Transcript Highlights:

• That was three and a half years that he sat at our facility without income, Medicaid, anything.
• How many facilities like yours are there statewide? Several dozen.
• And I got to tell you, I see they're just changing generational poverty.
• Eric is an eighth-generation farmer whose family has stewarded land in Louisiana since 1859.
• That most grocers would never allow in their facilities.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My two older brothers run our packing facility and shipping side. I'm a second-generation farmer.
• With your support, we look forward to farming for generations to come.
• My name is Daniel Howard, third-generation septic contractor.
• I'm a third generation, and the fourth generation is working... We've been in business since 1944.
• I'm a third generation, and the fourth generation is working with us and wanting to take it over.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Rules Committee heard and voted on a series of bills, beginning with SB 54 on toxicology screenings in autopsies of violent offenders, which requires medical examiners to screen for psychotropic and intoxicating substances, consult treating providers when possible, and report findings to state agencies; it passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 176 on public postsecondary campus safety policies, requiring colleges and universities to publish clearer reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, and staff. Both bills were reported favorably without major opposition. The largest portion of the meeting was devoted to CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill. The bill covers a wide range of agriculture-related issues, including fair association rules, preemption of local restrictions on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food and animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent Farmers Feeding Florida funding, forest service training expansion, signal-jamming device penalties, CDL English proficiency enforcement, no-solicitation protections, food safety inspector protections, biosolids regulation, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted several amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanded veterinary loan eligibility, citrus foundation consolidation, technical corrections, removal of outdated fair references, a nonprofit definition fix, and a late amendment deleting the bill’s disparagement clause after extensive testimony and debate about free speech and agricultural speech protections. A separate late amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill drew strong support from farmers, agritourism groups, food donation advocates, and some utility and wastewater interests, while conservation groups and biosolids operators raised concerns about land surplus provisions and biosolids restrictions. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then approved SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while an amendment added written disclaimer requirements; it passed favorably. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices also passed, directing the Building Commission to incorporate standards into the Florida Building Code. SB 50 on veterans’ courts was approved, allowing judges in all circuits to use veterans’ courts for cases involving service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. Finally, SB 1004 on the sale of dogs and cats passed after amendments removed an appropriation and kept the bill’s disclosure, financing, and consumer protection provisions, and SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed with discussion about coaches providing basic support to student-athletes and possible parental-consent language. The committee also began hearing SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, which would regulate crypto kiosks with registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections; an amendment to that bill was adopted, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just had some general. General comments. Border security. Thank you for everything y'all do.
• Veterans Land Board anybody especially with a general obligation pledge.
• So right now, all of the performance measures or data in general.
• The volunteer, generally, is going back to their work. full-time job.
• Advisory Board, and retired General Steve Salazar.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair González: on Article I agencies relating to general government.
• That's handled through the Texas Facilities Commission.
• I just had some general, general comments. Border security, thank you for everything y'all do.
• Recommendations continue the provision of general revenue to the agency.
• Revenue Dedicated and $21.3 million in General Revenue.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you notice in the bill, we've excluded programmable money from the general definitions for the
• House Bill 585 is going to do the same thing we did last year, but now with mechanical, electrical, and
• And so they've been supportive of our effort here with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
• Chairman, as just sort of a general overview, I'd stand for questions, but ask that the committee send
• Chaplain Gifford, who you're going to hear from, and military chaplains in general, are not qualified

