Transcript Highlights:

• They are here with the University of New Mexico School of Law Wild Friends Citizen Science Program, and
• We have school photo day in the House lounge January 30th and 31st. Put it on your calendar.
• He is the son of Shawna Allison Bicenti, who is the head of school at Navajo Preparatory School, and
• House Bill 65, introduced by Representative Armstrong, an act relating to public schools, clarifying
• that local school boards and governing bodies of charter schools... shall determine the total number

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got to make sure that they're not near our schools.
• You wouldn't vote against free food for school kids.
• district, if it's school district.
• municipal or school district, if it's, you know, school district.
• But the large majority of school board trustees do not.

Bills: SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 5, which Senator Perry described as a ban on intoxicating THC consumer products while preserving legal CBD, CBG, hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil products. Perry argued that most retail THC products are already illegal under federal law, that the industry has used loopholes and misleading labeling to sell high-potency products, and that regulation would be ineffective because chemists can quickly alter formulations. He also said the bill would steer people with medical needs toward the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T-Cup), which he and other supporters described as the proper physician-guided alternative. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly discussed the distinction between legal hemp-derived products and intoxicating THC products, and Perry said the bill would not touch non-consumable hemp uses such as fiber and clothing. Invited testimony came from law enforcement and medical witnesses who supported the bill. Texas Police Chiefs Association representative Steve Dye, Kaufman County District Attorney Early Wiley, and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne all said regulation would be too costly, too complex, and ultimately unenforceable, while a ban would be clearer and easier to enforce. They cited overloaded DPS labs, the need for expensive private testing, limited police and prosecutor resources, and the difficulty of keeping up with constantly changing cannabinoids and out-of-state products. Hawthorne and Wiley described raids and investigations involving warehouses, retail stores, cash seizures, and products they said were marketed to young people and often mislabeled or imported from other states. They also said the bill would help law enforcement by creating a clearer legal line and protecting legitimate CBD/CBG businesses. Dr. Lindy McGee, speaking for the Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society, testified that retail THC products pose serious risks to children and adolescents, including addiction, impaired brain development, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, accidental toddler ingestions, and possible long-term cognitive effects. She said there is no effective medication treatment for THC addiction comparable to nicotine cessation tools, and she supported restrictions such as child-resistant packaging, no marketing to minors, and age limits, while opposing criminal penalties for possession by minors. Senators asked follow-up questions about brain development, memory, dementia risk, pregnancy, and cardiovascular effects. No vote was taken during the portion provided, and the committee continued with invited testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first picture is the schools and some of the buffer zones around the schools.
• so the first picture is um the schools so the first picture is um the schools and<00:14:12.920><
• We looked at developmental delay by school district, and then we did something.
• <01:35:07.280> we're reaching out to um schools we're reaching out to um schools we're reaching
• , the developmental delay in those schools.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with Senate and House members opening the meeting and explaining that the session was intended to hear expert presentations and community concerns. Fern Holland outlined the background for the briefing, describing how restricted use pesticides differ from general-use products, why state-level regulation matters, and how community advocates have sought disclosure and protections for years. She summarized 2019 reporting data, saying a small number of users accounted for most reported use, with especially heavy application in North Central Oʻahu and on the west side of Kauaʻi. She highlighted concerns about applications near schools, homes, and coastlines, and identified 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used fumigants. She also noted concerns about highly hazardous pesticides, some banned in other countries, and the lack of research on long-term combined exposure to multiple pesticides. Greg Takashima of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture described the department’s pesticide program and regulatory authority under FIFRA and state law. He explained the distinction between general-use and restricted use pesticides, the certification requirements for applicators, and the department’s role in tracking RUPs from sale through use. He reviewed the branch’s functions in enforcement, education and certification, registration and technical review, and laboratory analysis, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, product registration, groundwater review, and outreach on drift reduction and integrated pest management. He also noted staffing and funding limitations, saying the branch lacks a toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. Takashima thanked the legislature for passing Act 231 the prior year and said the department supports the measure as it moves forward this session. Dr. Lee, speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and as a former member of the Kauaʻi Joint Fact-Finding Task Force, said pediatric guidance has shifted from focusing on acute poisoning to recognizing chronic low-level pesticide exposure as a concern. He cited AAP publications linking pesticide exposure to cancer, brain tumors, leukemia, birth outcomes, neurobehavioral effects, and asthma, and said pediatricians are now encouraged to advise families on reducing exposure and to support right-to-know measures and buffer zones around schools and public gathering places. He also described the Kauaʻi task force’s work, saying it found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, questions were held until after presentations, and the department expressed support for Act 231.

