohibit political flags on government buildings and allow active-duty service members and veterans to use reasonable force to stop flag desecration. The committee heard extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing government buildings should not display political messages and opponents raising First Amendment, vagueness, and enforcement concerns, especially regarding LGBTQ-related flags and school settings. Senators also questioned the bill’s definitions and the reasonable-force provision. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 100 favorably, with Senators Arrington and Polsky voting no and Senators Brodeur, McClain, Rodriguez, Fine, and Chair DeSiglie voting yes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Rodriguez was recorded as voting yes on SB 108, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It should be sort of government flags, the American flag, the state flag, the local flag.
• Flags of other nations are not political flags. They're government flags.
• with the pride flag that's the antithesis of the pride flag?
• The Christian flag is not a political flag. It is a religious flag for a group of people, right?
• You would want that flag down. The Christian flag is not a political flag. It is a religious flag.

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills and tax-related measures. It reported favorably SB 20, providing $400,000 in relief to J.N., a minor injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk, and SB 14, providing $1.7 million to the estate of Pineal Januier after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. It also approved SB 674, which would let property appraisers, like tax collectors, budget for hiring and retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval. In each claims bill, the sponsor described the underlying incident, the settlement amount, and the remaining payment sought under sovereign immunity limits; there was no opposition on the claims bills. The bonus bill drew support from property appraisers who said it would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new appropriations. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, which would create a new homestead-like property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead property for more than six months as residential rental housing. Supporters said it was intended to encourage more affordable rental housing by extending a $50,000 exemption and Save Our Homes-style assessment cap to qualifying properties. County and city representatives, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, reduced public safety funding, and tax shifts to other property owners and businesses. Several senators also raised concerns about density, parking, and whether landlords would actually pass savings on to renters. Despite the opposition, both the constitutional amendment and the implementing bill were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS SB 268, as amended to include congressional members, creating a public-records exemption related to certain residential information for elected officials. The First Amendment Foundation opposed it, arguing the bill lacked a sufficient public purpose and could hinder transparency, while senators supporting it cited real threats and harassment against themselves and their families. SB 100, which bans government display of flags representing political viewpoints and allows active or retired military members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag, also passed after extensive debate. Opponents argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride and other identity-related flags; supporters said government buildings should not display political messages and that the bill protects neutrality. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval every eight years for local discretionary taxes such as tourist development taxes and local option taxes, with exceptions for pledged bond revenues. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the restaurant/lodging industry opposed it, saying it would create uncertainty, threaten tourism and infrastructure funding, and complicate long-term planning; Senator Sharief and others said the measure would disrupt existing surtax-backed projects and revenue streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• It should be sort of government flags, the American flag, the state flag, the local flag.
• Flags of other nations are not political flags. They're government flags.
• with the pride flag that's the antithesis of the pride flag?
• Sure, the Nazi flag.
• You would want that flag down. The Christian flag is not a political flag.

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills first and reported both favorably without debate. SB 20, relating to relief of J.N., a minor, would pay the remaining $400,000 of a $600,000 settlement after an 11-year-old was injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk with a known defect; SB 14, relating to the estate of Pineal Januier, would authorize payment of the remaining $1.7 million of a $2 million settlement after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. Both bills were supported by the sponsors and the Senate Special Master’s favorable recommendations, and both passed on roll call votes. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, both by Senator Avila, which would create a new property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead residential property for more than six months in order to encourage more affordable rental housing. Local governments, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, impacts on public safety and services, and uncertainty for local budgets; several senators also questioned whether landlords would pass savings on to renters and whether the measure would worsen density and parking issues. Despite the opposition, both measures were reported favorably after the sponsor said the bills would be refined and revised. SB 674, by Senator Wright, was reported favorably with support from property appraisers who said it would let them budget and pay hiring or retention bonuses, similar to authority already given to tax collectors, to help compete for specialized staff. CS for CS SB 268, by Senator Jones, also passed after an amendment adding congressional members; the bill would create a public-records exemption for certain home-address information for elected officials, and debate centered on balancing transparency with safety after members described death threats and harassment. The committee then approved SB 100, by Senator Fine, which would bar government buildings from displaying flags representing political viewpoints and allow active or retired military or National Guard members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag; the bill drew extensive opposition from transparency, civil rights, and LGBTQ advocates who argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride flags, while supporters said government should not endorse political messages. Finally, CS for SB 1664, by Senator Trumbull, was reported favorably after a strike-all amendment. The bill would require voter reapproval every eight years for certain local discretionary taxes, including tourist development taxes and some local option taxes, unless pledged to revenue bonds. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the lodging industry opposed it, saying the measure would create uncertainty, threaten tourism marketing and beach restoration funding, and make long-term infrastructure and debt planning difficult. Senator Trumbull argued the proposal simply gives voters a recurring chance to decide whether they still support the taxes and the projects they fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a handout going around called 'Good Flag, Bad Flag' with principles of flag design.
• There's a handout going around called 'Good Flag, Bad Flag' with principles of flag design.
• <00:33:49.559> flag<00:33:49.960> with around uh called good flag bad flag with around
• uh called good flag bad flag with principles<00:33:50.600> of<00:33:50.760> flag<00:33:
• Well, you know, if you had this flag with a bunch of the other flags in a hall of flags, such as at the

