Transcript Highlights:

• From Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to lead enslaved people to freedom, to Sojourner Truth, whose
• Across the globe, too many women and girls are still denied safety, freedom, education, opportunity,
• Every right won, every door opened, every freedom expanded, came because women pushed this country and
• the country to defend what they believed were the foundations of family, of faith, and of American freedom
• Women like Jeane Kirkpatrick, who brought ...of American freedom.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and suspended several rules and notices for floor business. The chamber approved the journals for March 9–12, 2026, and suspended Joint Rule 62(a) to allow a Budget Subcommittee on Education hearing on item 6120 with short notice. The body then took up third reading items, beginning with SCR 114 designating March 15–21 as National Surveyors’ Week. Senator Grove spoke in support, emphasizing the historical importance of surveyors and their role in infrastructure, land ownership, and economic development. The resolution passed unanimously, 40-0, and Grove introduced guest Christy Ashay, president of the California Land Surveyors Association. The Senate next considered SR 76 recognizing Women’s History Month and honoring 42 women from across California. Senator Menjivar led the resolution, highlighting women’s contributions and calling for continued policy work on equity, pay, and opportunity. Senators Richardson, Perez, Rubio, Wahab, and others spoke in support on behalf of the Black, LGBTQ+, Latino, Jewish, AAPI, and other caucuses, citing women’s historic and ongoing leadership and the need to address persistent inequality. The resolution was adopted unanimously, 40-0. After the vote, the Senate proceeded to a lengthy floor ceremony recognizing the Women of the Year honorees from each district, with brief biographies read into the record for community leaders, educators, public safety officials, veterans, advocates, business owners, and others. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of James Bernard Peth, offered by Senator Ashby in honor of the father of Senate Ethics Committee Chief Counsel Aaron Peth. The Senate announced it would recess and reconvene on March 19, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the periods of wartime service to include Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Freedom
• the veteran, and like the senator said, it needs to include Operations New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom
• I went on to deploy with the 173rd Airborne Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004.
• ever since or after Operation Iraqi Freedom, you've still got a ton of operations that are occurring
• This is our chance to support the families who give up so much for our safety and our freedom.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Military and Veterans, Space, and Domestic Security Committee met with a quorum and heard several bills focused on veterans, military families, and aerospace. SB 684 by Sen. Avila would let certain Florida Retirement System members buy military wartime service credit under updated eligibility dates and expand the definition of wartime service to include recent operations such as New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, and Enduring Sentinel. Veterans and first responders testified in support, and senators said the bill corrects an outdated gap. The committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1528 by Sen. Collins on educational opportunities for military children. The bill strengthens coordination between school districts and military installations and requires DOE training modules for school staff working with military families. An amendment removing a sunset provision was adopted, and three Hillsborough County students who helped develop the idea testified in support, describing research on military-family school transitions and the need for staff training on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. SB 910 by Sen. Collins, on veterans benefit assistance, was amended and reported favorably. As amended, it allows veterans to work with professional claims advisors while adding consumer protections, including fee caps, bans on initial/nonrefundable and referral fees, required disclosures, and limits on use of veterans’ login credentials. Sen. Collins and others argued the federal VA claims process is too slow and confusing and that veterans need both help and safeguards. The committee also approved SB 1464 by Sen. Wright, which expands FDVA outreach through digital, print, social media, and in-person efforts and requires public events and annual reporting, and SB 1516 by Sen. Wright, which creates an international aerospace innovation fund administered by Space Florida to support partnerships with international aerospace companies. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about freedom. It's about freedom. The freedom to control our own bodies.
• </c> patriots who once defended our freedoms patriots who once defended our freedoms now<02:46:51.120
• and there is no freedom in a funeral.
• Veterans will die freedom in a funeral.
• Speaker. believed deeply in freedom, family, and believed deeply in freedom, family, and faith.<07:38

Bills: HB3944 , HR519

Keywords: appropriations, military construction, veterans affairs, VA funding, USDA, agriculture appropriations, legislative branch appropriations, fiscal year 2026, omnibus, spending bill, rural development, rural housing, broadband, SNAP, WIC, school lunch, food safety, FDA user fees, veterans health care, toxic exposure

Transcript Highlights:

• deeply engaged in the veteran community, serving as the chairman of the board for the Warriors of Freedom
• The Board for the Warriors of Freedom Foundation and maintaining active involvement in multiple military
• His service included deployments supporting Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom, along
• Enduring Freedom, along with critical assignments and security operations and detainee transport.