Transcript Highlights:

• for school. for school.
• season, as we travel to other schools season, as we travel to other schools around<00:42:20.720>
• Minneapolis schools recently received their budgets for next year, and schools across the district are
• school production of 9 to 5. school production of 9 to 5.
• Bemidji Elementary School is facing closure, and school districts across the state need your help.

Bills: HF4621, HF4123, HF4616, HF1183

Keywords: child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not near our schools.
• It's in our school districts.
• overall safety of the school.
• You wouldn't vote against free food for school kids.
• district if it's a school district.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been all over Starkville High School alumni, and my wife teaches there as well.
• We've been all over Starkville High School alumni, and my wife teaches there as well.
• School counselor leave requirement of counselors to abide by the American School Counselor Association
• >> Senate Bill 2103, school counselor to >> Senate Bill 2103, school counselor to leave<00
• <00:50:05.160> Counselor by the American School Counselor by the American School Counselor

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 24 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee report titles. The main business was a lengthy exchange over Senate Bill 2632, the local governments disaster recovery emergency loan program bill. The governor’s veto message argued that the enrolled bill had been materially altered after conference adoption, specifically over the interest-rate language, and called for an investigation. Senate leaders responded that the veto message was inaccurate, saying the word “monthly” had been removed earlier by unanimous consent to avoid an unintended 12% rate and that the bill was intended to provide disaster relief financing for local governments affected by Winter Storm Erin. Senators McCaughn and others defended the process, criticized the governor’s accusations as false and offensive, and emphasized that the legislation was meant to help struggling cities and counties with no interest until FEMA reimbursement, followed by a 1% rate. After the veto discussion, Senator McCaughn moved to refer the bill back to the committee from which it began, and the motion carried. The Senate then moved through routine business, including introductions and recognition of guests. Visitors included the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Peanut Committee, the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, the doctor of the day, and an NCSL representative, along with a National Ag Day milking champions presentation and a large group of junior pages. The chamber also honored the Starkville Oktibbeha County School District’s varsity boys and girls basketball teams. Senate Resolutions 64 and 65 were called up to commend the Starkville High School girls and boys teams for winning the 2026 Class 7A state championships, and both coaches addressed the Senate briefly to thank members for the recognition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, able to serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98%
• Last year, able to serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98%
• Last year, able to serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98%
• Last year, able to serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98%
• , school students across 14 schools, school students across 14 schools, achieving<01:00:38.160>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows. After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote. The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:31:42.480> infrastructure with electric school bus infrastructure with electric school bus
• So the county school board made that decision to say, you know what? We need school buses.
• school buses.
• The county school board made that decision to say, you know what? We need school buses.
• school buses.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation by Reverend J.C. Austin of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, and journalized the prayer. Members also introduced several guests and interns, including a shadow from the 45th District, a Legislative Black Caucus fellow, a ninth-grade author from Annapolis High School, a World Autism Acceptance Day group in the gallery, and a student shadowing the Senator from District 30. The chamber then moved to House bills on second reading and Senate bills on third reading. The Senate adopted favorable committee reports and passed several House bills without objection, including measures extending the Maryland Horse Industry Board sunset, requiring housing counseling information for certain first-time homebuyers, expanding the educator expense tax subtraction to full-time pre-K teachers, increasing funding for the State Library Resource Center, extending agricultural use assessment eligibility for community solar projects, allowing the Seat Pleasant Police Department to join the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System, authorizing changes to a tax sale legacy protection program, and granting special taxing authority for the Village of Drummond. The chamber also adopted seven amendments to Senate Bill 1007 on state debt authorizations and ordered it printed for third reading. On final passage, Senate Bill 956 on Maryland Transportation Authority video toll collections passed with 44 affirmative votes. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 841, a major energy affordability and utility reform bill, with two committee amendments adopted. The bill was described as providing short-, medium-, and long-term rate relief, including changes to EmPOWER Maryland, utility cost recovery, data center tariffs, net metering, solar policy, transmission planning, battery storage, nuclear incentives, and low-income assistance. Debate began on the amended report, and a motion to lay the bill over was withdrawn while members discussed waiting on additional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• school children would not have changed. school children would not have changed.
