Video & Transcript Research : 'remote appearance'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 4/2/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- It appears that it will approach $900,000.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify remotely today.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify remotely today.
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify remotely today.
- <00:52:10.400>
today the opportunity to testify remote today the opportunity to testify remote
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- There are two appearance forms.
- There are two appearance forms.
- There are several appearance forms.
- There are several appearance forms.
- We have a number of appearance forms on the amendment, and then we have appearance forms on the bill.
Bills:
S0036, S0620, S0796, S0934, S1080, S1096, S1366, S1536, S1548, S1580, S1588, S1620, S1756, S7034, S7044
Keywords:
nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably.
The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions.
Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections.
Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I APPRECIATE YOUR FLEXIBILITY IN HEARING REMOTELY. I HEARD THERE WERE PAGES IN THE AUDIENCE.
- SEEING NO QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT DO WE HAVE TO APPEARANCE FORMS?
- SEEING NO QUESTIONS IS THERE AN APPEARANCE FOR. NO APPEARANCE CARDS, IS THERE DEBATE?
- SEEING NO QUESTIONS WE DO HAVE AN APPEARANCE CARD.
- SEEING NO FURTHER QUESTIONS WE DO HAVE AN APPEARANCE CARD. McKENNA DAVIS IN SUPPORT.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Each year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, crowds gather on the night of February 1, awaiting the appearance
- His last Friday, Elon’s accolades—none of whom are government employees, by all appearances, and have
- HIS LAST FRIDAY, ELON'S ACCOLADES, NONE OF WHOM ARE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, BY ALL APPEARANCES HAVE NO
- The problem is that in many remote Alaska Native communities, it is unlikely that a municipal government
- THE PROBLEM IS THAT IN MANY REMOTE ALASKA NATIVE COMMUNITIES, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT A MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (8-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- areas Kentucky and West Virginia remote areas Kentucky and West Virginia and<00:36:22.720>
I < - <00:36:33.520>
areas <00:36:33.839>and whatever in very remote areas and whatever in - very remote areas and apparently<00:36:34.640>
you <00:36:34.800>know <00:36:35.200> - So it appears to me that these are all very, I would consider, safe investments.
- <01:41:46.239>
or <01:41:46.560>to have to go to court appearances or to have to go
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03
Approve Minutes from July 10, 2025- 00:02:41
Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System Testimony- 00:03:38
Investment of State Funds- 00:46:13
Department of Juvenile Justice Update- 1:11:34
Adjournment- 1:54:08, 958, all
Summary:
The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders.
Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus Transportation Bill - 06/06/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:04:52.160>
Um, remotely from Fairmont, Minnesota. - Um, remotely from Fairmont, Minnesota.
- <01:05:20.880>
Ethan will be testifying remotely. Ethan will be testifying remotely. - Uh, we have Michael Wjic who will be testifying remotely.
- And we have MJ testifying remotely.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 03:04 pm
Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it.
- ‘or record that contains personal residential information’ and then after publicly the words and remotely
- ...” “...after publicly the words ‘and remotely.’
- So it would say ‘record means a publicly and remotely accessible website or database.’
- The amendment would be to add the words ‘and remotely’ after ‘publicly’ on line 25 and to strike ‘or
Summary:
The committee first approved the previous meeting’s minutes, then took up House Bill 4198, which would require all employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization. Counsel explained that the bill would add enforcement by the Division of Labor, create tiered penalties including warnings, fines, debarment from state contracts, and possible business license revocation, while also removing criminal penalties tied to hiring unauthorized workers in light of federal law. Members raised extensive concerns about drafting problems, including circular and conflicting language, unclear references to existing verification and recordkeeping provisions, the meaning of terms like “seeks to employ,” and whether the bill could unintentionally apply to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements. Questions also focused on whether the bill would apply to public versus private employers, how compliance would be shown, and how penalties would work for small businesses or employers who never actually hire the person in question.
The bill sponsor defended the measure as a straightforward extension of the federally required I-9 process, saying E-Verify is a quick, free online check that helps employers verify work authorization and protects them from liability for unknowingly hiring unauthorized workers. He said the bill was intended to be mandatory, not permissive, and argued that it would help law-abiding employers compete fairly. After the questioning, the committee rejected a motion to table the bill and instead sent House Bill 4198 to a seven-member subcommittee to clean up the drafting, resolve inconsistencies, and review the penalties and scope of the measure. The subcommittee was directed to meet the next morning and report back quickly.
