Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Sherry Neese, and I'm the Shared Services Director within
• Representative Weiss worked in human services along with Senator Hogan for years.
• I think it's leadership if it's human services. Levi, I believe we're trying to figure out...
• services...

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Sherry Neese, and I'm the Shared Services Director within
• Representative Weiss worked in human services along with Senator Hogan for years.
• If it's Human Services... Levi, I believe we're trying to figure out we should come.
• But my concern is folks that are on different committees hear it, and then they come to this committee

Summary: The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund. OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification. The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of the Division of County Operations for the Department of Human Services.
• Good morning, Elizabeth Pittman, Division of Medical Services.
• services associated with substance use disorder treatment drugs.
• Services, obviously.
• I think this has been the best public health committee yet. Thank you, Ms. Eva.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee approved the February 4 meeting minutes and then reviewed two DHS rules. The first, presented by Mary Franklin of the Division of County Operations, would remove the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarify child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women by delaying any sanction until after the 60-day postpartum period, and revise the good-cause language from “forcible rape” to “rape or incest.” Members asked for clarification on the child support process, and the rule was reviewed without objection. The second rule, presented by Elizabeth Pittman of the Division of Medical Services, updates the Medicaid state plan for medication-assisted treatment by removing an expired federal end date and adopting a new CMS template; officials said the coverage itself does not change, there were no public comments, and the rule was also reviewed without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Jenna Goldman of UAMS about a culinary medicine experience for legislators, scheduled for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. She explained that the program teaches residents how to use food as medicine and how to tailor advice to patients with limited food access, and members were encouraged to attend as part of broader health and rural health transformation efforts. The discussion noted that the event would include hands-on kitchen work and dinner, with parking available on campus. The meeting also included a special recognition of the Monticello sixth grade class visiting the Capitol for a scavenger hunt. Several legislators answered the students’ questions about the Capitol building, including its stone exterior, architectural style, doors, and columns, in a lighthearted exchange before the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• on Human Services and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare containing recommendations for the
• on Human Services and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare containing recommendations for the
• </c><00:22:54.240><c> on</c><00:22:54.400><c> Human</c> plan to the House Committee on Human plan to
• the House Committee on Human Services<00:22:55.760><c> and</c><00:22:55.919><c> the</c><00:22:56.159>
• <c> Senate</c><00:22:56.400><c> Committee</c><00:22:56.720><c> on</c> Services and the Senate Committee

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would allow the Department of Human Services to make sure that if you owe child support from money
• Uh, and uh, I'll be happy to answer any questions from any members of the committee about Senate Bill
• It would allow the Department of Human Services to make sure that if you owe child support from money
• Uh, and uh, I'll be happy to answer any questions from any members of the committee about Senate Bill
• Uh, and uh, I'll be happy to answer any questions from any members of the committee about Senate Bill

Committee: Joint Gaming

Keywords: Gaming - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair, committee.
• If the legislature is expected to take seriously the volume of human life and the value of human life
• They line up with our human values. And anybody in this... They line up with our human values.
• I interned at the Republican National Committee under Lee Atwater.
• Okay, members seeing that there is no other business before the committee, a committee, Senator DeSigley

