Video & Transcript : 'nonemitting generation' :

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AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

HOUSE CONVENES Apr 8th, 2026

Arkansas All Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • authority of the Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, Section 5, the fiscal session of the 95th Arkansas General
  • This time, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 95th General Assembly, please
  • point of personal privilege and recognize my fellow constitutional officers who are here: Attorney General
  • The work we do here is ultimately not about us, but about the next generation.
  • This session, let us remember the lessons of that founding generation.
Summary: The meeting was the opening of the Arkansas General Assembly’s 2026 fiscal session, beginning with quorum calls, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests, including law enforcement officers, a doctor of the day, nurse of the day, constitutional officers, Supreme Court justices, and family and friends of legislators. The House adopted House Resolution 1001 to convene a joint session for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s address, appointed committees to notify the Senate and the Governor, and later received the Senate into the chamber before recessing for the joint session. In the joint session, members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Stan Berry, then heard Governor Sanders’s fiscal session address. Her remarks focused heavily on the proposed budget and her administration’s priorities: fully funding education and the LEARNS Act, supporting teachers and literacy efforts, funding public safety and corrections, expanding the 1033 initiative to move people from crisis to career, and holding down government growth while pursuing further income tax cuts. She also highlighted economic development, low cost of living, and support for veterans, while emphasizing conservative policy themes and thanking several Arkansans whose stories illustrated the administration’s agenda. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on beyond the adoption of House Resolution 1001 and the procedural motions to adjourn the joint session and then adjourn the House until the next day. The House announced that Joint Budget would meet later that afternoon and again the following morning.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 31st, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You will notice on the second page, line 14, the attorney general or any person or organization whose
  • Before they do that, they have to go to the Attorney General.
  • Chairman, I move to send House Bill 621 to General Orders.
  • Committee, we have a substitute motion to send House Bill 621 to General Orders.
  • I've got a substitute motion, General Orders. And then I've got an amended substitute motion.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27, by voice vote. It then took up Senate Bill 1430, which Rep. Judy Boyle said would add an enforcement mechanism to Idaho’s firearms preemption law by allowing the Attorney General or affected parties to seek relief after notice and a cure period, with a possible $10,000 penalty for noncompliance. Public testimony was split: Diana David opposed the bill, arguing preemption limits local safety measures and can increase gun-trafficking risks, while Avine Klein of the NRA supported it as a needed way to enforce existing preemption without changing underlying policy. The committee voted to send SB 1430 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 621 from Rep. Brandon Mitchell and co-sponsor Rep. Kyle Harris. They said the bill would clarify that Idaho’s courthouse firearms prohibition applies only to courtroom portions and active jail or holding areas, not the rest of a combined county building, so citizens can carry while using ordinary county services. Supporters argued counties have used the current language too broadly and that the bill restores preemption and constitutional rights; opponents, including the Idaho Association of Counties, warned it would create confusion, conflict with judicial security orders, and impose significant costs for redesigning security in courthouses. Several members raised concerns about safety, courthouse layout differences, and the fiscal impact on counties, while supporters said counties could find low-cost workarounds and that the bill does not require new equipment. After testimony, the committee considered multiple motions. An amended substitute motion to send HB 621 to the floor with no recommendation failed on a roll call vote, 11-2. The committee then approved a substitute motion to send HB 621 to General Orders by a 13-0 roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned subject to the call of the chair.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Emergency Management Committee Mar 24th, 2026

Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • With me to present Senate Bill 1001 and answer any questions are Tom Coleman, the general manager of
  • I'm the general manager of Rowland Water District.
  • I'm the general manager of Roll and Water District.
  • I'm the general manager of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.
  • We'll now take general witnesses in support, so please come up: name, affiliation, position on the bill
Keywords: 987, senate, all
WV
Transcript Highlights:
  • Secondly, the bill would deposit any remaining balance of the fund on June 30, 2026, into the general
  • The money in the fund will all be put into general revenue as of June 30, 2026.
  • Do you know what the fund generated last year?
  • All this money that has been accumulated through this program is going to go into general revenue.