Bills: HB3257

Committee: Senate Veterans and Military Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met with a quorum and considered three nominations to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission and one bill. The committee heard presentations for Rick Munchler, Robert W. Allen Jr., and Matthew Dukes, each described as having extensive military, public service, and veterans’ advocacy backgrounds. In each case, senators moved do pass, there were no substantive questions or debate, and each nomination received unanimous 5-0 approval to advance to the full Senate for confirmation. The committee also heard House Bill 3257, which would extend certain state benefits available to veterans who are 100% disabled due to a service-connected disability to veterans who are 100% disabled as a result of negligence or malpractice at a VA hospital under federal law. The author explained the bill would align state recognition and benefits with federal disability determinations in those cases, while noting the property tax exemption issue is constrained by the state constitution. After brief questions about the bill’s scope, the committee voted 5-0 to pass the measure to the full Senate. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted another committee meeting would be needed the following week to consider additional Veterans Commission nominees, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> every mountain side, let freedom ring. every mountain side, let freedom ring.
• But somewhere I read the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read the freedom of speech.
• </c> Humanity is known for stifling freedoms Humanity is known for stifling freedoms and<01:04:40.000
• Freedom is freedom all the time. When it's just for some people, it's just favor.
• </c><01:18:15.120><c> FREEDOM</c><01:18:15.600><c> IS</c><01:18:15.840><c> FREEDOM</c><01:18:16.560><

Transcript Highlights:

• would do would require the township to be treated like any other government body when it comes to Freedom
• when<00:02:09.800><c> it</c><00:02:09.880><c> comes</c><00:02:10.160><c> to</c><00:02:10.280><c> Freedom
• </c><00:02:10.600><c> of</c><00:02:10.759><c> Information</c> when it comes to Freedom of Information
• when it comes to Freedom of Information Act<00:02:12.360><c> if</c> Act if Act if it's<00:02:14.400>

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• commission, and we just want to make sure that we don't let those people try to suppress people's freedom
• Try to suppress people's freedom of speech by meritless lawsuits without taking any questions.
• right—you know, you can't say fire in a crowded theater; we all know that—but you have the right to have freedom
• It just says you have the freedom of speech to say that you like A and B, and that's my favorite.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1067, a Uniform Public Expression Protection Act intended to deter meritless “SLAPP” lawsuits that can chill free speech by forcing defendants into costly litigation. The bill sponsor explained that it would apply to speech on matters of public concern, including social media and political speech, and would allow an expedited motion and immediate appeal so a plaintiff must show early that the case has merit. Members asked about examples, whether defamation and true harmful speech would still be actionable, and whether the bill would strain courts; the sponsor said it would not eliminate valid claims and would likely reduce court burden by resolving weak cases sooner. Witnesses testified in support, including the Missouri Press Association, the Institute for Free Speech, the Missouri Broadcasters Association, and Missouri Right to Life. Supporters said journalists, broadcasters, and ordinary citizens are frequent targets of meritless suits meant to silence reporting or other protected expression, and noted the bill was similar to prior versions that had advanced with bipartisan support. One witness said the measure mirrors language adopted in many other states and simply moves the summary-judgment-type review earlier in the process, before lengthy discovery. No witnesses spoke in opposition or for informational purposes. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after closing the public hearing on SB 1067.

Transcript Highlights:

• Being able to intern here in the Senate has given me a lot of freedom to contribute to the work of the
• given me a intern here in the Senate has given me a lot<00:00:57.120><c> of</c><00:00:57.280><c> freedom
• contribute</c><00:00:58.559><c> to</c><00:00:58.879><c> the</c><00:00:59.039><c> work</c> lot of freedom
• to contribute to the work lot of freedom to contribute to the work of<00:00:59.359><c> the</c><00:00

Transcript Highlights:

• young advocate, and as someone deeply committed to protecting our fundamental rights, especially the freedom
• And the freedom to speak. Across Texas, we're witnessing an alarming trend.
• Our rights, our wealth, our voices, our freedom are all political.
• Students deserve the freedom of expression and a truthful curriculum, not policies that silence our voices

