Video & Transcript : 'Governor appointments' :
Page 21 of 500
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislation is making it not just at the time that they're appointed.
- by the governor?
- So if it wouldn't be the governor, what other avenues would there be to appoint the nine-member Citizens
- The Pro Tem gets an appointment, the Minority Leader of the Senate gets an appointment, the Speaker gets
- an appointment, the Minority Leader in the House gets an appointment.
Committee:
Senate Senate Rules
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Commissioner Tatum has been appointed to trial court appointments for Maricopa County.
- Commissioner Tatum has been appointed to trial court appointments for Maricopa County.
- This on the president's desk, appointments by the president.
- Commissioner Tatum has been appointed to trial court appointments for Maricopa County.
- It was rejected by the governor.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 10th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The areas of education and education reform, which is what the university is, or what the governor appointed
- appointed me to do at the school.
- Well, I go where the governor asks of my services and where they're needed.
- under the current set of laws to be able to appoint as he sees fit.
- in under the current set of laws to be able to appoint as he sees fit.
Summary:
The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate.
The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (8:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Lord, we ask your blessing upon our governor and upon the great state of Florida.
- Appointments to be held in executive session. Respectfully submitted, Don Gaetz, Chair.
- local offices, boards, and commissions by the governor.
- President, I move the Senate accept the report in its entirety and confirm the appointments of the governor
- And I am happy with the appointment. President: Additional debate?
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a proposal to increase the number to nine, have four members appointed by the governor, two members
- With this proposal, will the appointed members, through the governor, the pro tem, and the speaker, be
- Senator Bullard: On page two, it does say, remove for cause by appointing authority and appointed in
- Well, again, if that particular appointee that vacated their position had been appointed by the governor
- , the next appointee would be appointed by the governor.
Committee:
Senate Rules
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 3711, which was described as a work in progress aimed at increasing transparency for taxpayers about instructional expenditures in school bond communications. Members questioned whether the bill changed what districts may bond for, and the author said it did not alter the bond process, only added communications. After title was struck, the bill passed committee 13-5.
House Bill 4104, dealing with repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, was presented with an amendment adding conduct involving three or more separate victims as a basis for felony treatment. The amendment was adopted after questions about its legal basis and a recent court decision. The bill as amended then passed committee unanimously, 18-0.
The committee also took up House Joint Resolution 1077, which would send to voters a proposal to move $1 billion from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust corpus into a new Oklahoma’s Futures Trust Fund. The proponent said the T-SET board would remain in place, the corpus would stay protected, and annual earnings from the new fund would be split between reinvestment and legislative appropriations for health and education. Opponents argued the measure would shift money from an independent endowment to a politically controlled process and could weaken existing T-SET programs. After debate, the resolution passed committee 14-4.
Finally, House Bill 3327 proposed expanding the State Board of Education from seven to nine members, with appointments divided among the governor, speaker, and president pro tem, and allowing removal only for cause. Members raised questions about geographic representation and vacancy appointments, but the bill passed as amended 15-2. House Bill 3329, a trailer bill related to sunset legislation, added a July 1, 2027 sunset for the Board of Psychological Examiners after concerns about its handling of a complaint and a recent court ruling; it passed as amended 14-2, and the committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I was appointed back in November of 2021 to this position, and prior to that, I was appointed back in
- The commission is comprised of three full-time commissioners who are appointed by the governor and cabinet
- Our Protective Services Division protects the Governor and First Family, visiting governors, visiting
- I was appointed by the governor.
- They'll appoint... ...cause.
Summary:
The Justice Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the justice budget and the major agencies within it. Chair Maney explained that the committee would hear broad presentations rather than detailed budget questions, and the first panel included the Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Corrections, Commission on Offender Review, Department of Law Enforcement, Office of the State Courts Administrator, and the Attorney General’s Office. Each agency described its mission, staffing, budget, and major responsibilities, with repeated emphasis on public safety, rehabilitation, staffing shortages, technology needs, and the importance of mental health services and education in reducing recidivism.
Secretary Hall described DJJ’s prevention-to-aftercare continuum, including civil citation, detention, probation, and residential commitment programs, and highlighted reductions in juvenile arrests and commitments. Secretary Dixon said DOC’s biggest issues are staffing, overtime, and inflation, while noting progress in education, reentry, and a low recidivism rate. FDLE Commissioner Glass outlined the agency’s investigative, forensic, intelligence, and protective functions, including work on fentanyl enforcement and crime reporting systems. The State Courts Administrator emphasized the judiciary’s constitutional role, case volume, and challenges in providing interpreters, experts, and technology support. Chief Deputy Attorney General Guard described the office’s litigation, criminal appeals, consumer protection, and opioid recovery work, especially defending state laws and recovering opioid settlement funds.
