Video & Transcript Research : 'confirmation'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, what I'm hoping to get as it is an understanding of of how you can confirm that someone is driving
- And where between 50 and and for 20 drug confirmed crashes, 6 of 700 but drug confirmed fatalities.
- Lines of almost identically to the Paul confirmed fatalities.
- I'm wondering why there's so few drug confirm crashes compared to outgoing from crashes.
- What alcohol confirmed fatalities was identical to drug confirmed fatalities.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Douglas Collins, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jan 23rd, 2025
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- If he's confirmed, as I expect he will be, I welcome the opportunity to work and advocate with him in
- out what that exactly means, but I'd also say that it would be useful to have Secretary Collins confirmed
- This committee needs to do its work, but the bottom line is, I think that having the Secretary confirmed
- As with his predecessors, if Congressman Collins is confirmed, I will, of course, work with him as a
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for taking role and confirming that.
- Um, it’s something that’s regularly done for all voters because it does help confirm address.
- <00:15:03.360>
Um <00:15:03.600>it's do verify DPS just to confirm. - Um it's do verify DPS just to confirm.
- voters because it does help confirm voters because it does help confirm address.<00:15:07.440>
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 250, which would require disclosures for political advertisements that are generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence. Senator Blackman explained that the bill applies to video, image, and audio ads, with specific disclaimer requirements and exemptions for bona fide news coverage, documentaries, and certain distributors that require AI disclosure from submitters. Members asked about the bill’s scope, including that it would not cover written mailers. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 2386, which would prohibit political candidates from using grand jury or jury proceedings as a captive audience for campaign activity. Senator Tate said the measure had been passed before and was intended to prevent politicizing trials. With no questions, the committee again voted title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2096 from the Secretary of State’s office, a technical elections bill establishing minimum cybersecurity standards for access to SIMS by election officials and clerks; counties would have to pass an assessment or use election support funds to fix deficiencies. That bill was likewise reported out on a title sufficient, do pass motion.
Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 2588, the Shield Act, which would require citizenship verification through the federal SAVE system for certain driver’s license or ID applicants who identify as noncitizens or do not provide verifiable information, and would also run the voter rolls through SAVE annually. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity and add confidence that voters are citizens, while Senator Blunt argued the bill could lead to unnecessary purges based on database mismatches and that existing systems already address the issue. The Secretary of State’s office said SAVE is used with safeguards, does not automatically remove voters, and that voters flagged in error can provide proof and remain eligible. Despite the debate, the committee voted title sufficient and do pass committee substitute, and the bill was reported out.
Finally, the chairman began explaining Senate Bill 2558, a comprehensive campaign finance reform bill. He described provisions requiring candidates and committees to file statements of organization before accepting contributions or making expenditures, defining corporate contributions and coordinated expenditures, separating candidate committees from PACs, requiring more detailed reporting and electronic filing, setting rules for termination reports and anonymous contributions, and imposing tiered fines for violations. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its discussion or took final action on that bill.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Transportation Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to confirmation hearings for appointments today.
- We're going take up confirmations for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway
- Is there a motion to recommend confirmation?
- All right, Senator Jones and Sen Erin to move to recommend confirmation of all appointees on Tab 8.
- Please call the roll on the confirmations. >> Senator Harrington, yes, Senator Davis yet Senator Jones
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Colleagues, file item 18 is a confirmation of Ann Patterson for appointment to the Delta Stewardship
- Colleagues, file item 18 is a confirmation of Ann Patterson for appointment to the Delta Stewardship
- The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file item 18. Ashby. Durazo.
- The appointment is confirmed. Please lift the call on file item 20. Ashby. Daly. Gonzales: Aye.
- The appointment is confirmed. Please call the absent members on file item 37. Ashby. Gonzales.
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the Senate journals and adopted floor amendments. Members voted on motions to advance Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures and to suspend Joint Rule 62A so the budget committee could hear budget-related bills with shortened notice; both motions passed by roll call. The chamber then moved through the Daily File, including several second-reading bills and gubernatorial appointments.
Three appointments were confirmed: Julie Lee and Ann Patterson to the Delta Stewardship Council, and Santa Cruz County Sheriff Christopher Clark to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators also took up Senate Joint Resolution 17, which urges Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries to Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam; the resolution passed unanimously. The Senate then considered AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, with extensive debate on the state’s fiscal condition and major budget priorities.