Keywords: student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.” Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's who gets to decide what safety requires and at what cost to freedom.
• You know, we can look back in history... ...what cost to freedom.
• A population that self-censors is a population that has already surrendered its freedom.
• Religious liberty, press freedom, and the right to... silences the innocent.
• Religious liberty, press freedom, and the right to ...the door to do it.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:05.039><c> account</c> 15 million for education freedom account 15 million for education freedom
• </c><00:42:07.760><c> account</c> uh, um, education freedom account uh, um, education freedom account
• </c> true with um education freedom accounts. true with um education freedom accounts.
• </c> and she's an educational freedom and she's an educational freedom recipient. recipient. recipient
• So, I oppose education freedom accounts.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The United States individual freedom.
• Freedom of religion is in to divorce.
• But freedom of our first amendment.
• Freedom of speech in America death.
• </c> family, and freedom. With that, Mr. family, and freedom. With that, Mr.

Bills: HR893 , HB6019 , HB4058 , HB5107 , HB5214 , HB4071 , HB4070 , HB3965 , HB2259 , HB1736 , HR1327 , HR581

Keywords: censure, conflict of interest, domestic violence, military contracts, ethics, HB6019, H.R. 6019, Senate data, legal process, subpoena, warrant, court order, notification requirement, Senate offices, legislative branch, data disclosure, privacy, records access, Congress, repeal

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So they still have the freedom to be able to do that. The student also maintains that freedom.
• The student also maintains that freedom.
• The student also maintains that freedom.
• It's not in the maintains that freedom.
• </c> &gt;&gt; but but they still have the freedom. &gt;&gt; but but they still have the freedom.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Our greatness is expressed through the freedom that we have.
• Our freedoms are enshrined in our Constitution.
• And if we're not protecting it while talking about religious freedom, that's not religious freedom.
• Kathleen Murray, Citizens Defending Freedom, waving in support.
• We don't want to constrain that in exercising freedom.

Bills: S0212 , S0218 , S0442 , S0460 , S0532 , S0554 , S0644 , S0686 , S0692 , S1054 , S1106 , S1128 , S1134 , S1138 , S1338 , S1434 , S1506 , S1620 , S1748

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all narrowed eligibility to certain properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added environmental and zoning criteria, and included exemptions for agricultural land, parks, military-adjacent land, and other areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably 8-0. The committee then heard SB 212 on sexual offenders and predators, as amended to add public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked empirical support and would worsen homelessness and impose retroactive burdens. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably 8-1. Members next approved SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after adopting an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstate highways to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses while clarifying protections for critical areas, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and military installations. The bill drew opposition from a county Republican committee representative who argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive planning and encourage urban sprawl, while homebuilders and industry groups supported it. The committee also reported favorably SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a Florida Bar-backed update intended to modernize and harmonize nonprofit corporate law, and SB 1338 on charitable giving, which would create donor remedies for endowment restrictions and limit state reporting burdens on certain charitable organizations; members noted the latter would need further work on cy pres and related issues. The committee then approved SB 532 on court fees after a strike-all that would let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than splitting excess with general revenue, with clerks’ groups supporting the change and members citing long-standing funding shortfalls. SB 218 on land use regulations was also reported favorably; it would restore normal land-use authority to counties unaffected by the 2024 hurricanes while keeping SB 180 protections in place for damaged areas. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability passed 9-2 after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption was retroactive; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks and reduce class-action litigation, while opponents wanted stronger compliance requirements. Finally, SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended and passed unanimously as a process-reform measure allowing licensed professionals to conduct pre-application reviews, and SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools was reported favorably 8-3 after extensive testimony and debate over whether it would protect free expression or invite coercion and litigation. The committee also began consideration of SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor framing it as historical accuracy and opponents arguing it erased Palestinian identity; the transcript cuts off during that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ceremony our freedoms in the past.
• ,</c><08:57:22.638><c> peace,</c><08:57:22.958><c> and</c> to freedom, peace, and to freedom, peace,
• This vote is about freedom.
• This vote is about freedom. politics. This vote is about freedom.
• </c> democracy, and freedom. I yield back. democracy, and freedom. I yield back.