  • The administrative fee would then generate at least $300,000, which would entirely offset any cost to
Keywords: 994, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Insurance Mar 9th, 2026

Insurance and Banking

Transcript Highlights:
  • About the section, Chapter 536, or non-severable, any powers vested in the General Assembly, et cetera
  • The section are non-severable and if any of the powers vested within the General Assembly pursuant to
  • So again, this is the general concern that we have with it.
  • Generally, I mean, is the concern for providers a general concern? Yeah, yes, it is.
  • So we're above general creditors, but below administration.
Summary: The Committee for Insurance met with a quorum and first took up three bills in executive session. House Bill 2902 was amended with a committee substitute that removed the commission language while keeping provisions on software and key-emulating devices, and members confirmed it still included a Class D felony penalty. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass, with one member voting no. House Bill 1789, dealing with delivery network companies and insurance coverage during the delivery availability period, was also amended and adopted; the substitute clarified that the availability period is not commercial activity and that auto insurance applies until a driver is actually engaged in delivery. The committee then voted the bill do pass, with one no vote and one present. House Bill 1647 was amended to remove it from the collateral source rule section and clarify that it applies only to civil actions for damages and property claims; the substitute was adopted and the bill voted do pass, with several no votes recorded. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1894, which would implement federal nondiscrimination requirements for licensed health care providers in Missouri insurance law. The sponsor said the bill is about patient choice, fairness, and access, especially in rural areas, and does not expand scope of practice or require coverage of new services. Supporters from chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would ensure equal reimbursement for the same covered services and improve access to local providers. Opponents from the insurance industry argued the bill would interfere with network design, reduce negotiating leverage, and require equal payment regardless of provider type or credentials; they also said current federal law already governs network adequacy and that the bill’s rulemaking language was standard but the reimbursement mandate was the main concern. The committee also heard House Bill 3314, which updates Missouri’s insurance guaranty association laws. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill would clarify coverage for cyber policies, ensure coverage follows the policyholder in insurance business transfer or corporate division transactions, and allow limited pre-liquidation information sharing from the Department of Commerce and Insurance to guaranty associations so claims can be handled faster after insolvency. Witnesses said the bill is technical and intended to modernize the system without expanding coverage or increasing taxpayer exposure. Members asked about the $300,000 property and casualty claims cap, the definition of high-net-worth individual, oversight of guaranty associations, and confidentiality concerns; supporters said the cap is longstanding, high-net-worth means over $25 million, and the department’s existing oversight and confidentiality protections are sufficient. The hearing closed after a final supportive statement from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the committee adjourned.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 5th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • in a budget crunch year we don't want to do anything to be taken potential revenue away from our general
  • Vanderhaden explained that the nonprofit technically becomes the general partner and is the lead on the
  • So there's a lot of economic generation that will come from these developments just for having them be
  • And so what it does, it takes the task force recommendation to phase out the general funding for that
  • And so that does that, but it helps them become, removes the general funding and becomes self-funding
Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 5, 2026, and first reordered its agenda to move RS 33471 to the end. The committee then introduced RS 33580, a proposal from Rep. Charlie Shepard concerning sales tax “sales price,” which he described as a fix for a recent Tax Commission practice of going back several years to tax and penalize businesses that had followed longstanding practice. The motion to introduce the RS passed without opposition. The committee next heard House Bill 760 from Rep. John Weber, which would create an optional county property tax exemption for workforce and affordable housing projects. Testimony from Dominium’s Austin Vanderhaden explained that the bill would allow Idaho-based nonprofit and for-profit partnerships, require rents at or below 60% of area median income, require annual county certification, and leave the exemption entirely to county discretion. Supporters from the Boise Metro Chamber, Idaho Realtors, and the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry said the bill would help address housing shortages, support employers and workers, and provide a local tool for communities. The committee voted to send HB 760 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; Representatives Monks, Ehlers, and Razor requested to be recorded as voting no. Finally, the committee considered RS 33471 from Rep. Jeff Ehlers, a DOGE Task Force recommendation to phase out general state funding for the Commission on Hispanic Affairs beginning July 1, 2028, while leaving the commission intact and shifting it toward private funding. Members debated whether the proposal would undermine the commission’s mission and whether it was appropriate to remove the commission from a list of charitable contribution options in the tax code. A substitute motion to return the RS to the sponsor failed, and the original motion to introduce the RS passed, with Representatives Birch and Gannon recorded as no votes. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm currently the general counsel for the 10th largest law firm in Florida called Kelly Cronenberg.