Supporters said the budget is balanced, maintains reserves, reduces the structural deficit, and protects funding for child care, Medi-Cal, distressed hospitals, in-home supportive services, housing, higher education, and transit. Opponents argued it relies on future tax increases, leaves a structural deficit, and does not adequately address affordability, public safety, or repayment of unemployment insurance debt. After debate, AB 109 passed 28-9, and the chamber later approved the consent calendar items 81 through 86.
The session ended with adjournments in memory of Honorable Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie. The Senate announced its next floor session would be Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- gives you a reminder kind of right before the appointment if you've confirmed it.
- What we're working on is if you don't confirm or if you don't respond to that confirmation, we're going
- What we're working on is if you don't confirm or if you don't respond to that confirmation, we're going
- What we're working on is if you don't confirm or if you don't respond to that confirmation, we're going
- Director Jang: If you don't confirm or if you don't respond to that confirmation, we're going to give
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- appointment the following: I hereby nominate for the consideration of the Senate to confirm appointment
- Vitola is declared confirmed in the Senate. The nomination of Christy N.
- Vitola is declared confirmed in the Senate. Congratulations, Your Honor.
- I want to confirm something about this bill with the sponsor.
- So I needed to confirm, and I believe I have confirmed that that's exactly right.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote.
The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates.
On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA Public Hearing 03-11-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, just confirm.
- Okay, just confirm.
- Okay, just confirm.
- Okay, just confirm.
- Okay, just confirm.
Summary:
The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1422, which would exempt certain community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier law, drew support from the Department of Transportation, PUC, DLNR, Kauaʻi County, the Hōnaunau Initiative, and others; members asked about narrowing amendments to prevent unintended use, and the bill later advanced with amendments, including a three-year sunset. HB 1162, requiring motorcycle instruction permit applicants to complete a DOT-approved basic rider course, received support from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services; it advanced with amendments to address city and county concerns and to allow more implementation time. HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study when reducing speed limits by up to 10 mph, had mixed testimony and was deferred for further discussion. HB 1260, establishing summer streets pilot programs for counties other than Oʻahu, drew support from DOT, DOH, UH, Hawaiʻi Appleseed, bicycling and public health groups, and individuals; DOH and others asked that Oʻahu be included, but the measure was deferred for later decision-making. HB 177, making civil ID cards free, had opposition from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services and support from health advocates; DOT said the program costs about $1.3 million annually and would need replacement funding, and the bill was deferred. HB 862, authorizing motor coaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services under certain conditions, received broad support from disability advocates, DOE-related entities, neighborhood boards, and private providers, with testimony emphasizing flexibility and accessibility; it was deferred. HB 667, requiring microchip scanning and reporting when deceased cats or dogs are removed from roadways, was supported by DOT, the Hawaiian Humane Society, and many animal groups and individuals, and was passed unamended. HB 960, increasing the cap on certain DOT capital investment contracts, and HB 228, authorizing electronic license plates and banning plate-obscuring devices and flipping devices, were both heard and then deferred. HB 1156, increasing the amount of special facility revenue bonds available for harbor improvements, received support from DOT, the Island Chamber of Commerce, Alakaʻi Energy, and the Harbor Users Group, and was passed unamended to Ways and Means.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And if we can confirm that person's identity so as not to remove the wrong person, we joke around with
- What that would do, you know, we've very confirmed that your vote-by-mail ballot, we've confirmed it's
- You know, we've very confirmed that your vote-by-mail ballot. We've confirmed it's your signature.
- It's an ACFN, address confirmation form, that goes to your mailbox. You don't return it.
- You toss it in the garbage, or you just don't want to confirm to the government that you exist at that
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from several county supervisors of elections and the Florida Supervisors of Elections Association on the 2024 election cycle and priorities for the 2025 session. They described very high turnout in the presidential election, major operational planning needs, and the heavy reliance on seasonal workers, list maintenance, ballot-on-demand systems, and secure chain-of-custody procedures. They also discussed the impact of recent legislative changes on voter-roll maintenance, including inactive voter removal, and said Florida’s election administration has improved to what they called a “platinum standard.”
