Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Florida has not yet adopted article 12 of the Uniform Uniform Commercial Code and current Florida
• This Bill is a Florida version of Article 12 and those updates and clarifies Florida law regarding debtor
• What is best for farmers in the state of Florida?
• And it's a statement of Florida saying in Florida, we want those businesses here and we want them to
• If you want to go to Florida, human rights, commit a commission on human rights as well.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's Florida Police Benevolent Association. Stephen B. Slade, Florida PBA. Waive of support.
• We're going to take up Tab 3, SB 606, Public Lodging and Food Service Establishments, by Senator Leake
• or public food service establishment, clarifies issues regarding checkout time, expands the means of
• I mean, to be licensed to be able to operate a public lodging establishment in the state of Florida,
• Be licensed to be able to operate a public lodging establishment in the state of Florida.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long series of criminal justice, public safety, victim protection, and regulatory bills. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements, SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, SB 1072 creating an expedited DNA testing grant program, SB 1140 establishing a Hillsborough County criminal offender substance abuse pilot program, SB 1266 revising public records protections for crime victims and certain law enforcement identities, SB 1546 delaying and refining background screening requirements for athletic coaches, SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings related to terrorism victims, SB 1444 making a broad set of criminal justice changes, SB 240 on domestic and dating violence protections, SB 606 clarifying public lodging and food service removal procedures for nonpaying guests, SB 1450 giving law enforcement discretion in arrests involving people with significant medical conditions, SB 44 increasing penalties for impersonating law enforcement with unauthorized red or blue lights, SB 1000 expanding court-ordered sealing options, SB 1400 requiring platforms to remove altered sexual depictions, and SB 1696 addressing rideshare impersonation and transit service rules. Many of these bills were amended before final passage, often with strike-all amendments or technical changes, and several had support from law enforcement, advocacy groups, or industry representatives. Testimony was generally supportive on the public safety and victim-protection bills, with speakers emphasizing faster DNA testing, better protections for domestic violence survivors, clearer rules for hotel and motel operators, and stronger tools against fraud, impersonation, and trafficking. Some bills drew notable concerns or opposition. SB 1266 prompted questions about whether a 72-hour cooling-off period for officer identities could be extended too broadly, while SB 606 drew concerns that the bill could affect families living in hotels or extended stays during the housing affordability crisis. SB 1444 generated discussion about false reporting language, off-duty carry for prosecutors and judges, and the scope of automatic sealing changes. SB 1000’s expanded sealing relief received broad support but was narrowed by amendments excluding certain offenses such as DUI and indecent exposure. The most contentious measure was SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for trafficking a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation. The sponsor argued it targets the most severe trafficking cases and includes safeguards such as excluding minors from capital punishment and preserving life imprisonment if the capital procedure is invalidated. Opponents, including the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, argued the death penalty is unconstitutional for non-homicide crimes, costly, and ineffective, and committee members raised concerns about whether the bill would incentivize traffickers to kill victims to avoid identification. Debate also touched on broader concerns about the death penalty’s constitutionality and whether life imprisonment is a more severe punishment. The transcript ends during that debate, without a final vote on SB 1804 included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• office here in Florida come from... ...on a lot of different races for public office here in Florida
• Both my parents graduated from Florida public universities.
• Both my parents graduated from Florida public universities.
• To pay this forward is why I wanted to do public service in our public university system.
• of Florida is not only capable of being a top five public university in the country.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Frye with the Public Service Commission.
• Brandon Frye, Executive Secretary with the Public Service Commission.
• Brandon Frye, Executive Secretary with the Public Service Commission. As Rep.
• Who created the Louisiana Public Service Commission?
• Who created the Louisiana Public Service Commission?

