Video & Transcript Research : 'executive session'

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • And one of the things that I'm going to probably promote in this session is that we do need to update
  • The bond that this sales tax increase was set to finance—the bond was passed in the lame-duck session
  • And yet... ...two out of three proposals the district had put on the ballot, and yet in a lame-duck session
  • And I have to say that there are obviously a few things moving through this legislative session to honor
  • And so I really hope that for just these few things that are going to come this session, I hope that
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

House in Session Jun 5th, 2025

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • families and each person represented in this process as we come together to finalize our budget this session
  • Garrison, House a Concurrent Resolution 1635, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session
  • Representative Garrison, House Concurrent Resolution 1635, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session
  • Garrison: HCR 1635 extends the session to 11:59 PM, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, and provides legislation
Summary: The Florida House of Representatives convened for a brief session focused on procedural matters. Representative McClure moved to waive rules and introduce House Bill 5017 and House Joint Resolution 5019. The primary business was Representative Garrison's House Concurrent Resolution 1635, which extends the 2025 regular legislative session until 11:59 PM on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The resolution specifies that only the General Appropriations Act (GAA), its implementing bill, and an enumerated list of conforming bills, joint resolutions, and general bills may be considered during the extension. All other legislative measures will be indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration as of 12:00 AM on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The resolution was adopted.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • And then when you all came in the 25 session, you made the adjustment to the income tax reduction and
  • So we did budget reductions of roughly $78 million, and that's from just the executive branch agencies
  • And then uh at the end of the last<00:47:54.800><c> session</c><00:47:55.040><c> the</c><00:47:55.280
  • ><c> 2025</c><00:47:55.839><c> session</c><00:47:56.160><c> I</c><00:47:56.319><c> know</c> last session
  • the 2025 session I know last session the 2025 session I know when<00:47:56.560><c> this</c><00:47:56.800
Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Offending President Trump's executive order restricting birthright citizenship, Mr.
  • All of these events happened within that confines, and so virtually everything is subject to executive
  • That's because they were the holders of the privilege, of that executive privilege.
  • seen district court judges grant relief from far beyond the parties to those cases to enjoin the executive
  • Do you believe, I'll ask each of you, do you believe a litigant, including the executive branch or a
Summary: The committee meeting primarily involved discussions around key nominations and pressing legal issues pertaining to the Department of Justice. Notable discussions included the nomination of John Eisenberg for assistant attorney general for national security, where concerns over the revival of the China Initiative were raised. Senators expressed significant apprehensions regarding previous actions taken under this initiative and its implications for national security. Additionally, there were critiques of the broader implications of executive actions that challenge judicial authority, aligning with ongoing dialogues about the integrity of the judiciary and executive oversight.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • As you all remember, uh, House Bill 360 of the 2023 regular session, there was a change to, uh, the reporting
  • <00:04:36.560><c> the</c><00:04:36.720><c> 2023</c><00:04:37.600><c> regular</c><00:04:38.080><c> session
  • ,</c> Bill 360 of the 2023 regular session, Bill 360 of the 2023 regular session, there<00:04:39.120>
Summary: The committee held its first meeting on budget instructions for the 2026-2028 state budget, as required by KRS Chapter 48. Staff from the Office of State Budget Director outlined three recommended changes: restructuring Form B4 for additional budget requests to emphasize the problem, solution, and quantitative data; adding page numbers to the Record P report so agencies’ additional budget requests can be located more easily; and updating the budget calendar to reflect the December 20 presentation of the consensus forecast to LRC under changes made by House Bill 360. Members asked follow-up questions about contribution rates, debt service template rates, and employee health rates. Staff said the fiscal 2026 KS non-hazardous contribution rate is 42.76%, but fiscal 2027 and 2028 rates have not yet been set; debt service rates would be posted later; and employee health rate assumptions are still being discussed with the Personnel Cabinet. Members also asked how program reductions or terminations would be handled, and staff explained that agencies base requests on statutory and federal requirements, while budget reductions are handled through the appropriations act. The committee discussed whether Form B4 should ask agencies to describe alternative options considered and how they were evaluated. Staff said the current instructions do not specifically require that, though some implications may appear in narrative responses, and members agreed to continue working on the instructions. The committee then adopted a motion directing the co-chairs to work with LRC staff to finalize the 2026-2028 budget instructions and present them for adoption, with the motion approved by roll call. Members also noted that federal budget developments, including possible SNAP cost shifts to states, are being monitored but are too early to incorporate into the instructions at this time.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 12th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As this legislative session draws to and beginnings.