  • And I know how important it is to have the next generation engage in higher education.
  • generation engage in higher education.
  • And I believe FGCU, especially... ...is the pathway to prosperity for generations.
  • 17% of our students are first-generation themselves.
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/09/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a topic in the general public that...
  • I do want to also thank the Attorney General, Chris Mays, for working on this bill.
  • As we know, Thank the Attorney General, Chris Mays, for working on this bill.
  • They have been a council for several years now without any kind of ding from the auditor general, and
  • My family, four generations, were cattle and horse ranchers, and I am very supportive.
Keywords: 1182, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee Jan 28th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that's generally the approach we take when we come across them: we send them questionnaires.
  • general counsel.
  • It's First as general counsel, then as chief deputy director and general counsel.
  • And the Attorney General is back in active litigation.
  • And the Attorney General is back in active litigation.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by 5-0 vote, before moving to appointments required to appear. Trista Gonzalez, nominated to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, testified about her 33-year career in tax administration and emphasized taxpayer service, efficiency, and team culture. Members asked about responsiveness to legislators, the lithium extraction tax, online sales tax compliance after Wayfair, and enforcement against illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Gonzalez said the department is ready for the lithium tax, works to register businesses meeting the $500,000 threshold, and coordinates with law enforcement on inspections and seizures. Public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. Aaron McGuire, nominated as executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, described his experience at the agency and its expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, major grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Senators questioned him about grant oversight, fraud prevention, public access to audits, implementation of SB 519, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, reporting, site visits, audits, and recovery actions to monitor grants, and that trailer bill language has clarified access to records for in-custody death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in Los Angeles juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with the courts and local officials. Supporters from Amity Foundation, Health Right 360, Westcare, and Giffords testified in favor, and the committee approved his nomination 5-0 to advance to the full Senate.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Jan 26th, 2026 at 11:12 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Generated from Berthier, Representative Sereniana, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Thank you, General Lady. General Lady from Doña Anna and also from Sierra and Catrin and Valencia.
  • General Lady from Doniana, Sierra, and Socorro, Representative Dow. I'm still rusty.
  • General lady from Doniana, Sierra, and Socorro. Rep. Sanved out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • General lady from Santa Fe. Mr.
Keywords: 996, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 22nd, 2026

Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Casey Stevenson from Rupert, Idaho, fourth-generation farmer with my dad.
  • I'm Galen Lee, fourth-generation farmer from New Plymouth.
  • Honovan Hartley, I guess, third-generation farmer.
  • And you heard how many of them talked about being a multi-generational farmer.
  • We're hoping that we can continue on what we've done for generations.
Summary: The Agricultural Committee held its first meeting of the session with member introductions, welcome remarks, and introductions of two committee pages. The chair also noted that committee rules would be reviewed later and that the session would likely be busy. No formal legislation was considered or voted on at this meeting. The main presentation focused on Idaho’s sugar beet industry. Growers described sharply lower crop prices, rising input costs, and the resulting strain on farm finances, especially for small and family farms. They said the downturn is largely tied to federal sugar policy and trade issues rather than state policy, and emphasized that reduced farm income will also hurt rural businesses and communities. Committee members asked about the volatility of sugar prices and whether any Idaho-level changes could help. A second presentation highlighted regenerative agriculture practices such as strip-till, cover crops, and manure application. The speaker argued these methods can improve soil health, reduce costs, and conserve water, while also noting that cover crops may be cut back when farm finances tighten. Members asked about cover crop choices and whether similar practices are used internationally. The final presentation from Amalgamated Sugar explained the federal sugar program, the role of import controls and loan rates, and why the company believes the current system is failing because of excess imports, inflation, and an outdated high-tier duty. The presenter said the industry is working with federal officials to raise the duty, improve demand estimates, and protect domestic sugar production and food security.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a problem. ...under the Missouri General Assembly.
  • Please focus on abuse of power generically. I'll make this example brief.
  • Um, it... ...General must approve the form of instrument that it conveys.
  • Is it going to somehow impact the state-owned parking lots in this general vicinity?
  • And so the regular general parking is dwindling each and every year.
