Video & Transcript : 'Member appointments' :

Page 38 of 500
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee Apr 15th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • to appear, starting with 2E, the appointment of Heather Lynn Gonzalez as a member of the Court Reporters
  • Any members, any questions, comments?
  • They can report it to a staff member, any staff member.
  • I want to thank the members of the Senate, members in the audience, staff of CDCR.
  • So we'll bring it back to our committee members. Members, do we have a motion?
Summary: The committee first handled routine actions, including quorum, governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments, with those items approved on 3-1 or 4-0 votes and left open for add-ons where noted. It then heard testimony on several CDCR appointments: Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle as associate directors for adult institutions, and later Jason Johnson as Undersecretary of Operations. All three nominees emphasized long careers in corrections, support from family and colleagues, and a commitment to public safety, rehabilitation, and improving staff and institutional culture. Much of the questioning focused on the California model, staff safety, sexual abuse prevention, use-of-force incidents, visitation, and rehabilitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model was poorly communicated at rollout but is intended to improve both staff wellness and rehabilitation, not weaken security. They described training, root-cause reviews, statewide calls, and direct engagement with staff and incarcerated people. On a widely criticized pepper-spray incident at Central California Women’s Facility, Ratliff said staff were disciplined, some terminated, and the facility received additional training on de-escalation, communication, use of force, and report writing. On sexual abuse and retaliation concerns, both nominees pointed to PREA training, multiple reporting channels, anti-retaliation monitoring, and a zero-tolerance policy. Members also pressed the nominees on visitation consistency, family reunification, contraband, and the San Quentin transition program. CDCR leaders said visitation is essential to rehabilitation and that the department is working toward more consistent statewide rules and a more family-friendly visiting environment. They also said contraband interdiction is being strengthened through K-9 searches, drone interdiction, and information sharing. Johnson, whose confirmation drew late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation and workplace culture problems, said he was driving culture change, had improved reentry and community partnerships, and viewed rehabilitation as central to CDCR’s mission. After public support from former incarcerated people, advocates, and nonprofit leaders, the committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointments to the Senate floor.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 29th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Good morning, members.
  • Good morning, members.
  • Members, motions, resolutions, and notices. Are there any members wishing to be recognized?
  • Governor's appointment is confirmed. Item 53. Item 53, Secretary, please call absent members.
  • Governor's appointment is confirmed. Members, we are moving to special consent account. No, zero.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized guests in the gallery. The body then took up several gubernatorial appointments: confirmation of Hampas to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Diane White to the State Mining and Geology Board. Each appointment was presented by Senator Grove and approved by roll call, with later calls on the items lifted and the confirmations finalized by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The main floor debate centered on SCR 112, designating January 2026 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Senator Grove and several colleagues described human trafficking as modern-day slavery and emphasized survivor support, law enforcement tools, public awareness, and the vulnerability of foster youth, Indigenous women and girls, immigrants, and children targeted online or in hotels and other venues. Senators Rubio, Troy, Valadez, Arreguín, Wahab, and others spoke in strong support, citing local cases, online grooming, and the need for prevention and services. The resolution was adopted on a 38-0 vote. The Senate also adopted SR 74, which amended the Senate’s standing rules to create two new committees: Emergency Management, and Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. Senator Ashby explained that the new committees would better address wildfire response, disaster preparedness, data privacy, artificial intelligence, and consumer protection. The chamber then approved a consent calendar containing SB 557, SB 57, SB 674, SB 623, and SB 837, all by 39-0 votes. The Pro Tem thanked members and staff for completing deadline-week work and announced the next floor session for February 2, 2026.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 03/05/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Members, a quorum is present. Members, a quorum is present.
  • Members, I've been a member of this body now for over 3 years.
  • been a member of this body Members, I've been a member of this body now<00:21:59.280><c> for</c> now
  • </c> commissioner appointment approvals. commissioner appointment approvals.
  • . members. members.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee Apr 15th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • to Appear, starting with 2E, the appointment of Heather Lynn Gonzalez as a member to the Court Reporters
  • Any members, any questions, comments?
  • They can report it to a staff member, any staff member.
  • I want to thank the members of the Senate, members in the audience, and staff of CDCR.
  • So we'll bring it back to our committee members. Members, do we have a motion?
Committee: Senate Rules
Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine items, including governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved the appointments of Heather Lynn Gonzalez and Allison Salton-Sall to the Court Reporters Board, and then moved on to appointments required to appear from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both proposed associate directors in CDCR’s Division of Adult Institutions, testified about their backgrounds and emphasized staff safety, rehabilitation, trauma-informed practices, and the California model. Senators focused heavily on the rollout of the California model, the August 2024 use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, sexual abuse prevention, retaliation concerns, and prison visitation. Both nominees said the department had improved communication and training, had disciplined or removed staff in response to misconduct, and was working to strengthen PREA reporting, investigations, and family visiting consistency. Public testimony was strongly supportive, and the committee voted 4-0 to send both nominations to the Senate floor. The committee then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as CDCR Undersecretary of Operations. Johnson framed his work around rehabilitation, public safety, and culture change, and addressed concerns raised in late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, discrimination, and whistleblower issues. He said he could not discuss pending litigation in detail, but described his leadership as focused on accountability, professional standards, and improving relationships with staff and community partners. Senators questioned him about parole supervision, risk assessment, contraband interdiction, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act response; Johnson said adult parole uses risk-based supervision and GPS for registered sex offenders, operations is working with correctional safety and law enforcement on contraband and drone interdiction, and CDCR continues to expand reporting channels and training. The committee also discussed the importance of rehabilitation and reentry programs, with Johnson saying most people return to the community and that CDCR must prepare them for successful reintegration.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy Committee 1/21/25

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's governed by a board of 13 members appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate
  • It's governed by a board of 13 members appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate
  • It's a slightly smaller board with 10 members, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate,
  • </c><00:44:34.040><c> um</c> smaller board with 10 members um smaller board with 10 members um appointed
  • governing board four of those are member governing board four of those are appointed<00:53:12.520><c
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 14, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I hereby appoint the honorable Robert J. Whitman to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day.
  • Appointments: Senate National Security Working Group, 119th Congress, United States China Economic and
  • Appointments<00:06:31.600><c> Senate</c><00:06:32.080><c> National</c><00:06:32.479><c> Security</c>
  • Appointments Senate National Security Appointments Senate National Security Working<00:06:33.280><c>
  • January 3, 2025 of the following member January 3, 2025 of the following member on<00:12:16.639><c> part
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 11 Jan 22nd, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee recommends that said appointment be confirmed by the Senate, Leahy Chairman.
  • That's a great idea, but we have one more appointment. Oh, jump again.
  • , appointed to the Treasurer's Investment Advisory Board, term to expire July 1, 2008.
  • The committee recommends that said appointments be confirmed by the Senate, Guthrie, Chairman.
  • As I recall, every member in this chamber is an ambassador.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • The House has already passed this bill, members of the committee.
  • The House has already passed this bill, members of the committee.
  • ><00:10:21.920><c> a</c> an appointment an appointment to uh a an appointment an appointment to uh a
  • </c> them so they can get a new appointment. them so they can get a new appointment.
  • It only covers members obtain assurance.
Committee: Joint Insurance
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 24th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am delighted to have you all here, and all our wonderful members.
  • We have 25,000 members across... ...the U.S.
  • Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
  • Is this an appointment or a reappointment? This would be an appointment. An appointment first time.
  • Good afternoon, Madam Chair, and members of the committee.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections. The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee Feb 11th, 2026

Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Transcript Highlights:
  • Instead of being appointed by the county commission and/or the legislator, it just lets the members pick
  • Instead of being appointed by the county commission and/or the legislator, it just lets the members pick
  • members pick the new member if somebody wrote off?
  • Each legislator in that county makes an appointment, and then we have one appointment from the Alpha
  • Appointments. Each municipality makes an appointment.
Bills: SB85 , SB263 , HB277 , HB267 , SB288 , SB85 , SB263 , HB277 , HB267 , SB288
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 1/22/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There being 127 members present, the House is now in session.
  • Refer to appropriations. >> Appointments. The clerk will read the appointments. January 22nd, 2026.
  • Joint audit and evaluation appointments.
  • No objection, the appointments are &gt;&gt; here. No objection, the appointments are adopted.
  • Their members agencies across our state.
Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Feb 20th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I know it can often be a thankless job, and so I want to bring greetings from the members of First Baptist
  • From the Committee on Confirmations, Senate Confirmation number 108 appointing Mila E.
  • Senate Confirmation number 105 appointing Angus R.
  • Senate Confirmation number 105 appointing Angus R.
  • President, I request unanimous consent to add all members to the resolution.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Education Committee, June 1, 2026 - PM