  • As this legislative session draws to a close, we thank you for the good that our elected leaders have
  • Professional development in 2013 second special session, Chapter 18, Section 103.
  • The President signed in open session. Second. Passed.
  • The President signed in open session.
Bills: SCR8410
Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, colors, pledge, and prayer, then approved the previous day’s journal and received gubernatorial appointments and House messages. It also introduced Senate Bill 6362 and referred it to the Law and Justice Committee. After caucus, the President signed a number of bills in open session. The chamber then took up several House-amended measures. Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bonding bill, was concurred in and passed 49-0 after remarks that it was needed to support the six-year transportation budget and historic maintenance investments. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354, allowing direct sales by electric vehicle manufacturers such as Rivian and Lucid, was also concurred in and passed 47-2 after supporters said the House changes lowered consumer fees while preserving the fiscal effect. Engrossed Senate Bill 6228, dealing with tax preferences and pharmacy-related provisions, passed 26-23 after concurrence; Engrossed Senate Bill 6347, concerning estate tax changes, passed 39-10 after concurrence; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which included changes to transitional kindergarten, National Board bonuses, alternative learning experience, Running Start, and electric bus depreciation, passed 26-23; and Substitute Senate Bill 6355, involving transmission authority governance, transparency, and eminent domain-related sideboards, passed 32-17. The Senate also resolved several House/Senate differences by receding or amending bills. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, funding the Seattle Community Development Authority, passed 49-0 after the Senate receded from its amendments. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1295, on literacy-related teacher standards and technical assistance, was returned to second reading, amended with a striking amendment, and then passed 48-1. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215, concerning Climate Commitment Act compliance obligations for fuel supply, was similarly amended with a negotiated striking amendment to protect good-faith operators and then passed 49-0. The Senate then signed additional bills in open session and recessed for lunch and caucus.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 11th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The President is signed in open session.
  • The President is signed in open session.
  • The last two sessions, not so much.
  • after session.
  • They're the ones who had to live through the sessions.
Bills: SCR8410
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, suspended rules to allow committee work and additional floor resolutions, and referred committee and gubernatorial appointment reports as designated. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments in third reading. Megan Matthews was confirmed as director of the Washington State Office of Equity by a 45-2 vote, and Robert A. Zupon, Denise E. Gideon, Andrea Buchanan, Michelle R. Smith, and Edison A. Valerio were each confirmed to various community and technical college boards of trustees by large bipartisan margins. The chamber then considered Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation revenue and policy measure. After rejecting the Transportation Committee’s original striking amendment and adopting a narrower floor striking amendment, senators debated the bill’s changes, including repeal of the luxury aircraft tax and replacement with higher aircraft fuel taxes, registration fees, and an annual excise tax, along with technical corrections and safety-related transportation provisions. Supporters said the bill was a workable compromise that would sustain transportation funding and support future aviation investments; opponents argued it would raise costs on small aircraft owners and general aviation. The bill passed final passage 33-15. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8703 honoring Senator Steve Conway for his 34 years of legislative service. Multiple senators spoke in praise of his leadership on labor, pensions, veterans, and district advocacy, as well as his institutional knowledge, mentorship, and personal integrity. Senator Conway then offered a personal statement thanking colleagues, staff, family, and constituents, and saying he would continue advocating for working people after leaving the Legislature. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