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee approved the March 3 and March 5, 2026 minutes, then heard House Bill 750 as amended on programmable money protections. Representative Heather Scott described the bill as a Consumer Payment Rights and Transparency Act intended to prevent programmable money from being used to discriminate, require use without a non-programmable alternative, or deny transactions based on protected characteristics. Testimony included support from David Lichty, who said similar legislation had passed in Utah, and questions from senators about whether the technology is already operational. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s interaction with the Uniform Commercial Code and whether it would create legal confusion. The committee voted 5-3 against the motion to send HB 750 to the floor, so the bill was held in committee. The committee then advanced HB 585, which would extend the 48-hour inspection refund/private inspector option to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections; it passed on a due-pass recommendation. HB 562, which increases notice periods for nonrenewal of homeowners’ and fire loss insurance policies to 60 days, also passed to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 545, dealing with military chaplains and counselor licensure. Representative Barbara Ehardt and Senator Ben Adams argued the bill would recognize military chaplains’ counseling experience and allow them to apply that experience toward civilian licensure, while noting Idaho law already says licensing authorities may not require certain exams for military applicants. Supporters, including chaplains Jared Gifford and Robert Morris, said military chaplains receive extensive counseling training, work with trauma, suicide, and moral injury, and could help address Idaho’s mental health and veteran care shortages. They said the bill would help chaplains bill insurance and expand access to trusted care. Opponents, including licensed counselors Monique Barber, Kelly Loy, Christy Weissman, Carmen French, Susan Reading, and others, argued chaplain counseling is not equivalent to clinical mental health counseling, that the bill could lower licensure standards, and that it should require the National Counselor Exam and supervised clinical hours under licensed counselors. Senators also questioned whether chaplains could diagnose, whether insurance would reimburse them, and whether the bill should be limited to military settings. After extensive debate, Senator Lenney moved to send HB 545 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, but Senator Guthrie offered a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee. Several senators said they respected military chaplains but were concerned about blending pastoral counseling with clinical licensure and about the bill’s broader application beyond the military. The transcript ends during the roll call on the substitute motion, before the final vote is announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you notice in the bill, we've excluded programmable money from the general definitions for the
• House Bill 585 is going to do the same thing we did last year, but now with mechanical, electrical, and
• Chairman, as a general overview, I'd stand for questions, but ask that the committee send House Bill
• So the fact is this: Chaplain Gifford, who you're going to hear from, and military chaplains in general
• So the fact is this: Chaplain Gifford, who you're going to hear from, and military chaplains in general

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My two older brothers run our packing facility and shipping side. I'm a second-generation farmer.
• With your support, we look forward to farming for generations to come.
• My name is Daniel Howard, third-generation septic contractor.
• I’m a third generation; the fourth generation is working. We’ve been in business since 1944.
• I’m a third generation; the fourth generation is working with us and wanting to take it over.

Bills: S0050 , S0054 , S0176 , S0178 , S0198 , S0290 , S0420 , S0502 , S0538 , S0706 , S0834 , S0936 , S0962 , S1004 , S1080 , S7022

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, campus safety, higher education, university safety, college safety, student safety, threat assessment, violence prevention, credible threat, campus security

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm representing the future generation.
• My two older brothers run our packing facility and shipping side. I'm a second-generation farmer.
• I'm a third generation, and the fourth generation is working We've been in business since 1944.
• I'm a third generation, and the fourth generation is working with us, wanting to take it over.
• I also come from a farming family going back 10 generations.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took favorable action on a number of them. CS/CS/SB 54 by Senator Sharif would require district medical examiners to perform toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of identified violent offenders, consult treating providers when available, document findings, and report results to state agencies; it passed after brief questions and one opponent waived against. CS/SB 176 by Senator Polsky would require public colleges and universities to publish clearer campus safety reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, or staff; it also passed favorably with no opposition. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill by Senator Trumbull, was the longest item and drew extensive testimony. The bill covers fair association rules, preemption of local limits on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinarian loan repayment program, permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida, forest service training, signal jammer penalties, CDL exam cheating penalties, no-solicitation protections, inspector protections, biosolids rules, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted multiple amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanding vet loan repayment to equine vets, merging citrus research entities, technical updates to fair statutes and nonprofit definitions, and a late amendment removing the bill’s disparagement/free-speech section after significant public testimony and debate. A separate late amendment on biosolids delayed compliance timelines for Broward County, and the bill then passed favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement through amendment; the bill passed with support from some faith-based and consumer groups and one waiver against. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices passed without opposition. CS/SB 50 would expand veterans’ courts statewide as an option in all judicial circuits for service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse; it received broad support from veterans and advocacy groups and passed favorably. CS/SB 1004, in strike-all form, would regulate dog and cat sales by requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, adding a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and treating violations as unfair trade practices; an amendment removed an appropriation section, and the bill passed after questions about financing and pet retention. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 178, which directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes for basic needs like food, transportation, and recovery services, while requiring reporting and preserving anti-recruiting enforcement; members discussed possible parental-consent language, and the bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, with Senator Rouson explaining that it would regulate crypto kiosks to combat fraud, require operator registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics policies, and transaction limits, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• for this committee, the state treasurer, and the attorney general.
• The sole enforcement action under this bill is the attorney general.
• Does it go to the general fund? Does it go to the school district?
• Not my idea; I've seen this idea introduced in Congress generating interesting discussion.
• Our state's general fund cannot stand to afford this as well.

