Video & Transcript Research : 'language acquisition'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Apr 2nd, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • citrus recovery issues to make citrus great again in Florida, which includes $125 million for the acquisition
  • This is the burdensome and restrictive language that Senator Berman asked about.
  • However, we believe that the language is drafted is fairly subjective and vague, which would expose local
  • Is there money in the budget for that, or how would the money for the acquisition take place?
  • Is there money in the budget for that, or how would the money for the acquisition take place?
Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper and committee chairs highlighted major spending priorities including a 4% raise for state employees, continued health insurance contributions, investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and workforce development, along with reductions tied to long-vacant positions. Education funding was a major focus, with increases for K-12 public schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, nursing initiatives, tutoring, and university performance funding. Health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and agriculture/environment budgets were also outlined, including Medicaid, mental health, corrections staffing, affordable housing, beach restoration, citrus recovery, and water projects. Members then questioned several budget choices, especially K-12 funding. Senators Polsky and Smith raised concerns that the Senate’s AP and dual enrollment funding changes could disadvantage public schools, while Burgess argued the budget preserves the money in the FEFP and gives districts more flexibility rather than reducing support. Questions also addressed voucher availability, school stabilization funding, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted 171 consent amendments and three late-file amendments, then approved SPB 2500 as a committee bill. It also favorably reported implementing and conforming bills for state employees, retirement, natural resources, judgeships, K-12 education, higher education, and health and human services, along with SB 7022 on Florida Retirement System contribution rates and elected-officer DROP options, CS/SB 1320 on the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, SB 7014 ending the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, SB 7028 on cancer research, CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality and oversight, CS/SB 168 on mental health diversion and behavioral health data, SB 114 creating an insurance and risk management research center at FSU, and SB 180 on emergency preparedness and post-storm recovery. Most bills were reported favorably with little or no opposition, though SB 180 drew discussion about local-government authority after storms and the need to balance recovery speed with local safety and planning concerns.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WTL Public Hearing 03-14-2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • “Okay, and that’s why the bill has Oʻahu-centric language.” “I see.
  • I don't think that DNR is intending to be the land manager, yes, but just for the acquisition.
  • Understood, and current form language? Yeah, because some of the old leases are really out there.
  • understood and current fore language understood and current fore language yeah<01:17:06.280>
  • HB 800, relating to government and our discussions on potential acquisition of the Ali Tower.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 19th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of individual that no matter, well, let me back up and I hope I'm doing it in the correct English language
  • matters referred to the committee on State Affairs, HB 2752 by Vassut, relating to the purchase and acquisition
  • HB 2857 by Tepper relating to the purchase or Acquisition a personal property by a political subdivision
  • Enhancing investment zones for the acquisition, construction, and reconstruction of educational facility
  • public education, HB 2081 by Isaac, relating to the enforcement of federal laws restricting the acquisition
Keywords: 1184, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (04/08/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:24:32.320> and information but the acquisition and information but the acquisition and
  • Absolutely, some language to address that specifically. Okay.
  • Absolutely, some language to address that specifically. Okay.
  • I feel like the type of language I feel like the non-disclosure<01:16:37.040> language<01:16:
  • generally<01:28:06.440> here language that exists generally here language that exists generally
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're focusing on land acquisitions that do a couple of things.
  • Our land acquisition team surveys the whole state and different priorities, some of which you've seen
  • Amending them will take care of ambiguous language currently in the environmental bond bill.
  • This language would also allow... ...landowners and not go to municipalities at all.
  • We ask that the committee add language from a Senate Bill 28, We ask that the committee add language
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record. Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language. Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice May 19th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • The language is mainly language. It's a lot cleaner.
  • Daniels, or do we need to change that language to convict? We discussed it this morning.
  • Like I said, I appreciate my colleagues working with me on tightening up the language on this to ensure
  • What that does is, on page 2, line 3, it changes the language that says 'including but not limited to
  • That's where all this language is going.
Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 19, 2026, with a long agenda and several members’ bills and resolutions. The committee first considered HB 255, as substituted, which would add up to two years of imprisonment for a person charged with a felony or rioting offense who wore a mask or face covering to evade identification, with exceptions for religious coverings, motorcycles, and medical use. Supporters said it targeted concealment during felonies; the ACLU opposed it as redundant and potentially overbroad, while the Louisiana District Attorneys Association clarified the enhancement would apply only to felony convictions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 255 favorably by a vote of 8-3. It then advanced HB 378, which creates penalties for using a vehicle to obstruct first responders and law enforcement; after an amendment narrowed the bill to first responders, it was reported favorably. HB 1090, increasing penalties for arson of a religious building, also passed favorably after testimony emphasizing attacks on houses of worship. HR 272, requesting a study on parental discipline, abuse allegations, and juvenile delinquency, was reported favorably as well. The committee also heard HB 479, the Fiscal Truth and Sentencing Act, which would require more detailed reporting on incarceration costs and sentencing impacts. Supporters, including the ACLU, said the bill would improve transparency and help lawmakers make better fiscal decisions; clerks of court opposed it as an unfunded mandate. Despite amendments shifting reporting duties and clarifying compliance with Children’s Code Article 412, the bill failed on a 4-7 roll call. The committee then deferred HCR 99 and took up HR 278, which asks the Attorney General to consult stakeholders and review electronic monitoring laws and regulations; supporters described serious failures in the current GPS monitoring system, and the resolution was reported favorably. HR 273, creating a task force to study work release programs, was also reported favorably after members said it would help refine the system and gather cost data. Later, the committee heard SB 448 on the Office of the State Public Defender. After discussion of a recent Supreme Court ruling and concerns about expert-witness funding and indigency determinations, the committee adopted an amendment adding a contradictory-hearing process and appellate review protections, then reported the bill as amended. HCR 100, concerning casino property sales, was amended to remove specific property references and instead urge the Gaming Control Board to consider economic development, job creation, and community benefit; the casino association withdrew opposition after the amendment, and the resolution was reported favorably as amended. The committee also voluntarily deferred SB 278 and HCR 91. HB 261, which would create exceptions to abortion laws for rape and certain sex offenses, drew extensive emotional testimony from supporters and opponents, including survivors and legislators discussing rape, incest, and fetal life; the bill was defeated 2-10. Finally, the committee took up HB 778 on kratom possession, with the author arguing for a distinction between natural kratom and synthetic products, and supporters and opponents offering conflicting testimony about safety, addiction recovery, and regulation.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 22nd, 2026

Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • In previous years, Cal Fire utilized a mandatory contract for fire engine acquisitions.
  • DGS has granted Cal Fire an exemption allowing the use of one-time acquisitions, or OTAs.
  • Right now, we're under a one-time acquisition; the same thing applied.
  • Under the one-time acquisitions, that is a set price for that number of engines.
  • And you mentioned the higher standard for mergers and acquisitions.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Mar 18th, 2025

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • So for a lot of trust funds, we do sort of the 5%, you know, disbursement, but I noticed that the language
  • Chair, Representative Chatfield, that new purpose does allow for general groundwater acquisitions as
  • So we could see aquifer recharge through groundwater acquisitions in respect to acquiring surface water
  • What this bill does is it just allows acquisitions that serve multiple benefits beyond the primary purposes
  • Frequently it takes multiple years to complete the water transaction, and so they need the non-reverting language
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Banking and Insurance Feb 4th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • ACQUISITIONS. MY GOAL IS NOT TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY.
  • FEWER ACQUISITIONS WHICH IS TYPICALLY BEEN THE TREND OF THE PAST TO NOW DOING HOME ELEVATIONS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS
  • FIVE YEAR PROGRAM TO THEN DO MITIGATION ACTIVITIES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHICH INCLUDES HOMEOWNER ACQUISITION
  • >> WE HAVE DONE A LOT AND I WOULD DISPUTE A COUPLE THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE BILL THAT
  • SENATOR MARTIN PUT FORWARD I DID NOT INTERPRET THE LANGUAGE AS I EFFECTUATED IT TO MEAN THAT THE LEGISLATURE
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • He said the agency covers a lot of territory and drives extensively, and that vehicle acquisition costs
  • It is a request of $5.5 million in non-recurring funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
  • This is, I believe, back of the bill language, and the Governor is requesting that in the Floridians
  • So we want to thank the Senator for putting that language in there.
  • So we want to thank the Senator for putting that language in there.
