Video & Transcript : 'fair chase' :
Page 26 of 500
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 20, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The proverbial graduating with a degree that you're chasing a job, you know, 'I got this degree and is
- So there is a fair amount of paperwork, as you might imagine. percentage of that, we could provide a
- So there is a fair amount of paperwork, as you might imagine.
- So there is a fair amount of paperwork, as you might imagine, involved in apprenticeship education.
- And so there is a fair amount of paperwork.
Summary:
The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand.
A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs.
Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that fair?
- Why is that fair? I agree with you.
- a fair administration?
- So in the pursuit aspect, it would be in a car chase.
- Okay, would it be if you're in a car chase, you could deploy it?
Bills:
HB 1194 , HB 1221 , HB1738 , HB1913 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2180 , HB2229 , HB2282 , HB2448 , HB2492 , HB2777 , HB2984 , HB3357 , HB3553 , HB3602
Committee:
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Keywords:
emergency protection order, protective order, magistrate, criminal procedure, victim safety, family violence, domestic violence, stalking, assault, magistrate's order, temporary protection, court order duration, defendant restrictions, Article 17.292, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, emergency restraining order, victim protection, firearm restriction, pretrial intervention, reimbursement fee
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending.
The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Mar 18th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it fair to say that that is a space where sheriffs are acting with discretion? Yes.
- That's a fair statement.
- I... ...again treated with fairness, consistency, and respect. I am proud to be an American.
- And I'm just going to cut to the chase and try to, how my friends said, play cleanup.
- They were chased back in, racing back into the courtroom that was filled with people.
Summary:
The hearing covered several public safety bills and related testimony. On S. 2681, “Colby’s Law,” which would establish safety standards for BMX/motocross tracks, the committee heard emotional testimony from the family of a teen killed at a track and from advocates who said minimum standards are needed for barriers, medical staff, emergency planning, insurance, and oversight. A track owner and rider also testified that safety is important but argued the bill was incomplete and should better distinguish between BMX and motocross and include more specific equipment and weather-related rules. On S. 2680, a bill to expand emergency planning around aging nuclear plants and high-level nuclear waste sites, supporters from Cape Cod, medical groups, and anti-nuclear organizations urged a 50-mile emergency planning radius and stronger state preparedness, citing risks from long-term waste storage and inadequate federal oversight. The committee also heard testimony on a Barnstable home rule petition to allow certain emergency response vehicles to use red lights, with the town supporting the change to improve response times on the water.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on H. 5158, the Protect Act, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. County sheriffs testified about how ICE notifications and detainers work in practice, distinguishing between criminal warrants and civil immigration requests to notify, and describing their discretion when people are released on bail or at the end of a sentence. Sheriffs said they generally notify ICE when requested, especially in cases involving serious charges, but emphasized the need to balance public safety, victim notification, and due process. Committee members pressed them on the impact of ICE pickups at courthouses and jails, and several lawmakers and witnesses argued that pretrial detainees taken by ICE can disrupt prosecutions and deny victims their day in court.
Supporters of the Protect Act included labor, education, health care, and immigrant advocacy groups. They said immigrants and mixed-status families are living in fear of routine interactions with police, schools, courts, and hospitals, and urged the committee to ban 287(g) agreements, prohibit law enforcement from asking about immigration status or providing operational assistance to ICE, and add stronger protections for sensitive locations such as schools and health care facilities. Medical witnesses described patients and families avoiding care because of ICE presence, and educators said students are missing school out of fear. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and indicated it would continue receiving written testimony before taking action later.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Mar 18th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it fair to say that that is a space where sheriffs are acting with discretion? Yes.
- That's a fair statement.
- I... ...again treated with fairness, consistency, and respect. I am proud to be an American.
- And I'm just going to cut to the chase and try to, how my friends said, play cleanup.
- They were chased back in, racing back into the courtroom that was filled with people.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Aeronautics and Transportation Feb 16th, 2026
Aeronautics and Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- have to worry about being, Do you agree with that, that if people don't have to worry about being chased
- after by this safety equipment, this safety software taking and chasing after them for money, will they
- And by just paying that flat fee at the month based on the average mileage, it's a fair fee and that
Bills:
SB1312 , SB1323 , SB1599 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1958 , SB1966 , SB1970 , SB2052
Committee:
Senate Aeronautics and Transportation
Summary:
The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee heard several memorial highway and bridge designation bills and one substantive aviation/tax bill. The committee advanced SB 1323 (Marty Grisham memorial signage), SB 1863 (John Skelly Memorial Highway), SB 1932 (allowing a trucking company owner or other designated representative to appear without a lawyer in certain Corporation Commission administrative hearings), SB 1956 (Captain David Ward Neely Memorial Highway), SB 1970 (Private Earl Maggerton Memorial Bridge), and SB 1599 (Arlen Francis Wetzel Memorial Bridge). These measures were generally presented as honorary designations or procedural changes, with brief questions mainly about mileage or fiscal impact, and they all passed committee by voice or roll-call votes.