Members then asked questions about prison conditions, immigration enforcement, court filing fees, crime reporting, staffing ratios, and transnational gangs. Agency leaders responded that they were not aware of ICE contracts in some cases, that FDLE works with immigration authorities and detention facilities under existing authority, and that filing fees are a legislative policy decision. The committee also heard from the Justice Administrative Commission, prosecutors, public defenders, guardian ad litem, regional conflict counsel, and capital collateral regional counsel, who focused on indigent representation, dependency and death penalty cases, and persistent staffing and retention problems. No votes were taken, and the meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- We started this term three years ago with a new governor, new lieutenant governor, a new comptroller,
- </c> governor, our chief executive, uh, Mr. governor, our chief executive, uh, Mr.
- We I believe we have recess appointments. Clerk will read the appointments.
- </c> read the appointments. read the appointments.
- Sincerely, Wes Moore, Governor.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HWN, HWN Public Hearings 04-01-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- if the governor decides to appoint appoint appoint um um um nominees<00:14:55.199><c> or</c> nominees
- </c> governor deems acceptable. governor deems acceptable. right<00:15:03.279><c> now.
- c><00:15:25.519><c> boards</c><00:15:25.920><c> or</c> to appoint members to boards or to appoint members
- /c><00:15:39.440><c> deadline,</c> were appointed before the deadline, were appointed before the deadline
- ><c> to</c><00:18:06.799><c> burial</c> Dne Maxwell being appointed to burial Dne Maxwell being appointed
Summary:
The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard multiple gubernatorial nominations to island burial councils, with testimony focused on the importance of filling vacancies so the councils can reach quorum and fulfill their kuleana to protect iwi kūpuna and burial sites. For GM 674, Kavuna Khalipi was introduced as OHA’s nominee for the Molokaʻi burial council, with OHA, SHPD, and several community members testifying in support and describing her cultural grounding, community service, and experience in mālama ʻāina. Testifiers also stressed that burial councils are essential for protecting ancestral remains and that prolonged vacancies have left sacred sites vulnerable.
Khalipi herself said she was honored to serve but expressed concern about accepting the appointment without quorum, saying she did not want to waste a term if the council could not function effectively. The chair explained the Senate advice-and-consent process and the consequences of inaction, and after discussion Khalipi asked to pull her nomination from the committee. The chair then deferred decision-making on GM 674 until April 10 at 1 p.m. to clarify the process and avoid unintended rejection.
The committee then heard testimony on GM 676, Dane Maxwell for the Maui and Lānaʻi burial council, GM 677, Noani Parisa, GM 678, Caroline Hartman, and GM 679, Benedict Duman. Supporters, including SHPD and OHA, highlighted each nominee’s cultural knowledge, preservation work, genealogy, and experience with burial or historic preservation matters. Testimony repeatedly linked the nominations to the need for functioning burial councils, especially in light of the 2023 Maui fires and long-standing vacancies. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated votes would be taken at the end of the agenda.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- We have another appointment.
- President, I move that we appoint... Uh, Mr.
- President, I move that we appoint a committee of four senators to inform the governor that the Senate
- The ayes have it, and you have appointed a committee to inform the Governor.
- It is my distinct privilege to present to you the governor of Vermont, the... to you the Governor of
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Governor's Appointments, not required to appear, starting with Item 2C, the appointment of Peter Briar-T
- Colleges Board of Governors.
- I'm deeply grateful to Governor Newsom for this appointment and for your consideration of me.
- I'm deeply grateful to the Governor Newsom for this appointment and for your consideration of me.
- I am grateful to the governor for this appointment and feel honored to lead such a great organization
Committee:
Senate Rules
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, bill referrals, rule-waiver requests, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved a series of non-appearing appointments, including Peter Briar-T to the Southern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, multiple appointments to the Acupuncture Board, Roy Mathur to the Board of Pilot Commissioners, and Davina Hurt to the California Water Commission, with most votes unanimous and Hurt’s appointment approved 3-2. The committee also approved bill referrals, rule waivers for guests on the Senate floor, and floor acknowledgments.
The committee then heard testimony from Lillian Corral, appointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Corral emphasized her background as a first-generation college graduate and immigrant, and said her priorities would include helping students connect to livable-wage jobs, supporting Vision 2030, improving data and digital infrastructure, expanding dual enrollment, and considering regional bachelor’s degree programs at community colleges where workforce needs justify them. Senators questioned her about achievement gaps, the role of data in improving student outcomes, the expansion of community college bachelor’s degrees, faculty staffing, and her employer New America’s positions on privacy, age verification, and TikTok. The committee voted 3-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate.