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, members of the committee. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
  • Uh, and then there are a couple ex officio members, and then the rest are appointed by the governor.
  • The others are appointed. Six are appointed by the state superintendent.
  • We do have a school board member that is a member of our board as well.
  • Um, we do have a school board member that is a member of our board as well.
Committee: Joint Education
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 26th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Other messages from the Senate: the President has appointed the following conference committee members
  • Any political subdivisions, normally we appoint those members.
  • The Speaker appoints the following conference committee members to Senate Bill 208 by Senator Kathy:
  • The Speaker appoints the following conference committee members to Senate Bill 341.
  • The Speaker appoints the following conference committee members to Senate Bill 341 by Senator Edmonds
Bills: HR320 , HR321 , SCR55 , SCR69 , SCR75 , SCR77 , SCR78 , SCR79 , SB259 , SB295 , SB312 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR114 , HR245 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , SCR30 , SCR40 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB119 , HB129 , HB233 , HB283 , HB538 , HB789 , HB850 , HB870 , HB1236 , HB1241 , HB54 , HB137 , HB321 , HB368 , HB386 , HB414 , HB431 , HB552 , HB555 , HB578 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB638 , HB670 , HB692 , HB707 , HB708 , HB715 , HB718 , HB732 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB796 , HB807 , HB822 , HB848 , HB856 , HB887 , HB888 , HB917 , HB921 , HB1082 , HB1243 , HB1246 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , HB1259 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB83 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB276 , SB319 , SB333 , SB448 , SB450 , SB465 , SB484 , SB501 , SB509 , SB149 , HR168 , HB463 , HB998 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , SB82 , SB97 , SB283 , SB326 , SB518 , SB197 , SB268 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB89 , HB74 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB956 , HB1117 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB441 , SB449 , SB487
Summary: The House was called to order, a quorum was established, and the meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members also observed several personal privileges and recognitions, including International Preeclampsia Awareness Month, the Hudson Cup award presentation to Rep. John Illg Jr., recognition of the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Queen, and a visit from U.S. Sen. John Kennedy. The chamber also received Senate messages, conference committee appointments, enrolled reports, and a conference report on SB 483 dealing with psychedelic-assisted therapy, which was laid over. The House then moved through a long series of concurrence and rejection votes on Senate amendments to House bills. Among the measures concurred in were bills affecting the Louisiana Women’s Policy Research Commission, the Louisiana Sickle Cell Commission, child exploitation reporting on covered platforms, the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board, DCFS background checks, AI disclosure in health care, foster care placement and related terminology, criminal history record confidentiality, parish court jurisdiction, court costs, developmental disability office renaming, insurance claims and contractor licensing, Medicare Advantage coverage, colorectal cancer screening, health facilities, highway memorial designations, jury compensation, school employee protections, juvenile court fees, off-road vehicle seizure, residential property insurance cancellation, child support enforcement, and several others. The House rejected Senate amendments on bills including ethics retroactivity, sex offender registration notification, plumbers licensing, and health insurance formulary placement, sending some to conference. Several bills were finally passed, including measures on obstructing public passages with motorized vehicles, class six injection well hearings, arson of religious buildings, wearing masks while committing felonies, professional board attorney fees, bulletproof vests for peace officers, critical infrastructure protection from foreign adversaries, debit card surcharges, electronic stock certificates, watershed restoration funding, and innovation economic development pilot hubs. The innovation hub bill drew extensive debate over no-bid contracting, transparency, and the role of elected versus unelected bodies; an amendment to limit contracting authority to parish governing authorities was withdrawn, and the bill later proceeded to final passage after extended floor discussion. The House also took up and passed or concurred in multiple other bills and resolutions, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided on a few measures.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Child Custody Review Task Force Apr 13th, 2026