Bills: SB1090 , SB1293 , SB1414 , SB1429 , SB1503 , SB1536 , SB1633 , SB1724 , SB1764

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: savings and loan, technical correction, Arizona Revised Statutes, financial institutions, prohibitions, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, insurance, settlement demands, time limits, third-party claims, regulatory compliance, initiative, referendum, ballot measures, petition circulators

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the health bill, which is always probably one of the most interesting ones, and they generally
• With the amendment at the desk, we generally allow the author of the amendment to speak to it first.
• It moves the hospital surcharge out of the general fund directly into the Health Care Access Fund.
• Because I'm moving it from one generation to the next, and I'm trying to keep the community viable.
• And government generally is in the business of making it more difficult, not less difficult.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I feel like I agree with you in general.
• So I feel like I agree with you in general.
• This bill, as it's written right now, is very much in general, so to speak.
• This bill, as it's written right now, is very much in general, so to speak.
• So if there's a license, take myself, is very much in general, so to speak.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Gannon, I have never seen so many people interested in portable solar generators.
• It has to do with power over the general population.
• That's a $2,000 a day fine and a mandate that the Attorney General prosecute them.
• I would move that we move it to general orders. In my opinion, Mr.
• A general comment. And I really... ...comment. I'm just making a comment. A general comment.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's spreadsheet from the general fund.
• On line years 26 from the general fund.
• </c> heat is paid for natural gas or electric heat is paid for natural gas or electric is<00:21:40.000
• And, uh, I think housing in general.
• But if our entire general fund new.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you're a big company and your business you're in the business of generating revenue and making
• ><00:03:23.440><c> of</c> business you're in the business of business you're in the business of generating
• Corporate CEO consultant McKinsey said of surveillance pricing, it can enhance price pricing to generate
• Another member shared their experience of shopping online for an electric razor, seeing a discount code
• </c> of shopping online for an electric of shopping online for an electric Razor,<00:15:52.399><c> seeing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> opportunities for generations to come. opportunities for generations to come.
• </c><00:34:48.399><c> car</c> charge your statemanded electric car charge your statemanded electric car
• Ekker recipient of the General Ira C.
• </c><05:01:06.798><c> I</c> covered by general leave. Thank you. I covered by general leave.
• My generation and those younger than me, the first generation in a long time since the Second World War

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Niska moves that Senate File 3602 and House File 3560, now on the general register, be referred to the
• It eliminates two provisions from the electrical code that eliminates the class A electrical installer
• Electricity demands are growing, particularly in greater Minnesota, and utilities are trying to keep
• You know, it's been 2 weeks since this has been on the General Register.
• </c><00:41:55.120><c> Register,</c> bringing this to the General Register, bringing this to the General