Summary: The committee met to hear the Governor’s proposed budget for the Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development silo and to consider one bill. The Governor’s Office outlined a $117.4 billion state budget, including $18.3 billion for the TED area, with major allocations for the Department of Transportation, Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, State, Military Affairs, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard. Agency heads then presented their priorities, including housing and disaster recovery funds at Commerce; pay, vehicles, aviation, and data systems at Highway Safety; facility modernization, recruitment, retention, and maintenance at Military Affairs; election audit, conservation lab, and historic preservation funding at State; transportation, aviation, seaport, and safety investments at DOT; and emergency response, flood mitigation, grant systems, and alerting at Emergency Management. Members asked questions about Visit Florida’s private match, FHP’s role in immigration enforcement and body cameras, National Guard deployment tempo and staffing, State Guard staffing and facilities, arts grant rules, rail funding, and the number of detainees at the Everglades detention site. Several notable positions were expressed during questioning. Visit Florida said it met and exceeded its private match requirement and described the match as important to ensuring value from public dollars. The Highway Patrol said its aviation assets have been used more heavily in immigration enforcement and that in-vehicle camera systems were a higher priority than body cameras at present. The National Guard and State Guard both emphasized heavy operational demands, readiness needs, and the importance of additional funding for facilities, personnel, and equipment. The Department of State said its audit funding would help counties move to automated post-election audits and that its arts grant rule changes were intended to create more consistent scoring rather than reduce access. The committee then took up CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units. The bill requires local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, limits parking restrictions, and extends density bonus incentives to housing for military families receiving basic housing allowance. An amendment was adopted removing reusable tenant screening reports and clarifying that compliant ADUs are allowed by right without a separate hearing or permit. Testimony from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, especially the long-term rental requirement, as a tool to help workforce housing. The committee reported the bill favorably by a roll call vote, and then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Transportation - 01/29/25

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • program this is a RightWay acquisition program this is a RightWay acquisition Loan<00:14:36.079>
  • So currently my understanding is that right-of-way acquisition funds does not...
  • funds does not um right away acquisition funds does not uh<00:20:44.760> it<00:20:45.080>
  • Two of the things we hear the most often in this right-of-way acquisition fund, the loan acquisition
  • <01:03:14.359> fund often in this rightaway acquisition fund often in this rightaway acquisition
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The Transportation Committee met on January 29, 2025, to hear the Metropolitan Council’s presentation on the Governor’s proposed agency budget requests. The Council outlined three main budget items: authorization to advance funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway project with arterial bus rapid transit construction; a proposal to make free regular-route transit rides permanent for eligible Metro Mobility riders, after a successful pilot that produced nearly 75,000 rides; and a reduction in general fund support for rail operations, which the Council said it could absorb in the near term. The Council also noted it was seeking $15 million in the bonding bill for bus rapid transit, including support for the H Line, and described other capital requests for an infill/infiltration program and regional parks. Council leadership said the advance-funds proposal would let two projects move together more efficiently, reduce disruption, and potentially lower costs by avoiding repeated reconstruction and maintenance. On the Metro Mobility fare pilot, they said the lower fare increased rider freedom and spontaneity while saving state money because fixed-route service is cheaper than individual Metro Mobility trips. On the general fund reduction, they said the agency is expanding service, opening the Gold Line, B Line, and E Line, and can manage the cut because of its diversified revenue sources, though it could affect future expansion. Senator Nelson raised concerns about the proposal to expand the Right-of-Way Acquisition Loan Fund to include regional parks and trails, warning that the legislation should clearly avoid creating condemnation authority for park or trail projects, especially where they are adjacent to MnDOT projects. Council staff responded that the program would finance local acquisitions rather than give the Met Council condemnation power, and said they would take the concern under advisement and ensure the legislation is carefully drafted. Members also discussed federal funding uncertainty; Council officials said federal transit operating support is about $30 million and that a pause or cut could affect future capital projects and some existing awards, while the region’s diversified funding base would help cushion operations. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Legacy Finance Committee 2/26/25

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • For each acquisition, park agencies contribute at least 25% of the acquisition cost, the council contributes
  • acquisitions, or will have them passed this afternoon at our council meeting by our board.
  • <00:08:57.360> the least 25% of the acquisition cost the least 25% of the acquisition cost
  • the council's park acquisition the council's park acquisition opportunity<00:09:05.240> fund<
  • and that acquisition purposes and that acquisition<01:23:08.880> focus<01:23:09.360> in
Keywords: 1183, house
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-03 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That would fall under, if you looked at the language, H or I, that would... ...language H or I, that
  • And I think removing the language is just good policy.
  • The amendment adjusts language on lines 1001. Mr.
  • The amendment adjusts language on lines 521 through 530.
  • So I think we have to be really careful about our language.
Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

April 7, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I'm looking at your bill now, and you're striking out all the language in terms of OPPAGA, and then
  • That's all we're trying to do is copy the exact language that's in there for water management districts
  • And I think maybe you could find language where we somehow, every 10 years, every eight years, you do
  • the authorization of the Florida Keys set-aside in the state's Florida Forever Program for land acquisition
  • Florida Forever Program for land acquisition to Florida Keys for another 10 years.
Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 973, a broad special districts bill focused heavily on soil and water conservation districts. The bill would dissolve 35 soil and water districts effective December 31, 2025, based on an OPAGA review that found widespread problems such as lack of revenue, inactive boards, poor notice practices, public records issues, and late financial reporting. It also would let special districts use state contracts, authorize FDLE background checks for district employees, preserve fire district taxing/service authority after annexation, extend liability protections for outdoor recreation on certain district lands, tighten eligibility for soil and water supervisors, and shift complaint review to the Commission on Ethics. Supporters argued the districts are often inactive, duplicative, and costly to review, while opponents said many districts provide local conservation, water quality, outreach, and volunteer services and should be given more time to remediate. Public testimony on HB 973 was mixed. Several soil and water district chairs and related advocates opposed the bill, saying their districts provide local conservation, flood, invasive species, education, and coordination services at little or no taxpayer cost, and that abolishing them would remove local representation and collaboration. The bill’s proponent, the Florida Association of Special Districts, supported the measure as a limited-government and accountability reform, arguing that districts with no revenue or contracts should not continue. Members debated whether the bill was relying on the OPAGA report while also eliminating future performance reviews, whether the Department of Agriculture could absorb the added responsibilities, and whether the districts should have been given more time to correct deficiencies. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably, with one no vote from Representative Hinson. The committee then considered CS/HB 995, which applies to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. The bill would exempt Habitat for Humanity in the Keys from construction performance bond requirements for affordable housing, extend the Florida Keys land acquisition/set-aside authority in Florida Forever for 10 more years, and extend the hurricane evacuation time frame from 24 hours to 24.5 hours to allow up to 825 additional residential permit allocations, phased in over 10 years and directed largely toward vacant buildable lots and workforce housing. An amendment was adopted to codify the 825-unit allocation and the distribution framework. With no opposition offered on the bill, the committee reported HB 995 favorably by unanimous vote.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 12, 2025 - 10:15 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, so I believe you guys heard last week Representative Robinson's bill; this incorporates her language
  • Bill, this incorporates her language as well into here to fix that issue as well.
  • One is the language that Representative Robinson is trying to accomplish, again, pretty unique situation
  • An IOU comes in, or we've seen acquisitions and mergers. ...bought out or disappears, and value comes
  • in, or we've seen acquisitions and mergers, and rates go up.
Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered five bills. The first, PCS for HB 987, was an honorary transportation facility designation bill naming several roads and an overpass for fallen officers, a military service member, and first responders. An amendment added the Sheriff Gary S. Borders Memorial Highway designation in Lake County. Members offered supportive remarks, and the bill passed 17-0. The committee then heard HB 703, which would require authorities such as FDOT or local governments to pay the costs when they require telecom providers to relocate infrastructure from public rights-of-way. Support came from Charter Communications, Associated Industries of Florida, and Florida Internet and Television, with discussion focused on the communication services tax and the cost burden of relocations. The bill passed unanimously 18-0. HB 1523 followed, addressing municipal utilities serving customers outside their boundaries by requiring public meetings, annual reporting, limits on transfers to general revenue, and reduced or eliminated surcharges for outside-boundary customers. Municipal utility representatives opposed parts of the bill, citing rural impacts, debt obligations, and the need for a glide path, while supporters argued for transparency and fairness to ratepayers outside municipal boundaries. An amendment changed a reporting date to January 31, 2026, and the bill passed 14-4. HB 867 established a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor, including insurance and indemnification arrangements for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties using the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. An amendment clarified that Florida East Coast Railway and Brightline are not state entities and do not have sovereign immunity unless expressly provided by law. The bill passed 18-0. Finally, HB 1137 clarified a prior energy preemption law by adding boards, agencies, commissions, and authorities of counties and municipal corporations to the entities covered, aimed at preventing discriminatory energy-source practices by an appointed board. Public testimony included support from the Florida Natural Gas Association and the Florida Home Builders Association and opposition from Florida Student Power. Members noted the bill was a cleanup measure, and it passed favorably.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 26th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Then it also cleans up Gumbo 3 language and Gumbo 4.0 language. Madam Clerk. Thank you, members.
  • Then it also cleans up Gumbo 3 language and Gumbo 4.0 language. Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk.
  • It sounds like your amendment deletes that same language and some more language.
  • I didn't write the language. I mean, I wrote the language, but I mean, I got you.
  • It also cleans up some language on what you can...
