Transcript Highlights:

• One way to think about it, and hopefully, I think that's a fair way to describe it.
• Yet this model is underused because current law makes it harder than it needs to be.
• as it goes to the floor.
• Fiscal note is zero on it.
• Fiscal note is zero on it.

Bills: HB1983 , HB1974 , HB2334 , HB2367 , HB2650 , HB2655

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Transcript Highlights:

• IRS to do its job.
• It makes it possible for them to attend. The majority of the U.S.
• You name it, art history.
• It is not a call to amend the revival statute, it makes no recommendations to do so.
• And it has also modernized our public health infrastructure and equipment.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , wouldn't it?
• And what it does is it keeps the pill looking white.
• Modern technology on today's equipment requires skilled training to maintain its safety.
• If they bring it into the dealer, the dealer has to repair it.
• How does it change the market or how does it take it away from a market-based approach? Right.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and first heard SB 1826 by Senator Martin, which would restrict ultra-processed foods served to public school students during the school day. Senator Martin said the bill is aimed only at government-purchased food in public schools, not parents’ lunches or after-school sales, and argued it is intended to protect children’s health and school performance. Members questioned the bill’s definition of ultra-processed food, its scope during the school day, and possible cost and compliance issues. Senator Rouson offered a friendly amendment extending the compliance date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026, and the committee adopted it. Several industry groups and associations spoke against the bill, citing lack of a clear definition, FDA preemption concerns, costs, and the risk of a state-by-state patchwork; Moms for Liberty waived in support. Senator Martin then temporarily postponed the bill for further work. The committee next took up CS for SB 1132 by Senator Truenow on consumers’ right to repair certain equipment, including agricultural equipment and portable digital devices. An amendment by Senator Boyd was adopted to exclude security and life-safety systems and remove automobile-related provisions. Public testimony included opposition from TechNet, which said the bill is unnecessary because repair parts, tools, and manuals are already available and asked for changes to make the bill prospective and remove the private right of action. Agricultural equipment dealers and manufacturers testified against the bill, arguing that current repair resources and a memorandum of understanding with the Farm Bureau already address repair access, while warning that the bill could undermine dealer margins, parts inventory, training programs, safety, cybersecurity, and emissions compliance. Some members supported the concept but noted the bill still needed work. The committee voted 4-0 to report CS for SB 1132 favorably. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Florida 4-H youth leaders on the organization’s impact and goals. The presenters described 4-H’s role in leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, highlighted statewide participation and camp programs, and asked for continued support for camp improvements, especially the Camp Cherry Lake revitalization effort. Senators praised the students’ presentations and the value of 4-H before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also...
• It creates the charter for it, establishes a Stewardship District, and incorporates it in Marion County
• It was required in that law, but it was never defined.
• Well, it is a resolution, but in order to make it an annual day every year so it becomes a day remembered
• it to them.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is modern-day slavery, pure and simple.
• It is about our people.
• </c><00:10:08.720><c> It</c><00:10:08.959><c> is</c> than merely engaging in it.
• It is than merely engaging in it.
• It is about our people. about politics. It is about our people.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:11 Report of Committees 06:05 Orders of the Day/HB 320 07:52 HB 366 14:55 HB 389 17:22 HB 56 22:10 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 25:47 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 29:20 Petition of Impeachment Filed 31:24 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 32:03 ConC/Rules Report 36:31 Floor Amendments 37:29 Adjournment 37:47, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the pledge, recorded 96 members present, excused absences, and approved the journal from January 27, 2026. The Senate clerk announced passage of Senate Bills 17 and 181 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced a number of bills on health insurance, judiciary, local government, and transportation topics, including measures on pharmacist reimbursements, hearing aid coverage, feeding and eating disorders, grooming a minor, local government liability, water fluoridation, cigar bars, chickens on residential property, highway pavement markings, motor vehicle titles, and pedestrian issues; all favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The House then took up and passed House Bill 320 on human trafficking, with the sponsor explaining it would equalize penalties for promoting human trafficking with those for trafficking itself and increase the penalty when the victim is under 18. A member asked whether the bill included additional funding for cyber enforcement; the sponsor replied it was not an appropriation and would not require new funding, though prior budgets had increased support for anti-trafficking efforts. The House adopted a title amendment changing the bill’s title to combating human trafficking. The chamber also passed House Bill 366, which clarifies that materials portraying a sexual performance by a minor include computer-generated images and requires 85% service of the sentence before probation or parole; the sponsor said it was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. House Bill 389 on reading and writing in schools also passed as amended by House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said it would require annual updates to the state dyslexia toolkit, expand professional development and coaching, require local school boards to develop processes for universal screening and diagnostic tools, and add dyslexia instruction to teacher preparation programs; the substitute added conformity with IDEA and revised the instructional language. Members spoke in support of early dyslexia detection and one member noted the bill updated prior legislation associated with former Rep. Bam Carney. House Bill 56, an omnibus Department of Agriculture bill, then passed; it addressed amusement ride inspections, grain warehousing penalties, egg handler licensing renewal timing, exemptions for small producers, and repealed obsolete tobacco and egg marketing board provisions. All three bills passed by roll call with 95 or 94 votes in favor and none opposed, and clinchers were applied. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings and events, including a suits-and-sneakers day and cancer-related breakfast, caucus meetings, and committee meetings. New bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on local occupational license fees, early learning and child care, tuition waivers, an adult workforce diploma pilot, motor vehicle usage tax, contract procurement, Fish and Wildlife Resources, adoption, veterans’ benefits, Cabinet for Health and Family Services operations, organ donation safety, hate crimes, prescription drugs, and resolutions on the Kentucky-Japan partnership and veterans’ benefits accreditation. The clerk also reported a petition of impeachment filed against Judge Julie Goodman. The House then referred a group of bills to committees, reported floor amendments for House Bills 321 and 416, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• From Raton, painted it in high school. We show it to our kids.
• You know, it's the age of the building; we agree it doesn't meet modern-day institutional standards.
• We will not force you to demolish it unless the CID requires it.
• on its own.
• Is it?

