Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is that you voted to make Scott Inor the chair of the board and that you actually made
• front porch, but for the University of West Florida, thanks to the guidance of Athletic Director Dave Scott
• Why did you vote for Scott Yenner? And do you have an explanation related to that vote, please?
• sure that we're clear on the record, I suppose we need to remind folks of the comments made by Chair Scott
• The comments made by Chair Scott Yenner, former chair, who you voted for to be the chair of the Board

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just like, you know, the Korematsu decision, you know, the Dred Scott decision, where people might...
• When we have a decision that is absolutely morally abhorrent, Korematsu, Dred Scott, we can go down the
• My staff pulled a tweet of yours that you compared the Dred Scott decision. to the court's decision in
• So then it fell on her number two, Hagan Scott. to do the dirty deed of dismissing this case.
• Is it true that after a Scott, Senator Cruz can burp the alphabet backwards?

Keywords: Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion

Summary: The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Scott. First, I just want to correct the record.
• Representative<00:18:14.799> Scott.
• Thank you, Madam Representative Scott.
• Thank you, Representative Scott. First, I just want to correct the record.
• Representative Scott. Um, thank you, Madam Speaker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're just fighting to keep Baylor Scott & White, Brenham, open and delivering services.
• So I've had the opportunity to work at the hospital in Brenham with Baylor Scott & White.
• The chair calls Cindy Asmussen, Jason Curry, Wayne Carson, Scott Lundy. Scott Lundy. Thank you.
• Scott Lundy.
• My name is Scott Lundy.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Scott. Senator Scott. Okay. Senator Mark Johnson. Senator Hammer. Senator Tucker?
• Representative Scott Richardson? No. Representative Nick Burks? Representative Scott Richardson?

Summary: The committee first reviewed a list of bills already ready for “do pass,” including several House bills (HB 1010, 1018, 1020, 1023, 1041, 1055, 1077) and Senate bills (SB 4, 16, 23, 24, 55, 59). It then took up the JBC Personnel Subcommittee report (B1), where a substitute motion to separate out the governor’s staff-related item for a separate vote was debated at length. Members raised concerns about transparency, a requested appearance by a governor’s staff member, and whether the administration should be compelled to testify. The substitute motion failed on a roll-call division vote, and the committee then adopted the subcommittee report as presented. The committee next questioned Treasurer John Thurston on House Bill 1034 and his office’s budget request, focusing on salary increases for his executive team, the size of raises under the new pay plan, office hours, and whether the increases were justified. Thurston said the request was to fully fund the approved pay plan, later reduced to a 10% increase after discussion with legislative leaders, and explained that salaries were set within the approved plan. Several members criticized the raises as too large or unfair, while others noted the compromise and thanked him for cooperating. The committee then adopted the HB 1034 letter. After that, the committee reviewed Schedule C and several special-language items, including amendments to SB 4, SB 58, HB 1052, and SB 77. It discussed a new item allowing DFA to establish a GAMP program for agricultural extension office improvements, with no funding attached, and adopted it. The committee then passed or adopted a series of measures, including SB 29, SB 51, HB 1034, and the remaining ready bills listed at the start of the meeting. SB 4 was set aside as not ready. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would reconvene in 15 minutes in another room to handle special language.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Scott, Representative Keeler, you'll be coming up on the next one. My apologies.
• So, uh, with that, Representative Scott, Representative Lawrence to close. >> Very good.
• And with that, um, Representative Scott, thank you both.
• Scott, Representative Representative Scott, Representative Lawrence<01:29:23.520> to<01:29:23.760
• Representative Scott, thank you both. Representative Scott, thank you both.

Bills: HF3650, HF1791, HF3489, HF4231, HF4232, HF4269, HF4270, HF3490

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, career and technical education, CTE, postsecondary scholarship, postsecondary grant, school district funding, cooperative unit, Minnesota high school, apprenticeship, certificate program, tuition assistance, workforce training, military transition, education finance, student aid, career pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• I have Scott Cleveland, who's in charge of our capital outlay facilities, here today.
• Now, I'll start out and let Scott chime in.
• Good morning, Scott Fickler and good morning members, Senator Soules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott in December 2023. Scott in December 2023.
• President, Judge Malone was appointed by Governor Scott in December of 2023.
• It is important to note that she was appointed in November of 2023 by Governor Scott.
• It is important to note that she was appointed in November of 2023 by Governor Scott.
• She was offered a Governor Scott.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, co-chair Scott, co-chair Fee, members of the commission.
• Co-Chair Scott, thank you again for the opportunity to testify today.
• Co-Chair Scott, thank you again for the opportunity to testify today.
• Co-Chair Scott, thank you again for the opportunity to testify today.
• Co-Chair Scott, thank you again for the opportunity to testify today.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the member from Anoka, Representative Scott.
• I recognize the member from Scott, Representative Tab Key.
• c><00:42:42.480> the<00:42:42.720> member<00:42:43.040> from<00:42:43.280> Scott
• , I recognize the member from Scott, I recognize the member from Scott, Representative<00:42:44.800
• I recognize the member from Scott I recognize the member from Scott Representative<00:44:05.520>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I don't know what your title is now, but Scott, could you come to the table?
• Uh, I don't know what your title is now, but Scott, could you come to the table?
• My name is Scott Mueller. I'm the deputy superintendent with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
• Uh, I don't know what your title is now, but Scott, could you come to the table?
• My name is Scott Mueller. I'm the deputy superintendent with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls up Scott Leaton.
• My name is Scott Leighton. I'm a police officer with the city of Corpus Christi.
• Chair call Scott Rubin.
• So you're registered as Scott Rubin on behalf of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and we show you
• My name is Scott Rubin.