The committee then moved to House Bill 4710, with an amendment that would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the bill is aimed at preventing candidates from switching parties after losing a primary and then running as independents in the general election. Members discussed how the 210-day requirement would interact with both primary and general election filing deadlines, and the Secretary of State’s office clarified that the measure would affect candidates who change affiliation shortly before filing. The discussion continued with testimony from the Secretary of State’s general counsel about how the bill would operate in practice, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I also want to welcome two familiar faces that will be appearing before the committee in new roles for
- That system is live as a remote. That system is live.
- Providers from using remote support, even when that's appropriate.
- So a lot of those states are using remote supports to allow people to live more independently.
- That would be a place where remote support could really help because there are sensors and alarms that
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- >> One's on remote. >> Mabel's on remote. Mabel, if you could introduce yourself. >> Hi.
- Remote<01:08:02.120>
testifiers. Remote testifiers. Remote testifiers. - Chair, it actually appears at 65.7, um, on— >> No, I see.
- Chair, it actually appears at >> Um Mr.
- Laura Jean Pranav Siriam, you guys are Pranav is on remote.
MN
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- home or a provider-controlled residential setting, you may not have access to some services that appear
- to be on the service menus so uh appear to be on the service menus so uh it<00:58:21.160>
can - Uh, they began during the pandemic, so they've always been remote and have continued that way.
- uh so they aren't electronic and remote uh so they aren't held<01:11:01.199>
in <01:11:01.520> - pandemic so they've always been remote pandemic so they've always been remote and<01:11:06.480><
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 23rd, 2026 at 12:42 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- How many times have you appeared before us this year?
- There's a lot of senior citizens, and, you know, they are in these remote areas.
- Uh, thank you everyone for letting me appear Go ahead, please.
- Uh, thank you everyone for letting me appear by video. My wife thanks you.
- Um, thank you so much for allowing me to appear by video.
Summary:
The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund.
Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion.
The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 06/03/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >> The only place that appears is in the provision that you already asked about that I indicated was
- >> >> THE ONLY PLACE THAT APPEAR IS IN THE PROVISION THAT YOU ALREADY ASKED ABOUT THAT I
- AND THAT, THIS WILL APPEAR IN The 2027 and this will appear, not on the 2028 ballot when we have the
- Senator Brouk in the affirmative, voting remotely. Senator Bynoe. Affirmative, voting remotely.
- Senator Krueger voting remotely in the affirmative.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the journal, and then moved through a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills for third reading. The chamber also received and accepted a Finance Committee report on nominations for Kathleen Mosier as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Terrence O’Leary as Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and John Kagia as Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. All three nominees were confirmed, with Mosier and O’Leary confirmed unanimously and Kagia confirmed 57-1, with Senator Walczyk voting no.
The Senate adopted previously approved resolutions recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and mourning the death of Susan Irene Wright of Harlem. Senators Brisport and Bottcher spoke at length in support of Pride Month, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and ongoing threats to the trans community. On the Susan Wright resolution, Senators Cleare, Bailey, and Bottcher praised her community leadership, philanthropy, and family legacy, and Assembly Member Jordan Wright was recognized in the chamber.
The body then considered and passed many bills on the calendar, including measures on insurance, environmental conservation, public health, education, business law, labor, social services, highway law, and local tax exemptions. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote, including a measure to end higher insurance premiums for widows, a bill to prohibit correctional facilities from denying visitation because of menstrual products or IUDs, and a Medicaid-related bill to expand access to blood pressure monitors for pregnant people. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable opposition from a small group of senators.
Late in the session, the Senate took up a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting. Senator Stewart-Cousins sponsored the measure, and Senator Walczyk questioned it extensively, arguing voters had previously approved an independent redistricting process and objecting to changes that would remove the Legislature’s two-thirds map-approval requirement and alter the commission’s role. The sponsor said the changes were needed in response to aggressive partisan redistricting in other states and would still require voter ratification in future sessions. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote on the amendment shown.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam President, I will not object to the extension order because it appears to be reasonable.
- understand what is happening here, not only for the members but for those who are watching in person and remotely
Summary:
The Senate took up several local and committee matters on third reading and passed them to be engrossed, including House 3916 authorizing Westfield to set an age limit for original appointment as a police officer, House 4233 amending the Malden charter, and House 4401 concerning special revolving funds in Athol. The Malden and Athol bills were amended on the floor before passage, with substitute text inserted from Senate documents. The chamber also suspended rules and Joint Rule 12 as needed to handle committee reports and referred a House petition on condominium owners’ rights to the Judiciary Committee.
A substantial portion of the session focused on extension orders for committee reporting deadlines. The Senate adopted extension orders for the committees on election laws, cannabis, and revenue, after brief procedural discussion about suspending the rules to consider them forthwith. The Revenue Committee order was amended to remove two bills, leaving four bills in the extension order and setting the new deadline at March 6; the other extension orders set deadlines of January 30 for election laws and January 27 for cannabis. Senators discussed the importance of moving these matters forward efficiently, particularly those involving tax relief and cannabis policy.
