Transcript Highlights:

• for the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions to ensure they have proper ethics policies in place, conduct
• PROPER ETHICS POLICIES IN PLACE, CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND LOOK TO SEE IF
• The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
• The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
• Be conducted as five-minute votes.

Bills: HB2181 , HB1510 , HR1000 , HB3425 , HB3424 , HB3428 , HB3423 , HB3055 , HB2591 , HB4550

Keywords: Inspectors General, removal standard, government oversight, accountability, transparency, IG, watchdogs, federal oversight, executive branch, presidential removal, for-cause removal, independent oversight, anti-corruption, waste fraud and abuse, malfeasance, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, inefficiency, neglect of duty

Transcript Highlights:

• They are responsible for ensuring that every election is conducted fairly, securely, and in full compliance
• But if they got it from the ethics board and published that, then they would be subject to criminal violations
• At the very least, I would add the ethics board to the things that you're doing.
• broadly, I think there needs to be serious rework of the law, but specifically, there are agencies like ethics

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee met on March 31 with a quorum present and heard three bills by Representative Bacala. House Bill 205 sought to increase compensation for election commissioners, with the author and several clerks of court and commissioners testifying that pay had not changed in 19 years despite greater responsibilities, longer hours, and additional training tied to election security and new voting systems. To avoid a state fiscal note, the committee adopted amendment set 2855, which removed the base pay increase and instead allowed parish governing authorities to provide a supplemental payment of up to $100 for commissioners in charge and those who complete instruction. The bill was then reported favorably. House Bill 67 addressed protected information for certain public officials and aligned the rules for clerks of court with those already applied to the Secretary of State’s office. The author described it as a technical correction to prior legislation governing what personal information may be published or removed. Stephen Procopio of PAR raised broader concerns about transparency, possible constitutional issues, and inconsistent treatment of information depending on the source, suggesting the law may need a larger review. The committee did not amend the bill and reported it favorably. House Bill 73 would allow local public bodies to vote by electronic voting machine, so long as the vote is publicly displayed, instead of being limited to voice votes. Bacala said the change was intended to clarify that electronic in-place voting is permissible and does not affect quorum, proxy voting, or remote participation. Representatives asked about whether members and the public must be able to see the vote and whether the bill changed existing procedures; the author said it did not. Support came from local government associations, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• way that the OAG has been created is to make sure that those staff are classified so that they can conduct
• their thorough work um they can conduct their thorough work um in<00:20:40.320><c> an</c><00:20:40.520
• This would have been on the 17th subdivision, five, conflicts of interest, Code of Ethics, so I guess
• </c><01:01:31.839><c> in</c> and are subject to the code of ethics in and are subject to the code of
• with no due where apparently the conduct with no due diligence<01:05:08.400><c> on</c><01:05:08.520>

Bills: HF1 , HF779 , HF1034

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of it comes to morals, ethics, common sense, and you can't legislate that.
• A lot of it comes to morals, ethics, common sense, and you can't legislate that.
• </c><03:50:41.040><c> to</c><03:50:41.199><c> increase</c> research conducted to increase research conducted
• </c> accurate and cost-effective and ethical accurate and cost-effective and ethical Alternatives<04:
• commitment to ethical leadership thank you<04:24:53.239><c> for</c><04:24:53.399><c> your</c><04:24:

Summary: The committee held a work session on a bill arising from the Lee case involving animal seizures and humane society involvement. Members and the commissioner discussed concerns about due process, lack of clear notice to animal owners, the need for owners to understand when they are surrendering ownership, and whether humane agents should have additional training or certification. Several members also questioned the role of the NH SPCA and humane societies, the absence of oversight, and whether there was any financial or policy conflict in their involvement. The commissioner said the Department of Agriculture does not have a direct relationship with humane societies, but does coordinate with police on seizures, and noted that problems tend to arise when agencies do not consult the department first. Testimony and discussion focused on possible fixes to the bill, including clearer written notice of rights, requiring a third-party qualified veterinarian or other neutral evaluator, establishing the condition of animals at the time of seizure for later court proceedings, and possibly using teleconferencing with a veterinarian in limited circumstances. Some members suggested the bill may need a broader study committee, while others said it should be amended now rather than delayed. The chair said the bill would be worked on further and sent to the subcommittee for more detailed review. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 250, which would allow local governing bodies to regulate dog muzzling. Representative Jodi Newell testified that the bill was intended to let municipalities respond to dangerous dogs, citing Keene’s attempt to require muzzling after a serious incident but lack of clear authority under current law. Deborah LeBlanc also testified about a dog attack that seriously injured her dog and said a muzzle requirement could have prevented the attack. Committee members asked about the incident, existing dog-control laws, and whether the dog had been leashed; the discussion suggested the bill was meant to clarify local authority over muzzling as a public safety measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was informed by findings from a series of forensic examinations conducted in fiscal year 2023
• or proposes to conduct business with a lead agency, or gains any personal, financial, professional,
• or proposes to conduct business with a lead agency, or gains any personal, financial, professional,
• focus on elements that were identified with the forensic examinations and include governance and ethics
• So those examinations were conducted reviewing information from the timeframe of 2019 through 2021.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee held its first meeting of the term and heard introductory remarks from the chair, vice chair, ranking member, and members, who broadly described their interest in child welfare, mental health, aging services, homelessness, and agency accountability. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction, including child welfare, mental health and substance abuse safety net services, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, elder services, and child support, and introduced the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as the first agency panel for the term. DCF presented an implementation update on HB 7089, a 2024 law aimed at increasing accountability and transparency for community-based care (CBC) lead agencies that deliver most child welfare services under contract. The department said the bill was prompted by forensic examinations that found problems such as noncompetitive procurement, related-party transactions, excessive executive compensation, and weak financial oversight. DCF described new contract requirements and monitoring tools covering board governance and annual training, conflict-of-interest disclosures, financial penalties for noncompliance, fidelity bond requirements, limits on direct service provision by lead agencies, related-party procurement rules, procurement thresholds, real-property approvals, compensation caps, expanded public reporting, and a new Future of Child Protection and Funding Work Group. DCF reported that some lead agencies had completed required board training, others were still on schedule, and two agencies exceeding the direct-service threshold had been referred to the Auditor General. Members asked DCF about the reasons for the bill, the impact on children, the work group’s regional representation, aging-out youth, the Embrace Families transition, board training requirements, and whether enforcement actions had been taken. DCF said the bill was intended to protect funds for children and families and improve oversight, and clarified that the Central Florida lead agency contract was awarded through competitive procurement rather than an absorption. DCF also said the board training was designed to be meaningful but not overly burdensome, with timing left partly to lead agencies as they implement the new requirements. The committee then heard from two CBC leaders, who generally supported the accountability goals of HB 7089 and said their agencies had already addressed most of the new governance and disclosure requirements. They reported that board training had been completed or was being scheduled, but both agencies said the fidelity bond requirement has been difficult or impossible to obtain in the market as written, though they were able to secure the separate performance bond. The CBC witnesses also warned that recruiting providers is increasingly difficult, especially for higher-acuity children and group-home placements, due to limited provider supply, regulatory burden, insurance costs, and rising risk. They said these pressures are contributing to budget deficits in some areas and urged lawmakers to consider the funding model, insurance and indemnification issues, and the risk of overregulation reducing provider participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• When an emergency exceeds one year, the auditor general must conduct a financial audit of all expenditures
• auditor general must then Following the expiration of an emergency, the Auditor General must then conduct
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 572, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ethics for public
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 572, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ethics for public
• In committee meetings and conducting other Senate business.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing visiting groups and guests, including college students and leaders, health and nonprofit organizations, Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, foreign dignitaries from Morocco, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, with remarks honoring the Parkland community and the school safety law that followed. The chamber then took up a special order calendar of bills, beginning with several claims bills and local relief measures. SB 14 for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County passed 37-1, and HB 6517 for A. Sanchez-Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg passed after substitution. HB 6515 for Lordes Latour and Edward Lator against Miami-Dade County also passed 38-1. The Senate then approved SB 52 on volunteer armed security at places of worship (39-0), SB 124 updating Florida Virtual School statutes (39-0), SB 504 on code inspector body cameras (39-0), and SB 506 on related public records (38-1). A lengthy debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Several senators argued for tighter oversight and supported an amendment by Senator Berman that would have limited fund use and required Legislative Budget Commission approval for continued spending; that amendment failed 12-27. The underlying bill then passed 29-10. Senators also adopted SB 594 on local housing assistance for mobile home owners (39-0), SB 656 strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children programs (39-0), SB 806 creating right-to-repair protections for wireless devices and agricultural equipment (39-0), SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute (39-0), SM 1186 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure by voice vote, SB 308 creating the Florida Museum of Black History with a late-filed amendment clarifying ex officio nonvoting legislative members (39-0), and SB 572 updating ethics law to include foster children and foster parents, as amended (38-0). The Senate also withdrew SB 1360 from further consideration, certified passed bills to the House, and adjourned until February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• When an emergency exceeds one year, the auditor general must conduct a financial audit of all expenditures
• auditor general must then Following the expiration of an emergency, the Auditor General must then conduct
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 572, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ethics for public
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 572, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ethics for public
• Without objection, the Senate. in committee meetings and conducting other Senate business.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, not to call out any other commission, but, you know, we were looking at the State Ethics
• Let's say state, uh, the complaints for ethics or lobbying, um, needs to go to the State Ethics Commission
• Let's say state, uh, the complaints for ethics or lobbying, um, needs to go to the State Ethics Commission
• </c> needs to go to the state ethics needs to go to the state ethics submission<00:23:55.280><c> and<
• This prohibits any employer from subjecting an employee to abusive conduct.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The committee first heard SB 2122, which would tie public service flexible spending account contribution and carryover limits to the annual IRS cafeteria plan caps. DEER supported the bill and said it would help the state keep pace with federal limits, though it suggested deleting the words “inflation/adjusted” and “for that calendar year” as unnecessary. HGA and UPW strongly supported the measure, saying state limits lag the IRS amounts and that higher caps would help employees offset rising health care costs. In response to questions, DEER said the plan has a fund balance of about $1.6 million but noted some risk if employees leave before contributing enough to cover reimbursements. The unions agreed to DEER’s suggested wording change so long as the bill still clearly required future increases to track the IRS limits. The committee then took up SB 2116, which would create a confidential process in the Attorney General’s office for anonymous complaints against public employees, with complaints forwarded to the appropriate agency and annual reporting required. DLIR and the Attorney General opposed the bill. The AG’s office said anonymous complaints cannot truly be guaranteed to remain anonymous, that existing laws already provide confidential complaint processes in specific areas, and that the AG would effectively be only a repository without meaningful authority over how complaints are handled. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would begin a conversation about protecting complainants while discouraging frivolous complaints. In questions, senators raised concerns about how anonymous complaints would be investigated and whether the AG could serve as an appeal body; the AG said the proposal would likely require broader changes to existing complaint laws. The committee also heard SB 218, which would amend the amount a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee’s wages to repay indebtedness to the state. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying it would create a more lenient repayment process for employees who were overpaid and should not have to repay large amounts in a single pay period. UPW said the bill would eliminate a provision allowing recovery of debts of $1,000 or less in one pay period, which it described as problematic for members. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii was listed in opposition, and additional comments were submitted by the state controller and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. Finally, the committee heard SB 2114, which would repeal the prohibition on certain exempt employees grieving suspensions or discharges and allow bargaining-unit members to grieve disciplinary actions. DHRD and the City and County of Honolulu opposed the bill, arguing exempt employees are at-will employees who serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and already have other legal remedies for discrimination or harassment; they also said the issue is a negotiable matter under collective bargaining agreements. HGA and UPW supported the bill, saying exempt positions have increased in number and that just-cause protections would improve recruitment and retention. Senators questioned how unions would represent exempt employees and whether the bill would change the at-will nature of those positions; no vote or final action was taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, for the opportunity to serve on the House Committee on Ethics.
• </c><00:39:04.240><c> Signed</c> the House Committee on Ethics.
• Signed the House Committee on Ethics.
• in the afternoon wasn't conducted in the afternoon wasn't finished<00:43:04.480><c> until</c><00:43:
• </c> six states conducted their elections. six states conducted their elections.