Transcript Highlights:

• Union of Police; Kevin Hayes with Chiefs of Police; Daryl Basko, Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police; Scott
• Kenneth, I'm sorry, Kevin Hayes with Chiefs of Police; Daryl Basko, Louisiana Fraternal Order of Police; Scott
• Also present in support, not wishing to speak: Scott Kirkpatrick, Chiefs of Police. All right.

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on May 18, 2026, and considered four Senate bills. Senate Bill 143 would create a Special Protective Equipment Fund to finance bulletproof vests for peace officers, with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement to regulate distribution; an amendment standardizing fund language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Testimony and cards in support came from law enforcement groups and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. Senate Bill 367 would create the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund, depositing remaining severance tax revenues from sand and stone mining after constitutional allocations; an amendment was adopted to align it with House Bill 802 by adding reporting and appropriation language, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Support was noted from the Louisiana Concrete Association and Chiefs of Police, and members discussed flood-related concerns and broader watershed restoration goals. Senate Bill 388 would authorize review of state contracts involving foreign adversary nations or terrorist organizations and remove a trigger clause from a prior 2023 law. The sponsor said the review could be done at no cost, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 398 would reorganize manufactured housing regulation by moving oversight from the fire marshal’s office to the Board of Contractors, consolidating residential housing oversight, moving licensees to Title 37, and changing inspection procedures; an amendment to conform fund language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senate Bill 116, we have Senator Scott Maiden with us, and introduce yourself for the record and
• I'm State Senator Scott Maiden, Senate District 29. Hi, Andrew Rutherford.
• >> I'm<00:14:58.200> State<00:14:58.440> Senator<00:14:58.720> Scott<00:14
• :59.080> Maiden,<00:14:59.360> Senate >> I'm State Senator Scott Maiden, Senate &
• gt;> I'm State Senator Scott Maiden, Senate District<00:15:00.000> 29.

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:17 - Discussion of 26RS SB 137 07:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 137 09:42 - Discussion of 26RS SB 147 10:48 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 147 11:56 - Discussion of 26RS SB 56 13:48 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 56 14:43 - Discussion of 26RS SB 116 20:17 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SB 116 21:23 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Probably the without a doubt the best senator from Scott I've ever served.
• Probably the without a doubt the best senator from Scott I've ever served. Wow. Thank you, Leader.
• <00:19:01.200> best<00:19:01.440> senator<00:19:01.760> from<00:19:02.080> Scott
• <00:19:02.320> I've<00:19:02.559> ever the best senator from Scott I've ever the best
• senator from Scott I've ever served. served. served.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:16 Discussion SB 158 01:12 Vote SB 158 04:06 Discussion HB 794 05:20 Vote HB 794 08:20 Discussion SB 183 09:44 Vote SB 183 17:46, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one of the things that Governor Scott did when he appointed me, he sort of said, 'Ron, I want you
• And so one of the things we've also done, and it was a Rick Scott statement, no tuition increases in
• I was originally appointed by Governor Scott in 2014 and reappointed by the governor and subsequently
• So one of the beneficial things that I first heard from Governor Scott...
• So one of the beneficial things that I first heard from Governor Scott, and even has been amplified by

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard a presentation from the Governor’s Office on the proposed education budget, which totals $32.5 billion overall and includes no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents. Officials highlighted major funding for financial aid and scholarships, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, veteran-related scholarships, EASE, Open Door, law enforcement/first responder programs, and workforce initiatives. They also emphasized increases for workforce education, Florida College System operations, nursing pipeline and line funds, and university operations, performance funding, and faculty recruitment and retention. Committee members asked questions about the Ocoee Scholarship, the proposed post-secondary Guardian program, and how university recruitment and retention funds would be used; officials said the Ocoee Scholarship remains funded at current levels, the Guardian program would offer flexible campus safety options, and the university funds would be distributed to institutions for faculty recruitment and retention without additional directives. The committee then heard from a series of appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Testimony consistently focused on affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and allied health programs, dual enrollment, adult learners, and local economic needs. Several trustees highlighted strong nursing NCLEX pass rates, expansion of campuses or programs, and efforts to tailor education to regional workforce demands such as health care, construction, law enforcement, aviation, and hospitality. One appointee from Miami-Dade College emphasized helping adult students return and complete degrees by easing credit transfer and admissions barriers. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the full slate of confirmations as a block. A motion was made and the roll was called; the confirmations were approved favorably, with members voting yes and no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome back, Senator Scott. Good to see you.
• Senator Scott, welcome back to the Commerce Committee.
• Our first witness this morning is Scott Yates, the founder of the Lock the Clock movement. Mr.
• My name is Scott Yates.
• been suggested is let each state make that decision and I guess it's been pointed out that Senator Scott