Child Custody Review Task Force

Transcript Highlights:
  • State Court Administrator, a judge appointed by the Supreme Court, one member of the Family Law Section
  • It would include eight members of the Legislative Assembly—four from the House and four from the Senate—appointed
  • For D, one member of the family law section appointed by the State Bar Association.
  • I am assuming that if you have two judges appointed by the Supreme Court and two members of family law
  • One member of the Supreme Court self-help program appointed by the Supreme Court.
Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up draft legislation to create a future interim committee to study the feasibility of a family court in North Dakota. Beth outlined the draft’s purpose, proposed 15-member membership, and the study topics, including constitutional authority, court structure, jurisdiction, fiscal impact, implementation, and possible phased-in approaches. Members discussed committee composition at length, ultimately agreeing to keep the committee at 15 by reducing legislative members from eight to six, adding two judges from different judicial districts, two family law section members with rural/urban representation, one parent subject to a custody order, and a clerk of court representative; the self-help, mental health, and domestic violence positions were debated, with domestic violence advocacy retained and some other positions removed or replaced. The committee also agreed to include analysis of state and local fiscal impacts and efficiencies, and to keep the provision on procedural rules in the draft. The revised draft was approved and recommended to Legislative Management, with one recorded no vote from Judge Hovey after the fact. The committee then turned to a second draft dealing with mandatory participation in a family transition program in contested parental-rights cases. Members first clarified that the term should be changed to a more general “parenting education course,” rather than a named private program, and discussed whether the bill should also require education about court process and family-law procedures. Some members argued the bill should specify content such as co-parenting, parental alienation, harassment, disorderly conduct, removal of a child from the jurisdiction, and contempt consequences, while others objected that the proposal was too vague, could impose costs without clear limits or waivers, and might amount to compelled legal advice or an undefined private program. Several members said the bill needed more specificity before it could be presented, and the discussion became increasingly divided over whether to keep the draft at all. The transcript ends amid that debate, with no final action yet taken on the second draft.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

General Laws Mar 11th, 2026

General Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • Instead of a seven-member commission, it's a five-member commission.
  • Instead of a seven-member commission, it's a five-member commission.
  • been members of the bar.
  • The members of the bar are the members who vote. The bar runs the election.
  • Members of the bar are selecting the members for this committee, correct? Correct. Correct.
Committee: House General Laws
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 11, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, do we have any questions? All right, Ranking Member Joseph, please.
  • Members, any other questions? Any other members? Ranking Member Joseph, you're recognized.
  • Members in debate? Any members in debate? Yes, Ranking Member Joseph in debate.
  • Members in debate.
  • Members in debate.
Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard several measures focused on government structure, oversight, and public policy designations. The most debated bill was HJR 1325, which proposed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide Commissioner of Government Efficiency, abolish the lieutenant governor office and the Government Efficiency Task Force, and eliminate the constitutional requirement for an Auditor General appointment. Sponsors said the new commissioner would be a watchdog over waste, fraud, and abuse across state and local government, while opponents raised concerns about cost, single-subject issues, lack of implementation details, and whether existing oversight structures were sufficient. After extensive debate, the resolution was reported favorably by a recorded vote. The committee also approved HB 575, which redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Florida statute, and HB 1445, which requires certain state officials and agency heads to have stronger ties to Florida and, for some positions, to live in the county where their agency headquarters is located. HB 1445 drew questions about practicality and whether a proximity standard would be better than a strict county requirement, but the sponsor said he would continue working on that issue. Both bills were reported favorably, with HB 1445 passing unanimously. In addition, the committee unanimously approved HB 259, designating August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day, with supporters emphasizing the need for public education about fentanyl overdoses. The committee also passed CS/HB 29, the public records and meetings bill linked to the social work licensure compact, which creates confidentiality and meeting exemptions needed for the compact to operate. Public testimony on that measure was supportive, and it too was reported favorably without opposition.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • So I know you're a trustee member now.
  • I am a member of the Pensacola community.
  • I am a member of the Pensacola community.
  • We will vote on the UWF members individually. Let's take the members.
  • I will not be a voting member of Ethics and Elections, but I would, you know, encourage appointed trustee
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Community Safety Feb 24th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any members have questions of staff?
  • So we do have two members online.
  • Any members wish to change their votes?
  • Oh, yes, a ranking member? Please go ahead. Thank you. Oh, yes, a ranking member? Please go ahead.
  • The ranking member, yes, the chair recognizes the ranking member for comments. Thank you, Mr.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Commissioner Tatum has been appointed to trial court appointments for Maricopa County.
  • Commissioner Tatum has been appointed to trial court appointments for Maricopa County.
  • This on the president's desk, appointments by the president.
  • Commissioner Tatum has been appointed to trial court appointments for Maricopa County.
  • All right, members, it's on the board.