Keywords: 959, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Community Affairs Jan 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • is a negotiated glitch bill agreed to by stakeholders that protects co-ops' authority to choose generation
  • , power purchases, demand response, and efficiency programs. decisions on generation, power purchases
  • is a negotiated glitch bill agreed to by stakeholders that protects co-op's authority to choose generation
  • purchase power, purchase power, and to by stakeholders that protects co-ops authority to choose generation
  • And generally, the engineers and the architects that perform those milestone inspections have reported
Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of bills, mostly local claims and growth-management or permitting measures. SB 16, SB 14, and SB 24 were uncontested claims bills providing relief for injuries or damages involving the City of St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County; each was described as settled or favorably reported by a special master, and each was reported favorably without debate. SB 288, a negotiated bill on rural electric cooperatives, was presented as a clarification to protect co-op authority over generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections; it drew support from industry stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 830 created a public-records exemption for certain local administrators and their families’ personal information, citing threats against city managers, and it also passed favorably. The committee also considered several land-use and permitting bills. SB 1138 would create a registry of qualified professionals to conduct pre-application review for plats and development, aiming to reduce delays and backlogs; local government groups raised concerns about preemption and preserving quasi-judicial authority, but the bill passed favorably with one no vote. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling houses, increased penalties, and authorized attorney’s fees and foreclosure of unpaid fees; it was reported favorably. SB 686 revised the agricultural enclave statute to create a public-hearing process for certain residential projects in urban service areas, with a sunset date later amended to June 30, 2026; conservation and planning groups raised concerns about local planning authority and public participation, but the bill passed favorably. SB 548, a growth-management and impact-fee cleanup bill, clarified plan-based methodology, extraordinary circumstances, interlocal agreements, and refund procedures for impact fees. Local government and development stakeholders testified that it would improve predictability while preserving flexibility, though some sought further refinement on fee increases and refunds; the bill was amended and then reported favorably. SB 1234 addressed building permits and inspections, including permit validity, small-project exemptions, temporary hurricane protection, standardized permit forms, and expanded use of private providers; county officials objected to reduced oversight, while builders and private-provider advocates supported the measure. After testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Jones requested to be recorded on several votes, and the committee adjourned after no further business.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Jan 15th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It was created by the legislature, and it distributes and manages the revenue generated by three cents
  • Previous legislatures have also authorized general obligation bond sales for the purposes of funding
  • And thanks to all the members of this committee and the House generally who are already co-sponsors,
  • Each month, the State General Fund is credited with the earnings in the Treasury income account unless
  • Our office noticed that the interest was going to the general fund.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Jan 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • We wanted to make sure that this commission had a diverse regional, gender, sector, and generational
  • He represents generational diversity.
  • And so it's a very unique history that ties into generations of people coming to the Commonwealth.
  • Is it okay if we— is there anyone else that had a general comment?
  • generation.
Summary: The meeting focused on the Cape Verdean Cultural Center Commission’s work to build a feasibility study and expand its membership. Members reviewed and approved the prior meeting minutes, then discussed draft nomination criteria meant to ensure geographic, generational, gender, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise such as arts and cultural programming, history, museum work, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, language preservation, community organizing, economic development, government/policy, legal expertise, and communications. The commission also discussed designating seats for organizations such as the Pedro Pires Institute for Cape Verdean Culture at Bridgewater State, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. A long list of potential nominees was reviewed, including people with backgrounds in education, community advocacy, museums, maritime history, arts, law, and economic development. Commissioners raised concerns about gaps, especially legal expertise and representation from Taunton and Cape Cod, and noted that some nominees might need to serve as organizational designees rather than individual members. Several commissioners supported the overall slate but asked for more time to vet the candidates against the criteria. The commission then voted to create a three-member nominating committee consisting of the chair, Senator Miranda, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes, with Vega and Lopes accepting the assignment. The committee was tasked with narrowing the 16 additional nominees down to 12 open seats and reporting back at a special meeting later in the month, with the goal of finalizing appointments before the February meeting. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Nov 10th, 2025

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we'll go ahead and get started with Senate Bill 1, general appropriations. Thank you, Mr.
  • Senate Bill 1 backfills a lot of general fund appropriations.
  • State general fund in the Medicaid program. We funded this with $46,346,365,316.
  • Waiver from 2024 is $21,339,391, and state general fund reversions from 2020.