Bills: HB2913 , HR518 , HB8646 , HR1336 , HCR84

Keywords: Ukraine, support, foreign affairs, military aid, international relations, agriculture, funding, food safety, nutrition, pest management, House resolution, procedural resolution, Rules Committee, Rule XIII, clause 6(a), waiver, supermajority, same-day consideration, reconciliation, budget reconciliation

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Sage, Pastor, Freedom Tabernacle Church, Atkins.
• Pastor Sage serves as the pastor of Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atkins, Virginia.
• his ministry at a young age as an evangelist in 1975 and, just a few years later, helped establish Freedom
• Since then, he has faithfully served as the church's pastor and director of Freedom Tabernacle Ministries
• Showquist Freedom of the Press Award at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association Convention.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm especially proud to acknowledge their fierce director of democracy, a lifelong freedom fighter, trailblazer
• From slavery to freedom, from segregation to civil rights, from exclusion to inclusive leadership, Black
• They defended freedom abroad while fighting for freedom at home.
• They defended freedom abroad while fighting for freedom at home.
• Our freedom is inextricably bound with your freedom. Neither of us can walk alone.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing visiting groups and guests, including college students and leaders, health and nonprofit organizations, Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, foreign dignitaries from Morocco, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, with remarks honoring the Parkland community and the school safety law that followed. The chamber then took up a special order calendar of bills, beginning with several claims bills and local relief measures. SB 14 for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County passed 37-1, and HB 6517 for A. Sanchez-Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg passed after substitution. HB 6515 for Lordes Latour and Edward Lator against Miami-Dade County also passed 38-1. The Senate then approved SB 52 on volunteer armed security at places of worship (39-0), SB 124 updating Florida Virtual School statutes (39-0), SB 504 on code inspector body cameras (39-0), and SB 506 on related public records (38-1). A lengthy debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Several senators argued for tighter oversight and supported an amendment by Senator Berman that would have limited fund use and required Legislative Budget Commission approval for continued spending; that amendment failed 12-27. The underlying bill then passed 29-10. Senators also adopted SB 594 on local housing assistance for mobile home owners (39-0), SB 656 strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children programs (39-0), SB 806 creating right-to-repair protections for wireless devices and agricultural equipment (39-0), SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute (39-0), SM 1186 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure by voice vote, SB 308 creating the Florida Museum of Black History with a late-filed amendment clarifying ex officio nonvoting legislative members (39-0), and SB 572 updating ethics law to include foster children and foster parents, as amended (38-0). The Senate also withdrew SB 1360 from further consideration, certified passed bills to the House, and adjourned until February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• That case settled a decades-long legal battle and established the foundation for educational freedom
• HB 2674 seeks to protect that freedom for future generations.
• And it's like a lot of freedoms, right? Freedom isn't free. People have paid for our freedom.
• And this is a type of freedom, educational freedom, that has been secured in Texas by kind of the blood
• SB 2, so with the language of HB 2674, it just codifies into law that the freedoms that homeschoolers

Bills: HB322 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB1481 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB 121 , HB2243 , HB3627 , HB 1178 , HB367 , HB5515 , HB126 , HB121

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day. Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly. HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS LEGISLATION THREATENS PRESS FREEDOM, BURDENS JOURNALISTS, AND LIMITS PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION.
• WE ARE IN FREEDOM BUT I SEE OUR FREEDOMS BEING CHIPPED AWAY. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BILLS.
• SB 1734 IS THE FLORIDA FREEDOM CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT ESTABLISHES SAFETY PRODUCTS THAT SAFETY PRODUCTS
• FOR FREEDOM IN FLORIDA WITH LABELING AND RULES AND IDENTIFIES KEY DEFINITIONS AND PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS
• THOSE ARE GOD GIVEN FREEDOMS GIVEN TO US TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have told them to wait for freedom, justice, and equality.
• celebrated through a permanent federal holiday and was posthumously honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
• We were here when the Civil War tested whether a nation conceived in freedom could endure half enslaved
• We were here through emancipation, when freedom was promised but justice was deferred.
• They believe in what America represents, and in the freedoms this nation uniquely protects.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1187 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1345 , HB1501 , HB1604 , HB1798 , HB1069 , HB1347

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU