Transcript Highlights:

• So, like I stated earlier, for me, this is a passion.
• I stated the department's values earlier.
• I'm Elijah Range, life coach San Quentin State Prison.
• That is for any eligible members of the state.
• And as I had stated, I realized, while I did enjoy the work, And as I had stated, I realized while I

Summary: The committee first handled routine actions, including quorum, governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments, with those items approved on 3-1 or 4-0 votes and left open for add-ons where noted. It then heard testimony on several CDCR appointments: Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle as associate directors for adult institutions, and later Jason Johnson as Undersecretary of Operations. All three nominees emphasized long careers in corrections, support from family and colleagues, and a commitment to public safety, rehabilitation, and improving staff and institutional culture. Much of the questioning focused on the California model, staff safety, sexual abuse prevention, use-of-force incidents, visitation, and rehabilitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model was poorly communicated at rollout but is intended to improve both staff wellness and rehabilitation, not weaken security. They described training, root-cause reviews, statewide calls, and direct engagement with staff and incarcerated people. On a widely criticized pepper-spray incident at Central California Women’s Facility, Ratliff said staff were disciplined, some terminated, and the facility received additional training on de-escalation, communication, use of force, and report writing. On sexual abuse and retaliation concerns, both nominees pointed to PREA training, multiple reporting channels, anti-retaliation monitoring, and a zero-tolerance policy. Members also pressed the nominees on visitation consistency, family reunification, contraband, and the San Quentin transition program. CDCR leaders said visitation is essential to rehabilitation and that the department is working toward more consistent statewide rules and a more family-friendly visiting environment. They also said contraband interdiction is being strengthened through K-9 searches, drone interdiction, and information sharing. Johnson, whose confirmation drew late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation and workplace culture problems, said he was driving culture change, had improved reentry and community partnerships, and viewed rehabilitation as central to CDCR’s mission. After public support from former incarcerated people, advocates, and nonprofit leaders, the committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointments to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Affairs Department Cabinet Secretary, Josette Monet.
• Joseph Minnette, Cabinet Secretary for the Indian Affairs Department.
• So there's a total of seven offices around the state where we can provide services.
• projects across the state.
• We've made significant strides in addressing the needs of victims across the state.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• These are not state dollars.
• </c> of innovation in the state of Kentucky. of innovation in the state of Kentucky.
• </c> investment for the state. investment for the state.
• </c> and other state-supported activities. and other state-supported activities.
• </c> administration at Kentucky State. administration at Kentucky State.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved the prior journal, excused absent senators, and received a House message noting passage of several House bills, including House Bill 1 despite the governor’s veto. The clerk also reported committee recommendations on a number of House bills, which were placed on the calendar, and new resolutions were introduced recognizing Chloe Yates, student wellness and physical activity in schools, and the Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The main floor action centered on House Bill 1, which implements the Federal Education Opportunity Program in Kentucky. Supporters argued the measure would bring federal tax-credit dollars into Kentucky to expand educational opportunities for students and families at no cost to the state budget, while opponents urged sustaining the governor’s veto and raised concerns about accountability and the bill’s structure. After debate, the Senate voted 31-5 to override the veto, and House Bill 1 was finally passed notwithstanding the governor’s veto. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 183 on proxy advisory services. The House committee substitute exempted certain nonprofits with less than $500,000 in annual gross revenue from proxy advisor services from the bill’s cause-of-action provisions while preserving attorney general enforcement authority. The chamber concurred with the House substitute and then passed the bill as amended. Senators also passed Senate Bill 263, the School of Innovation cleanup bill, which makes technical changes, requires KDE support for waiver applications, and creates a pilot project for three schools of innovation with proposed matching grants. Senate Bill 281 on grandparent visitation was also adopted with committee substitute and passed unanimously after discussion focused on balancing grandparents’ access with parental rights and existing case law. Later, the Senate began consideration of Senate Bill 324 on the film industry credit, with the sponsor describing technical changes and expanded provisions to support film, video, gaming, and related production activity in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:30.319><c> police,</c> field, whether it be the state police, field, whether it be the state
• </c> several other states looking to join. several other states looking to join.
• Uh we are an industry in the state.
• </c><00:10:46.720><c> Thank</c> that's coming up in the state. Thank that's coming up in the state.
• </c> you are f uh familiar with in the state. you are f uh familiar with in the state.