Bills: HR780 , HR976 , HR975 , HR974

Keywords: gridlock, policy priorities, House resolution, legislative process, procedural motion, house meeting hours, legislative schedule, government procedure, House of Representatives, quorum, business proceeding, legislative procedure, government functionality, Congress, notification, Presidential communication

Transcript Highlights:

• By directing the Office of Court Administration to conduct a study on digital court reporting.
• No, none of the Texas Ethics Committee rules are changed.
• supportive of this legislation; I feel really strongly about... ...campaign finance and campaign ethics
• And ethics would be things like small donor public financing, voucher systems which you've seen across
• So I think if we're being serious about campaign finance reform. and campaign ethics, we would take that

Bills: SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 10 , SB 16 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 19 , SB 54 , HB23 , HB17 , HB16 , SB19 , SB53 , SB54 , HB16 , HB17 , HB23 , HB27 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB2 , SB3 , SB10 , SB16 , SB5

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, let's go to Legislative ethics Committee.
• To advisory members to the Legislative ethics Committee will be Representatives Grola and Cates.
• And then let's go to ethics.
• We will add 2 advisory members to legislative ethics Representatives Pettigrew and Cullen.
• be meeting, uh, the reason that's a problem obviously is, uh, official business can't really be conducted

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• So let Christ's example of love and sacrifice shape our conduct to have his humility, his truth, and
• Bill 238 by Representative Zeringue is an act to amend Title 42 relative to the Louisiana Code of Ethics
• Members, this removes the population restriction on the ethics exception, authorizing a former school
• board member to be employed by... ...the ethics exception, authorizing a former school board member
• It has definitions and allows the Board of Ethics to administer that. I know we...