GVO DEFER, GVO Public Hearings 02-05-2026

Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kieran Pulk, Executive Director and CEO of the COP Chamber of Commerce.
Summary: The committee met for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week and took up a series of government operations, procurement, public records, public meetings, and related bills. Several measures were deferred one week to February 12, 2026, including bills on state construction projects, government accountability, gubernatorial appointments, the legislature, public procurement, and a bill on Hawaiian lei sales, largely so the committee could compare similar measures, address concerns, or integrate related reports. The committee also deferred SB 2449 on public meetings for the year, citing concerns that the proposed business-day definition was overly prescriptive and unnecessary. The committee passed several bills with amendments. These included measures clarifying UIPA applicability to records created or maintained by agencies, with amendments changing “government function” to “agency function” and committee report language noting Attorney General concerns and exempting ERS for now; SB 2811 on state building projects with technical amendments and a delayed effective date; SB 2809 on budget-related reports; SB 2336 on trees, with a Senate draft and removal of “political subdivision”; SB 2308 on small purchase vendor compliance, setting the threshold at $5,000 and adding a delayed effective date; SB 2601 on procurement, reorganizing misdemeanor language and leaving funding/FTE issues to Ways and Means; SB 2219 on a capital visitor center working group; and SB 2849 on public meetings, with technical amendments and a delayed effective date. Bills on neighborhood board concerns and public notice were also adopted, with SB 2929 drawing testimony both for and against. Testimony was generally supportive on procurement and small business measures, especially SB 2928 establishing permanent small business procurement coordinator positions, which drew strong support from the State Procurement Office, DBEDT, the Chamber of Commerce, DOT, the Ethics Commission, and others. On public notice, the County of Maui supported allowing website posting, while another witness raised concerns about accessibility, centralized notice locations, and impacts on kūpuna and people with disabilities. On search and rescue, the committee heard support for creating a statewide coordination structure, along with discussion of where such an office should reside; the Attorney General raised constitutional and placement concerns, while witnesses suggested law enforcement, DLNR, or DoD as possible homes. The committee also heard support for a bill protecting home addresses of covered public servants and candidates, though the Public First Law Center urged broader coverage and a better fit with existing law.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

