Transcript Highlights:

• are requesting one small tiny amendment are requesting one small tiny amendment on<00:31:17.360>
• Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Any members voting with amendments?
• So, chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Um, we're just going to add amendments.
• . amendments. amendments.
• Any members voting with amendments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Token Amendments. Token Amendments. Eyes<00:28:53.760> 36.
• and there were 18 proposed amendments and there were 18 proposed amendments down<01:09:15.120>
• On to page 3, the next amendment that was passed, the committee of the whole amendment number 2.
• And then the final page, third reading amendment number 4, third reading amendment number 9, uh, is actually
• <01:15:22.640> number four, third reading amendment number four, third reading amendment number

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is on the amendment.
• you're voting for the amendment you're voting for the amendment<00:41:10.440> cor Representative
• with the amendment as prepared.
• Amendment passed unanimously.
• I'm going to the amendment passed unanimously; it's now ought to pass as amended.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping about report deadlines and bill scheduling, noting that reports should be submitted as soon as possible, ideally by Friday night, so they can be reviewed and filed on time. The chair explained the process for Democratic and Republican reports, reviewed the timing sheet for early bills, and said the committee was trying to stay on schedule to avoid hearings during vacation week. He also shared his contact information for questions. The committee then moved into executive session on 10 bills. On HB 13, relative to OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill after the prime sponsor asked that it be held for possible local action. On HB 127, extending the closing date of OHRV trails on the Connecticut River headquarters property from September 30 to Columbus Day, members debated economic benefits for Pittsburgh versus concerns about local control, conservation easements, and hunting impacts. The committee voted 11-5 ought to pass; the chair noted it would not go on consent and would have a fiscal note. On HB 174, increasing the maximum weight of a utility terrain vehicle to 3,500 pounds unladen dry weight, supporters argued the change could help accommodate electric vehicles and heavier equipment, while opponents raised concerns about undefined terms, enforcement, private landowner rights, and unintended consequences. The committee voted 8-7 ought to pass. On HB 203, requiring C-COT approved personal flotation devices while on New Hampshire state waters, the committee heard a split between members who emphasized personal responsibility and those who said the bill would improve safety and education and could reduce drowning deaths. The motion to ITL failed 11-5, meaning the committee rejected the motion to kill the bill and advanced it instead. The transcript then moved on to HB 332, allowing for the establishment of a village district, but the discussion of that bill was not included in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment that you're referencing? amendment that you're referencing?
• . amendment. amendment.
• amendment. Am I correct on that? amendment. Am I correct on that?
• amendment for consideration. amendment for consideration.
• author's amendment. Is that correct? author's amendment. Is that correct?

Bills: HF357, HF3389, HF1434, HF2500, HF1606

Keywords: HF357, hasenpfeffer, card games, social skill game, Minnesota gambling law, tournament, contest, prize limit, low-stakes gaming, card game exemption, gambling exemption, cribbage, bridge, euchre, pinochle, Texas hold'em, whist, skat, sheepshead, gin

Transcript Highlights:

• of the DE2 amendment.
• I will move the DE2 amendment, but before we act on the amendment, we do have the A1 amendment to the
• All right, and now we'll move to the underlying DE2 amendment as amended.
• <01:38:25.199> as<01:38:25.560> amended the underlying de2 Amendment as amended the
• underlying de2 Amendment as amended any Chair Nney, thank you.

Bills: HF1354, HF1901, HF2124, HF2130, HF2260, HF2099, HF104, HF134, HF1769

Keywords: public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Swedzinski and I amendments.
• > a a wonderful amendment, a a wonderful amendment, Chair<00:09:28.800> Demuth.
• <00:09:57.800> and appreciate you moving the amendment and appreciate you moving the amendment
• All in favor of the amendment signify by saying I. I. All those opposed. The A3 amendment carries.
• support for the A3 amendment. support for the A3 amendment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is adopted. Please move the bill as amended.
• The amendment is adopted. Please move the bill as amended.”
• There are no amendments. Is there any further discussion?
• So ordered, the amendment is adopted. Please move the bill as amended.
• So ordered, the amendment is adopted. Please move the bill as amended.