Bills: SR113 , SR114 , SCR64 , SCR65 , SCR66 , SCR67 , SCR12 , HB59 , HB66 , HB79 , HB153 , HB165 , HB326 , HB387 , HB455 , HB513 , HB660 , HB719 , HB762 , HB802 , HB816 , HB833 , HB895 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1011 , HB1028 , HB1039 , HB1051 , HB1053 , HB1057 , HB1080 , HB1084 , HB1155 , HB1215 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1234 , HB1251 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB1256 , HB221 , HCR11 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HCR50 , HCR60 , HCR64 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR68 , HCR78 , HCR81 , HCR58 , SB25 , SB250 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HB22 , HB28 , HB33 , HB41 , HB47 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB316 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB511 , HB514 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB636 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB896 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , SB29 , SB30 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB43 , SB47 , SB84 , SB93 , SB113 , SB192 , SB199 , SB219 , SB220 , SB221 , SB222 , SB241 , SB253 , SB255 , SB289 , SB292 , SB306 , SB314 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB424 , SCR9 , SB132 , SB35 , SB65 , SB135 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR26 , HCR45 , HCR31 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB17 , HB21 , HB51 , HB55 , HB74 , HB106 , HB108 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB168 , HB215 , HB226 , HB263 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1237 , HB1239 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB210 , HB220 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB36 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB166 , HB211 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB759

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present and opened with the introduction of guest pastor Dr. Jeff Williams, who delivered the invocation before members recited the pledge and approved the journal without objection. The chamber then handled a series of communications from the House, including notice of House action on numerous Senate bills and joint resolutions, and introduced several Senate resolutions and a concurrent resolution, many of which were laid over. One resolution to recognize Jewish American Heritage Month drew objection to suspension of the rules, while SCR 64, creating a task force on construction management at risk, was amended to add the Louisiana Police Jury Association president or designee and then adopted 34-0. SCR 66 designating Anti-Hunger Day and SCR 67 honoring Chef John Folse were also adopted unanimously. The Senate also heard personal privilege remarks recognizing Southwest Louisiana Day at the Capitol, honoring the late John Gillespie, and designating a Day Without Child Care at the Capitol through SR 115. The chamber then considered a large number of House bills and House concurrent resolutions on second reading, mostly referring them to committees or ordering them to the Legislative Bureau. Among the measures advanced from committee were bills on veterans’ employment at schools, anti-cancer medication coverage, domestic abuse arrest holding periods, food safety, state finances, vaccination status and public buildings, construction code commission purpose, elected official compensation, clinical trial competitiveness, law enforcement records, sexual assault nurse examiner oversight, human remains documentation, wildlife disposition, and several local or tax-related measures. HCR 11 supporting the Louisiana National Guard at Camp Beauregard was concurred in 135-0. The Senate also received committee reports on multiple House bills, with several reported favorably or with amendments. On final passage, the Senate approved a series of bills, including SB 135 on sports wagering revenue allocation, which passed 32-2 after debate over shifting more funding to early childhood education and capping the sports fund allocation. Other bills passed included HB 238 on ethics exceptions for former school board members, HB 241 on bank records definitions, HB 242 allowing a St. Tammany Parish constable to appoint a deputy, HB 250 on financial disclosure for board members, HB 260 on complimentary transportation for legislators, HB 265 expanding video voyeurism offenses with a funeral-service exemption amendment, HB 275 increasing penalties for domestic violence committed in the presence of a child, HB 300 raising the appraisal threshold for certain residential loans, HB 320 creating a crime of unlawful exposure by an inmate, HB 338 extending the Office of Financial Institutions sunset, HB 339 expanding privacy protections for law enforcement officers and administrative law judges, HB 349 expanding the Imported Seafood Safety Fund’s uses, HB 379 allowing certain 17-year-old students to serve as poll commissioners, HB 427 revising online minor-protection language after a debated amendment restoring an opt-out, HB 463 raising emergency communication service charges under voter approval and hearing requirements, HB 464 requiring utility damage notices to go to the Regional Notification Center, and HB 468 regulating wholesaling of residential real property. Most of these measures passed unanimously or by wide margins, with several motions to reconsider laid on the table after passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's how businesses conduct secure transactions. It guards against identity theft.
• Who's going to monitor whether the organs are harvested in an ethical manner? Thank you.
• “Organs are harvested in an ethical manner?”
• “Who’s going to monitor harvesting in an ethical manner?” That’s the question? Yes.
• And identifying, you know, making sure that they are harvested in an ethical manner.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft systems. The bill increases penalties for flying drones over critical infrastructure, prohibits drones equipped with weapons or explosives, creates a first-degree felony for drones carrying a weapon of mass destruction, and includes a law enforcement exception. A lay-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo warning against the use of force to shoot down drones was debated but failed, and the bill was then reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 846 addressing notary public fraud in immigration-related services, SB 650 on hazardous walking conditions for school transportation, SB 922 on employment agreements including non-compete and garden leave provisions, and SB 1820 on motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer relations, covering performance measures, retaliation, and franchise termination standards. Several bills focused on education, health care, and disability issues. SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, would require disability history and awareness instruction across grade levels; it drew emotional testimony from the bill sponsor, family members, and supporters, and was reported favorably. SB 998 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to certify deaths and file death certificates in hospice settings under physician protocol, and SB 1412 would modernize home health agency rules by expanding administrative flexibility and contract service use; both passed. SB 1736 would allow direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group home settings for individuals with developmental disabilities, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several regulatory and court-related measures. SB 1650 expands Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including allowing designation based on conduct in a single case and extending the look-back period, while SB 1652 creates a public records exemption for certain stricken non-criminal court filings; both were approved. SB 1076 on roofing contractors was amended to require continuing education for roof-to-wall connections and then passed, and SB 1078 on fire prevention was amended with stakeholder-agreed language before being reported favorably. SB 1080 on local government land regulations, after multiple amendments and significant debate over agricultural enclaves and local control, was also approved. Other major measures included SB 818 on utility relocation, which creates a relocation fund funded by a portion of communications services tax revenue and was supported by multiple industry and local-government groups after a compromise amendment; SB 868 on social media use by minors, which would require a decryption mechanism for law enforcement access under subpoena and prohibit disappearing messages for minors, remained under discussion as the transcript ended. The committee also heard SB 96, a claims bill for Jacob Rogers against the City of Gainesville, and reported it favorably after testimony that the city would pay the settlement amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medal for meritorious service during annual... meritorious service during annual training where he conducted
• Yet, the gentleman has... ethics complaint.
• Talked with all Britain and ethics. No. But at the end of the day, ethics. No.
• I think we're codifying an ethics violation when the president of the Jefferson County Commission can
• Well, I think you know quite often we talk about ethics, and I think... ...often we talk about ethics