The committee also heard from Paul Tupi, nominated to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Tupi described a career in law enforcement and said he would focus on public trust, timely licensing, licensee education, and enforcement against irresponsible operators. Senators asked about ABC’s enforcement tools, including decoy operations, shoulder-tap checks, delivery compliance, and investigations tied to alcohol-related crashes; funding stability; delivery alcohol violations during COVID; and ABC’s approach to entertainment zones and other alcohol-policy changes. Support testimony came from industry and advocacy representatives, who praised his responsiveness and open-door approach. The committee approved his appointment 5-0 for consideration by the full Senate.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (02/07/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Are those positions that were appointed by the governor? Did you say appointed by the governor?
- Are those positions that were appointed by the governor? Did you say appointed by the governor?
- Are those positions that were appointed by the governor? Did you say appointed by the governor?
- Are those positions that were appointed by the governor? Did you say appointed by the governor?
- and</c> Hampshire appointed by the governor and Hampshire appointed by the governor and Council<01:54
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 659, which would establish the New Hampshire College Graduate Retention Incentive Program. A Department of Revenue Administration analyst explained technical issues in the bill, focusing on whether the incentive is intended to operate as a rebate or a tax credit, how it would be administered, and how it would interact with the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. She said the bill’s language was unclear on the administering agency, effective tax years, caps, and carry-forward treatment, and noted that reducing BET can also reduce the BET credit against BPT, though not on a one-for-one basis. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the BET/BPT interaction, administrative costs, and whether the Department of Business and Economic Affairs would need additional staffing. Andrew Horn then testified in support, saying the bill is meant to address the large number of New Hampshire college graduates who leave the state after graduation by encouraging them to stay and by incentivizing businesses to hire them. The chair closed the hearing on HB 659 after no further public testimony.
The committee then took up HB 770, a bill to establish a program allowing New Hampshire high school students to earn tuition credits at state higher education institutions through community service. Representative Schultz described the bill as a “triple play” intended to increase volunteerism, expand service and internship opportunities for students, and make college more affordable. Ryan Casey, a junior at Bishop Brady High School, testified that the proposal would help students reduce future loan debt while benefiting communities and encouraging young people to attend college in New Hampshire. Committee members asked about eligibility, including why private and preparatory school students were excluded, whether public school students would qualify, whether mandatory service hours would count, and how the bill’s references to education and business eligibility should be read. Schultz said the exclusion of private and prep schools was intended because public school students are more clearly New Hampshire residents, and she noted that mandatory school service hours had been excluded in revisions. The Department of Education then testified that the program would require significant administration, estimating at least three full-time staff, software or tracking systems, and rulemaking to oversee volunteer sites, schools, student eligibility, and tuition credit distribution. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the hearing remained in testimony phase.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- If something was to happen to the governor, who’s next in line?
- Currently, the office of Lieutenant Governor is vacant.
- When would the lieutenant governor and the auditor positions be removed?
- This is an elected office, not an appointed one.
- And y'all's governor has no problem... ...calling us for multiple special sessions.
Summary:
The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members.
The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote.
The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Bless Governor Ron DeSantis to lead this state with wisdom and integrity.
- President, I move that a committee be appointed to notify the governor that the joint session is assembled
- Okay, Leader Sirois moves that a committee be appointed to notify the governor that the joint session
- President, the Governor of Florida. Let the Governor be received.
- Members, family, friends, and guests, Governor of the State of Florida. Okay.
Summary:
The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to open the 2025 legislative session, receiving the Florida Cabinet, the Florida Supreme Court, and then Governor Ron DeSantis. The session included a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a motion to appoint a committee to notify the governor that the joint session was ready to receive his message. The committee was appointed, the governor was introduced, and the joint session recessed until his arrival.
In his address, Governor DeSantis highlighted Florida’s economic performance, low unemployment, business growth, tourism, and insurance reforms, and urged further action on property insurance, the My Safe Florida Home program, and tax relief. He also called for continued immigration enforcement, praised school choice and teacher pay initiatives, defended higher education reforms, and discussed Hope Florida, hurricane recovery, environmental restoration, and infrastructure. He specifically urged lawmakers to address petition fraud and the constitutional amendment process, condominium reform, and stronger Second Amendment protections.
The governor also reviewed prior legislative accomplishments, including tax cuts, parental rights and education measures, anti-DEI actions, law enforcement bonuses, and other conservative policy changes. He thanked legislative leaders and cabinet officials, encouraged continued cooperation over the next 60-day session, and closed by urging lawmakers to build on Florida’s record of productivity. After the governor departed, the joint session voted to dissolve.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Awaiting the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Governor's Council members.
- Governor. This is my darling son, Monica, Kim, your tenant governor. It's no for you.
- Thank you, Governor. The Governor, that is awesome.
- That a committee be appointed to notify Her Excellency, the Governor, Maura T.
- Order that a committee be appointed to notify Her Excellency, the Governor, Maura T.
Summary:
The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators.
The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session.