Summary: The House Budget Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met without a quorum and heard presentations on several workforce and school-safety funding requests. The first item was a proposal for a school mapping data program, presented by Rep. Steve Bratcher with law enforcement and mapping partners. They said the plan would move money to the 911 system so school maps could be embedded there and kept current for all schools, public and private, to improve response times and officer, student, and teacher safety. The request was described as a $10 million one-time appropriation, with an estimate that the work could be completed in about a year. The committee then heard testimony on the Be Proud Initiative, a mobile workshop program aimed at exposing students age 13 and up to skilled trades and related education and career opportunities. Speakers from the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, MI2, the Kentucky Treasury, and the Associated General Contractors said the program would improve perceptions of manufacturing, construction, and metals careers, connect students to training and employers, and help build the workforce pipeline. They said private industry would contribute $1 million in FY 2026-2027 before state funds are released, and requested $3 million in state funding in FY 2027-2028 contingent on that match. A Treasury official said handling the funds through the Treasury would have minimal impact on the office. Committee members responded favorably, including a comment from Rep. Bojanowski about the value of hands-on learning for students who struggle with test-focused instruction. Speakers also explained that the program includes classroom materials before and after the truck visit and ongoing outreach for students and parents. The final presentation was on an MI2 metals career pathway proposal, which cited economic impact data for Kentucky’s metals industry and asked for a $3 million one-time investment for FY 2027-2028 to pilot a middle- and high-school pathway in Carroll and Logan counties. The proposal would be matched by industry funds and used for curriculum, equipment, dual-credit and apprenticeship connections, student stipends, and parent outreach. The chair closed by noting it was the final scheduled meeting of the session and moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I think it could be a really game changer for the state of Kentucky.
• Are they different in the United States?
• This allows the cabinet to use an internal process through administrative..."
• I'm State Senator Scott Maiden, Senate District 29. Hi, Andrew Rutherford.
• gt;&gt; I'm State Senator Scott Maiden, Senate District<00:15:00.000><c> 29.

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the permits the cabinet has to grant?
• But at the end of 50 years, then federal law states... development to the state of Kentucky. development
• to the state of Kentucky.
• has to grant Are the permit the cabinet has to grant the<00:12:39.720><c> permits.
• </c> teacher's interest and also the state teacher's interest and also the state that<00:22:56.160><c

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Cabinet and State Budget Director.
• Executive Cabinet and State Budget Director.
• </c><00:01:17.920><c> and</c><00:01:18.080><c> state</c><00:01:18.320><c> budget</c> Okay.
• That would include also the Secretary of State, the attorney general, and the Court of Justice.
• </c> we lost them Plum to another state we lost them Plum to another state because<00:44:01.119><c> we

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• State your point.
• who grew up in the state and whose parents pay taxes in this state?
• Students than to in-state Floridians who grew up in the state and whose parents pay taxes in this state
• Out of state tuition at UF is about $30,900, while in-state tuition. state tuition at UF is about $30,900
• I believe that the United States Constitution and our United States laws, both federal and state, are

Transcript Highlights:

• However, it does provide for pay increases throughout the state for state attorneys and public defenders
• It will be under the cabinet, and the cabinet will select the state CIO.
• The CIO is appointed through the cabinet, by the cabinet, and it is a standalone agency. Thank you.
• You stated return funds wherever they're supposed to be. You stated that.
• Simply stated, the state of Florida will not tolerate anti-Semitism in any way.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• to state.
• to state.
• If they're in cabinet custody or state custody like that, they step in.
• :15.920><c> um</c><00:46:16.080><c> state</c><00:46:16.440><c> custody</c> in cabinet custody or um state
• custody in cabinet custody or um state custody like<00:46:17.200><c> that,</c><00:46:17.560><c> they

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council met with a quorum, approved the October 8, 2025 minutes, and welcomed guests including Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall. The main topic was juvenile interrogation, with a presentation from Kentucky Youth Advocates by Courtney Downs and Shannon Moody. They said their organization is supporting a 2026 Blueprint priority requiring children to consult with an attorney before waiving Miranda rights, and they emphasized research on adolescent brain development, susceptibility to peer pressure and impulsive decision-making, and the risk of false confessions. They cited National Registry of Exonerations data showing high rates of false confessions among exonerated youth, especially younger children, and described approaches in other states such as Maryland’s Child Interrogation Protection Act, Indiana’s statute allowing certain adults to waive rights in some circumstances, and laws in other states requiring recording of interrogations or limiting deceptive tactics. Members asked about trauma and adverse childhood experiences, whether the proposal would require attorney consultation in every juvenile interview, whether parents could instead be the ones consulted, and how such a rule would affect law enforcement investigations and juvenile accountability. Senator Carroll and others raised concerns about feasibility, delays, and whether juveniles might avoid accountability if attorneys are required before questioning. The presenters responded that they were focused on ensuring children understand their legal rights, that some states use age- or offense-based limits, and that parent consultation is another model used elsewhere, though they said a lawyer is best suited to explain legal rights and process. Members also discussed the role of the Department of Public Advocacy and whether legislative action or court decisions should address the issue. The council did not take final action on the policy, but requested additional materials, including the text of laws from Maryland, Indiana, and North Carolina, for further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:39.519><c> like</c> Republican legislators in states like Republican legislators in states
• </c> leader in community solar, the state leader in community solar, the state created<00:35:01.040><
• is made up of 17 change subc cabinet is made up of 17 state<00:45:40.319><c> agencies,</c><00:45:41.040
• </c><00:52:09.359><c> The</c><00:52:09.680><c> state</c><00:52:10.400><c> uh</c> The state published
• </c> priorities with the subc cabinet priorities with the subc cabinet leaders,<00:57:17.680><c> um</

