Transcript Highlights:

• Legislative employees running for and holding elected office while temporary session staff are legislative
• amendments to the Legislative Council's legislative district office policy.
• for all legislative accounts and legislative staff.
• This change is necessary to protect legislators' personal accounts, legislative accounts, and the legislative
• Lastly, per legislative council policy, I am reporting that since the last legislative council meeting

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Representative Greg Hill, chairman of Legislative Administration here in the House.
• I respectfully ask you to consider voting SB 287 as inexpedient to legislate.
• Thank you for your consideration, and I hope that you'll find SP 287 inexpedient to legislate.
• Thank you for your consideration, and I hope that you'll find SP 287 inexpedient to legislate.
• As for this specific legislation, look at the two scenarios you have.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to withdraw SB 107 and SB 117.
• I request unanimous consent to order A. Leader, you were recognized?
• I request unanimous consent to order A.J.R. 27, herbedient, the second reading file.
• All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of a motion to withdraw SB 107 and SB 117 from the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and place them on third reading. Members also approved procedural requests for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, and later took up the daily file. The main floor item was H.R. 80, a resolution recognizing Lunar New Year. Assembly Member Fong presented the resolution, and several members from different caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the holiday’s cultural significance, themes of renewal and family, and California’s large AAPI community. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 62 coauthors, and was then adopted by voice vote. Fong also distributed prosperity cookie boxes to members after passage. The chamber also observed moments of silence for Reverend Jesse Jackson and later for Babatunde Akinlola and Harold Tripp during adjournments in memory. Members gave tributes highlighting Akinlola’s film and education career and Tripp’s leadership in the Karuk Tribe and work on tribal restoration and natural resources. The session ended with announcements of upcoming committee meetings and adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> repeal of the hastily passed legislation repeal of the hastily passed legislation from<00:15:42.959
• <00:19:34.840><c> may</c><00:19:35.120><c> also</c> legislation may also legislation may also push<00
• I think that's very appropriate.
• I think that's very appropriate.
• I think that's very appropriate.

Bills: HF47 , HF335

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm looking forward to hearing the recommendations on how we as legislators can respond to do our
• And I'm looking forward to hearing the recommendations on how we as legislators can respond to do our
• We request each of the panelists to stick to the allotted time so we can hear from everyone and have
• Thank you. and I thank you and I welcome questions at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• To our legislators, we urge you to consider the policies within our control here in California.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the cost of uncertainty in California health care, especially the effects of federal policy changes on coverage, access, and affordability. Opening remarks from committee leaders and members emphasized that California’s uninsured rate had fallen to historic lows under the Affordable Care Act and state policies, but that the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, H.R. 1, and other federal regulatory changes could reverse those gains. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the strain on low-wage workers, families, clinics, hospitals, and public programs. The first panel reviewed the federal landscape and state response. A federal policy analyst described the ACA’s coverage gains and consumer protections, then outlined current threats: H.R. 1’s Medicaid and marketplace cuts, the end of enhanced premium tax credits, shorter open enrollment, more verification requirements, and changes affecting preventive services and vaccines. Covered California reported that the loss of subsidies is expected to nearly double average monthly premiums, reduce enrollment, and push more consumers into bronze plans with higher deductibles; it also noted that California’s $190 million affordability fund is helping the lowest-income enrollees. HCAI’s Office of Health Care Affordability explained its work on spending targets, market consolidation review, and primary care investment, saying the goal is to slow spending growth rather than impose price caps. Committee members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of bronze plans, administrative burdens, immigration-related disenrollment, provider taxes, uncompensated care, and whether California can sustain current coverage levels without new revenue. Witnesses said bronze plans preserve essential benefits but shift more costs to consumers, and that H.R. 1’s verification and auto-renewal changes will likely reduce enrollment. They also said provider tax reductions could significantly weaken state financing over time, and that higher uninsured rates may increase uncompensated care and pressure premiums elsewhere in the system. The second panel, featuring UC Berkeley Labor Center and California Health Care Foundation experts, highlighted broader affordability problems across job-based coverage and Medi-Cal, citing medical debt, skipped care, and the role of underlying system costs, administrative waste, and lack of competition. They pointed to medical debt relief efforts such as Los Angeles County’s program as a short-term mitigation strategy while the Legislature considers longer-term policy and budget responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we passed legislation that commits revenues available through the 2021 compact to make sure
• I do not have an opinion on what the appropriate level of funding for legal aid in Florida is.
• To my knowledge, there is not a state appropriation for legal aid. Senator Berman. Thank you, Mr.
• And I hope that we pass this piece of legislation for the people of Miami Gardens. Thank you, Mr.
• Today is the birthday for my legislative aide.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes related to the FSU campus shooting, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and visiting student and community groups. The chamber then moved into special order bills and adopted a resolution honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. A number of measures were taken up and passed, including child care and early learning provider regulation updates, false reporting/swatting penalties, health care billing and collection protections, hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, trust fund interest rules for IOTA accounts, transportation-related changes, public records exemptions for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate court clerks, municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonating law enforcement, trespass at large-scale ticketed events, refund of patient overpayments, stem cell therapy standards, insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, pre-arranged transportation services, and the Uniform Commercial Code update for digital assets. Several bills were amended before passage, often by substituting House companions and adopting late-filed amendments. The transportation bill was significantly revised to remove speed-limit increases and utility-related provisions while adding beach equipment removal, flood-wake enforcement, expectant mother parking permits, and local regulation of micromobility devices; it passed 37-0. The trust fund interest bill drew the most debate, with supporters arguing it right-sized a volatile funding stream for legal aid and opponents warning it would sharply reduce support for legal aid organizations; it passed 28-10. The municipal water and sewer rate bill also prompted extended debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records exemption bills for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate clerks passed with varying margins, with supporters emphasizing safety and anti-doxing protections. One bill on cardiac emergencies and another on education were temporarily postponed. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, often unanimously, after brief sponsor explanations and little or no debate. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the late USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery. After completing the day’s special order calendar, the Senate recessed for lunch until 1:30 p.m. or on call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• legis- legislative session, Last legis- legislative session, um<00:09:39.760><c> we</c><00:09:39.880>
• </c> only a portion of their requested only a portion of their requested funding<00:46:40.000><c> this
• ,</c> Moving on to the 2026 bonding request, Moving on to the 2026 bonding request, we<01:08:40.400><
• </c> preservation request. preservation request.
• </c> So, they felt that our original request So, they felt that our original request of<01:26:27.840>

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development will now come to order
• that would make that more of an optional thing for counties and municipalities that would be on a request
• for federal dollars and their grant applications. ...with their requests for federal dollars and their
• Chair. ...with the remaining $1.7 million contingent upon legislative approval, and that is the bill,
• This legislation strengthens the accessibility and timeliness of our government services to Floridians

Bills: S0002 , S0026 , S0354 , S1112 , S1192 , S1220 , S1352 , S1670

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• As in 492, Appropriation, Fortifying Center Center. ATT. S.
• As 884, Appropriation, Suppipation, Appropriation, multiplication. purpose. 1494 appropriation stop-mild
• It's a 4095, appropriation, multi-purpose complexity. ATT.
• ATT, Appropriation, coal-impacted Work for Study. ATT and Enru.
• As in 1031, Legislative populations and citizenship. Government.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I'll move the bill when it's appropriate. Thanks, Senator.
• I know that some information was already requested and asked for.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. Current vote is 4-0.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post signage at tobacco retail locations about lung cancer screening eligibility. The author and a UC San Diego thoracic surgery resident testified that lung cancer screening is underused because many Californians do not know it exists, while retailers and convenience store groups raised implementation concerns about sign size, store space, and notice before penalties. Members discussed penalties and screening access, and the author said he was willing to reduce the penalty in later amendments. The bill passed 4-0 and was sent to the Committee on Health. The committee also considered several disaster-related tax measures. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without losing their Proposition 13 base-year value, and it received support from the Los Angeles County Assessor, the California Association of Realtors, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dahle, would create a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased after a disaster for a primary residence; the chair raised concerns about administration and benefits flowing to higher-income households, and CTA opposed. Both bills were approved and sent to Appropriations, with SB 1352 passing 5-0 and SB 1343 passing 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place limits and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to examples from Shafter and Dinuba where local revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. The city of Shafter, League of California Cities, and California Retailers Association supported the bill, while some members worried it could infringe on local control; the author and sponsor argued it would protect local tax dollars without eliminating local discretion. The bill passed 4-0 and went to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; supporters included transit agencies and county officials, while Howard Jarvis and the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association opposed. The committee emphasized that the measure only lets voters decide, and the bill passed 4-1. The committee also took up SB 1404 by Senator Stern, which would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to help fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with the author saying he wanted to reduce administrative costs and work on hardship protections. NRDC and PG&E supported the concept, while rural county representatives, Howard Jarvis, and Butte County opposed, arguing the fee would unfairly burden rural and fixed-income residents and function like a tax. Members split over affordability and local impacts, but the bill passed 4-1. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help retention and access to care in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted. The consent calendar and other listed bills were also approved on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• These permitting standards are subject to legislative ratification.
• This legislation will prohibit an aircraft, an aircraft and an air traffic control.
• Individuals may voluntarily request this envelope through the DHSMV or...
• Unfortunately, Broward County remains listed in this legislation.
• Nothing real prompted this except for the president's request.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, visiting groups, and special honorees in the galleries. The chamber then took up committee and executive appointment business, adopting a report confirming 42 gubernatorial appointments by a vote of 36-0. The Senate next considered a long special-order calendar of bills, most of them passing with little or no opposition. Measures included public-records sunset reviews and trade secret/cybersecurity exemptions; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; commercial driving school oversight; human trafficking training for nurses; a new injunction for protection against serious violence and its related public-records exemption; nature-based coastal resiliency and mangrove protection; a chiropractic trust-funds cap repeal; specialty license plates; a waiver of late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation; the Florida Farm Bill with multiple agriculture, biosolids, and enforcement provisions; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leases; disability presumption clarifications for first responders; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and the Blue Envelope program; campus safety reporting procedures for public postsecondary institutions; and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary critical-need practice certificates, and domestic animals. The floor debate featured the most discussion on the farm bill, the HCSM/nonprofit religious organizations bill, the autism law-enforcement bill, and the school athletics bill. The HCSM bill drew extended debate over whether licensed insurance agents should be allowed to market faith-based health care sharing ministries, with supporters emphasizing consumer choice, free speech, and religious liberty, and opponents warning about unregulated products and commissions; it passed 32-5. The athletics bill, prompted by the Teddy Bridgewater/Miami Northwestern situation, would let coaches provide good-faith support to student-athletes while requiring reporting and FHSAA oversight; it passed 38-0. Most other measures passed overwhelmingly, including the autism bill 38-0, the campus safety bill 37-0, the public school patriotic displays bill 36-2, and the farm bill 38-0 after amendments addressing Everglades lands and biosolids timing were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the legislative director of legislative affairs for the Department of Health and Services, and I
• Williams I am the legislative director Williams I am the legislative director of<00:15:55.319><c> Affairs
• of legislative affairs of Affairs of legislative affairs director<00:15:57.759><c> uh</c><00:15:57.839
• </c> importantly to you our legislative importantly to you our legislative Liaisons<00:17:13.720><c>
• to legislature feels it's appropriate to pass<04:23:57.399><c> this</c><04:23:57.960><c> legislation

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• . appropriately. appropriately.
• Some were legislative, some were not, some were systems changes.
• 00:04:39.040><c> some</c><00:04:39.199><c> were</c> legislative, some were not, some were legislative
• </c><00:35:00.960><c> offering</c> most flexible legislator that's offering most flexible legislator
• </c> conclude by noting that this legislation conclude by noting that this legislation has<00:59:59.520

Bills: HF4075 , HF3826 , HF3825 , HF3827 , HF3459 , HF3711 , HF4200 , HF3908 , HF3712

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants

Transcript Highlights:

• Division of Senate Appropriations to order and ask counsel to call the roll.
• So we're well within what our appropriation of FTE count is.
• Then that goes to that request for appeal goes to our appeal supervisor.
• The project's appropriation The project's appropriation includes $200 million of SIF funding and up to
• Will next meeting be our last meeting before the legislative session?