In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement.
The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee recommends that said appointment be confirmed by the Senate, Lakey Chairman.
- at the pleasure of the Governor, and Peter Kohler, appointed to the State Board of Education, term to
- The committee recommends that said appointments be confirmed by the Senate, Lynn, Chairman.
- These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate, and notice of appointments is hereby given
- Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The appointment is approved, 5 to 0.
- I'd also like to thank Governor Newsom for my appointment and Secretary Maduro for his support throughout
- I'd also like to thank Governor Newsom for my appointment and Secretary Maduro for his support throughout
- I'm honored by the appointment by Governor Newsom, and grateful to the committee.
- I'm honored by the appointment by Governor Newsom and grateful to the committee for considering my nomination
Committee:
Senate Rules
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Seventh order of business: gubernatorial appointment. Senate gubernatorial appointment number 9306.
- Kristen Frazier, appointed June 9, 2025. Sincerely, Bob Ferguson, Governor. Senator Robinson.
- Kristen Frazier, appointed June 9, 2025. Sincerely, Bob Ferguson, Governor. Senator Robinson.
- Sharmila Swenson, appointed October 1, 2024. Very truly yours, Jay Inslee, Governor.
- Battles, appointed September 3. Very truly yours, Jay Inslee, Governor. Senator Saldaña.
Bills:
SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675 , HB2426 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675
Keywords:
tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, all of them are appointed by the governor? Mr.
- Chair, on the ISC appointments, if it is truly by the governor, there are nine state engineers appointed
- by the governor, and all the rest are appointed by the governor, okay?
- But it is still appointed by the governor, but there are some limitations, right?
- And you're right, it's still appointed by the governor; his bill diversified who the responsible people
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The following committee is appointed to notify the Senate.
- The Chair also appoints the following committee...
- The Chair also appoints the following committee to notify Governor Sanders that the House is in session
- The Speaker appoints the following representatives as the committee from the House to escort Governor
- Speaker appoints the following representatives as the committee from the House to escort Governor Sarah
Summary:
The meeting was the opening of the Arkansas General Assembly’s 2026 fiscal session, beginning with quorum calls, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests, including law enforcement officers, a doctor of the day, nurse of the day, constitutional officers, Supreme Court justices, and family and friends of legislators. The House adopted House Resolution 1001 to convene a joint session for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s address, appointed committees to notify the Senate and the Governor, and later received the Senate into the chamber before recessing for the joint session.
In the joint session, members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Stan Berry, then heard Governor Sanders’s fiscal session address. Her remarks focused heavily on the proposed budget and her administration’s priorities: fully funding education and the LEARNS Act, supporting teachers and literacy efforts, funding public safety and corrections, expanding the 1033 initiative to move people from crisis to career, and holding down government growth while pursuing further income tax cuts. She also highlighted economic development, low cost of living, and support for veterans, while emphasizing conservative policy themes and thanking several Arkansans whose stories illustrated the administration’s agenda.
No substantive legislation was debated or voted on beyond the adoption of House Resolution 1001 and the procedural motions to adjourn the joint session and then adjourn the House until the next day. The House announced that Joint Budget would meet later that afternoon and again the following morning.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- for appointment to the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
- for appointment to the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
- appointment position for the same role on March 25.
- I would like to thank Governor Newsom for the appointment to the position.
- We're going to return to governor appointees required to appear, and that is item 1B, the appointment
Committee:
Senate Rules
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules established quorum and approved several routine items on the agenda, including governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee noted that some 2026 committee changes would take effect February 1, 2026, and that new committees would depend on adoption of a Senate resolution.
The committee then heard from Dr. Hernando Garson, nominated as chief medical officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. He described his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, and EMS leadership, and members questioned him about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, statewide standards versus local flexibility, ambulance patient offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and emergency response coordination. Dr. Garson emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local agencies, collaboration with hospitals and EMS stakeholders, and the need for safer alternatives to routine ambulance transport such as community paramedicine, telehealth, and nurse triage. He also discussed disaster preparedness for vulnerable and rural communities and the use of regional and state assets, including ambulance strike teams, during fires and floods. The committee approved his appointment 4-0.
The final item was Stephanie Weldon’s nomination as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. Weldon, who identified as Yurok-Tolowa and Karuk, spoke about her tribal, county, nonprofit, and state experience, her role as the first Native American woman in the position, and her commitment to health equity, rural communities, and culturally responsive public health work. Senators asked about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, addresses behavioral health, tribal consultation, youth mental health, and how it responds to political pressure around DEI language; Weldon said the office focuses on community-driven, data-informed work and transparency. Public commenters strongly supported her confirmation, citing her leadership on the California Reducing Disparities Project and related equity efforts. The committee approved her appointment 4-0, sending it to the full Senate for confirmation.