The supervisors outlined several legislative requests: allowing more than one non-government “wild card” early voting site to improve access and emergency flexibility; requiring newly naturalized citizens to update driver’s license information so voter records match DHSMV data; exempting home addresses of certain election workers and ballot transporters from public records to improve safety and recruitment; restoring a checkbox on vote-by-mail return envelopes so voters can stay on the vote-by-mail list for the next cycle; aligning base salaries for supervisors, property appraisers, and clerks with other constitutional officers; and reducing ballot length by removing precinct committee races from the ballot. They also said they expect a committee bill to carry some of these proposals.
Members questioned the panel about ballot transport security, signature verification, vote-by-mail expiration, public records transparency, and the petition process for constitutional amendments. The supervisors said ballots are transported under detailed county plans with tamper-evident seals, chain-of-custody logs, trained workers, and in some cases two-person transport teams. On petitions, they said the process is labor-intensive and expensive, that fraud has occurred in some cases, and that they favor reforms such as requiring more personal identifying information and having initiative sponsors mail petitions to voters rather than making supervisors handle the mailing. They also said signature mismatches can be cured within 72 hours after Election Day and that voters are notified when possible. After the supervisors’ presentation, the committee also heard brief public testimony from Kathleen Griffiths, who urged adoption of commercial-style risk management standards in election systems and referenced several election-related bills her group supports.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 04/08/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:35:57.160>
uh this this legislation uh to confirm uh this this legislation uh to confirm - Yes, I can confirm that no one's in their jammies.
- Yes, I can confirm that no one's in their jammies.
- Yes, I can confirm that no one's in their jammies.
- Yes, I can confirm that no one's in their jammies.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Confirmations Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Confirmations
Transcript Highlights:
- And we pray for these appointees that come before our confirmations committee today and help us all to
- So we have two on the confirmations agenda today, and they both came up as recommendations from the Speaker
- So if you would call the first confirmation, please. Lynn Brewer.
- I would move to confirm. We'll now be moving to the floor. Receives for favorable report.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nominations of Paul Atkins, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Jonathan Gould, of Virginia, to be Comptroller of the Currency, and Luke Pettit, of the District of Columbia, to be an Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This committee has the opportunity to confirm four remarkable individuals who have the experience. leadership
- Confirming these nominees will empower families, strengthen our economy, and create jobs. and advance
- Trump and Musk burn down our future, the Senate is still chugging along with business as usual in confirming
- I will not vote to confirm these administration officials when co-presidents Trump and Musk are actively
Summary:
The meeting centered around the confirmation of four significant individuals nominated for leadership positions within various financial institutions. Members engaged in heated discussions regarding the nominees' qualifications and past track records. Concerns were raised over the potential implications of these appointments on economic stability and consumer protections. Each nominee was scrutinized, with particular emphasis on their political alignments and prior influence in their respective agencies. Despite the contentious atmosphere, there was a clear focus on the need for strong leadership to guide economic policies during challenging times.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I was just going to confirm about the radio call, Senator.
- Confirmation that the Eastlands received a flood warning at 1:14 a.m.
- Allie Naylor just testified that she confirmed Dick was found.
- Allie Naylor just testified that she confirmed Dick was found.
- The Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, confirms it.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Present confirmed by use of the morning roll call. debate was very good, in fact.
- Present confirmed by use of the morning roll<00:49:01.040>
call. - Present confirmed by advising consent of the Senate.
- Confirmed by use of the morning roll call. Senator Blunt. Blunt. Blunt. Senate.
- Confirmed by use of the morning roll call. Senator Blunt. We're on 246. >> Thank you, Mr.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Bruce Wells and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized a joint resolution honoring the University of Southern Mississippi Army ROTC program on its 75th anniversary, and welcomed several guests and groups in the galleries throughout the morning.
A series of special recognitions followed. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 53 honoring Katie Blunt on her retirement as director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; Blunt spoke about the success of the Two Mississippi Museums, fundraising for exhibits and public programming, and her long service to the state. The Senate also recognized the Winston Academy Patriots football team for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 2A Division 2 state championship, the Mississippi State University All-SEC basketball guard Josh Hubard for his athletic and community service achievements, and the Columbus High School Falcons for winning the 2026 MHSAA Class 5A boys basketball state championship. A South Panola High School Air Force JROTC drone team was also honored for its third consecutive grand championship, with its instructor describing the program’s statewide and national success and its role in preparing students for careers and research opportunities.