Bills: HB 1520 , HB 1545 , HJR 110 , HJR 203 , HB 245 , HB 1465 , HB 1482 , HB 294 , HB 793 , HB 809 , HB 3928 , HB 334 , HB 2037 , HB 1973 , HB 285 , HB 4341 , HB 4264 , HB 1043 , HB 837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB 1646 , HB 1729 , HB 2498 , HB 1314 , HB 2295 , HB 1353 , HB 1531 , HB 1988 , HB 5398 , HB 3960 , HB 3923 , HB 1407 , HB 1764 , HB 2221 , HB 2214 , HB 2517 , HB 2518 , HB 2213 , HB 5008 , HB 5092 , HB 3421 , HB 3663 , HB 3748 , HB 3800 , HB 3756 , HB 2613 , HB 3782 , HB 5246 , HB 4344 , HB 4044 , HB 4066 , HB 2702 , HB 2807 , HB 2869 , HB 2898 , HB 3181 , HB 3250 , HB 4153 , HB 2091 , HB 2115 , HB 2542 , HB 2768 , HB 3349 , HB 3352 , HB 4406 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 3133 , HB 4432 , HB 4960 , HB 3214 , HB 3915 , HB 3508 , HB 2145 , SB 304 , SB 608 , SB 2312 , SB 494 , SB 530 , HB 45 , HB 2520 , HB 35 , HB 47 , HB 318 , HB 349 , HB 554 , HB 1359 , HB 1373 , HB 2254 , HB 2259 , HB 2853 , HB 3073 , HB 3088 , HB 353 , HB 355 , HB 786 , HB 762 , HB 705 , HB 932 , HB 849 , HB 1119 , HB 3041 , HB 713 , HB 3104 , HB 3970 , HB 4042 , HB 4490 , HB 1731 , HB 2607 , HB 3689 , HB 1788 , HB 1612 , HB 138 , HB 15 , HB 1971 , HB 1338 , HB 2989 , HB 267 , HB 1201 , HB 2954 , HB 5265 , HB 1804 , HB 5061 , HB 1520 , HB 1545 , HJR 110 , HJR 203 , HB 1887 , HB 1914 , HB 2402 , HB 2306 , HB 1809 , HB 2350 , HB 3000 , HB 3237 , HB 3326 , HB 3211 , HB 1056 , HB 2081 , HB 2187 , HB 3092 , HB 3308 , HB 3526 , HB 3750 , HB 3527 , HB 4219 , HB 4230 , HB 4290 , HB 5238 , HB 4804 , HB 4749 , HB 245 , HB 1465 , HB 1482 , HB 294 , HB 793 , HB 809 , HB 3928 , HB 334 , HB 2037 , HB 1973 , HB 285 , HB 4341 , HB 4264 , HB 1043 , HB 837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB 1646 , HB 1729 , HB 2498 , HB 1314 , HB 2295 , HB 1353 , HB 1531 , HB 1988 , HB 5398 , HB 3960 , HB 3923 , HB 1407 , HB 1764 , HB 2221 , HB 2214 , HB 2517 , HB 2518 , HB 2213 , HB 5008 , HB 5092 , HB 3421 , HB 3663 , HB 3748 , HB 3800 , HB 3756 , HB 2613 , HB 3782 , HB 5246 , HB 4344 , HB 4044 , HB 4066 , HB 2702 , HB 2807 , HB 2869 , HB 2898 , HB 3181 , HB 3250 , HB 4153 , HB 2091 , HB 2115 , HB 2542 , HB 2768 , HB 3349 , HB 3352 , HB 4406 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 3133 , HB 4432 , HB 4960 , HB 3214 , HB 3915 , HB 3508 , HB 2145 , HCR 6 , HCR 12 , HCR 34 , HCR 50 , HCR 55 , HCR 58 , HCR 70 , HCR 71 , HCR 72 , HCR 74 , HCR 75 , HCR 78 , HCR 80 , HCR 93 , HCR 100 , HCR 107 , HCR 116 , HCR 117 , HCR 90