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's how it is. It does not conflict at all.
• Yeah, it, it just simply wouldn't.
• like y'all that made it worth it.
• Kuwait and, um, it, it can, sir.
• I love it.

Bills: HB39 , HB227

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: public school finance, property values, homestead exemptions, funding allocation, education policy, HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids

Transcript Highlights:

• it...
• going to do it.
• We had a fiscal note on it. It is existing law. It is the policy.
• it in September.
• It does not work for me, sorry. It looks like that's why we're doing it like this. It's the audio.

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee approved the May 28 minutes and received a status update from DHW Director Juliet Sharon on the Rural Health Transformation Program. Sharon reviewed the committee’s expedited review process for solicitations and subgrants, explained where funding opportunities are posted, and noted a new email subscription feature for stakeholders. She said the department has focused first on administrative and contractor awards, with provider-oriented subgrants coming soon, and said the committee will receive information on applicants, scoring, and awards. Members raised concerns about process complexity, outreach, and whether smaller rural providers may be disadvantaged; Sharon said DHW is working to simplify applications and expand outreach. The committee also discussed the first maternal and child health solicitation, with Sharon saying she would follow up on the applicant pool and would bring any need to pivot back to the committee. The committee then heard from the Idaho Military Division on its rural health priorities. Bureau Chief Wayne Denny said the division is partnering with DHW on modernizing the 911/emergency communications system, including next-generation 911 work with counties, relocating the backup state communications center, and coordinating exercises. He also described rural health extenders, including community health workers and community health EMS, and said the goal is to place at least one paid full-time EMS provider in every county and use prevention and chronic-care management to reduce emergency room use. Members asked about how the extenders would function, how the 911 work would be funded and implemented county by county, and how sustainability would work after the five-year grant period. Jennifer White of the State Board of Education outlined higher education and workforce proposals, including mobile simulation training, shared statewide clinical infrastructure, learn-in-place programs, and targeted equipment and facilities for nursing and allied health. She said the board is also working on graduate medical education, with about $5 million of ready-to-launch projects and roughly $3 million still available, and proposed a strategic rural GME incubator and a rural training site network. A lengthy discussion followed about whether remaining funds should support GME, broader medical education, or undergraduate medical education, including a proposed University of Idaho/University of Utah partnership and possible satellite campus. Some members supported using funds to build Idaho’s medical pipeline and noted existing policy for UME expansion, while others warned against creating long-term state obligations without legislative approval. The committee also discussed outreach, the first federal progress report due at the end of August, and plans to create a governor-appointed rural health transformation task force with legislative and stakeholder representation. The meeting ended with plans for an additional committee meeting on August 18 and a later meeting in late September, with adjournment following.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it feels like it's compulsory then. It feels like it's compulsory.
• It could be a verification of naturalization. It could be a U.S. passport.
• It can be.
• made its demand, and that its demand violates federal privacy laws.
• Is it IT work? I mean, what are we learning? It's really more direction.