The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1950, which would prohibit government entities or private vendors from using ADS-B aircraft tracking data to calculate, generate, or collect fees. Supporters argued that using the federally required safety system for fee collection encourages pilots to turn off ADS-B, undermining air safety, and said airports can collect fees through other methods. Opponents and committee members raised concerns that the bill could hinder lawful tax and fee collection, including aircraft excise taxes and landing fees, and that it might reduce revenue for airports and the state. After testimony from the bill author, an aviation association representative, and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics director, the committee laid the bill over at the author’s request.
The committee also heard SB 1312, which would have allowed owners of electric and hybrid vehicles to prepay the annual road-use fee over time rather than paying it in one lump sum. The author said the goal was to reduce the burden on low-income drivers and small businesses, but concerns were raised about fiscal impact and implementation. After title was stricken to allow further work, the bill failed on a 5-6 vote. The chair also announced that some items would be laid over and that the committee would not meet the following week.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government & Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Chase? Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Chase: aye. Representative Chase votes aye. Doglio: aye. Representative Doglio votes aye.
- Chase: aye. Representative Chase votes aye. Doglio: aye. Representative Doglio votes aye.
- Chase? Aye. Representative Chase votes aye. Doleo? Aye. Representative Dolio votes aye. Farvar?
- Chase? Aye. Representative Chase votes aye. Dahlio? Aye. Representative Dolio votes aye. Faravar?
Committee:
House State Government & Tribal Relations
Keywords:
HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Jan 19th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Higher Education & Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- They are protected by ensuring grievance systems remain credible, functional, and fair.
- And it's just not fair that you can spend years of your life just to not be able to go to college because
- And it's just not fair that you can spend years of your life just to not be able to go to college because
- situation, their admissions luck, or if they're a first-generation immigrant, has the opportunity to chase
- Thank you. ...has the opportunity to chase their dreams and shape their future. Thank you.
Keywords:
heritage orchard, agriculture, program, state funding, local agriculture, workforce education, accountability, oversight, administrative changes, investment, SB 5963, passport to careers, Washington College Grant, financial aid, higher education, student aid, need-based aid, college affordability, postsecondary education, workforce development
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 8th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- worth... ...about moving to prevention, away from pay for chase.
- We all know the pay-and-chase model is really challenging.
- We are in the chasing part of the pay-and-chase business to help safeguard these monies.
- We're always going to be in the chasing-down business.
- Stop this pay-and-chase methodology.
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- And in fact, the state pays and spends money trying to chase debts that are ultimately not collectible
- They also create expense for the state in trying to chase fees.
- House Bill 2102 brings fairness. House Bill 2102 brings fairness and clarity.
- It strengthens fairness and consistency in how courts assess ability to pay and helps prevent poverty
- I believe that's a fair thing.
Committee:
House Civil Rights & Judiciary
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And in fact, the state pays and spends money trying to chase debts that are ultimately not collectible
- They also create expense for the state in trying to chase fees.
- House Bill 2102 brings fairness. House Bill 2102 brings fairness and clarity.
- It strengthens fairness and consistency in how courts assess ability to pay and helps prevent poverty
- I believe that's a fair thing.
Summary:
On January 20, 2026, the committee held public hearings on House Bill 2102, House Bill 2161, and House Bill 2332. HB 2102 would sharply limit legal financial obligations by prohibiting courts from imposing costs unless specifically authorized by statute, repealing many fees and interest on restitution, and making eliminated debts unenforceable and satisfied. The sponsor and supporters argued that LFOs are harmful, inconsistently applied, and create uncollectable debt that burdens indigent defendants and hinders reentry. Opponents, including local government and collections representatives, warned the bill would shift costs to cities and counties, reduce accountability tools, and could cost local jurisdictions millions. No vote was taken.
HB 2161 would expand the Attorney General’s authority to issue civil investigative demands for possible violations involving civil rights, labor standards, jail standards, immigration-related restrictions, and police use-of-force laws. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office, labor groups, and civil rights advocates said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases, while not changing substantive enforcement authority. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and business groups argued the bill was overbroad, lacked sufficient standards, and could create due process, confidentiality, and separation-of-powers concerns. Members asked about safeguards, and staff and the AGO described court challenge procedures and internal review standards. No action was taken.