Transcript Highlights:

• And the way that you have conducted yourself in the office.
• section regarding qualifications, examination, regulation, registration, standards of professional conduct
• But could this create a precedent where other forms of conduct are carved out from abuse definitions
• House Bill 4237 requires the court to conduct a hearing to determine the ability of a defendant to pay

Bills: HB2268 , HB3000 , HB3043 , HB3066 , HB3078 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB3320 , HB3467 , HB3321 , HB3329 , HB3431 , HB3464 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3586 , HB3590 , HB3650 , HB3671 , HB3695 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3834 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB3940 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4294 , HB4302 , HB4317 , HB4324 , HB4359 , HB4426 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4434 , HJR1077 , SR42 , SR35 , HJR1023 , HB1225 , HB1374 , HB1381 , HB1590 , HB1675 , HB2153

Keywords: HB2268, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, appropriation, General Revenue Fund, PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, elderly care, aging Oklahomans, long-term care, Medicaid, health care funding, provider reimbursement, rate increase, low-income seniors, senior services, integrated care, emergency measure, cosmetology, barbering

Bills: HB2268 , HB3000 , HB3043 , HB3066 , HB3078 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB3320 , HB3467 , HB3321 , HB3329 , HB3431 , HB3464 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3586 , HB3590 , HB3650 , HB3671 , HB3695 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3834 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB3940 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4294 , HB4302 , HB4317 , HB4324 , HB4359 , HB4426 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4434 , HJR1077 , SR42 , SR35 , HJR1023 , HB1225 , HB1374 , HB1381 , HB1590 , HB1675 , HB2153

Keywords: HB2268, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, appropriation, General Revenue Fund, PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, elderly care, aging Oklahomans, long-term care, Medicaid, health care funding, provider reimbursement, rate increase, low-income seniors, senior services, integrated care, emergency measure, cosmetology, barbering

Transcript Highlights:

• Where she has conducted research at the Climate Jobs Institute.
• We need to secure the hazard zone, and it's our responsibility to do that in order to safely conduct
• That's duplicative for one thing, if indeed both the nursing board and the medical board are conducting