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267, which would change the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors by adjusting appointment qualifications, term limits, and nomination procedures. Vice Chair Thomas explained the bill was meant to address the lack of nominations from existing entities and to allow the governor more flexibility, especially in smaller districts. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported HB 267 favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 478 on utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill, as amended, requires utilities to clearly label reimbursements on customer bills and sets a deadline for issuing refunds. After discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee changed the reimbursement timeline from 45 days to 90 days and clarified that the bill would not interfere with larger settlement or regulatory credits. HB 478 was then reported favorably as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 924, a consumer protection measure aimed at contractors who solicit residential property owners after declared disasters. The author said the bill was intended to curb predatory storm-chasing and fraudulent insurance-related practices, while still allowing emergency mitigation work. The committee adopted technical amendments and then a conceptual amendment shortening the catastrophe response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split: the Insurance Commissioner and some roofing industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to deter fraud, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses, limit legitimate door-to-door work, and not solve enforcement problems. The bill remained under consideration after extensive testimony and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:40.079><c> service</c><00:16:40.399><c> commission</c> defer to the public service commission
• The Public Service Commission to look at multi-year rate making.
• </c><00:54:27.200><c> service</c><00:54:27.520><c> commission</c> whatever the public service commission
• The public service commission are &gt;&gt; Yes.
• They gave us data, uh, the Public Service Commission data.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SERVICES REALLY.
• SOMEWHERE IN THE NORTH FLORIDA AREA.
• AS WE KNOW WE HAVE THE FLORIDA HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND COUNTER NOTIFICATION SERVICE WHICH CAN
• SHARED SERVICES.
• TWENTY FIVE HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE IS NOW REQUIRED FOR RAIN PARTICIPANTS AND THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is actually at Florida State, one is at the University of Florida.
• I'm from Panama City, Florida, and the Florida Panhandle.
• Thank you for your service.
• We moved to Florida in 1986.
• funding public universities?

Summary: The committee first took up 127 gubernatorial appointees grouped in blocks and, after brief testimony in favor of several nominees, voted to recommend confirmation of the block nominees to the full Senate. The committee then moved through a series of University of West Florida and other board nominations, hearing from each nominee about their background and priorities, with most emphasizing service, local ties, student success, military partnerships, and university growth. Several nominees also answered questions about governance, faculty hiring, diversity, and the university’s strategic direction. For the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, the committee heard from Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, Christopher Young, and Adam Kissel. Bailey stressed his local roots, legal background, and support for UWF’s pre-law program and military connections; Matthews highlighted her education and state-government experience, current role as board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Moyah cited her education and school board experience, fiscal discipline, and recent positive financial and enrollment figures; Ross emphasized fundraising, workforce needs, cyber opportunities, and support for the governor’s higher education agenda; and Young focused on business accountability, audit oversight, rural access to education, and expanding military-related opportunities. Each of these nominees was questioned about issues such as diversity, “woke” culture, faculty ideology, and the role of the board, and each was ultimately recommended for confirmation by roll-call vote. Adam Kissel’s nomination drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. Kissel described his background in free speech advocacy, federal education policy, philanthropy, and higher education reform, and said he would support UWF’s growth, free-speech protections, military and veteran engagement, and stronger graduation rates. Senators pressed him on prior writings favoring privatization of public higher education, comments about replacing administrators with AI, his work with the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, and how his views fit with serving on a public university board; he said his long-term libertarian views did not conflict with his short-term support for UWF receiving more resources. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials, military focus, and alignment with the governor’s reforms, while opponents questioned his commitment to public higher education and whether he could be trusted to learn the university from the ground up. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kissel’s confirmation to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, public testimony is closed.
• Hearing none, the chair now opens for public testimony.
• The chair now opens for public testimony. Public testimony will be on the committee substitute.
• SB 2779 ensures that is funded by public tax dollars.
• Public service.

Bills: SB1071 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB1756 , SB1854 , SB2036 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2622 , SB2779 , SB2955 , SB2979

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: municipality, tax revenue, hotel project, convention center, economic development, hotel tax, municipal authority, local governments, local authority, convention centers, hotel occupancy tax, municipal finance, local tax revenue, tourism, hotel and convention center project, Tax Code Chapter 351, city revenue, special district, Texas municipalities, venue financing

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services will come to order.
• What is a digital asset service provider?
• A digital asset service provider, I do not have the specific definition in front of me.
• We are one of the largest automotive retailers and account servicers in the country.
• House Bill 3805 seeks to clarify that this applies to money service businesses.

Bills: HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3833 , HB4134 , HB4233 , HB4238 , HB4243

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2692 brings up Difficult for the public to navigate or understand.
• The bill was recommended by the Sunset Advisory Commission in 2022.
• We intend to file a case with the commission within the next 90 days.
• It's either in service, We've already spent $80 million in infrastructure that's either in service, construction
• Utility Commission today.

