Video & Transcript Research : 'faculty recognition'

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So all of our staff and faculty serve as that mentor, and 70% of our staff and faculty are Native, which
  • So all of our staff and faculty serve as that mentor, and 70% of our staff and faculty are Native, which
  • However, our faculty are making $10,000 to $20,000 less per year than faculty at any of the colleges
  • About our staff and faculty, we have excellent, excellent, excellent faculty at our school.
  • with their faculty if the faculty have with their faculty if the faculty have communicated<01:22
Keywords: 1183, house
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • schedule of State Fire Marshal Office Investigators, House Bill 2467... competitive salaries and recognition
  • UT Dallas faculty are also developing next-generation quantum algorithms to enable the use of quantum
  • By putting this recognition of a natural right in the Texas Bill of Rights, we set it... up so that the
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • I DON'T KNOW WHAT ROLE YOU MIGHT PLAY ON THE BOARD IN CHOOSING FACULTY BUT IT SEEMS THAT THAT IS WHAT
  • SO MUCH FOR SETTING POLICY BEHIND THE DECISIONS OF HIRING FACULTY. >> Senator Gaetz: SENATOR POLSKY.
  • IN ADDITION HALF A DOZEN FACULTY MEMBERS WHO I ASKED TO MEET.
  • FACULTY MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES DON'T OFTEN GET CHANCES TO INTERACT AND I THINK THEY APPRECIATED THAT I
  • YOU SAID THAT YOU HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH FACULTY AND OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH COLLEGE
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 14th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • retention and use that to go after some of the top faculty in these states up north that are laying
  • off faculty because of mergers, closings, or program cuts.
  • retention and use that to go after some of the top faculty in these states up north that are laying
  • off faculty because of mergers, closings, or program cuts.
  • Faculty satisfaction is also an emphasis for me as a former adjunct.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Education on the proposed higher education budget. The presentation highlighted a $117.4 billion overall state budget, with education at $32.5 billion and higher education receiving a modest overall increase. Key items included no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, major financial aid funding such as Bright Futures, Benacquisto, EASE, Open Door, and first responder scholarships, as well as workforce investments including apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, nursing pipeline funding, and performance-based funding for colleges and universities. Committee members asked questions about the proposed expansion of the Guardian program at state colleges and the $100 million university recruitment and retention fund. Officials said the Guardian funding would give colleges flexibility to use trained personnel for campus safety, sometimes alongside or in place of campus police or private security. The Chancellor explained that the recruitment and retention money would be distributed to universities with no specific directives beyond using it for faculty recruitment and retention, emphasizing Florida’s favorable demographics and the opportunity to attract faculty from states facing enrollment declines. The committee then heard testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees at state colleges and universities, including Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College. Each described their backgrounds and stressed themes of affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and technical programs, dual enrollment, and local community needs. Several cited strong nursing licensure pass rates and college outcomes. After hearing all appointees, the committee voted unanimously to confirm the full block of nominees, and the confirmations were reported favorably before the meeting adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We are not able to cut back on our faculty because of their tenured status.
  • We are not able to cut back on our faculty because of their tenured status.
  • The faculty salaries are paid by the university from our core funds, but the faculty are losing this
  • So our faculty are active participants in this work alongside the faculty of the Community College and
  • So our faculty are active participants in this work alongside the faculty of the Community College and
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, chaired by Assemblymember Alvarez, held a hearing focused on University of California budget issues. The committee reviewed UC core operations funding, enrollment trends, federal funding threats, Title IX implementation, and basic needs support. Major themes included the end of the Governor’s multi-year UC compact, the state’s fiscal outlook, UC’s enrollment growth, and the potential impacts of federal policy changes on research, health care, and student aid. On core funding, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to continue compact-related support, defer some payments, and authorize a cash-flow loan. The LAO recommended a smaller or no base increase, earmarking some funds for capital renewal, retiring deferrals when possible, avoiding new compact commitments, and funding UC annually rather than through compacts. UC argued that the compact has supported enrollment growth, student services, and operating costs, but said campuses face rising expenses, structural deficits, and limited reserves. Members questioned the effects of deferrals on students and discussed the need to prioritize less harmful reductions if cuts become necessary. The enrollment panel focused on UC’s growth in California resident enrollment and the nonresident replacement plan at Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. The LAO recommended maintaining the current enrollment target, funding enrollment separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident replacement plan, and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. UC said it has already met compact enrollment goals, grown California undergraduate enrollment by about 18,800 students, and that further growth depends on ongoing state support. The committee also discussed the cost of enrollment growth, possible differential nonresident tuition, and a reporting request for UC to analyze the nonresident replacement approach; the motion to adopt supplemental reporting language passed. The hearing also covered federal funding risks, with the LAO and UC warning that federal changes could affect research grants, medical center reimbursement, and student financial aid. UC said research cancellations and suspensions are disrupting labs and graduate student support, while federal health policy changes could increase uncompensated care at UC hospitals. In the Title IX update, UC described its systemwide civil rights structure, annual student training, and campus support offices, and members praised the work while asking about ongoing concerns and intersegmental collaboration. The final basic-needs item began with Finance stating the Governor’s budget does not change ongoing support, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Feb 26th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Burgess, you have a recognition, sir. You're recognized. Thank you very much, Mr.
  • Senator Yarborough, you have a recognition. I think, Mr.
  • Senator Davis, you also have a recognition. You are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
  • I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize in the East Gallery Kaiser University leadership, faculty
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns. The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • So It's a both recognition of enrollment declines and how you do that in a measured and calculated way
  • And this is in recognition of the obvious the state's need to serve English learners as well as provide
  • conversation to apply to this type of legislation, but also we need to look at what this requires of our faculty
  • So this is a recognition, but I understand the importance of that.
Keywords: 996, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