Bills: HCR158 , HCR159 , HCR160 , HCR161 , HCR162 , HCR163 , HCR164 , HR174 , HR427 , HR790 , HR810 , HR857 , HR866 , HR882 , HR883 , HR962 , HR966 , HR1001 , HR1045 , HR1085 , HR1097 , HR1127 , HR1138 , HR1141 , HR1150 , HR1152 , HR1292 , HR1296 , HR1304 , HR1305 , HR1306 , HR1308 , HR1309 , HR1310 , HR1311 , HR1312 , HR1313 , HR1315 , HR1317 , HR1318 , HR1320 , HR1321 , HR1322 , HR1323 , HR1324 , HR1325 , HR1327 , HR1328 , HR1329 , HR1330 , HR1331 , HR1332 , HR1333 , HR1334 , HR1335 , HR1338 , HR1340 , HR1341 , HR1342 , HR1343 , HR1344 , HR1345 , HR1346 , HR1347 , HR1348 , HR1349 , HR1352 , HR1353 , HR1354 , HR1355 , HR1358 , HR1359 , HR1360 , HR1361 , HR1362 , HR1363 , HR1364 , HR1365 , HR1366 , HR1368 , HR1369 , HR1370 , HR1380 , HR1383 , HR1384 , HR1385 , HR1386 , HR1387 , HR1388 , HR1389 , HR1390 , HR1392 , HR1393 , HR1396 , HR1397 , HR1398 , HR1399 , HR1400 , HR1402 , HR1403 , HR1404 , HR1405 , HR1406 , HR1407 , HR1408 , HR1409 , HR1410 , HR1411 , HR1412 , HR1413 , HR1414 , HR1415 , HR1417 , HR1418 , HR1419 , HR1420 , HR1421 , HR1422 , HR1424 , HR1425 , HR1426 , HR1427 , HR1428 , HR1429 , HR1430 , HR1431 , HR1432 , HR1433 , HR1434 , HR1435 , HR1436 , HR1437 , HR1438 , HR1440 , HR1441 , HR1442 , HR1443 , HR1444 , HR1445 , HR1447 , HR1448 , HR1449 , HR1450 , HR1452 , HR1453 , HR1454 , HR1455 , HR1456 , HR1458 , HR1459 , HR1460 , HR1461 , HR1462 , HR1463 , HR1464 , HR1465 , HR1466 , HR1467 , HR1469 , HR1470 , HR1471 , HR1472 , HR1473 , HR1475 , HR1477 , HCR132 , HCR154 , HR17 , HR49 , HR170 , HR275 , HR355 , HR356 , HR364 , HR369 , HR672 , HR690 , HR755 , HR756 , HR759 , HR762 , HR763 , HR781 , HR785 , HR848 , HR1240 , HR1265 , HR1303 , HR1307 , HR1314 , HR1316 , HR1319 , HR1326 , HR1336 , HR1337 , HR1350 , HR1351 , HR1367 , HR1371 , HR1372 , HR1373 , HR1374 , HR1375 , HR1376 , HR1377 , HR1378 , HR1379 , HR1382 , HR1391 , HR1395 , HR1451 , HR1457 , HR1468 , HR1474 , HR1476 , SB1637 , SB2878 , HB2885 , HB2017 , HB5246 , SB8 , SB2308 , SB1405 , HB 119 , SB3059 , SB15 , SB568 , SB2900 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SB268 , HB493 , SB2217 , HB2516 , SB650 , HB2963 , SB1610 , HB705 , SB2972 , SB1540 , HB40 , SB2753 , SB1660 , SB2024 , HB1545 , HB46

Keywords: World War II, V-J Day, Victory over Japan Day, Japan surrender, atomic bomb, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, USS Missouri, Douglas MacArthur, Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Potsdam Conference, Pacific Theater, Greatest Generation, veterans, military history, commemoration, concurrent resolution, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• No engaging in conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing
• like pricing delegation or conducting market analysis.
• And that is why the bill before you would prohibit those specific types of conduct.
• Two, the bill requires that process servers establish that they really proper conduct.
• I've been training process servers all over California in the ethical ways to serve legal process.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 2, which would create enhanced civil penalties for large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address addictive algorithms and harmful content, while opponents warned it was vague, could chill speech, and might be preempted by federal law. Members largely focused on whether the bill changed the standard of care or burden of proof; the bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with some members noting concerns but supporting it to continue the discussion. AB 282, dealing with housing vouchers and source-of-income discrimination, would clarify that housing providers may prioritize applicants who qualify for rental assistance without violating fair housing law. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, and advocacy groups said it would help voucher holders find units and improve use of housing funds. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with two no votes. The committee also considered AB 882 on court reporter availability and electronic recording in certain cases when a court reporter is unavailable. Supporters said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage of reporters and would preserve access to accurate records, while opponents argued it was too narrow, raised access-to-justice concerns, and should be broadened. Members from both sides emphasized the importance of court reporters and electronic recording as a backup; the bill passed with an urgency clause and was sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, AB 935 on civil rights data clarity, AB 1414 on tenant choice of internet service provider, and AB 67 on Attorney General enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act; each drew support from sponsors and advocacy groups, opposition centered on overbreadth or policy concerns, and each advanced on committee votes, with several members requesting further amendments or clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires notification to occur before a school conducts its own investigation, and it also protects
• It conducts its own investigation, and it also protects confidentiality of the employee.
• Fisher, statewide officials have to do ethics disclosures, so are there ethics disclosures for the board
• So they don't have an ethics disclosure with our board specifically, but they do have ethics disclosures