GVO Public Hearing 02-03-2026

Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • However, uh, we would note that it is uh very similar to a bill from last session, SB 1543.
  • However, uh, we would note that it is uh very similar to a bill from last session, SB 1543.
  • Uh, this one would require any person appointed by the governor to serve in the executive branch in a
  • Yes. >> Um, Chair, Vice Chair, executive record. >> Awesome. Thank you for coming out this way.
  • &gt;&gt; Um, chair, vice chair, &gt;&gt; Um, chair, vice chair, executive<00:28:51.039><c> record.
Summary: The committee heard several government operations measures, beginning with SB 2064 on state construction projects, which would create an office of the state architect within DAGS to oversee design review and approvals for state construction. DAGS said it stood on its written testimony, DECAB supported the bill, DOT supported it, and HGA opposed it. No audience testimony or member questions were taken, and the chair moved on. The committee then took up SB 2312 on government contracts, which would make records held by private contractors performing government functions subject to UIPA. The State Procurement Office, Attorney General, OIP, ERS, DHS, and HGA offered comments or opposition, while the League of Women Voters, Public First Law Center, All Hawaii News, Grassroots, and several individuals supported the bill. Public First Law Center argued the bill closes a loophole and does not expand or reduce existing exemptions, while OIP and others raised concerns about privacy, confidential information, and the need for clearer procedures. Members discussed possible clarifying amendments, including changing “government function” to “agency,” and the bill was left for further consideration. Other measures discussed included SB 2662 on government accountability, which would require justification and caps for external consultants; ERS and DOT opposed it, while the American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii and Airlines Committee of Hawaii argued consultants are often more efficient and necessary for major projects. The committee also heard SB 2744 on due process, for which no testimony was received; SB 2809 on budget-related reports, with comments from B&F and the Tax Foundation; SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, opposed by the Governor’s Office and the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission and supported by one individual; a bill on continuous legislative sessions, with comments from B&F, LRB, and Hope for Hawaii; SB 2336 on tree management standards, supported by an individual and the Outdoor Circle; and SB 2075 on public procurement local preferences, which drew broad support with comments from SPO and the Attorney General and discussion of simplifying the preference structure. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly moved measures along after testimony and questions.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 07:00 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The President has signed, in open session, engrossed Senate Bill 6228, engrossed substitute Senate Bill
  • This was my fifth session as chair of the Transportation Committee, and every session I am more and more
  • This was my fifth session as chair of the Transportation Committee, and every session I am more and more
  • Session of the 69th Legislature. Session of the 69th Legislature. Senator Ruchelli.
  • die. 26 regular session of the 69th Legislature do now adjourn sine die.
Bills: SCR8410, SCR8410
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now fast forward a little bit to this session.
  • Earlier in the session, Senator Banke had a great bill, Earlier in the session, Senator Banke had a great
  • The House and Senate disagreed on many things over the course of session.
  • The House and Senate disagreed on many things over the course of session.
  • My districts rely so much on ferries, and I've talked about that a lot this session.
Bills: SCR8410, SCR8410
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As this legislative session draws to And beginnings.
  • As this legislative session draws to a close, we thank you for the good that our elected leaders have
  • Professional development in 2013 second special session, Chapter 18, Section 103.
  • The President is signed in open session. Second. Passed.
  • The President is signed in open session.
Bills: SCR8410, SCR8410
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 04:40 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • change to the sales tax on services expansion that we saw as a part of Senate Bill 5814 in the 2025 session
  • In the 2025 session and trying to address some of the unintended consequences of that enactment.
  • , and the House took them up on it, to have an advisory group of leaders of this chamber, of the executive
  • The President signed in open session.
Bills: SCR8410
Summary: The Senate considered engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6346, a major tax package creating a new income tax on high earners, providing tax reductions and credits, and funding various spending priorities. A point of order was raised that House amendments exceeded the bill’s scope under Senate Rule 66, focusing on new provisions affecting sales and use taxes and business and occupation taxes. The President ruled the amendments were within scope, finding they were tax reductions similar to those already in the Senate-passed bill, and the Senate then took up the motion to concur in the House amendments. Members debated the House changes at length. Supporters said the amendments improved the bill by expanding the Working Families Tax Credit, adding exemptions for diapers and over-the-counter medicines, bringing forward some tax relief, preserving business loss carryforwards, and adding funding or intent language for items such as Fair Start for Kids, K-12 investments, local government replacement funding, and universal school meals. Opponents argued the bill remained unconstitutional or unfair, criticized the income tax structure and inflation indexing changes, objected to the gambling-loss deduction and limits on charitable deductions, and said the bill’s promises on public defense, education, and other priorities were not secured in the body of the measure. On a roll call vote, the Senate concurred in the House amendments by a vote of 27-21, with one excused. The Senate then passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346 as amended by the House by the same 27-21 vote, and the President signed the bill in open session. The chamber also received several messages from the House announcing signed bills, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 02:15 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And there are times, as I said last session, when you stand up and talk about a bill, it doesn't make
  • The President is signed in open session. Engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 5847.
  • My first session, as you know, we were roommates.
  • My first session, as you know, we were roommates.
  • But when our first session, it snowed really bad, and I remember my car getting stuck.
Bills: SCR8410