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• voted down until there are options to actually decarbonize transportation in a responsible way, like electric
• seagliders or electric ferries for inter-island travel.
• voted down until there are options to actually decarbonize transportation in a responsible way, like electric
• seagliders or electric ferries for inter-island travel.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on April 1 and first took up HR 63 HD1 and HCR 70 HD1, which urge the Department of Transportation to facilitate and accelerate adoption of sustainable aviation fuels to help decarbonize Hawaii’s transportation sector and meet climate goals. Testimony was mixed: supporters included representatives of Island Energy Services, Par Hawaii, Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines, Life of the Land, and the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, who said aviation emissions are a major challenge for Hawaii and that further research and development of renewable fuels is needed. Opponents, including the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and Energy Justice Network, argued the resolutions would undermine the state’s greenhouse-gas reduction commitments, rely on non-carbon-free fuels, and could create land, water, and biosecurity concerns. One member, Rep. Moroka, said his concern was the word “accelerate” because of potential damage from improperly stored biofuels. The committee voted to pass HR 63 HD1 and HCR 70 HD1, with Rep. Moroka voting no and the remaining voting members in favor. The committee then heard HR 136 and HCR 142, which urge the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display kākau art in all neighbor island airports. The only noted testimony was written comments from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and there was no additional oral testimony or discussion. The committee voted to move the measures out as is, and the recommendation was adopted without opposition. The meeting adjourned after both sets of measures were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> be moved to general orders. be moved to general orders.
• All those in and move to general orders.
• One sales tax of 3/8 of 1%, estimated to generate $400 million annually for 25 years.
• ><c> roughly</c> This amendment would generate roughly This amendment would generate roughly 400<00:54
• </c> generation of great investigators. generation of great investigators.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a fifth-generation Idahoan representing the Idaho Conservation League, and I respectfully ask that
• I'm the general manager for the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, also called LOID.
• I'm the general manager for the Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, also called LOID.
• I'm the general manager for the Lewis and Orchage Irrigation District, also called Lloyd.
• There was no underground electricity. You were happy to have electricity in your house.

Summary: The committee first heard House Joint Memorial 13, which urges Congress and the Trump administration to codify and follow the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision and remove pre-Sackett guidance on federal wetland jurisdiction. Senator Lakey, attorney Damien Schiff, and Mike and Chantelle Sackett testified in support, describing the EPA’s enforcement actions against the Sacketts and arguing the decision should be fully implemented. The memorial was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation and passed on voice vote. The committee then heard House Bill 678, which would allow the use of transmitting trail cameras to help wolf trappers comply with trap-check requirements. The sponsor and supporters from the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Wildlife Federation, Fish and Game Commission, Idaho Trappers Association, and livestock groups said the bill would improve efficiency and humane treatment while helping manage wolf populations. The Idaho Conservation League asked for amendments, arguing the bill removed a clear minimum standard for how long an animal may remain trapped. The motion to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation passed. Next, the committee approved several DOGE Task Force cleanup bills: House Bill 566, repealing the unused STORE outdoor recreation enhancement fund; House Bill 568, repealing obsolete code on floating timber and townsite claims; and House Bill 774, repealing minimum fines for certain illegal hunting offenses because those penalties are covered elsewhere in code. Each bill was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation and approved by voice vote. The committee also approved minutes from February 16, 18, and 23, 2026. After a recess, the committee received a presentation from the Idaho Water Users Association on North Idaho water issues. Presenters from Hayden Lake Irrigation District, Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District, and East Green Acres Irrigation District discussed aging infrastructure, urban growth, aquifer conditions, workforce training, and water supply challenges in North Idaho. They described recent and planned projects supported by state funding, concerns about future demand, and the need for continued investment and coordination. No formal action was taken on the water presentation, and the meeting adjourned after questions about a forthcoming Coeur d’Alene tribal water rights settlement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the general manager of Acton Municipal Utility District.
• He was required to upgrade his electrical service, widen his driveway to two lanes, and construct a drainage
• It's a Type A General Law City in East Texas, situated just about 15 miles outside of Tyler, Texas.
• I am the mayor of Chandler, Texas, a Type A General Law City in Henderson County, East Texas.
• It specifically enables the owner of a hotel or the general manager of the hotel to sign a petition.

Bills: SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1579 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB1921 , SB1951 , SB2237 , SB2238 , SB2406 , SB2407

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data