HB 2332 would regulate automated license plate readers used by state and local agencies, generally limiting use to specified law enforcement, parking, toll, and transportation purposes, restricting sharing and retention, and prohibiting uses tied to immigration enforcement or protected health care. The sponsor and privacy, immigrant-rights, and reproductive-rights advocates said the bill was needed to prevent misuse of sensitive location data and to close loopholes that could allow out-of-state or federal access. Law enforcement, cities, vendors, and some business and campus representatives supported privacy guardrails but said the 72-hour retention limit, warrant requirements, and other restrictions were too strict and could hinder investigations, victim recovery, and parking enforcement. The hearing ended with testimony still underway and no vote or final action reported.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Transcript Highlights:
- I chase bird dogs. And I have five of them.
- I chase<00:20:40.600><c> bird</c><00:20:40.880><c> dogs.</c> chase bird dogs. chase bird dogs.
- </c> chasing it. chasing it.
- imagine any dogs chasing deer in Pontotoc County. >> Any deer.
- any dogs chasing deer in imagine any dogs chasing deer in Pontotoc<00:25:38.200><c> County.
Committee:
Joint Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy - Thursday, May 14 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That has to be recouped by the system; otherwise, it's not fair.
- Otherwise, it's not fair to all the other beneficiaries and the systems.
- That would be fair to the individual. The existing language does not do that.
- Otherwise, it's not fair to all the other beneficiaries and the systems.
- That would be fair to the individual. The existing language does not do that.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It takes the fairness out of the game, and it takes the money out of Idaho.
- In April of 2025, in Kellogg, this syndicate was chasing a $300,000 jackpot.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- I think, again, it's a question about basic fairness.
- And to be fair, I'm not proud of this 15-page record.
- You've heard from many businesses over the past year or so on this issue, including JPMorgan Chase in
- It's just not fair that way.
- This bill will ensure fairness for all of those people.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a wide range of criminal justice, victim services, and records-sealing bills. Early testimony focused on H.1811, the Clean Slate automated record-sealing bill, with supporters arguing that automatic sealing after existing waiting periods would remove barriers to jobs, housing, and education without changing eligibility rules. Advocates from legal aid, business, and housing organizations said the current petition-based system is underused, burdensome, and costly, while opponents of expanding surveillance-related laws urged the committee to preserve privacy protections. The committee also heard testimony on H.1693, which would immediately seal records in cases ending without conviction and clarify the presumption of innocence, with speakers describing how dismissed cases still create lasting collateral consequences and prevent people from moving forward. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Several bills centered on victim safety and domestic violence. Senator Michael Moore testified for S.1201, which would keep child-protective orders in effect even if the parent or guardian who filed them dies, and for S.1204, which would update the wiretap statute. Multiple survivors and advocates supported S.1215 and S.1222, arguing for a narrow wiretap defense for recordings made to document threats or abuse and for making GPS tampering a separate felony offense. Testifiers described situations in which GPS devices were cut off or disabled and said current law leaves victims at risk and gives abusers too much leeway. The committee also heard emotional testimony on H.1685/S.1238, a bill prompted by the suicide of Stavri Yanka in custody, with the sponsor, his mother, and the sheriff describing the need for better information-sharing so suicide-risk information follows a person into custody.
Law enforcement and prosecutors supported several due-process and dangerousness-related bills. MassCOP, the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, and the State Police Association backed H.1828/S.1039/S.1235, which would require de novo Superior Court review for POST Commission suspensions over two weeks or decertifications, arguing officers need a meaningful appeal beyond administrative review. The committee also heard support for H.1691, expanding the dangerousness statute to additional offenses; Bristol County District Attorney Quinn said the changes would let prosecutors seek detention in serious cases such as child rape and manslaughter when facts warrant it. In contrast, the Committee for Public Counsel Services opposed expanding dangerousness detention, warning that pretrial detention causes serious harms and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic defendants. The hearing also included testimony on H.1654/S.1063 to enhance victims’ rights and H.1525, which would rename and expand community corrections into community justice programs, with supporters emphasizing reentry, reduced stigma, and broader service access.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it fair to say that that is a space where sheriffs are acting with discretion? Yes.
- That’s a fair statement.”
- He later developed psychosis, hallucinating that police were chasing him because his father was detained
- And I'm just going to cut to the chase and try to, as my friends said, play cleanup.
- We must send a clear message that Massachusetts is committed to upholding dignity, safety, and fairness
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on several public safety bills, with testimony first on S.2681, Colby’s Law, which would establish safety standards for BMX and motocross tracks. Supporters, including the family of a child killed at a track, argued the bill is needed because some tracks lack basic protections such as barriers, emergency plans, on-site medical staff, and adequate track maintenance. A motocross track representative opposed the bill as overregulation that could impose major costs and argued existing safety efforts and voluntary safety committees are preferable. No vote was taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on S.2680, which would expand emergency preparedness requirements around aging nuclear power plants and nuclear waste sites from a 10-mile to a 50-mile radius. Supporters from Cape Cod Downwinders, Massachusetts Peace Action, physicians, and other advocates said current law is outdated and insufficient, citing risks from radioactive waste storage, limited federal oversight, and the need for broader evacuation and emergency planning. Testifiers urged the bill’s passage, and no action was taken.