Summary: The Senate took up several bills on final passage, beginning with Substitute House Bill 2689 on the Working Connections Child Care program. The chamber adopted a Ways and Means striking amendment, then passed the bill 33-16. Supporters said it would change provider payment to attendance-based reimbursement, require subsidy rates to reach at least the 75th percentile of market rates, update use of market rate surveys, and remove previously scheduled income-eligibility expansions. Opponents argued it would not treat all child care providers equally and could create unfair workarounds. The bill was immediately transmitted to the House. The Senate then passed Engrossed House Bill 2487, which clarifies how insurance companies and their affiliates are taxed, and Substitute House Bill 2089, which narrows a tax preference for certain financial institutions and dedicates the revenue to the Wildfire Mitigation Fund. HB 2487 drew criticism for applying the tax retroactively to 2019 despite prior court rulings, while HB 2089 was opposed on affordability grounds because it affects mortgage-related taxation. The chamber also passed Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising annual license fees for cannabis producers, processors, and retailers; opponents said the increase reflected broader budget pressures. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to Senate Resolution 8704 honoring Senator Rebecca Saldaña. Numerous senators from both parties praised her work on labor, environmental justice, child welfare, immigrant and worker rights, and her habit of centering marginalized communities and checking on colleagues personally. Saldaña responded with remarks about organizing, democracy, and the importance of collective action, saying she was grateful for the chamber and looking forward to the next chapter. The Senate adopted the resolution unanimously, and members agreed to add all senators’ names as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8702 honoring Senator Judy Warnick, with speakers from both parties highlighting her long service, agricultural background, calm leadership, bipartisan approach, and work on rural economic development, children and families, and capital projects. Warnick thanked colleagues and said she looked forward to spending more time with her family, farm, and horses. The meeting also included routine motions to move between orders of business and a message from the House concurring in Senate amendments to several bills.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The President is signed in open session. Substitute Senate Bill 5520.
  • The President is signed in open session.
  • The last two sessions, not so much.
  • after session.
  • They're the ones who had to live through the sessions.
Bills: SCR8410
Summary: The Senate convened on March 9, 2025, approved the previous day’s journal, suspended Rule 46 to allow committees to meet during floor sessions, and referred committee and gubernatorial reports as designated. It also received several new bills and appointments, including Senate Bill 6359, and later suspended Rule 20 to allow additional floor resolutions. The chamber then moved through a series of gubernatorial confirmations, with broad support for Megan Matthews as Director of the Washington State Office of Equity and for several college board trustees, including Robert A. Zupon (Renton Technical College), Denise E. Gideon (Clark College), Adria Buchanan (Clover Park Technical College), Michelle R. Smith (Columbia Basin College), and Edison A. Valerio (Columbia Basin College). Each confirmation passed by majority roll call vote, with some members excused. The Senate then considered Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation revenue and policy measure. Members rejected the Transportation Committee’s original striking amendment and adopted a narrower striking amendment that, among other changes, repealed the luxury aircraft tax and replaced it with higher aircraft fuel taxes, registration fees, and an annual excise tax, while also making technical corrections and creating a sustainable aircraft fuel account. Supporters said the bill reflected a bipartisan agreement, improved transportation funding, and supported aviation sustainability; opponents argued it would disproportionately burden small aircraft owners and general aviation. The bill passed the Senate on a 33-15 vote. The final major action was adoption of Senate Resolution 8703 honoring Senator Steve Conway for his 34 years of legislative service. The resolution highlighted his long career in the House and Senate, his leadership on labor, pensions, veterans, and local projects, and his reputation for institutional knowledge and mentorship. Numerous senators from both parties offered personal remarks praising his integrity, advocacy for working families, and support for colleagues. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and Senator Conway, joined by family and friends in the gallery, offered brief remarks thanking the Senate, his staff, family, and constituents before the chamber recessed for lunch and caucus.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • judge executives or county judge<00:03:49.280><c> executives</c><00:03:50.320><c> request</c><00:03:
  • </c> judge executives request that he do so. judge executives request that he do so.
  • </c> legislative session. legislative session.
  • </c> executive order 2026-235. executive order 2026-235.
  • </c> he also, you know, his his uh executive he also, you know, his his uh executive order<00:41:53.760
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met for its first meeting and received an overview from Transportation Cabinet officials on the governor’s executive order responding to high gas prices. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock and budget director Shawn McKiernan explained that the order declared a state of emergency, reduced the state motor fuels tax by 10 cents per gallon, froze the tax rate for FY27, and urged Congress to suspend the federal gas tax. They said the emergency regulation would remain in effect until the war in Iran ends or Kentucky gas prices fall below $3 per gallon, and that any transportation budget shortfalls could be covered by the state budget reserve trust fund if requested later by the governor. McKiernan estimated the 10-cent reduction would reduce the road fund by about $26.8 million per month, with roughly 44% flowing to county road aid, rural secondary, and municipal road aid. He said the immediate impact to counties and cities would be about $11.8 million for one month, while the cabinet would see about $15 million per month less available for its own use. He also said the freeze on the FY27 motor fuels tax rate would prevent a scheduled increase and, compared with the budget assumption, would produce about $42 million in net additional revenue, split between local governments and the cabinet. He added that if the reduction lasted through December, the major transportation programs could be down about 16.9% from budgeted levels. Members focused on the effect on local governments, the road fund, and the cabinet’s cash management process. Several senators and representatives criticized the executive order as short-sighted or political, while others emphasized the need for a long-term solution to transportation funding. Questions were raised about how make-whole payments to counties and cities would be handled, how the cabinet manages cash flow, and whether the state should continue relying on general fund transfers to support the road plan. Cabinet officials said they would work with lawmakers, explained that project authorizations are managed based on cash flow and seasonal spending patterns, and noted that construction and maintenance costs have risen sharply, making revenue adequacy a continuing concern.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Tourism Apr 9th, 2026