Summary: The Senate Education Committee considered a long agenda of education-related bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early actions included passage of SB 843, which allows certain rural schools with low average daily membership to hire teachers related to board members in the second degree, and SB 1733, which requires schools to report child sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours before conducting their own investigation. The committee also advanced SB 1476, a Commissioners of the Land Office cleanup bill that makes land exchange approvals permissive, updates terminology, and expands permanent school fund investment options to include private equity and private credit; members questioned CLO staff about appraisals, notices, ethics, and audits before voting it out 11-0. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 1237, the Teacher Bill of Rights, which would codify various teacher protections involving religious expression, discipline, planning time, workplace safety, and due process. Senators raised extensive questions about religious symbols, prayer, Bible use, classroom discipline, and whether some provisions were already in law; the author said the bill was intended to protect teachers and improve recruitment and retention. Despite concerns that some language was vague or duplicative, the bill passed 7-4. The committee also passed SB 1410 to codify the Ag in the Classroom program after deleting a section that would have increased a license plate fee, and SB 1894, which would remove the five-year cap on professional development hours for certain teacher training, though the title was struck for further work. Later, the committee approved SB 1272 to raise the income cap for the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant, SB 1204 to provide three days of bereavement leave for education employees after the loss of a spouse or child, including miscarriage, and SB 1721 to extend the sunset of the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education. It also passed SB 1725 on higher-education expressive activity and free speech training, SB 1735 giving CareerTech sole authority over its accreditation, SB 1337 establishing paid paternity leave for education employees, SB 1339 codifying funding for the 2023 teacher pay raise for off-formula districts, SB 1461 extending the OETA sunset to 2031, and SB 1975 centralizing notice of AP testing locations. Several bills drew brief discussion about fiscal impact, local control, and retention benefits, and the committee adjourned after noting one agenda item had been laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for HB 399, Ethics. You are recognized, sir. Thank you, Chairman.
• It adds a provision to the Florida Ethics Code to protect the public and to protect veterans and their
• It adds a provision to the Florida Ethics Code to protect the public and to protect veterans and their
• We have Kerry Stillman with the Florida Commission on Ethics, the executive director, waiving in support
• This amendment simply clarifies how inmate hearings will be conducted when there are public safety concerns

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of 20 bills, beginning with CS/HB 1173 on the Florida Trust Code, which clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; it was amended and reported favorably. The committee also unanimously or near-unanimously approved several claims and relief bills, including HB 6507 for Marcus Button, HB 6523 for Darlene Engerville and J.R., HB 6525 for Eric and Jennifer Miles, HB 6529 for J.N., and HB 6519 for the estate of Beniel Hambier, all involving settlements or compensation for injuries or wrongful death. Other measures reported favorably included CS/HB 213 on commercial squatters, CS/HB 1447 on trespass at large-scale ticketed events, CS/HB 515 updating the Uniform Commercial Code for virtual currency and related technologies, CS/HB 1007 on gift card fraud, CS/HB 1049 on protection of court officials, CS/HB 1219 on non-compete and garden leave agreements, CS/HB 399 on stolen valor in the ethics code, CS/HB 57 on xylazine regulation, HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, and CS/HB 265 on enforcing terrorism-related judgments against frozen assets. Most of these bills had support from industry, law enforcement, or affected parties and passed with little or no opposition. The most contested measure was CS/HB 1517, which would expand Florida’s wrongful death statute to include parents of unborn children as survivors. Supporters argued it would allow families to recover damages when negligence causes the loss of a pregnancy, while opponents—including the ACLU of Florida, Planned Parenthood affiliates, reproductive rights advocates, and some committee members—warned it could be used to advance fetal personhood, chill medical care, and empower abusive partners or others to sue over abortion-related conduct. The sponsor said the bill remained within the wrongful death framework and included protections for mothers and lawful medical providers, but the committee still reported it favorably on a 14-6 vote. CS/HB 903, a corrections bill addressing inmate litigation, sentencing, execution methods, tracking devices, health services, and offender review appointments, also drew debate over a proposed tolling amendment and due process concerns; the amendment failed and the bill passed 16-5. CS/HB 57 on xylazine likewise saw debate over whether penalties should target users or traffickers, but the committee rejected a narrowing amendment and passed the bill 20-1. Several bills were amended in committee, often with technical or clarifying changes, including CS/HB 1219, HB 1351 on sexual offender and predator registration, and HB 901. Public testimony was generally supportive on the non-controversial bills, especially from law enforcement, business groups, and affected claimants. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Gottlieb offered a personal correction, acknowledging he had wrongly criticized FOP in a prior meeting after learning the organization had, in fact, contacted him. The committee then adjourned after completing the full agenda.