• mandated and required for school mandated and required for school children.<00:16:55.759> We<
• ,<00:17:50.160> unless you are going to public school, unless you are going to public school
• these are mandated for public school these are mandated for public school children.<00:17:57.200
• school the same for charter schools? school the same for charter schools?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. It then received an update from DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver on the department’s rural health transformation grant submission. Weaver said the grant was submitted ahead of the deadline, reflected input from communities and providers statewide, and would now enter a CMS review and negotiation phase. She explained that the governor’s office will oversee the grant with DHHS, that some proposals may be limited by federal parameters, and that the department may need to hire some staff to administer the grant, within the grant’s administrative cap. Members also discussed DHHS budget pressures and staffing. The department’s CFO, Nathan White, reviewed the agency’s budget mix, noting that DHHS accounts for a large share of the state’s operating and general fund budgets, and explained projected general fund lapse estimates, which he said are currently just under $20 million for the department. He also described why lapse projections are difficult to predict in DHHS because many costs are driven by utilization and because some funds are statutorily non-lapsing. White reported that vacancy rates have risen, citing about 400 unfunded positions in the current biennium and the department’s hiring freeze, while emphasizing that direct-care positions are being prioritized. Committee members raised concerns that back-of-the-budget cuts and weak revenue collections could affect the department’s ability to manage lapse projections. The committee then heard from Division of Public Health Director Ian Watt on vaccine policy and federal changes. Watt said New Hampshire continues to support access to safe and effective vaccines, including through the universal purchase program and seasonal respiratory virus guidance. He explained a recent CDC change regarding the MMRV vaccine, which now discourages the combined shot for the first dose in children under four because of febrile seizure risk, while still allowing it for the second dose. Watt said New Hampshire’s school and child care vaccine mandates remain stable, with nine vaccines required for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, and that the state continues to review federal recommendations cautiously. He also said there have been no supply or funding disruptions affecting vaccine access, and that childhood vaccine funding through commercial insurers remains intact. Finally, the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias presented its annual report. The subcommittee said it met about six times, heard presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and began work on updating the state’s Alzheimer’s plan, which had last been updated in 2015-2016. To gather more direct input, the subcommittee formed a needs-assessment work group to develop a survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers. It recommended integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease, aging, and public health outreach; embedding cognitive health into systems of care and the state health improvement plan; adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS; and continuing partnerships with aging and advocacy organizations. Members praised the report and suggested it should clearly identify the subcommittee and include page numbers in future versions.

Transcript Highlights:

• School cheerleading program. School cheerleading program.
• And as we know, a certain schools tag.
• This is a picture of public schools.
• This And this last time the helping schools And this last time the helping schools tag<00:38:25.280><
• But this bill says some of our schools.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 37, K through 12 school facilities maintenance and appropriations, sponsor Select School
• Senate File 37, K through 12 school facilities maintenance and appropriations, sponsor Select School
• Senate File 37, K through 12 school facilities maintenance and appropriations, sponsor Select School
• c> maintenance through2 school facilities maintenance through2 school facilities maintenance and<
• Senate File 60, K through 12 School Facilities Appropriations, sponsor: Select School Facilities.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• hours that they work but also schooling hours that they work but also schooling that's<00:38:49.119
• So the schooling portion I was referring to is section 50 of our CBA.
• So the schooling portion I was referring to is section 50 of our CBA.
• <00:54:29.440> um Exchange program into our schools um Exchange program into our schools um
• reimbursement for in school reimbursement for in school services<01:11:22.120> oh<01:11:22.320