Tourism

Summary: The committee first considered SB 265, which would restore full authority to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Board. The bill establishes listed qualifications for board members, keeps the board at eight members with five needed for a quorum, and preserves the governor’s authority to appoint the chair, vice chair, and secretary. After a brief question about the rationale for the change, the committee moved the bill and passed it by a vote of three ayes and one nay. Representative Eves then presented SB 265 as a state pollinator act, with 15-year-old 4-H State Ambassador Lucille Moorhouse explaining the bill and her pollinator project. She described pollinator decline and its importance to agriculture, ecosystems, and grocery prices. Members praised her presentation, and the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. She also shared pollinator seeds with members. The committee next heard SB 2155, which updates the Route 66 Commission and its grant program by allowing memoranda of understanding with state agencies, mainly to hire a project manager to keep multiple projects on schedule. It passed by three ayes and one nay. Finally, SB 2159 designated wheat as Oklahoma’s official crop, citing the state’s large annual wheat acreage and more than $1 billion in yearly economic impact. After a question about whether Oklahoma already had a state grain, the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. The chair then noted it was the last meeting and adjourned the committee.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

House in Special Session C Feb 11th, 2025

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Perez: MEMBERS, ON JANUARY 13, WHEN THE GOVERNOR ISSUED A PROCLAMATION CALLING US INTO A SPECIAL SESSION
  • WE HAVE CONVENED A SPECIAL SESSION AS SURGICALLY AS POSSIBLE.
  • IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE DISRUPTIONS, WE WILL NOT REPLICATE THE COMMITTEE PROCESS FROM THE OTHER SESSION
Summary: The Florida House of Representatives convened for a special session on February 11-14 to address illegal immigration legislation. Speaker Perez announced they would consider two bills and a memorial filed the previous night, with committee meetings scheduled for Wednesday and final passage on Thursday. The Speaker emphasized the legislature's role as equal participants rather than recipients of instructions, describing their approach as aggressive in combating illegal immigration while being thoughtful in methods. The session was designed to be surgical and efficient, bypassing the normal committee process except for Budget Committee review.