Bills: HB16 , HB16 , HB1618 , HB2692 , HB2712 , HB2970 , HB3609 , HB3628

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control

Transcript Highlights:

• We commissioned a study by San Jack Maritime College, along with the Houston pilots and the Galveston

Bills: HB16 , HB1618 , HB2692 , HB2712 , HB2970 , HB3609 , HB3628 , HB16

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control, flood management, water quality, conservation district, bonds, utility rates, ratemaking, water services

Transcript Highlights:

• PUBLIC TESTIMONY? CHIEF MCMILLON FLORIDA FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION.
• CHAIR AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA. IS GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
• FLORIDA MEDICAID COVERS THE SERVICES ALREADY AND AS WELL ACHA RECOVERS THE BILL WOULD ONLY HAVE MINIMAL
• OPERATIONAL COST ON THE AGENCY BECAUSE OF FLORIDA MEDICAID PROGRAMS ALREADY PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES
• ON WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONSULTANT HERE IN TALLAHASSEE AND AM HONORED TO REPRESENT THE FLORIDA NURSES

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And bringing this new industry to Florida will create at least 15,000 new jobs in Florida.
• And this is a new industry we're gonna bring for Florida and Florida should be the leader in it having
• My family and emerald telling service in Boca Raton, Florida, my father started the business in 1965
• Michelle Duggar, Florida PTA.
• The bill from the Florida from the Florida ban on texting while driving law to the Florida hands free

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It revises provisions governing Florida linkage institutes to remove the Florida China Institute from
• Institutes that are recognized under Florida statute.
• Well, it requires that here in Florida.
• is engaged in business in the state of Florida on behalf of Florida.
• the state of Florida or doing advocacy work in the state of Florida are registered on behalf of the

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It deals with the Clean Water Commission, the makeup of the commission.
• And so, you know, a lot of these people that retire, they believe in public service, they're public servants
• The commission has a lot of. support the commission establishing their own rules and procedures for handling
• And so, you know, a lot of these people that retire, they're, they believe in public service, they're
• Right now, we only have one engineer on the commission.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Price, of the Florida contract for domestic violence services.
• The other thing that's working well in terms of services is where really Florida is really ahead in some
• across Florida.
• The federal Department of Health and Human Services determines the allocation to the state of Florida
• all of Florida.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion on Florida’s domestic violence system, focusing on the roles of the state, the federally designated coalition, direct-service providers, and law enforcement. Members reviewed the history of the system after the dissolution of the former coalition in 2020, the creation of the Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, DCF’s Office of Domestic Violence, and the current contract structure involving Women in Distress and its subcontractors for hotline and legal services. Panelists also discussed the 2024 lethality assessment law, the workgroup’s conclusion that the evidence-based Maryland tool could not be used because of copyright and cost issues, and the state’s current use of statutory questions instead. DCF and FDLE described the statewide certification and funding framework, including more than $60 million in domestic violence funding for fiscal year 2025-26 and the requirement that law enforcement complete lethality-assessment training by October 1, 2026. Testimony highlighted both collaboration and conflict. Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence and Women in Distress described overlapping training and technical-assistance roles, but disagreed sharply about the quality of their relationship with DCF and whether the current structure is duplicative. DCF said it maintains communication with both the coalition and the centers and emphasized that the coalition is federally required, while the coalition argued that the department has obstructed its work. Women in Distress and Hope Villages stressed direct services, prevention, and the need for more housing, staffing, and funding, especially in rural areas. They also described programs in schools, hospitals, and child welfare settings, and noted that children exposed to domestic violence often need specialized services. Members asked about funding flows, certification, rural coverage, the number of centers, and the lethality assessment rollout. DCF said the 41 certified centers serve all 67 counties and that no new applications have been received in about 15 years. FDLE reported that 46 of roughly 400 law enforcement agencies had completed the lethality-assessment training and attestation, with the statutory deadline still ahead. Panelists said domestic violence appears to be increasing, citing higher hotline demand, shelter occupancy, and local case numbers, while also noting that statewide crime data remains outdated. The discussion ended with calls for better coordination, clearer implementation of statutes, more funding, and possible legislative fixes to improve data collection, training, and service delivery.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any public testimony on the amendment? No public testimony on the amendment.
• Any public testimony on the bill? Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, waves in support.
• Jennifer Pruitt, Florida, or Preet, Florida Police Chiefs, Jennifer Pruitt, Florida Police Chiefs is
• CS for HB 535, public lodging and public food service establishments by Representative Johnson.
• But at the same time, the servers and the service staff in Florida are people who were the original ones