Bills: HB2048, HB2189, HB2248, HB2403, HB2728, HB2729, HB2730, HB2731, HB2906, HCR2058

Keywords: orders of protection, domestic violence, court procedures, legal guardian, enforcement, healthcare, licensed health aides, scope of practice, ventilator care, training standards, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, public health, government regulation, elderly, physical disabilities, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, home and community based services, funding increase

Transcript Highlights:

• > the as so amended be referred to the as so amended be referred to the committee<00:20:25.520
• There is an amendment at the desk. Will the clerk please read Amendment L7? Amendment L7.
• I move Amendment L007 to the bill. It’s a proper motion to tell us about Amendment L7.
• amendment L7? Seeing none, the motion amendment L7?
• and amendment L7 is adopted. and amendment L7 is adopted.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment barcode 557418.
• Amendment barcode 570187.
• Amendment barcode 366199.
• Amendment barcode 950539.
• Amendment barcode 688691.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there amendments? None on the desk, Mr. President. Are there questions? Are there amendments?
• amendment after amendment, speech after speech, about how we ought to be treating people in the state
• And those amendments are clear.
• And those amendments are clear.
• And those amendments are still the law today.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D / House Bill 1D, which would establish Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Sen. Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a redistricting plan two days earlier and argued that mid-decade redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based districting is unconstitutional. Much of the floor time was spent in extended questioning about the process, the lack of public hearings compared with prior redistricting cycles, the use of population estimates from the Census/EDR/ACS, compactness scores, and whether the Governor’s office used partisan data or outside consultants. Gates repeatedly said he was relaying the Governor’s proposal and legal theory rather than offering his own legal opinion, and he said any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. A major portion of the debate focused on the U.S. Supreme Court’s newly issued Calais decision and its implications for the Fair Districts Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Senators questioned whether the decision struck down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, whether it affected Florida’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering, and whether the Legislature should postpone action to review the ruling. A motion to temporarily postpone the bill failed by voice vote and then by recorded vote, 12 yeas to 23 nays. Senators also raised concerns that the proposed map cracked minority communities, including Latino and Black populations in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, and that it would produce a heavily Republican-leaning map despite the state’s voter registration mix. After debate on the Senate bill, the chamber substituted the identical House companion bill, read it a third time, and proceeded to final debate. Opponents argued the map was an illegal partisan gerrymander, was based on assumptions rather than verified data, and would likely lead to litigation. Supporters maintained that the Governor had authority to propose a congressional map, that the plan was race-neutral, and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The transcript ends during continued debate on House Bill 1D, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any discussion on the A2 amendment?
• , motion that House File 4233, as amended, motion that House File 4233, as amended, be<00:05:05.840
• even adding amendment like that. even adding amendment like that.
• Any questions on the A1 amendment?
• >> uh this two amendment. >> uh this two amendment.

Bills: HF3919, HF3791, HF1781, HF3908, HF4233, HF3966, HF3430

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft

Transcript Highlights:

• last year or a House Bill Two amendment last year or a House Bill Two amendment that<00:31:32.399
• The amendment as amended by the committee. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say nay.
• The amendment as amended by the committee. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say nay.
• You have the amendment.
• Um, we will be revenue amendment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to our last item, HB 1407. 3,000 um that's the Amendments um is 3,000 um that's the Amendments
• That's the amendments. add amendment stating that upon approval add amendment stating that upon approval
• recommendations to pass with amendments recommendations to pass with amendments any<00:28:09.039
• That's the amendments for HB 949. Any questions on amendments?
• Any questions on the amendments?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 7, 2025, to hear testimony on several bills and later take up amendments and votes. HB 1405, HB 1406, and HB 1407 drew broad support from business, housing, utility, and development groups, with no opposition noted on those measures. Testifiers generally said the bills would streamline permitting, improve coordination, and expand support for chambers of commerce and small businesses. After recess, the chair recommended amendments to each bill, including changes to broaden eligibility, add reporting requirements, and include funding and staffing notes. HB 1405 was amended to allow certain projects with one state and one county permit to qualify, require annual DBEDT reports to the Legislature, and note one full-time position and $125,000 in funding; the committee voted to pass it with amendments. HB 1406 was amended to move the intergovernmental task force from DBEDT to the House Legislature, add a Speaker-appointed chair, and include a $125,000 appropriation note; it also passed with amendments. HB 1407 was amended to convert the chamber support from a grant process to an RFP process and require a 1-to-5 match on a $100,000 award; it too passed with amendments. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was adopted, with Representative Tam excused. The committee also heard HB 796, a tax-credit review bill, which drew no support and 12 opposition testimonies with three comments. Opponents, including SAG-AFTRA Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued that automatic sunset provisions or broad tax-credit cuts would burden working families and that existing review mechanisms already exist under state law. The Department of Taxation and DBEDT offered technical comments, and the Tax Foundation suggested the bill’s goals might be better addressed by cleaning up the existing review process. Later, the committee heard HB 303, which had 17 supporters and no opposition. Testifiers from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Queen’s Health System, and the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association supported the measure, with the chiropractors asking to be included in eligibility. The Hawaii State Center for Nursing said the program had been successful for five years and had room to expand. HB 577 also drew support, with the Department of Taxation offering comments and the Tax Foundation noting technical issues. HB 949 generated mixed testimony: Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce supported it, while Hawaii Children’s Action Network raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the lack of fiscal analysis; Sugar Creek Capital also supported the measure and clarified that the credit would not offset the GET. Finally, HB 933 and HB 959 were heard, with HB 933 receiving six support testimonies and comments focused on grocery tax relief and food insecurity, and HB 959 drawing strong support from labor and advocacy groups for its broad tax relief package, while the Tax Foundation and Hawaii Appleseed urged caution about the proposed 50% GET increase and asked for clearer fiscal analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• Further discussion on the amendment. Further discussion on the amendment.
• Hagen amendment Hagen amendment and<02:38:43.240> to Mr.
• Gruenhagen amendment. Gruenhagen amendment.
• Senator Abeler moves the A14 amendment. The secretary will report the amendment.
• Are we still doing amendments? Are we still doing amendments?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received a chaplain’s prayer and the pledge, and then proceeded through routine business. Members adopted the committee reports except those relating to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, gave second reading to Senate File 203 and several House files, and referred Senate File 5200 to Rules and Administration. The chamber also adopted a motion to return Senate File 4390 from the general orders calendar to the Finance Committee. The main floor activity centered on a series of motions to send withdrawn executive appointments back to their originating committees under Senate Rule 8.2. Senator Putnam moved to return appointments from the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, including the Board of Animal Health, the Veterans Affairs commissioner, and the Rural Finance Authority. Senator Swadzinski moved a similar action for Education Policy appointments, and Senator Her did so for Environment, Climate, and Legacy appointments, including the DNR commissioner, the PCA commissioner, the Clean Water Council, and related boards. Senator Wicklund later moved to return Health and Human Services appointments, including the Children, Youth and Families commissioner, Health commissioner, VNSHUR Board, and EMS director. These motions prompted extended debate. Supporters of returning the appointments argued that the Senate has a constitutional advice-and-consent duty and that committee hearings should occur before floor consideration. Opponents, mainly Republicans, argued that sending the appointments back without floor action avoided accountability and transparency, especially in light of fraud concerns in state programs and agencies. Some authors said hearings had not yet been scheduled or that the committee process should come first; others noted at least one hearing had already occurred on a health nomination. The debate repeatedly focused on whether the Senate was fulfilling its constitutional role or delaying confirmation review. Roll-call votes were requested on the appointment motions. The Putnam, Swadzinski, Her, and Wicklund motions were each adopted by narrow 34-33 margins, returning the appointments to committee rather than leaving them on the confirmation calendar for floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go to the amendment.
• Are there any questions on the amendment?
• All in favor of the amendment, say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. The amendment is adopted.
• So, back on the bill as amended. Now are there any questions on the bill as amended?
• Is there any debate on the bill as amended? Seeing none.