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability heard three bills and reported all three favorably. First, the committee took up Senator Gates’ employee protection bill, which was amended with a delete-all to create whistleblower protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge. Gates and the Florida Commission on Ethics said the measure would reduce retaliation against insiders who report misconduct, while the commission said it supported the proposal and expected low implementation costs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended. The committee next considered Senator McClain’s bill to reclassify certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class. Supporters said the change would align those positions with comparable attorneys in public defender and state attorney offices and help with recruitment and retention. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with statute was adopted, and the committee then reported the bill favorably. The final bill, Senator Martin’s SB 194, would designate October 14 each year as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in Florida. Martin argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, civic engagement, and debate, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public statements on race, women, guns, and systemic discrimination and argued he was divisive and unworthy of a state honor. Supporters, including representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition, backed the measure. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Indian and Indian Affairs Committee will come to order.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and members of the committee.
• I'm Nicole Wagaspak from the Council Service, and I help staff this committee along with help from Paul
• She has a master's degree in education and a bachelor's in human services.
• Has the committee that I believe it's the interim committee that... That also discusses acequias.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for being in committee this morning.
• Thank you, committee.
• Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• Chairman, and committee.
• That concludes our committee meeting this morning.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began with announcements about substitute pages, an excused absence for Senator Taves, and a reminder that the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team would present on the roadless rule rescission at a future meeting. The committee then considered gubernatorial appointments: David Dean to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, Leighton Lening to the Commission on Human Rights, and Brian Skagliano’s reappointment to the same commission. Dean briefly described his background in accounting and recycling businesses and said he wanted to serve and give back; the committee voted to send all three appointments to the floor with recommendations for confirmation. The committee introduced RS 32950, which would change how commissioners in county-wide highway districts are elected by requiring participation in a May primary and aligning the process more closely with county commissioner elections. It also adopted several administrative rule dockets. The Alcohol Beverage Control rules in Docket 11-0501-2501 were presented as a cleanup and simplification effort, including clarifying “actual use” for licenses, removing duplicative statutory language, and loosening several multipurpose arena requirements such as food preparation, staffing ratios, beverage limits, service-area diagrams, and monthly event reporting for some venues. The Secretary of State’s Docket 3-4-0301 repealed lobbying reporting rules that were now codified in statute, and the Department of Administration’s Docket 38-0404-2501 streamlined Capitol Mall parking rules by removing obsolete provisions and shortening terminology. Chairman Guthrie then presented RS 32831C1, which would raise alcohol licensing fees that had not been updated in decades, citing the loss of revenue after changes to liquor license transfer rules and noting the increases would be modest compared with inflation. The committee voted to introduce that legislation. Finally, Guthrie presented RS 33041, a proposed new Joint Rule 24 to limit legislators to 25 drafts and 10 completed routing slips per year, with exceptions for revisions of the same topic; he said the measure was intended to address excessive drafting volume. The committee voted to introduce that resolution as well, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Papus, welcome to our committee.
• </c> Senator Papus, welcome to our committee. Senator Papus, welcome to our committee.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Good morning, members of the committee &gt;&gt; Good morning, members of the committee
• </c> committee to explore further options. committee to explore further options.
• I'm Matt committee, good morning.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:46.160><c> service</c><00:13:46.480><c> committee</c><00:13:46.720><c> by</c><00:13:46.880><c>
• service committee by a vote of 53<00:13:48.000><c> to1.
• to</c> Health and Human Services, is set to Health and Human Services, is set to expire<03:50:57.040
• </c><03:54:25.279><c> The</c> The Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services
• She serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, September 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in this committee.
• And with that, I will turn it over to the Department of Human Services. Good morning.
• DHS</c> Department of Human Services for the DHS Department of Human Services for the DHS components
• Services.
• To his knowledge, other agencies, including the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, committee.
• Thank you, Committee.
• Thank you, Committee.
• Okay, we're working from a committee substitute.