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened on House Bill 192, which concerns the Joint Committee on Employee Classification process for state employee positions. Representative Peter Schmidt explained that the bill is a procedural step to send already-reviewed classifications to Korn Ferry and then into statute and the budget. Department of Corrections staff and Commissioner Helen Hanks testified that one Deputy Director of Medical Services position had been omitted from the bill by mistake even though it had already gone through the JCEC process, and they asked for an amendment to add it. Hanks clarified that the position is an existing classified job being converted to unclassified status, not a new position. The committee discussed how the amendment would work and the quorum requirements for the JCEC, then closed the hearing on HB 192 after no further testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 435, sponsored by Representative Don McFarland, which would clarify professional engineering licensure law. McFarland said the bill is intended to make clear that work in IT security, electronics, digital systems, computing, and software is not the practice of engineering requiring a professional engineer license, while preserving licensure requirements for fields such as civil, structural, and building-related engineering. He said he had consulted with the American Council of Engineering Companies and that the bill is meant to remove ambiguity and legal risk, not deregulate engineering. Several members with engineering backgrounds spoke in support, describing the distinction between licensed PE work and other technical fields, and one member noted that software development and regulated software work typically do not require a PE license. The committee voted ought to pass on HB 435 by a roll call of 16-0 and placed it on consent. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 210, which would create a commission to study the New Hampshire state flag. Representative Tom Corman argued that the current flag is a generic “state seal on a blue bedsheet” and does not meet common vexillological design principles such as simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited colors, and distinctiveness. He said the proposed commission would include legislative members plus representatives of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New England Vexillological Association, and would review the flag’s history and recommend whether to redesign it and how to do so. He also indicated he intended to add language to avoid costs, but the bill discussion was not completed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE AMERICAN FLAG, THE STATE FLAG, POLITICAL FLAG SIMPLY DON'T HAVE A PLACE IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS ERECTED
• PRIDE FLAG?
• EXPERT ON FLAGS.
• THE BILL DOES NOT MENTION LGBT FLAGS BUT IT DOES SAY YOU CAN'T POLITICAL FLAGS WHICH THE FLAG WOULD BE
• HE WOULD ONE THOUGHT FLAG. >> THE CHRISTIAN FLAG IS A RELIGIOUS FLAG SO. >> FOR A GROUP OF PEOPLE, RIGHT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• song and raising of the Dakota flags, and then the Ojibwe flag song and the raising of the Ojibwe flags
• blessings followed by the Dakota flag blessings followed by the Dakota flag song<00:05:03.440>
• Maybe today we have flags.
• Maybe today we have flags. Maybe today we have flags.
• their own flags from their nations. their own flags from their nations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This was flagged during the committee for FTE, including those fraud FTE that was flagged by several
• That was flagged by members.
• That was flagged by members.
• This has been flagged by several members.
• This has been flagged by several members.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I flag that.
• So I’d like to flag it.
• I want to flag line 250.
• I want to flag 18, 19.
• Thank you for flagging.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is neither a red flag bill.
• The bill is neither a red flag bill.
• The bill is neither a red flag bill.
• The bill is neither a red flag bill.
• The bill is neither a red flag bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Anti-Red Flag Act prevents all governmental entities in Texas from recognizing or enforcing red flag
• Studies show that 88% of Texans support red flag laws.
• The bill claims that red flag laws.
• For, for those who think that red flag laws, there is no red flag law in Texas, I'd like to show your
• Unbeknownst to us, she had been re-red flagged. But what, what prompted the red flag? Do you know?