A major portion of the hearing focused on the Protect Act, H.5158, dealing with limits on cooperation between state/local agencies and federal civil immigration enforcement. Sheriffs testified about how ICE detainers and notification requests work in practice, emphasizing discretion, public safety, and the difference between sentenced prisoners and pretrial detainees. Supporters from labor, education, and health care groups said immigrant communities are living in fear and asked for stronger protections, including bans on 287(g) agreements and clearer limits on ICE activity in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The hearing also included testimony on H.4697 regarding training and certification of constables and civil deputy sheriffs, with the Hampshire County sheriff saying sheriffs are already working with POST and MPTC on training standards and that the bill may be duplicative.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, statute does not guarantee that all 58 counties receive their fair share.
- So I just want to be fair to other members. Okay. Somebody talking about.
- I am proud to introduce our amazing and wonderful city of Lakewood, Mayor Cassandra Chase, to my right
- I am Cassandra Chase, Mayor of the City of Lakewood, and I am honored to speak in strong support of AB
- I am proud to introduce our amazing and wonderful city of Lakewood, Mayor Cassandra Chase, to my right
Committee:
House Human Services
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Sep 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That's not fair to you guys. They have to have some parental involvement.
- And so, CTE programs are great, but I hope you guys aren't just chasing CTE to chase the dollars.
- I think it's a fair question for us to know if we don't have...
- Earlier, there was a comment about chasing dollars in CTE, which can be true, but it's also true that
- How much money are we going to have to chase to see? success, and what does success look like?
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- The Paso County Commissioner's Court recently had a resolution regarding the high speed chases that are
- Another thing, we use this to guard chase, a trooper can pull up and hit them with a dart that's GPS
- Fair? Absolutely. OK. the request and the ask for additional, sorry, I have to come back.
- Fair? Yes, ma'am. And let me just say, we have already totally agreed with the findings.
- Is that fair? We've had those discussions before.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the worst I have seen was a 72-year-old victim who was contacted by criminals posing as Chase
- I think it's fair to say that Boise State football, that open up for questions thank you coach and I
- think it's fair to say that Boise State football has done more than its share to put Idaho on the map
- State Board of Education cannot put the long-term financial health of our institutions at risk to chase
- and that's what this legislation gives: clear definitions that allow the state to have consistent, fair
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Nov 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- just basically, for lack of better terms, someone shopping the kids around to different schools or chasing
- We are a coaches advocacy organization here in the state, really just advocating for fair compensation
- We are a coaches advocacy organization here in the state, really just advocating for fair compensation
- We are a Coaches Advocacy Organization here in the state, really just advocating for fair compensation
- of where coaches across the state should be, but they should also be able to negotiate what their fair
Summary:
The Education Pre-K through 12 Committee heard a presentation from Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon, joined by student athletes Sydney Daniel and Taylor White. The students spoke about the value of education-based athletics, leadership, and the need for safe, equitable opportunities. Damon then discussed FHSAA issues including rising sportsmanship problems, ejections, violent incidents, recruiting allegations, transfers, mental health pressures on student athletes, and the need for qualified coaches. He said the association tries to be proactive, work with schools on discipline, and emphasize that school changes should be for academic reasons rather than athletics. Senators asked about mental health, transfer rules, and a recent Jacksonville incident; Damon explained the current transfer exceptions and said the association lacked authority over the Jacksonville football game because the schools were not in FHSAA football.
The committee then heard a panel on high school coaches’ compensation led by Florida Coaches Coalition Executive Director Dr. Andrew Ramgett, with Coach Mike Hickman, Coach Charlie Ward, and superintendents from Okaloosa and Walton counties. Ramgett argued that coaching supplements are outdated, have not kept pace with the expanding year-round demands of coaching, and amount to very low hourly pay in many sports. He also said Florida’s restrictions on booster club funding and minimal certification requirements contribute to turnover and difficulty retaining qualified coaches. Hickman and Ward described coaching as a demanding, year-round profession that affects students beyond athletics, including academics and mental health. The superintendents said they value coaches but must balance compensation against limited district funds and other staffing needs; one noted Walton County uses a dedicated administrative lane for football coaching and athletic administration. Senators discussed whether booster club funding should be allowed, whether compensation should be tied to performance, and whether any increase in base student allocation would actually reach coaches. Public commenters, including Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Cruz and former coach Tyrone McGriff, urged support for coaches and emphasized their broader impact on students’ lives and school safety.
At the end of the meeting, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 3 through 6 and, with no appearance forms filed, voted unanimously to recommend confirmation. Senator Burgess then moved to adjourn, and the committee concluded the meeting.