House in Session Apr 23rd, 2025

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, we will pause for recognition. Representative Tant, you are recognized for recognition.
  • Members, let's pause for recognition. Rep. Gantt, you are recognized for recognition.
  • We will pause briefly for recognitions.
  • We will pause for a recognition. Representative Spencer, you are recognized for a recognition.
  • Members, we are going to Pause for a recognition.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Info Briefing - Fri Jun 19, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Myself, Byron Gangnes, a couple of other faculty, Sumner LaCroix, a couple of other faculty, basically
  • , Sumner LaCroix, a couple of faculty, Sumner LaCroix, a couple of other<01:13:02.200> faculty,
  • They are not UHERO faculty. So, um they They are not UHERO faculty.
  • Now, the faculty are paid by state funds, right? They're university faculty.
  • We finally were able to add a faculty We finally were able to add a faculty member<01:29:09.600>
Keywords: 910, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Postsecondary Feb 11th, 2025

Education Postsecondary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our discoveries and findings are shared by our leaders and faculty each year at Florida's professional
  • education conferences, through our classrooms with visitors to our campuses, and via the many faculty
  • Project goals are to increase student, faculty, and staff, excuse me, exposure to college and career
  • One more thing: the program will increase faculty, student, and community awareness.
  • With our community, faculty, and staff. So thank you again for the support.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met to receive an update from Florida developmental research lab schools on articulated health care programs created under the Live Healthy initiative and Senate Bill 76. Chair Calatayud opened the meeting, confirmed a quorum, and heard presentations from P.K. Young/University of Florida, Florida State University Schools, FAMU Developmental Research School, and Florida Atlantic University Laboratory School. Each school described efforts to build K-12-to-postsecondary health care pathways, expand dual enrollment and industry certifications, and share replicable curriculum models with other districts. FSU Schools highlighted its HERO program, including CNA and food manager certifications, dual enrollment growth, reserve seating at colleges, and a paid internship with the Department of Health tied to emergency shelter operations. P.K. Young described its Healthy Lives Blueprint, which combines K-8 wellness experiences, a new high school health and human performance pathway, AP and science course expansion, a planned gymnasium redesign, and partnerships with Santa Fe College and UF. FAMU DRS reported growing dual enrollment, partnerships with FAMU, Tallahassee State, and Lively, and a goal of serving at least 100 students and 40 staff through health career exposure, certifications, and AA/AS pathways. FAU Lab School described a more advanced model that integrates elementary through high school research and health science experiences, including biotechnology, bioengineering, and partnerships with health and research institutions. The school reported 87 peer-reviewed student publications, more than $350,000 in student grants, six patents, and pipelines into FAU’s medical and nursing programs, including a Med Direct pathway and a National Merit Scholar pipeline. Committee members asked about student readiness for nursing programs, dual enrollment, articulation with state colleges, and how the lab school models could be disseminated statewide. The meeting concluded with praise for the programs and a motion by Senator Fine to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • They get connected with our faculty.
  • We've been inviting faculty candidates for our new faculty position for this.
  • We've been inviting faculty candidates for our new faculty position for this.
  • And the faculty qualifications are a part of that.
  • They don't have the faculty with the expertise, but that's where college faculty could probably backfill
Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:10:36.959> Our<00:10:37.440> faculty<00:10:37.839> and This has been a stretch
  • Our faculty and This has been a stretch.
  • Our faculty and staff<00:10:38.720> have<00:10:39.040> all<00:10:39.360> embraced
  • is<00:21:23.520> to<00:21:23.760> have<00:21:23.919> a<00:21:24.159> recognition
  • <00:21:24.799> that my hope is to have a recognition that my hope is to have a recognition
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board’s fourth meeting focused primarily on a presentation from University of Kentucky and University of Louisville health leaders about the state university directed payment program. Mark Birdwhistle and Ken Marshall described the program as a long-running, value-based Medicaid arrangement that began in 2019, uses university-provided matching funds rather than provider taxes, and ties a portion of payments to quality outcomes. They said the program has improved measures such as tobacco cessation, diabetes control, depression screening, and cancer screening, while supporting access to specialty care, medical education, and workforce training. They also emphasized that Kentucky’s model is nationally notable and has helped improve health rankings and generate cost savings. A major topic was the federal reconciliation bill signed July 4, which the presenters said will reduce directed payments by 10% annually for 10 years beginning in 2028. UL Health estimated a first-year loss of about $75 million and a cumulative loss of about $600 million over the decade; UK estimated about $100 million in the first year, for a combined first-year impact of roughly $175 million. Both speakers warned the cuts could affect access to care, training capacity, and the sustainability of Kentucky’s value-based model, though they expressed hope that congressional action could alter or delay the changes. They also noted that 340B drug pricing changes could further strain already thin operating margins, but did not provide exact figures during the meeting. Committee members responded positively to the program’s reported outcomes and the institutions’ role in Kentucky health care. Senator Berg praised the quality of care and shared a personal example of being advised to stay at UofL for breast cancer treatment. Representative Moer highlighted Kentucky’s strong cancer-control score and asked for more explanation of the value-based payment structure; the presenters said the system is built around ongoing measurement, accountability, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended August 27 minutes by voice vote.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 03/12/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Coaches, athletic staff, and faculty must be CPR- and defibrillator-trained.
  • Coaches, athletic staff, and faculty must be CPR- and defibrillator-trained.
  • Coaches, athletic staff, and faculty must be CPR- and defibrillator-trained.
  • 01:04:22.440> all when someone collapses first of all when someone collapses first of all recognition
  • of the signs of sudden recognition of the signs of sudden cardiac<01:04:24.880> arrest<01:04:
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House higher education panel questions U of M representatives about award 1/23/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we have selection committees for the faculty, staff, student, and community partner awards.
  • So we have selection committees for the faculty, staff, student, and community partner awards.
  • So we have selection committees for the faculty, staff, student, and community partner awards.
  • been working um working with uh faculty been working um working with uh faculty um<00:13:05.600>
  • <01:19:54.199> we students we expect it for the faculty we students we expect it for the faculty
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The committee heard testimony from Amber Cameron of the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement about the University’s Outstanding Community Service Awards and, specifically, the community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality in 2021 and 2024. Cameron explained that the awards program recognizes faculty, staff, students, and community partners, that nominations are reviewed by University selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall impression, and that the committee evaluates only the application materials. She said the nomination for Communities United Against Police Brutality described a long-standing partnership with the University through student learning, including work through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and a student white paper connected to the passage of Travis’s Law. Committee members raised concerns about the organization’s history, its public messaging, and whether it was appropriate for the University to honor it. One member argued that the group’s IRS records showed it was formally organized in 2020, questioned claims that it had existed for 25 years, and objected to the organization’s letterhead and activism. Cameron responded that the award does not require formal tax status and that the selection process relies on the nomination packet rather than outside information. She also said the award nomination documented work with 130 course offerings across 17 academic departments and about 1,000 students over 24 years. Cameron further said the award program was being phased out and retooled into a new internal Engaged Scholar Awards program focused on community-engaged scholarship rather than volunteer service. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the discussion ended with questions about the nomination materials and how the University defines the organization’s work with students and faculty.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/3/25