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when it answers a question, it gives you the answer.
• Listen to it.
• It would. >> It would speed it up.
• Is it high?
• For instance, I finally got it after like. >> 18 years because it. >> It wasn't always there.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is corrective, it is evidence-based, and it is urgently necessary. It is corrective.
• A couple years ago, I think it was, it was unanimous in the Senate.
• It just says before.
• they just put it...
• I believe it does, but it doesn't spell it out.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If a city or town does not wish to establish its own fire department, it may establish...
• And when we put it out to the voters, they approved it by 81%.
• I wish I'd spotted it and had co-sponsored it, and I'm correcting that today.
• At least they'd call it that in Tacoma. At least they'd call it that in Tacoma.
• It wasn't human error.

Summary: The Senate Local Government and State Parks Committee heard several bills focused on local government finance, land use, and public safety. SB 5903 would deem a cemetery district commissioner elected if only one qualified candidate files, with sponsor Senator Cortez saying it would save ballot-printing costs and local resources; there was no testimony in opposition. SB 6037 would create or modify a voter-approved option for cities and towns to form a single-city fire protection district, adjust levy and notice rules, allow administrative service contracts with the city, and clarify commissioner elections; Senator Cortez and multiple city and fire officials said it would give communities more flexible, locally controlled funding tools for fire service, while committee members asked about how it would work and the fiscal impact. SB 5983 would exempt certain current-use land transferred to a government entity for right-of-way from rollback taxes when the transfer is tied to development conditions and stays within a 20% acreage limit; Senator Leas described it as helping a family farm avoid an unfair tax bill, and there was no testimony on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5995, which would remove the 2031 sunset on the prohibition against using port funds to buy fully automated marine container cargo handling equipment. The sponsor and labor witnesses argued the bill protects jobs, keeps public dollars from underwriting automation, and still allows zero-emission, human-operated equipment; port and labor representatives testified in strong support, while the sign-in sheet showed substantial public interest both for and against. SB 6016 would change how urban growth area swaps treat critical aquifer recharge areas, making the rules for annual and periodic updates more consistent and allowing swaps if they do not increase net CARA acreage within the UGA; the sponsor, Commerce, housing, business, and development interests said it was a technical fix that supports housing and consistency, while one witness warned it could weaken groundwater protections and create litigation risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 6066, which would let counties, cities, towns, or WSDOT designate “accident risk zones” on roads with repeated crashes, require a public hearing and engineering review, double certain traffic penalties in the zone, and dedicate half the extra revenue to safety improvements before dissolving the zone. Supporters from cities, counties, and Pasco said it could help address dangerous intersections and fund fixes, though several witnesses raised liability and implementation concerns and asked for further stakeholder work. No votes were taken in the transcript; the chair closed each hearing after testimony and sign-in counts were noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said it could be adaptable.
• So this just helps it.
• We support it because it provides optionality for travelers when they are traveling.
• I'm all about it. We're about it. We're about it. I'm a Washington State graduate myself.
• I'm all about it. We're about it on one hand.

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we all appreciate it. Certainly do. Well, you were probably up already anyway. I love it.
• It is. It is. Mr. Chairman and members, House Bill 433. Thank you.
• But it won't be long.
• It sounds like it happens fairly regularly. So this is a great bill.
• Well, I haven't had a chance to discuss it with the DA, but we'll look at it.

Bills: HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305 , HB449 , HB908 , HB1024 , HB1306 , HB1443 , HB1445 , HB1741 , HB1866 , HB1902 , HB2001 , HB2282 , HB2355 , HB2492 , HB2637 , HB2697 , HB3464 , HB4263 , HB4996 , HB5667 , HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings

Transcript Highlights:

• It is corrective, it is evidence-based, and it is urgently necessary. It is corrective.
• A couple years ago, I think it was, it was unanimous in the Senate.
• It just says before.
• they just put it.
• I believe it does, but it doesn't spell it out.