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on February 20, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. HB 850, relating to condominiums, drew support from the Community Associations Institute and the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, who said it would improve owner participation, clarify voting rules, and preserve the use of proxies as a personal choice. A Zoom testifier supported the bill’s intent but warned that special meetings can be abused and suggested further amendments to address board president authority. Members asked about proxies versus electronic voting and whether the bill would reduce proxy use; no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 48 on coffee labeling, with the Department of Agriculture in support, and HB 1370 on taxation, where a local brewery representative supported equal tax treatment for beer served from 5-gallon kegs and larger kegs when dispensed from a faucet, arguing the bill would clarify draft beer treatment and encourage sustainability. HB 1422 on motor carriers received comments from the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of State Parks, while representatives from a community-based shuttle initiative supported the bill and said nonprofit, community-led transportation solutions should not be regulated like traditional carriers. HB 874, relating to child performers, received support from SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and individual performers, who emphasized protecting minors’ earnings, safety, and schooling. Testimony also discussed whether to include social media influencers and whether to add annual income limits or trust-account protections; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said the issue was outside its wheelhouse. Later, HB 799 on healthcare drew support from health plans and HMSA, with the Department of Health requesting amendments such as a sunset date, a Maui-only pilot, and a report back before changing its position. HB 1379 on health received support from Hawaii Pacific Health, but the Hawaii Medical Board raised concerns about vague language and public-safety implications for internationally trained physicians, asking for more time to study national licensing recommendations. Finally, HB 439 on education was heard, with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposing the bill as drafted and warning about licensing standards and predatory third-party loans affecting J-1 teachers; the transcript ends before any action or vote on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're thinking about school supplies and tax-free.
• The average elementary school student's back-to-school list in Pennsylvania contains 16 to 17 items.
• to fully fund our public schools.
• Others that benefit: look at our school districts, the local school districts, the local government buildings
• Notice some of the public schools. Notice some...

Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see them in our school systems, in our professional life.
• exterior master key boxes to be installed in public schools under certain circumstances.
• with school mapping data and emergency response.
• Currently in statute, lab schools can be created and run through their lab school districts or through
• There is a lab school in development underway for UOL. Any questions? I move final passage.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 296 is a simple measure to ensure that at least once during a school year, a school or district shall
• The measure is vague on what that entails so that every school or district may decide for themselves
• The measure is vague on what that entails so that every school or district may decide for themselves
• school districts where students are too young to participate.
• Parents of elementary school-age children would be less likely to attend these mandated events.

Summary: The committee heard a series of labor-related bills, with most measures focused on worker training, privacy, wages, and safety. AB 296 would require schools or districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once a year, with flexibility on how they are run and whether programs outside the county can participate. Supporters said it would help connect students to skilled trades and address workforce shortages; school administrators opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate that could be impractical for elementary schools. The bill was later moved on call, with the committee noting it could not vote until quorum was established. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both addressed workplace surveillance. AB 1221 would restrict invasive monitoring tools, require notice to workers, limit the use and sharing of worker data, and require human review before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor groups supported the bill as a response to AI-driven monitoring, while business groups raised concerns about broad definitions, security cameras, investigations, and data-access provisions. AB 1331 focused more narrowly on privacy in off-duty and private spaces, limiting surveillance in places like restrooms, break areas, vehicles, and homes; hospitals and business groups opposed it as too broad and potentially disruptive to safety, cybersecurity, and facility monitoring. Both bills were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard AB 1181, which would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals such as PFAS by 2027, and AB 1198, which would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when the work is performed rather than when the project was first advertised. Firefighter representatives strongly supported AB 1181, while the chemical industry asked to continue working on scope and timelines. AB 1198 drew support from labor and contractor groups but opposition from local governments and housing groups concerned about mid-project cost increases; it was passed to Appropriations after a roll-call vote. Other measures approved included AB 1235 on skilled-and-trained workers for CSU construction, AB 1251 on ghost job postings, AB 552 on locating the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office outside Sacramento, AB 1110 on updating Cal/OSHA workplace posters, AB 1136 on expanding high road training partnerships, and AB 1234 on wage claim enforcement. AB 692, which would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, drew strong support from nurses and labor advocates and opposition from business and health care groups; it was also passed on a roll-call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I talked to a lot of people, a lot of young people who try school. They give it a shot.
• <00:03:40.879> They lot of young people who try school.
• They lot of young people who try school.
• go to school and become disabled<00:04:03.560> um<00:04:04.560> anywhere<00:04:05.120>
• Uh I think this is an school for.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a junior at McClintock High School, Legislative District 8.
• HB 2380, school districts, for meeting expenditures. Education.
• HB 409, school safety, school procedures, criminal classification, education.
• HB 4440, CPR of school personnel. SB 4044, school safety priority fund.
• HB. 44-4-CPR of school personnel. S34044 school safety priority fund. H.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the Miami Inspiration School.
• It sat vacant for 20-plus years, just like the Hill Street School.
• The Miami Inspiration School sat vacant for 20-plus years, just like the Hill Street School.
• But this is a picture from 100 years ago of the Inspiration School.
• the school district into production.