On the legislative calendar, the Senate tabled a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2588, the Safeguard Honesty, Integrity, and Elections for Lasting Democracy Shield Act. It then adopted the conference report on Senate Bill 2654, creating the State Security Operations Center within the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, after members noted the changes were largely clerical and did not alter the bill’s substance. The Senate also confirmed several nominations by use of the morning roll call, including reappointments to the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, appointments to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, and an appointment to the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund board.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Health Policy Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there a motion to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 2 through 7?
- So for those reasons, I'm going to be a no vote on the confirmation today. Thank you.
- Is there a motion to recommend confirmation?
- By your vote, the confirmation of Secretary Harris is recommended favorably. Thank you.
- By your vote, the confirmation of Secretary Harris is recommended favorably. Thank you.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1414 by Sen. Polsky on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) education. The bill would require the Department of Health, working with medical experts, to create and distribute CMV educational materials to expectant and new parents or caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, and OB/GYN practices. An amendment removed a section that would have required instruction for medical professionals, and the amended bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute.
The committee then took up a block of confirmations. Appointees on tabs 2 through 7 were recommended favorably in one vote, and Chavon Harris was separately confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after extensive questioning. Senators praised her leadership and experience, while others raised concerns about Medicaid redeterminations, the state’s CORE modernization project, Hope Florida, and a DCF anti-marijuana ad campaign; Harris said she would follow up on some issues and defended the agency’s work on transparency, managed care oversight, and access to care. Her confirmation was recommended favorably, with Sen. Berman noting opposition.
Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. SB 186 by Sen. Garcia expanded epilepsy training requirements for school personnel, including charter school bus drivers, and was reported favorably. SB 902 by Sen. Garcia, after amendments narrowing dental workforce provisions and allowing certain seizure rescue medication delegation to family home health aides, was reported favorably; testimony focused on medical marijuana regulation, practitioner accountability, and concerns about park and child-care proximity restrictions. SB 196 by Sen. Sharif created a uterine fibroid research database with privacy protections and was reported favorably after emotional testimony from a patient and supporters. SB 688 by Sen. Rodriguez would reestablish licensure of naturopathic doctors; it drew both support and skepticism about diagnosis and treatment boundaries, but was reported favorably. SB 1574, Maddie’s Law, would add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening and was strongly supported by parents describing a delayed diagnosis; it was reported favorably. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 1092 on podiatric medicine and certain cellular/tissue-based products, and SB 1032 on medical marijuana registry timelines and veteran fee waivers were also reported favorably, while SB 1032 drew debate over longer renewal/supply periods. The committee then began SB 1760 on Medicaid oversight and program transparency, with the sponsor describing the bill’s creation of a joint legislative oversight committee and a legislative actuary.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to hear some bills today, and we're also going to have a confirmation.
- Today, and we're also going to have a confirmation as well.
- Which tab, or do you want to do the confirmation? Yeah, we have to type five. The confirmation.
- Is there a motion to recommend any confirmation?
- By your vote, the confirmation of Matthew Walsh is favorably reported. Thank you. Take care.
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 156. The committee first considered the confirmation of Matthew Walsh as Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Walsh described his background in law enforcement, social work, and juvenile justice, and outlined DJJ priorities including recruitment and retention, staff wellness, collaboration with DCF and other agencies, aging facilities, and expanding educational and vocational opportunities for youth. Members asked about his social work training, lockout youth, bed space, recidivism, and the Florida Scholars Academy. The committee voted unanimously to favorably report his confirmation.
The committee then took up SPB 704, a committee bill extending the public records exemption for conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information. Senator Martin explained that the exemption was originally created to protect active innocence reviews and should continue past its current sunset date. With no opposition or debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably as a committee bill.
Next, the committee considered CS for SB 32, as amended, which creates an injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and adds it to the statewide injunction verification system and related enforcement provisions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to give judges a faster tool to protect victims who have reported serious violence to law enforcement, while supporters said it addresses cases where victims are harmed before a repeat-violence injunction can be granted. Eric Friday of Florida Carry opposed the bill, warning it could be misused against self-defense situations and create problems in cases already covered by existing injunction laws. After debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 210, which extends public records protections to petitions for injunctions for protection against serious violence by a known person, including dismissed petitions and identifying information before service. There was no opposition, and the committee voted unanimously to report SB 210 favorably before adjourning.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-04-17 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 1396, whose names are not underlined, be taken up together and without debate, and that they be confirmed
- and<00:18:06.360>
that <00:18:06.520>they <00:18:06.679>be <00:18:06.840>confirmed - <00:18:07.400>
by <00:18:07.560>the and that they be confirmed by the and that they - be confirmed by the Senate.