Transcript Highlights:

• The Anti-Red Flag Act prevents all government entities in Texas from recognizing or enforcing red flag
• He was red flagged by the Veterans Affairs Hospital.
• For those who think that red flag laws don't exist, there is no comprehensive red flag law in Texas.
• Unbeknownst to us, she had been re-red flagged. But what prompted the red flag? Do you know?
• But red flags are not the way to accomplish this.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So flag that.
• Chairman, that's a good flag.
• Could we flag that one?
• Okay, so we're going to flag those two, so don't—12 is... 14 is already flagged.
• So we want to flag them and flag him for removal from the bill.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will flag that. Let's make sure and flag that for the staff.
• I'd like to flag that, Mr.
• Thank you for flagging that.
• So I just want to flag that. Mr.
• I mean, thanks for flagging.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I think about our tribal flags, I often think about my daughters.
• flags that are here at the State Capitol.
• But now all children can see these flags on the plaza.
• But now all children can see these flags on the plaza.
• But now all children can see these flags on the plaza.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But today, with these flags raised high, we affirm what has always been true.
• The flags and the traditional plantings are just the start.
• At the base of each flag, there will be a plaque detailing the imagery in the flag and sharing the tribe's
• >> The flags and the traditional plantings >> The flags and the traditional plantings are
• sharing<00:02:36.000> the the imagery in the flag and sharing the the imagery in the flag

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > should<00:15:39.440> will course, unfl flagged claims should will course, unfl flagged
• So it might flag that.
• are considered when a claim is flagged are considered when a claim is flagged as<00:45:41.920>
• So, it might flag that. hours provided. So, it might flag that.
• want to flag claims going forward. want to flag claims going forward.

Bills: HF3378

Keywords: human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That puts up red flags for me.
• that<00:04:54.840> puts<00:04:55.120> up<00:04:55.960> red<00:04:56.240> flags
• <00:04:56.639> for<00:04:57.039> me educator that puts up red flags for me educator
• that puts up red flags for me uh<00:04:58.280> I<00:04:58.479> was<00:04:58.880> in
• Mia, thank you for being here again today and particularly for listening to our comments yesterday and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 362, which would grant the Department of Education rulemaking authority related to educator licensure and testing requirements, including passing scores on professional education assessments. Representative Ladd said the bill is intended to preserve New Hampshire’s standards for classroom teachers and CTE instructors, while allowing DOE flexibility through rulemaking. He emphasized maintaining high standards, including for career and technical education, and said he was open to DOE clarifying the language further. Committee members raised concerns that the bill, as written, could remove language recognizing industry-recognized credentials for CTE instructors. Department of Education Director Steven Appy said DOE had drafted an amendment to clarify that the requirement applies to an initial New Hampshire license, to exempt CTE teachers from content exams, and to preserve current administrative practice allowing basic academic skills testing and industry-recognized credentials as substitutes. The committee discussed the distinction between basic academic skills tests and content assessments, and Appy said the amendment was meant to avoid conflating those requirements. The chair said the committee would take up executive session on HB 362 and related bills later. The committee then took up House Bill 90, which narrows and defines the rules for part-time teachers, especially in concurrent enrollment settings. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is meant to allow qualified college faculty or adjuncts from the University System or Community College System to teach high school concurrent-enrollment courses when local schools lack a teacher with the needed master’s-level credentials, particularly in math and STEM subjects. He said the bill is intended to expand student access to college-level coursework, save money, and preserve standards, while still requiring background checks and adherence to ethics and conduct rules. Members began asking questions about how the bill would work in practice, including certification and endorsement issues, but the hearing was not concluded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we had the Pine Tree Riot flag up there. We've had the Betsy Ross flag up there.
• They can still fly other flags.
• House can still fly other flags. House can still fly other flags.
• We have >> They can still fly other flags.
• c> poles<00:06:33.080> to Allowing the other flag poles to Allowing the other flag poles to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and guests, please join me in pledging allegiance to our flag.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag.
• And then also to read a proclamation and then also to present a flag. Yes.
• The Arizona State flag was designed by... ...of Amaya Curley.
• And then here is the flag. There's nothing more to say.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Arizona Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a roll call showing 28 members present and two excused. The journal from January 12 was approved, and several guests were introduced, including representatives from CSG West and NCSL, Tucson Electric Power/UniSource Native business resource group members, Yaqui community guests, students from Marcos de Niza High School, and the mayor of Guadalupe. Senators also offered remarks honoring former Attorney General Mark Brnovich with a moment of silence. A major ceremonial item was a proclamation and flag presentation honoring the life and service of Amaya Curley, presented by Senator Hatathlie. The proclamation recognized Curley’s Navy service, her cultural values, and her impact on family and community, and her family was introduced in the gallery. The Senate also recessed briefly for the presentation of an Arizona state flag flown over the Capitol in her memory, accompanied by a certificate from the Secretary of State. On floor business, the President Pro Tem announced extended deadlines for opening Senate folders and for bill introduction sets. The Senate received a House message consenting to adjourn the legislature from January 15 until January 20, and the chamber adopted a motion to accede to that request. The clerk then read a long list of second-reading bills and resolutions covering elections, education, health care, firearms, taxation, transportation, immigration-related reporting, public records, and other topics. No bill votes were taken during this portion beyond the adjournment-related motion, and the Senate later adjourned until January 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.