• Okay, we're working from a committee substitute.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of education bills, with several measures passing on bipartisan votes. Early items included SB 1632 on career readiness assessments and college credit pathways, SB 1594 requiring principals to be trained in special education law, SB 2045 establishing 30 minutes of daily recess for younger grades, and SB 1630 allowing districts to count a day of virtual instruction when high school students are taking statewide assessments. Other bills passed addressed school security funds (SB 1251, adding licensed mental health services as an allowable use), teacher association access (SB 1884), library book complaints and penalties (SB 1250), human trafficking survivors’ access to higher education (SB 1262), reduced-price meals moving students into free meal status (SB 1374), high-dosage tutoring for early literacy (SB 1292), and the repeal of the sunset on the Innovative Pathways to Teaching Program (SB 1432). Votes were generally favorable, though SB 1251 and SB 1884 drew the most debate and both passed 8-3, while SB 1250 passed 7-3 and SB 1374 passed 9-1. Several bills generated extended discussion over local control, school safety, and teacher retention. SB 1251 drew concerns that school security funds were being broadened beyond physical security, while supporters argued mental health supports can also improve safety. SB 1884 prompted questions about whether it would open collective bargaining or negotiation meetings to other associations; the author said the intent was to prevent “closed shops” and ensure equal access, while opponents argued equal access already exists and the bill could create confusion. SB 1790, the Protected Learning Environments Act, drew testimony from educator Dr. Elizabeth Pleasant about classroom discipline, teacher burnout, and student behavior; the bill would direct SDE to provide guidance for a three-tier discipline matrix, and it passed 7-2. SB 1481, increasing recess to 40 minutes and prohibiting it as punishment, and SB 1614, limiting adjunct teachers in early grades, also passed after brief discussion. The committee also heard broader policy proposals on federal uncertainty and school leadership. SB 1489 would prepare Oklahoma for a possible federal block grant of IDEA funds, fold some parent-rights and principal-training provisions into state law, and address the cost and backlog of special education dispute resolution; it passed 9-0. SB 1718 proposed an Oklahoma Principal Leadership Development Program for new and early-career principals, with discussion focused on program structure, portability, and stipends. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized teacher support, student safety, and the balance between state guidance and local district discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee of the Whole called to order.
• Shall the Committee of the Whole rise and report?
• The Committee of the Whole is called to order.
• The Committee of the Whole is called to order.
• Wednesday morning committees, Chairman Blackman. Mr.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the pledge, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and recognitions, including the Dr. of the Day, Korean community guests, students, local officials, and a proclamation honoring the future USS Arizona SSN-803 and the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation. The chamber also announced committee assignments and took up several procedural motions, including reconsideration motions on HB 4027 and HB 2444, both of which were granted and returned to third reading. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider measures on Calendar Numbers One and Two. In Committee of the Whole, HB 4034, dealing with CTE-related issues, was amended and reported do pass after debate over concerns from Tempe Union High School District and EVIT, with supporters saying the bill clarified statute and reduced future disputes. HB 2444 was amended and reported do pass. HB 2992, a pilot program related to sexual abuse prevention, drew opposition over concerns about opt-out instruction, pilot status, and classroom burdens, but it passed Committee of the Whole on a 31-21 division vote after amendments. HB 4027, involving highway naming, was amended and reported do pass despite objections that the amendment still appeared to elevate Charlie Kirk over the existing Ed Pastor designation. On third reading, HB 293 passed 31-22 and HB 2502 passed 37-16. HB 2229, relating to maternal services and funding for pregnancy resource centers, generated extensive debate over abortion-related implications and was defeated 26-27, though a motion to reconsider later succeeded 27-21. HB 2533 failed on reconsideration, while HB 2750 passed 44-9 and HB 2999, a special taxing districts bill tied to housing affordability, passed 32-21 after supporters argued it would lower financing costs and help build more affordable homes. H.C.M. 2009, urging federal action to streamline access to minerals on federal land withdrawals, passed 31-22. The House adjourned until the next day after additional announcements and personal privilege remarks, including a proclamation for Sleep Apnea Awareness Month and a call for more efficient floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> enhancing WAV services across Minnesota. enhancing WAV services across Minnesota.
• </c> with disabilities in their service area. with disabilities in their service area.
• . service. service.
• </c> for the committee. for the committee.
• I'm in human services quite a bit, so glad to be here today.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Human Services Committee will come to order. Good afternoon.
• That concludes this very rapid hearing on the Senate Human Services Committee. We are adjourned.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> The Department of Health and Human The Department of Health and Human Services<00:25:44.799><c>
• </c><00:26:51.840><c> Um</c> that Health and Human Services has.
• Um that Health and Human Services has.
• Right now the Health and Human Services Department hasn't identified there would be additional need,
• Right now the Health and Human Services Department hasn't identified there would be additional need,