Bills: HB2388, HB2804, HB2926

Keywords: HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages, tax revenue, broadband, infrastructure, secondary businesses, tertiary businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• She complained to her school, but nothing was changed.
• Another, Cassie Carile in Maine, was forced to share a locker room with a male in middle school.
• her middle school locker room. her middle school locker room.
• ,<00:15:42.240> but She complained to her school, but She complained to her school, but nothing
• . school. school.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, then completed the roll call and declared a quorum of 34 members. The chamber excused absent senators and approved the journal from Friday, January 9, 2026, without objection. No bills or resolutions were introduced at the first opportunity, and there were no orders of the day before the body recessed for a Rules Committee and Committee on Committees meeting. After reconvening, the Committee on Committees reported referrals: Senate Bill 38 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 to Health Services; Senate Bills 29 and 49 to Natural Resources and Energy; Senate Bills 10, 27, 40, and 51 to State and Local Government; Senate Bills 28 and 30 to Transportation; and Senate Resolutions 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 32 to the Senate floor. During announcements, one senator spoke at length in support of laws restricting transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports, urging courts to uphold those laws in pending cases. Other members announced committee schedule changes and made several co-sponsorship requests, all accepted without objection. The clerk then reported new bills and resolutions, including measures on evictions during extreme weather, student journalist freedom, network authority, motor vehicle operation, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Autism Spectrum Disorder Trust Fund, pension oversight, financial training for local boards of education, health care workforce recruitment and retention, and tallow-based cosmetic products, along with two resolutions honoring Robert E. Bob Pernell, Sr. and former Governor Martha Lane Collins. The Senate then adjourned until 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a junior in the Florida K-12 virtual school program.
• He was a junior in the Florida K-12 virtual school program.
• I have kids in school. But even so, this law ended up creating an unfair situation.
• This helps prevent school shootings. Is it the only thing to help prevent school shootings?
• I was the school board member. We were there. Like Christine was the mayor there.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores the rights of adults 18 and older, emphasizing constitutional rights, military service, voting, jury duty, and parental responsibility. Opponents, including gun violence prevention advocates and several members, cited Parkland and the recent FSU shooting, argued that people under 21 are still developing and more impulsive, and said the current law helps protect public safety. After extensive debate and public testimony on both sides, the committee voted 11-5 to report HB 133 favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 35, which adds driving without a valid license to the offenses that can lead to habitual traffic offender designation and is named Isaiah’s Law in memory of a child killed by an unlicensed driver. Supporters said it addresses repeat dangerous conduct and should help prevent similar tragedies. One member questioned whether it was a knee-jerk response, while others said it was a reasonable accountability measure. The PCS passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 245, which updates Florida law to use more accurate terminology for child sexual abuse material rather than “child pornography,” and includes related technical corrections. The sponsor said the change better reflects the seriousness of the crime and asked whether the bill also covered AI-generated material; the sponsor said the statute already addresses such references. After a technical amendment was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, 16-0, and was reported favorably. The chair also reminded members to maintain respect toward public witnesses and each other before adjourning the meeting.