Bills: S0212 , S0656 , S0682 , S0810 , S0812 , S0890 , S0892 , S0900 , S0928 , S1084 , S1284

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: sexual offender, sexual predator, sex offender registry, child protection, residency restriction, loitering, proximity restriction, public swimming pool, school safety, child care facility, day care center, park, playground, conditional release, probation, community control, warrantless arrest, background check, registry screening, minor victims

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously. The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support. Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said it could be adaptable.
• You said it could be adaptable.
• So your P3 office is very small, but we want to grow it and we're adding to it as we speak.
• So this just helps it.
• I'm all about it. We're about it.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be, it would mean so much to people like. Me, and it could save lives.
• It can be virtual. It can be video, um.
• And it hurts them. It hurts, it hurts people quite a bit.
• It was, it was dominion and control.
• Um, as far as does it outsource PT, uh, this bill? No, um, it. To me, it makes it to where.

Bills: SB 36

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Under his guidance, the Kyle Fire Department has modernized its equipment, expanded services, and deepened
• It is not eligible until 2:30 p.m. Is it the Chair's intention to take it up at this time?
• It is not eligible until 2:20 p.m. It is the Chair's intention to take it up at this time.
• I don't want it to shatter. Thank you. Don't hit it too hard, don't shatter it.
• I'm good, it was advertising it... Mr.

Bills: HB149 , HB2017 , HB705 , HB223 , HB 1056 , HB2854 , HB4623 , HB3000 , HB46 , HB 117 , HB3619 , HB4464 , HB5646 , HCR84 , HB500 , HB2963 , HB5509 , HB1973 , HB3909 , HB718 , HB252 , HB5666 , HB 119 , HB346 , HB5624 , HB5658 , HB5677 , HB1545 , HB3073 , HB4081 , HB 121 , HB4236 , HB3848 , HB4144 , HB40 , HB5682 , HB3697 , HB3333 , HB3642 , HB20 , HB549 , HB2731 , HB4233 , HB4690 , HB 127 , HB2525 , SB1637 , SB1 , SB1198 , SB509 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB268 , SB331 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1540 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2337 , SB2753 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB14

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, community supervision, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, municipality, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• But it is a great break.
• I don't take it lightly.
• It was really a struggle.
• It requires a four-fifths vote. It requires four out of five to vote for it, correct?
• Or it does take a supermajority vote of the governing body to bring it back.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation, and routine business including dispensing with the previous day’s journal, receiving a House message on HB 104/HJR 34, and a gubernatorial message naming two appointees to the Texas Real Estate Commission. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, Golf Day in Texas, Cindy Ramos-Davidson, and the 50th anniversary of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. Members then adopted memorial resolutions honoring fallen first responders, including Deputy Jesse Ray Perez and Deputy Melissa Pollard, and the Senate agreed to adjourn in their memory. The Senate considered and passed several bills. SB 2199 increased penalties for loading overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; SB 1959 adjusted permit factors for the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District; SB 1376 changed supervision rules for code enforcement officer trainees; SB 2595 created a new offense for harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone while concealing identity with a mask or similar headgear; SB 1012 authorized sale or lease of certain surplus state property in Austin; SB 2245 revised bonded title procedures; SB 2605 created a municipal housing authority asset commission; SB 3044 expanded and adjusted the board of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District; SB 628 clarified county fire code enforcement authority through interlocal agreements; SB 2778 raised the spending threshold for emergency services district employees; SB 3039 addressed public higher education transfer issues; and SB 2523 allowed release from municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition. Most of these bills were passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and final passage was completed, often by wide margins. The chamber also took up SB 1844, which would require cities to provide services before expanding taxing areas into limited-purpose jurisdictions; a floor amendment narrowed the bill, and it was passed to engrossment. SB 2284 clarified municipal and county authority over firearms, airguns, archery equipment, and related items, and was passed despite opposition. SB 2529, dealing with the vote threshold for taxing units to adopt higher tax rates or issue tax bonds, prompted extended debate over voter approval and representative decision-making; after questions, the bill was passed to engrossment and held. At the end of the session, the Senate recessed for 20 minutes and announced it would meet as the Caucus of the Whole.

Transcript Highlights:

• ...say that it was a necessity for them, why not shut it down and start from scratch?
• Again, thanks for your work on it and for bringing it, and I encourage everybody to support it.
• Is that it? Are there questions of the amendment? Is it a debate?
• I hear it all the time.
• That does it. All right.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way. Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose. Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.