Bills: HR320, HR321, SCR55, SCR69, SCR75, SCR77, SCR78, SCR79, SB259, SB295, SB312, SB348, SB444, SB485, HR73, HR118, HR144, HR196, HR237, HR249, HR260, HR267, HR272, HR278, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR114, HR245, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, SCR30, SCR40, HB62, HB193, HB210, HB220, HB246, HB364, HB420, HB475, HB584, HB622, HB772, HB784, HB949, HB953, HB1043, HB1070, HB1092, HB1134, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1214, HB119, HB129, HB233, HB283, HB538, HB789, HB850, HB870, HB1236, HB1241, HB54, HB137, HB321, HB368, HB386, HB414, HB431, HB552, HB555, HB578, HB590, HB593, HB618, HB638, HB670, HB692, HB707, HB708, HB715, HB718, HB732, HB741, HB748, HB776, HB796, HB807, HB822, HB848, HB856, HB887, HB888, HB917, HB921, HB1082, HB1243, HB1246, HB378, HB509, HB1090, HB1259, SB80, SB131, SB143, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB367, SB384, SB388, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB468, SB469, SB496, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB83, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB276, SB319, SB333, SB448, SB450, SB465, SB484, SB501, SB509, SB149, HR168, HB463, HB998, SB123, SB353, SB479, SB495, SB82, SB97, SB283, SB326, SB518, SB197, SB268, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB89, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB441, SB449, SB487
Summary: The House was called to order, a quorum was established, and the meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members also observed several personal privileges and recognitions, including International Preeclampsia Awareness Month, the Hudson Cup award presentation to Rep. John Illg Jr., recognition of the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen, and a visit from U.S. Sen. John Kennedy. The chamber also received Senate messages, conference committee appointments, enrolled reports, and a conference report on SB 483 dealing with psychedelic-assisted therapy, which was laid over. The House then moved through a long series of concurrence and rejection votes on Senate amendments to House bills. Among the measures concurred in were bills affecting the Louisiana Women’s Policy Research Commission, the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission, child exploitation reporting on covered platforms, the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board, DCFS background checks, AI disclosure in health care, foster care placement and related terminology, criminal history record confidentiality, parish court jurisdiction, court costs, developmental disability office renaming, insurance claims and contractor licensing, Medicare Advantage coverage, colorectal cancer screening, health facilities, highway memorial designations, jury compensation, school employee protections, juvenile court fees, off-road vehicle seizure, residential property insurance cancellation, child support enforcement, and several others. The House rejected Senate amendments on bills including ethics retroactivity, sex offender registration notification, plumbers licensing, and health insurance formulary placement, sending some to conference. Several bills were finally passed, including measures on obstructing public passages with motorized vehicles, class six injection well hearings, arson of religious buildings, wearing masks while committing felonies, professional board attorney fees, bulletproof vests for peace officers, critical infrastructure protection from foreign adversaries, debit card surcharges, electronic stock certificates, watershed restoration funding, and innovation economic development pilot hubs. The innovation hub bill drew extensive debate over no-bid contracting, transparency, and the role of elected versus unelected bodies; an amendment to limit contracting authority to parish governing authorities was withdrawn, and the bill later proceeded to final passage after extended floor discussion. The House also took up and passed or concurred in multiple other bills and resolutions, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided on a few measures.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 04-07-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Durant earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish Language and Literature from Brandeis University
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Finance (05/13/2025)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's essentially just delaying the acquisition of this equipment. Okay.
  • > of<00:38:42.800> this delaying the acquisition of this delaying the acquisition of this
  • <00:50:02.960> um adopt the exact langu language um adopt the exact langu language um compared
  • So they kept basically the language.
  • Finance retained the bill and just put the policy language in House Bill 2.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 27, 2026 - 03:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • The fact that it's in the language of this bill we are thrilled about is an indictment of the status
  • THE FACT THAT IT'S IN THE LANGUAGE   367 OF THIS BILL WE ARE THRILLED ABOUT IS AN INDICTMENT
  • us under cost, but it's like a tug-of-war for where we will be charging a price lower than our acquisition
  • BUT IT'S LIKE A TUG-OF-WAR FOR WHERE WE WILL BE  CHARGING A PRICE LOWER AND OUR  431 ACQUISITION
  • THIS IS SOMETHING NO OTHER   608 STATE HAS DONE OR TRIED 609 LET'S GET TO THE RIGHT LANGUAGE
Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAM-EDT Informational Briefing 01-12-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we are looking at land acquisition. We have a broker on board.
  • Although some of your money acquisition?
  • acquisition. We have a broker on board. acquisition. We have a broker on board.
  • So, you didn't want to come in for a language change then?
  • <01:39:43.600> in governor and by hta did have language in governor and by hta did have language
Keywords: 912, senate, all