- 1396, whose names are not underlined, be taken up together and without debate, and that they be confirmed
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Oct 8th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- First up on our agenda is going to be the confirmation hearing for our appointments.
- First up on our agenda is going to be the confirmation hearing for our appointments.
- Seeing none, Senator DiCeglie moves to recommend confirmation on all appointees on tabs 1 through 4.
- By your vote, please show the confirmation of appointees on tabs 1 through 4 is recommended favorably
- received, it's verified and evaluated for potential rapid response to have a professional on-site to confirm
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened with a quorum present and excused Senators Arrington and Pizzo. The committee first took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 1 through 4, and Senator DiCeglie moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees together. The motion passed unanimously, and the appointees were favorably recommended.
The main presentation was from FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton on invasive species management in Florida. He described the scale of the problem, including more than 500 non-native species reported in the state, and outlined FWC’s prevention, containment, removal, outreach, and research efforts. He highlighted risk screenings, the conditional/prohibited species framework, enforcement actions against illegal wildlife trafficking, and public programs such as the Florida Python Challenge, lionfish outreach, the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and the “I’ve Got One” reporting app. He also noted ongoing removal efforts for pythons, tegus, lionfish, and iguanas, and discussed new technologies and partnerships aimed at improving control efforts.
Members asked follow-up questions about FWC issues beyond invasive species, including the status of special activity licenses for threatened species and giant manta rays, the upcoming bear hunt, and whether the committee could help reduce barriers to invasive species removal on federal lands. Wharton said all SAL permits for threatened species are currently suspended pending Commission review, that Florida is on track for a bear hunt this December with 172 permits issued across four subpopulations, and that bear management is based on scientific data while urban bear conflicts still require separate management. He also said federal partners are increasingly cooperative on python control, including commercialization of hides, and that drones, sentinel snakes, robotic lures, and AI-based traps may improve future invasive species removal. Senator Sharief and Senator Burton later requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on tabs 1 through 4, and the committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Dec 3rd, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We are delighted to have you here this morning, and we're going to be hearing confirmations this morning
- We have 19 individuals who are up for confirmation for various positions on the boards of trustees of
- My name is Jocelyn Dobson Rodriguez, and I am humbled to stand before you today seeking confirmation
- And now we are to the point where we have to consider their confirmation.
- Do I hear a motion to confirm all the remaining appointees? Is there a second? Second.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmations for 19 appointees and reappointees to university and state college boards, with most of the agenda focused on the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Pensacola State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, North Florida College, South Florida State College, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Testimony from the nominees generally emphasized their educational backgrounds, professional experience, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving institutional rankings. Several UF trustees highlighted the university’s “One UF” vision, institutional neutrality, and goals of reaching top-three or top-one national status. Other nominees stressed the role of state colleges in workforce pipelines, and Florida Poly witnesses focused on STEM growth, housing, and strong graduate outcomes.
One in-person public testimony came from Elijah Hooks, who spoke in opposition to the current FAMU administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from campus after protesting the appointment of President Marva Johnson. For FAMU, Jocelyn Dobson Rodriguez testified in support of her appointment, emphasizing her legal background, alumni ties, and goals of strengthening leadership, alumni engagement, and the connection between the main campus and the College of Law in Orlando. For Florida Atlantic University, Tina Vidal-Duart was questioned closely about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about CDR Health’s involvement in state contracts; she said she was not aware of the foundation’s governance problems at the time and that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate.
The committee then voted to report all appointees favorably except for Tina Vidal-Duart, whose confirmation was held for a separate vote at the request of Senator Bracy Davis. After discussion, the committee voted 5-1 to report her confirmation favorably as well. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 15, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- >> I CANNOT CONFIRM THAT.
- >> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. >> Chair: REPRESENTATIVE TENDRICH I CAN CONFIRM FOR YOU THAT MR.
- I CANNOT FIND IT. >> I AM NOT CONFIRMED OR VALIDATED BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS. >> Chair: FOLLOW UP.
- >> I CAN CONFIRM THE EXACT NUMBER BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE DETAILS.
- >> I BELIEVE SO BUT I CANNOT CONFIRM IT.