Keywords: daylight saving time, Sunshine Protection Act, health impacts, clock change, legislative discussion

Summary: The committee meeting was dedicated to discussing significant legislative topics, focusing particularly on the implications of daylight saving time (DST). Senator Scott advocated for the Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes and keep daylight saving time year-round. He emphasized the negative health impacts associated with DST, including increased risks of heart attacks and accidents immediately following the time changes. Various witnesses provided personal testimonies and expert opinions, highlighting the confusion and health disruptions caused by the current time change practices.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent the collective interests of cities in the Scott County Metropolitan region.
• It's good to have you here as a representative of Scott County, a little bit of my district.
• Dave Beer, Chair of the Scott County Board. Thank you, Chair and committee members.
• Dave Beer, Chair of the Scott County Board.
• Scott County um we have a few thoughts Scott County um we have a few thoughts and<00:43:20.359> concerns

Bills: HF5

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Summary: The Transportation Committee resumed consideration of House File 5, which would reduce transportation-related revenues while also providing tax relief, including a subtraction for Social Security income, elimination of the delivery fee, and a cap on automatic gas tax indexing. The committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which added the phrase “using existing resources,” and then proceeded to public testimony. Representative Joy described the bill as making Minnesota more affordable, while several members and testifiers raised concerns about the impact on transportation funding and road maintenance. MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Doppenberg testified that reductions in planned transportation investments would worsen pavement, bridge, and roadway conditions, reduce construction projects and jobs, and add to an already large funding gap. Committee discussion focused on the estimated revenue losses from the bill, including about $45 million in fiscal year 2026 and $55 million annually from repealing the delivery fee, plus additional losses from capping gas tax indexing, for a combined transportation revenue reduction of about $131 million in the 2026-27 biennium. Members also asked about bridge aesthetics, paint, transit impacts, and whether other mandates and cost increases should be considered alongside revenue reductions. Supporters of the delivery fee repeal, including the Minnesota Grocers Association and Minnesota Retailers Association, argued the fee is costly to administer, confusing to consumers, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and lower-income or disabled consumers who rely on delivery. The Minnesota Association of Townships and the Minnesota Transportation Alliance emphasized that rural and local governments face major road and bridge funding needs and warned that reducing revenue would shift costs to property taxpayers or leave projects unfunded. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued with testimony and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the member from Scott, Representative Steer. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• c><00:12:34.160> the<00:12:34.240> member<00:12:34.560> from<00:12:34.760> Scott
• , I recognize the member from Scott, I recognize the member from Scott, Representative<00:12:36.400

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 3404, a public safety bill to increase penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The author explained that the bill raises the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, creates tougher aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, or a vehicle resembling a squad car, adds a new aggravated offense for impersonation while armed with a firearm, and establishes sentencing consequences when a person commits another serious crime while impersonating an officer. The bill also includes a duty-to-identify requirement for Minnesota peace officers, with an exception for undercover work. Several members spoke in support, tying the bill to the June 14, 2025 events and emphasizing the danger of using police impersonation to gain trust and access. Supporters said the measure is needed to protect the public, restore confidence in law enforcement, and deter pranks or deliberate deception that could lead to serious harm. Testimony from law enforcement groups and 19 suburban cities was cited as backing for the bill, and the author thanked stakeholders and staff for helping shape the final version. After discussion, the author requested a moment of silence before the vote. The House then took a roll call vote and passed the bill 134-0, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please rise: Emmy Horie, my office manager; Scott Peters, my committee aid; Yani Kambakuran, our legislative
• Emmy Horie, my office manager,<00:18:48.919> Scott<00:18:49.280> Peters,<00:18:49.800><
• c> my<00:18:49.960> committee<00:18:50.520> aid, manager, Scott Peters, my committee
• aid, manager, Scott Peters, my committee aid, Yani<00:18:51.840> Kambakuran,<00:18:52.919>

Bills: HR207, SB2595, SB3199, SB3132, SB2591, SB2089, SB2108, SB2970, SB2530, SB2442, SB3076, SB2532, SB2721, SB2055, SB2312, SB2152, SB2438, SB2982, SB2528, SB2919, SB2446, SB2315, SB2544, SB2060, SB2069, SB3011, SB2342, SB2075, SB2578, SB2580, SB2835, SB3084, SB3322, SB3053, SB888, SB709

Keywords: Dr. David Lassner, higher education, community engagement, university leadership, innovation, Hawaii education system, agribusiness, leasing, agriculture, Hawaii, food innovation, Department of Education, mental health, emerging therapies, psychedelic treatment, task force, clinical trials, trauma recovery, MDMA, psilocybin