The Senate also adopted an order for adjournment, setting the next meeting for Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation - 02/04/2026
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is just authorizing these courts that they can do so, and they can do so remotely.
- it's kind of, the notice of liability would have the same authority of the summons to be able to appear
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee held its first meeting of the legislative session, with Chair Jeremy Cooney and Ranking Member Patrick Gallivan welcoming members and outlining a focus on safety, reliability, infrastructure, workforce issues, emerging technologies, public transit, and state-local partnerships. The committee considered nine bills, many of them naming or rededicating highways or bridges in honor of individuals, including family members of fallen firefighters, Lieutenant Gator Award, Sergeant Henry Johnson, and Robert Boren. Members generally spoke in support of these commemorative measures and related them to broader transportation safety concerns.
The committee also advanced several policy bills: a measure on handheld mobile device use by school bus drivers, a first responder safety zones bill, a bill to rededicate the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, a school bus stop-arm camera bill, and a charter bus pre-trip safety briefing bill. The stop-arm camera bill prompted discussion about local courts’ ability to hear notice-of-liability cases and the need to ensure drivers have a fair opportunity to contest tickets, while members also noted implementation issues on multi-lane roads. The charter bus bill drew questions about enforcement and liability, especially regarding seat belt violations and whether responsibility would fall on drivers or companies; sponsors said the intent was to improve safety training and awareness after recent tragedies. All nine bills were reported from committee, with no recorded opposition on the final votes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/08/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Rhodes, if we could, who is remote. So, Mr.
- if we could, who is uh remote. So, Mr. if we could, who is uh remote. So, Mr.
- Senator Kunesh said that if they have not been doing that, and it does not appear that they have been
- 26:31.280>
been, <00:26:32.200>that <00:26:32.720>we <00:26:33.160>are appear - that they have been, that we are appear that they have been, that we are required<00:26:34.240>
them
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill appears to prohibit the enforcement of any federal firearm regulations, including penalties
- The bill appears to partnerships.
- The bill appears to prohibit<00:16:16.959>
the <00:16:17.199>enforcement <00:16:17.680>< - Often times our federal partners are stretched thin and in remote parts of Wyoming.
- thin and in remote parts of Wyoming<00:19:44.480>
if <00:19:44.640>we <00:19:44.799>
Keywords:
Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- 20th, and we're convening in Room 224, and video conferencing, which includes the audio and video of remote
- What we do see as well is that it appears that Dole is the only user of 1,3-D these days.
- It appears that other pineapple growers have transitioned away to other alternatives.
Bills:
HB1979
Keywords:
environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure.
The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded.
Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 12, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- from the public to speak and you have not yet registered, make sure you please fill out a public appearance
- stop, not at a high speed because of a safety concern of the driver, maybe it’s a very dark highway, remote
- We have some appearance cards: Mike Crabb, Orange County Sheriff's Office, waves in support.
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered three bills. HB 91, by Reps. Rayner and Jacques, would align probation rules for certain misdemeanor reckless driving cases involving controlled substances with existing DUI law, allowing up to 12 months of probation in those cases. The bill was described as a technical “glitch” fix and as supporting both accountability and treatment; it drew one supportive public appearance and passed 17-0, reported favorably.
HB 113, by Rep. Chamberlin, sought to increase penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. Members raised concerns about unmarked vehicles, jurisdictional markings, and whether the bill could apply to drivers who slow down or stop for safety reasons when unsure a vehicle is police. Chamberlin said he was open to clarifying language and other amendments. A strike-all amendment was adopted that increased the penalty for fleeing in a patrol vehicle with lights and sirens from a third-degree to a second-degree felony, revised offense severity rankings, and added a 1.5 sentencing multiplier for second or subsequent offenses. The amended bill received supportive public testimony and passed 16-1, with Rep. Hart voting no, and was reported favorably as amended.
HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, would require the Department of Corrections to coordinate with professional boards under DBPR so inmates completing classes tied to licensure can receive credit toward those licenses after release. Supporters said the bill would help rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and give returning citizens a better path to employment. The bill had no amendments, received supportive public testimony, and passed unanimously 17-0, reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 11, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- As we've mentioned in the subcommittee before, DMS has four staff working remotely out of state.
- Does having a remote person in charge of that project help foster those relationships so that we can
- age work location matters far less than it ever has, and I think these teams are very effective remotely
- subcommittee to know that I have requested information for the rest of our agencies that have staff working remotely
- “That reduction appears to be just one that was left over from when we did a lot of travel in the banking
Summary:
The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions.
The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels.
Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.