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • degree, all the way up to the doctorate, and of course the applied doctorate helps us prepare the faculty
  • degree, all the way up to the doctorate, and of course the applied doctorate helps us prepare the faculty
  • degree, all the way up to the doctorate, and of course the applied doctorate helps us prepare the faculty
  • training and Student Renovations faculty training and Student Financial<01:09:34.040> Aid<01:
  • Chair, was it Representative Robbins or Scott seeking recognition?
Keywords: 1183, house
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 29th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Excuse me, the recognition. Thank you, Mr. President.
  • Thank you, Senator Campbell, for a worthy recognition.
  • Thank you, Senator Campbell, for bringing the recognition today.
  • Senator Perry, you're recognized to speak on the recognition.
  • Senator Perry, you're recognized to speak on the recognition.
Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:30 am

Higher Education Institutions Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • They get connected with our faculty.
  • We've been inviting faculty candidates for our new faculty position for this.
  • We've been inviting faculty candidates for our new faculty position for this.
  • So it's probably true they don't have the faculty with the expertise, but that's where college faculty
  • The campuses have just done this to compensate the faculty.
Keywords: 908, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Mon Mar 17, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 33

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • At this time, I'd like to ask our faculty guests in the gallery to please stand to be recognized.
  • members from the University new faculty members from the University of<00:14:27.839> aat<00:14
  • with each other the campus track faculty with each other the campus and<00:14:42.680> the<00:
  • guests in the gallery ask our uh faculty guests in the gallery to<00:15:13.680> please<00:15:
  • Enoi serves as the faculty of Wākea High School's Freshman Academy, manages afterschool tutoring, and
Keywords: 910, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 03/26/26

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:01:27.680> from prohibit students and faculty from prohibit students and faculty from
  • and wounded two faculty. and wounded two faculty.
  • My phone made a noise faculty meeting.
  • College Faculty.
  • the salaries of teaching faculty. the salaries of teaching faculty.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-15 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're going to pause briefly for some recognitions.
  • Representatives Overdorf and Trabulsy, you are recognized for a recognition.
  • Members, we're going to pause in the proceedings for some recognitions.
  • Representative Valdés, you have two recognitions. You're recognized to do both.
  • Representative Hunschofsky, you're recognized for recognition. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24. The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7. The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.