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• I took them at their word for that, but I would request the same thing.
• that. ...they could request that registration refund for the unused months.
• Is that just on those who request the reimbursement? Yes, just on those who request reimbursement.
• We do know that we look at DUI legislation every year.
• Last item on the agenda is a request by the towing industry.

Committee: Joint Transportation Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, and or other appropriate legal
• I request unanimous consent to order ACR 8 Wallace to the second reading file.
• I request unanimous consent to refer ACR 10 Wallace to the second reading file.
• I request ACR 10 Mark Gonzales to the rules committee. Without objection.
• I'll close my request for adjournment in memory of Lt. Gen.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fraud uh would be helpful to legislators fraud uh would be helpful to legislators uh<00:26:08.560
• </c><00:27:22.280><c> spend</c> because they did not appropriately spend because they did not appropriately
• </c> consistent since we let the legislative consistent since we let the legislative auditor auditor
• </c> So it's always up to us as legislators So it's always up to us as legislators to<00:37:21.560><c
• </c> and I believe a roll call was requested. and I believe a roll call was requested.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the legislative sessions.
• the legislative sessions.
• the legislative sessions.
• I am here today at the request of the New Hampshire Home Builders Association to introduce legislation
• </c> like 10 questions that the legisl like 10 questions that the legisl legislative<02:17:39.319><c>

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way that the process works is that any member of this committee can request that any nominee for
• I would ask now if any member of the committee has any last requests for any of the individuals who are
• If you do, we will honor that request. There being no request, we will go to Tabs 1 through 54.
• I'm going to honor your request. Others in debate. Others in debate. Senator Grohl. Thank you, Mr.
• I'm going to honor your request. Others in debate. Others in debate. Senator Grohl. Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The committee first took up 127 gubernatorial appointees grouped in blocks and, after brief testimony in favor of several nominees, voted to recommend confirmation of the block nominees to the full Senate. The committee then moved through a series of University of West Florida and other board nominations, hearing from each nominee about their background and priorities, with most emphasizing service, local ties, student success, military partnerships, and university growth. Several nominees also answered questions about governance, faculty hiring, diversity, and the university’s strategic direction. For the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, the committee heard from Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, Christopher Young, and Adam Kissel. Bailey stressed his local roots, legal background, and support for UWF’s pre-law program and military connections; Matthews highlighted her education and state-government experience, current role as board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Moyah cited her education and school board experience, fiscal discipline, and recent positive financial and enrollment figures; Ross emphasized fundraising, workforce needs, cyber opportunities, and support for the governor’s higher education agenda; and Young focused on business accountability, audit oversight, rural access to education, and expanding military-related opportunities. Each of these nominees was questioned about issues such as diversity, “woke” culture, faculty ideology, and the role of the board, and each was ultimately recommended for confirmation by roll-call vote. Adam Kissel’s nomination drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. Kissel described his background in free speech advocacy, federal education policy, philanthropy, and higher education reform, and said he would support UWF’s growth, free-speech protections, military and veteran engagement, and stronger graduation rates. Senators pressed him on prior writings favoring privatization of public higher education, comments about replacing administrators with AI, his work with the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, and how his views fit with serving on a public university board; he said his long-term libertarian views did not conflict with his short-term support for UWF receiving more resources. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials, military focus, and alignment with the governor’s reforms, while opponents questioned his commitment to public higher education and whether he could be trusted to learn the university from the ground up. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kissel’s confirmation to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we really want to be back here another year or two having to pass emergency legislation to help a
• President, your Committee on Government, having had under consideration HB 4056 relating to legislative
• And on the one hand, it prohibits a legislator from being charged a fee for public records requests.
• On the other hand, it could be easily weaponized to allow one legislator the ability to request repeated
• for a public records request?

Keywords: 1182, all