Bills: S1182, S1594

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would change how veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth are handled so the funds are not used to offset foster care costs, but instead are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care. The bill drew one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep of Family Support Services, had no debate, and was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. Senator Sharief later asked to be recorded as a yes vote on the bill. The committee then considered SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. The committee adopted Jones’s strike-all amendment, which added information-sharing and verification provisions, refined the tax exemptions, and broadened eligibility for fee waivers and sales tax relief. After no questions or debate, the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees—Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser—and recommended confirmation on all three in one vote. The meeting concluded with several members offering remarks praising Chair Wright’s long service and leadership on veterans’ issues, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up Amendment 794384. Senator, you're recognized to explain the amendment.
• That is the amendment, Madam Chair. Are there any questions on the amendment?
• That is the amendment, Madam Chair. Are there any questions on the amendment?
• Any other questions on the amendment? Are there any appearance forms for the amendment?
• All in favor of the amendment say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The amendment is adopted.

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary considered several items. First, it took up SB 1694 on technology education, which would revise postsecondary general education standards to incorporate technology-related instruction, including computer science and artificial intelligence concepts. An amendment was adopted that shifted the bill away from creating a sixth core requirement and instead required technology-integrated core courses to include digital literacy, AI applications, and related topics such as software engineering, networks, databases, and cybersecurity where applicable. The amendment also added guidance for high school computer science courses that include AI, emphasizing critical evaluation, limitations, and ethical use. After brief discussion, the committee voted to report CS for SB 1694 favorably. The committee then approved confirmation of the appointments on Tabs 1 through 2 by a single favorable vote. Next, it considered SPB 7038, a proposed committee bill on postsecondary education and workforce development covering tuition and fee policies, consumer protections, career and technical education, student acceleration, and institutional operations. Senator Berman asked about changes to CIE licensure/jurisdiction and dual enrollment expansion; the sponsor said the bill affects institutions rather than individual courses and is intended to expand student options without necessarily increasing enrollment or funding needs. A Florida Dental Association representative testified in information only, urging preservation of the existing exemption for dental assisting programs from CIE oversight. The committee adopted a motion to submit the proposal as a committee bill and then reported SPB 7038 favorably. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an amendment. Um, can I call the roll? Yes, please. I'm sorry, I'm not...
• We have an amendment.
• Um, but that's why I would advise us not to adopt this amendment. ...advise us not to adopt this amendment
• It's a terrible amendment. Even if the idea is good, we can't adopt it. Okay.
• Well, you told us in a text message today you were bringing this amendment.

Bills: SB314

Keywords: motor vehicle fees, Shelby County, law enforcement funding, registration fees, county commission, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, I understand we have an amendment. Mr.
• But I would move we amend the bill with the YLS FN 26-1 amendment to... ...the YLS FN 26-1 amendment
• We do have a friendly amendment for that.
• Any questions on the amendment? All right, got a motion he's... ...amendment.
• All right, the amendment has been accepted. We're back on HB72 as amended.

Bills: HB30, HB35, HB72, HB89, HB30, HB35

Keywords: elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to thank the committee for the amendments.
• I will be accepting the committee amendments.
• I will be accepting the committee amendments.
• These amendments do the following.
• So I appreciate the amendments that were made and the future amendments that could be made that could

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an A1 amendment that's Representative Craft's amendment. Please introduce your amendment.
• , please explain your amendment.
• February 1st this year so the amendment February 1st this year so the amendment that<00:05:22.680
• So that is my amendment. I hope you view it as friendly.
• Representative Craft, do you want to close your amendment?

Keywords: 1183, house