  • State general fund rescissions for the Medicaid. Assistance division was about $685,260.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Especially with nuclear and making sure this generation four reactors and the next generation of reactors
  • If you wanted to build a gas turbine plant, a gas generation plant today, it would be five years before
  • The electrons don't know how they're generated, so. Thank you, thank you very much.
  • Right now, most of my communities in the rural areas are powered by diesel generation.
  • How do you think DOE can support this next generation?
Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Mar 19th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the failure rate on an FTA, in terms of if they come back to court or not, generally speaking, the
  • You know, some information from them, as a general rule...
  • Information from them, as a general rule: if I had an individual on a low-level offense that was still
  • There’s a minimum amount that generally speaking a warrant clerk... that generally speaking a warrant
  • I'm not saying just generally; it costs money.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 02-14-2025 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Their contributions remind us that this message is still alive and thriving, reaching new generations
  • Their contributions remind us that this message is still alive and thriving, reaching new generations
  • Their contributions remind us that this message is still alive and thriving, reaching new generations
  • Their contributions remind us that this message is still alive and thriving, reaching new generations
  • Their contributions remind us that this message is still alive and thriving, reaching new generations
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and opened with a moment of contemplation honoring Bob Marley. Several senators spoke about Marley’s life, music, and activism, emphasizing his messages of peace, justice, unity, and resistance. One senator highlighted Marley’s 1979 visit to Hawaii and his influence on Hawaiian and “Jawaiian” music, while another introduced members of the Marley family and recognized their continuing musical work and cultural legacy. The Senate also recognized staff members from one senator’s office during the introductions. After the contemplative remarks and guest introductions, the presiding officer asked for a few minutes for photographs. The chamber then processed Governor’s Message No. 665, withdrawing a nomination to the Campaign Spending Commission, and Governor’s Messages Nos. 666 to 668, transmitting nominations to various boards and commissions. Those messages were referred according to the Order of the Day, and Standing Committee Reports Nos. 480 to 674 were adopted by motion without objection. In announcements, the presiding officer thanked the SMA team and legislative staff for efficient work on a record number of bills during the first lateral, noted the upcoming three-day weekend, and extended birthday wishes to Clerk Carol Taniguchi. The Senate then adjourned by motion until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18th.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Adult general education hourly reporting.
  • Districts receive state funding for adult general education and are required to report enrollment to
  • This helps provide assurance that the recorded amounts within the general ledger are complete and that
  • This helps provide assurance that the recorded amounts within the general ledger are complete and that
  • That is not an Auditor General audit.
Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee received a presentation from Auditor General staff on recurring findings from audits of district school boards, colleges, and universities. For school districts, the main issues discussed included missing or outdated safe-school officer training documentation, weak purchasing-card controls, vendor banking-change fraud risks, incomplete background screenings and disqualification-list procedures, missing website budget disclosures, excessive or untimely IT access, late deactivation of former employees’ access, missed emergency drill deadlines, inaccurate capital outlay and resiliency education records, weak tangible property inventories, adult education reporting errors, untimely bank reconciliations, and improper use of workforce development funds. The auditors said many of these issues are repeated from prior years and are summarized in their annual report on significant findings and financial trends. For universities and colleges, the auditors highlighted similar control weaknesses, including vendor information change controls, IT access issues, cash and investment reconciliation problems, purchasing and procurement deficiencies, personnel and compensation issues, and student fee compliance concerns. Specific examples included a UF consulting contract totaling about $6 million, FAU underreporting carry-forward balances by about $77 million, UCF’s payment loss of about $107,000 from an email scam tied to vendor changes, and a North Florida College unauthorized transfer involving a few hundred thousand dollars. The committee asked questions about the UF consulting work, the FAU carry-forward issue, and whether the listed findings meant every named entity had every issue; auditors clarified that the lists reflected entities with findings in those categories, not necessarily each specific problem. The committee then turned to enforcement for entities with long-standing uncorrected audit findings. Staff reported 144 entities with 197 findings repeated in three or more successive audit reports and recommended sending letters requesting updated corrective-action status, including for late-filed 2022-2023 reports where appropriate. The committee approved the staff recommendation and directed letters to be sent. The meeting ended with members emphasizing the importance of audit oversight and taxpayer accountability.