Bills: HF3556

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And right now it's the Secretary of the Governor's Executive Cabinet or designee, John Hicks; the State
• Governor's Executive Cabinet. Governor's Executive Cabinet.
• </c> with state broadband offices and state with state broadband offices and state legislation<00:59:
• 04:07.960><c> that</c> state-based, state-focused uh ISPs that state-based, state-focused uh ISPs that
• ><c> yes,</c> state if the state can say, "Hey, yes, state if the state can say, "Hey, yes, here's<01

Summary: The committee first focused on a disputed KCNA procurement for a statewide network-related RFP. Members questioned why the RFP had been labeled non-technical, whether COT should have reviewed it, and whether the KCNA board could direct that it be withdrawn. Finance and Administration Cabinet counsel Barbie Dickens said the RFP was authorized by KCNA working with procurement services after termination of the prior contract and breach notices, was issued in November 2025, paused during a protest, later resumed, and remained an open procurement. She said the agency—not the board—directs the procurement process, though she acknowledged an agency and OPS could cancel or reissue an RFP if needed. Legislators pushed back, citing KRS 154 and House Bill 314 as evidence that the KCNA board controls contracts and operations, and one member said the board had requested the RFP be withdrawn. Dickens said she could not predict the outcome and was not KCNA’s counsel. The discussion also touched on whether the current director had asked to stop the RFP and whether that request had been denied, with no final action taken during the exchange. The committee then turned to Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation and the Kentucky Wired refresh project. Jim Barnhart described the structure of the nonprofit corporation, the role of Quick and Quack in the financing and operations arrangement, and the board membership, noting that the refresh funding had been approved in the 2024-26 capital budget. He said the equipment upgrade is necessary because of end-of-life hardware and software support issues, and that the refresh would expand capacity, lower risk, and reduce operating costs. Barnhart said some equipment had already been received, the rest would be purchased later, and the project should begin before September and take about a year to complete. When asked about contract disputes involving Ledcor and whether the vendor had an ongoing contract, Barnhart and the authority representative said they had not been notified of any issues and were not directly involved in that contract dispute. Committee members also raised concerns about a prior market test and whether a lower-cost bidder had been blocked from a previous RFP process. Barnhart said he understood Quack could make that decision and that the Commonwealth did not have input so long as the network was maintained, but he was not involved at the time. A legislator then read from the KCNA statute and argued that the board, not agency staff, is supposed to direct KCNA contracts and operations, saying House Bill 314 did not change those duties. The chair agreed the committee’s intent was for the board to control KCNA and direct contracts, and the discussion ended with a transition away from the KCNA dispute toward future testimony, including a presentation from Zayo Networks on open access networks and broadband infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And because we're a rural state, we have the same issues as other rural states do.
• Possible idea for the state to invest in both, in state government, and then also to share with city
• The state then matches that benefit.
• It is aligned with state priorities.
• I believe the Children's Cabinet—what I'd just say is that the Children's Cabinet work is continuing.

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got in the state of New Mexico a dedicated team focused on building prosperity across the state
• In the state to the state parks, and we have no minimum pools.
• the State last week.
• the other folks in our state.
• as they are in other states.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's not red state, blue state. >> Uh, it's many, several states.
• </c> people for hepatitis C in this state people for hepatitis C in this state even<00:08:20.240><c>
• Do other states do that? >> So there are other states currently pursuing this right now.
• </c> in the state we do um like our our state in the state we do um like our our state speech<00:24:04.720
• </c> other states do that? other states do that?

Committee: Senate Licensing & Occupations

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a proud product of our state university system, graduating from Florida State State.
• I'm a proud product of our state university system, graduating from Florida State University with both
• We are blessed to live in the free state of Florida, and we will reflect the values of our state and
• The opportunity to serve the state.
• We are pleased that our state became the first of any state in the entire country.

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:

• </c><00:09:05.440><c> Uh</c> education and labor cabinet. Uh education and labor cabinet.
• So, teacher shortage in um our state.
• >> It's the whole United States. And there'll be five grants.
• So I'm state board but the local board.
• </c> a situation where you have the state a situation where you have the state board<00:52:26.160><c>

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing this does, and most states do, is they provide guardrails.
• Other states have additional guardrails and options that help someone.
• Other states have additional guardrails and options that help someone.
• </c> how that process looks around the state how that process looks around the state obviously<00:48:
• </c> Miss James, please state your name for the record.

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• You had talked about other states. How many other states have this?
• You had talked about other states. How many other states have this?
• I've heard more and more on the west side of the state.
• It's not just one side of the state any longer.
• Let's go to Jordan with Climate Cabinet Action.

Bills: SB5928

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, I'm Ed Orcutt, state representative from the 20th District.
• So this is a state-owned game farm managed by a state agency for the purposes of public... ...I would
• So this is a state-owned game farm managed by a state agency for the purposes of public engagement and
• We have too many farms that are closing in our state.
• Our competitiveness as a state has slid too far. Our competitiveness as a state has slid too far.

Bills: HB2668 , HB1735 , HB2131 , HB2199 , HB2463 , HB2598 , HB2619

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: relocation, wildlife, game farm, agriculture, environmental impact, animal welfare, force-feeding, birds, humane treatment, sea lion, predation control, salmon preservation, fishing industry, voluntary donations, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, farmers