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To honor constituents for their exemplary service, this bill seeks to honor two outstanding service members
• Thank you, sir, for your service.
• Currently, veteran mental health programs are administered by the Health and Human Services Commission
• Services.
• I'm the Director of Veterans Mental Health Services for the Health and Human Services Commission, and

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Kate McFall with Humane World for Animals, previously the Humane Society.
• As most of you know, the humane community across all different kinds of humane groups has concerns about
• Good morning, committee.
• Thank you, committee members.
• Thank you, committee members.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered a series of bills affecting tax policy, workforce development, business regulation, consumer protection, rural development, and artificial intelligence. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida; an amendment removed an appropriation from the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. SB 554, a broad update to Florida’s not-for-profit corporation law, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from Florida Bar representatives. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales and predatory financing practices, received strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which provides rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was likewise reported favorably. SB 214, expanding the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties for economic development purposes, was reported favorably. SPB 7030, a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations, was adopted as a committee bill and favorably reported. The committee also heard extensive discussion on SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, clarify rural community eligibility for certain unincorporated areas, exempt military entities from a reverter clause on land conveyances, and revise E-Verify enforcement procedures. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including penalties, protections for workers incorrectly flagged, and the treatment of gig workers. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. Despite the debate, SB 998 was reported favorably, with Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no. The committee also took up SB 482, an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate periodic disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restrict certain uses of personal data and likenesses, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. The bill drew both support and criticism: supporters emphasized child safety, transparency, and consumer protection, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, broad definitions, lack of audit mechanisms, and the absence of a private right of action for adults. Senators Smith and Davis urged clearer definitions and stronger accountability, but both said the bill was a starting point. The committee reported SB 482 favorably. The meeting ended with recorded affirmative votes requested by Senators Yarbrough, Wright, and Davis on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Health and Human Services, represented by Colleen Smith and Erica Davis.
• </c> committee have proposed to you all. committee have proposed to you all.
• The Department of Health<01:38:02.480><c> and</c><01:38:02.639><c> Human</c><01:38:02.960><c> Services
• </c><01:38:03.600><c> represented</c><01:38:04.080><c> by</c> Health and Human Services represented by
• Health and Human Services represented by Colleen<01:38:04.639><c> Smith</c><01:38:04.880><c> and</c>

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a human being.
• That's a human being.
• We're caring for human bodies.
• There being no further business before the committee, without objections, the Senate Committee on Labor
• There being no further business before the committee, without objections, the Senate Committee on Labor

Committee: Senate Labor

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor met with a quorum, adopted the June 4 minutes, and then took up Senate Bill 948, the Workplace Employees Boundaries Act (WEB Act), after adopting an S-1 substitute by a 4-1 vote. Senator Geis presented the bill as a Michigan “right to disconnect” measure that would generally bar employers from requiring employees to access or respond to work communications outside usual work hours, allow employees to set availability hours, prohibit retaliation, direct LEO to write rules, and provide complaint and enforcement procedures with exceptions for emergencies and existing collective bargaining agreements. In questioning, Senator Albert raised concerns about how the bill would apply in small businesses and practical situations like staffing calls, school notifications, and emergency-like circumstances; Geis said the bill was meant to protect non-work time while preserving emergency carve-outs and informational messages. NFIB’s Amanda Fisher opposed the bill, arguing it was too broad, difficult to define across industries and schedules, potentially duplicative of existing wage-and-hour law, and likely to create confusion and reduce flexibility, especially for small employers. The committee then shifted to testimony on health care workforce and labor disputes. Nurses from Teamsters Local 332 described a 291-day strike at Henry Ford/Genesis over safe staffing, return-to-work terms, and alleged union-busting, saying the hospital’s staffing levels and use of replacement workers threatened patient safety and could displace experienced specialty nurses. Michigan Nurses Association president Aaron McCormick and Marquette RN union president Christina Hanson said Michigan’s problem is not a shortage of licensed nurses but of nurses willing to stay in overworked, hostile workplaces; they cited retaliation, slow grievance/arbitration processes, hospital consolidation, rural OB closures, and unsafe staffing ratios as drivers of burnout and departures. They urged stronger protections and faster dispute resolution, especially given the limited effectiveness of the NLRB and delays in labor processes. Additional testimony came from UAW Local 4911’s Kim Wheeler, who said UMH Sparrow was outsourcing two low-paid support groups—patient transport/housekeeping and food and nutrition—despite their importance to hospital operations and despite a recently ratified contract, and asked for transparency and limits on corporate outsourcing. Don Hill of SEIU Health Care Michigan described chronic understaffing in nursing homes, mandatory overtime, burnout, retaliation fears, and the need for enforceable patient-to-staff ratios and stronger wage support; he also noted that home care workers are negotiating first contracts after restored bargaining rights. The committee took no vote on SB 948 beyond adopting the substitute, heard extensive testimony, and adjourned without further business.