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and voted on a series of bills dealing with traffic enforcement, drug-related homicide charges, vessel regulation, crime-stoppers records, cyber harassment, pawn data sharing, hotel removals of nonpaying guests, and Fish and Wildlife Commission authority. Members and witnesses generally framed the bills around public safety, law enforcement efficiency, victim protection, and property rights, while several bills drew concerns about criminal penalties, due process, and impacts on workers or families. Public testimony included support from sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP, hospitality workers, civil liberties groups, and industry representatives, depending on the bill. PCS for CSHB 351, creating a criminal offense for dangerous excessive speeding, passed 13-4 after debate over whether the new offense would expand search-and-seizure authority and whether the penalties were too harsh. HB 457, which expands third-degree murder to include unlawful distribution of controlled substances resulting in death and removes the under-18 exclusion, was amended to add a knowledge/should-have-known fentanyl standard and then passed unanimously 17-0. CS for HB 1285 on disposition of migrant vessels and HB 1149 on vessel accountability both passed unanimously after brief discussion and a cleanup amendment on HB 1149. HB 397, providing a public records exemption for Crime Stoppers organizations, passed 16-0 after a clarifying amendment. HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment also passed 16-0 after an amendment expanding definitions, penalties, civil remedies, and limitations periods. PCS for HB 1359, requiring FDLE to study a statewide pawn database, passed 16-0 with support from law enforcement and concerns about linking local systems and private vendors. CSHB 535, which clarifies when guests in public lodging establishments may be removed for nonpayment and also addressed service-charge language affecting gratuities, generated the most extended debate and strong opposition from hospitality workers and labor advocates over due process and tipped income. Supporters argued it would clarify transient occupancy and protect property owners, but the bill passed 11-6. Finally, CS/HB 1133 on Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointments and warrant requirements for FWC officers passed 16-0 after an amendment requiring warrants or probable cause for entry onto private land. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And speaking about chaplaincy services...
• Those services provide meaningful engagement for our inmates.
• Alvarez earlier, that the authority for these cases is not the courts; it's the Florida Commission on
• So Centurion of Florida LLC has a contract with the Florida Department of Correction.
• God bless the state of Florida.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard an informational presentation from the Florida Department of Corrections on how the prison and community supervision systems operate after sentencing. Assistant Deputy Secretary Hope Gartman described the reception process for new inmates, including intake, medical and mental health screening, classification, custody and housing levels, gain time, and the department’s academic, vocational, substance abuse, chaplaincy, visitation, and communication programs. She emphasized that reentry begins on day one and that program placement is driven by risk and needs assessments, with facilities matched to inmates’ medical, mental health, and security requirements. Members also asked about family contact, visitor applications, inmate welfare trust funds, tablet access, private prison placement, staffing shortages, overtime, contraband interdiction, and waiting lists for programs; several follow-up materials were requested for distribution to all members. Mr. Winkler then outlined community corrections, explaining the different supervision types under Florida law, including probation, drug offender probation, community control, sex offender supervision, conditional release, and addiction recovery supervision. He described the department’s monitoring tools, such as office and field visits, warrantless searches, alternative sanctioning for technical violations, telephone reporting for low-risk offenders, employment assistance, and mobile probation and reentry units. He said the department’s supervision success rate is about 62%, with more than 91% of successful completers not returning to custody within three years. Members questioned officer workloads, the use of radios and GPS check-ins, the rollout of uniforms and firearms, how violations are handled, and whether all circuits participate in alternative sanctioning; Winkler said the program is statewide and that the department is seeking funding for radios. During public comment, Florida Cares Charity urged the committee to consider evidence on deterrence, parole, and recidivism, arguing that community supervision is less costly than incarceration and can be effective. James Beardy of the Florida PBA emphasized the dangers faced by correctional and probation officers, including long shifts, field searches, and working alone, and argued for higher pay and better support comparable to other law enforcement. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking the presenters and public speakers, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any legislative votes or formal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; I sufficient Duke pass commission. &gt;&gt; I sufficient Duke pass commission.
• </c> not just Florida that has done this. not just Florida that has done this.
• Public defenders. Happy to talk with the public defenders. Thank you, Senator Simmons.
• Public<00:53:33.119><c> defenders.
• Happy to talk with the Public defenders. Happy to talk with the public<00:53:34.559><c> defenders.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 5:15 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:51.840><c> The</c> elevator be placed into service. The elevator be placed into service.
• The average age of our service.
• They make a commission off of it.
• They make a commission off of it. ACA. They make a commission off of it.
• </c> puts the people on notice in Florida. puts the people on notice in Florida. and<00:24:38.720><c>

Committee: Joint Insurance

Keywords: Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all