Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, that's a promise that I made to my constituents and that's a promise I'm going to continue to honor
• Uh, that's<00:25:58.960> a<00:25:59.120> promise<00:25:59.279> that<00:25:59.520
• > I<00:25:59.679> made<00:25:59.840> to<00:26:00.000> my that's a promise
• that I made to my that's a promise that I made to my constituents<00:26:00.799> and<00:26:01.039
• and that's a promise I'm constituents and that's a promise I'm going<00:26:02.080> to<00:26:02.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So first and foremost, and a lot of folks here I obviously don't know, but I promise you that your time
• I also understand that that industry was built upon a promise, and the promise has been used as a political
• , and then government can take away that promise.
• Then take away that promise. Having said that, I understand the issues at hand here.
• I promise you, this legislature and the Senate recognize the value, the incredible value, not just a

Summary: The committee first handled Senate confirmations, hearing two support waivers from the Florida Swimming Pool Association, and then voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees in a block vote. It then took up several bills, adopting amendments and reporting each measure favorably: CS/SB 462 on transportation, which included FDOT authority over speed limits, EV-related funding, MPO changes, workforce grants, and an I-4 widening report; SB 1574 on energy infrastructure investment, creating a PSC mechanism for renewable natural gas infrastructure cost recovery; SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, limiting local government energy-source restrictions; and SB 726 on swatting, adding liability for prosecution/investigation costs and restitution for injuries or property damage. The committee also approved CS/SB 496 on timeshare management and CS/SB 1076 on roof contracting, both with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 408 on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling live racing from gaming licenses at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Senator Burgess presented a strike-all amendment that would delay decoupling for seven years, with a three-year notice period and a four-year guarantee of racing and current purse/breeder award structures. The sponsor and supporters said the longer runway was intended to create room for negotiations and align Florida with other pari-mutuel operations. The committee heard extensive public testimony, overwhelmingly opposed, from horsemen, breeders, veterinarians, farm owners, sales companies, and related businesses who warned the bill would reduce racing, depress breeding, threaten tens of thousands of jobs, and harm a major agricultural industry. A few speakers, including representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe, opposed the bill as a casino expansion that would benefit out-of-state interests and undermine existing gaming arrangements. No final vote on SB 408 was taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued public testimony after a recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• While this program is in its infancy, the division views it as a promising program to protect communities
• We think this is a promising program, and it's something that the legislature could fund further.
• <00:19:44.799> program<00:19:45.159> to<00:19:45.360> protect it as a promising
• program to protect it as a promising program to protect communities<00:19:47.200> uh<00:19:47.360
• <00:21:30.039> program<00:21:30.559> and think this is a promising program and think

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures before taking up decision-making. Senate Bill 1381, relating to the Hawaii National Guard, received support from the Department of Defense and other testifiers and was recommended to pass as is. Senate Bill 422, relating to education and high school diplomas for veterans, also drew support from the Department of Education, the Military Affairs Council, and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and was recommended to pass as is. Senate Bill 414, relating to restoring access to disaster-affected areas in Lahaina, was discussed with testimony from HHFDC and others; members agreed to amend the bill to refer to the Department of Transportation as the acquiring agency, and the measure was recommended to pass with amendments. The committee then considered Senate Bill 223, relating to fire prevention. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the bill but recommended changes to make the wildland-urban interface code a matter for the State Fire Council/State Fire Marshal rather than statute, and noted it lacked authority to mandate fuel reduction work on lands outside its control. Members also discussed community fuel reduction funding, with DLNR indicating that $10 million would be an effective amount and describing current funding for equipment, outreach, and positions. The chair proposed amendments to make fuel reduction on non-set-aside lands permissive rather than mandatory, to allow the State Fire Council to amend the state fire code to include easement holders, and to note a defective date and the funding request in the committee report. The bill was recommended to pass with amendments, with one member voting with reservations. In a later decision-making session, the committee considered Senate Bill 1379, relating to emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers, and Senate Bill 371, relating to property damage of critical infrastructure facilities. For SB 1379, the chair proposed an HD1 incorporating the Hawaii Advisory Council on Emergency Management and county emergency management in site-selection criteria, adding geographic resilience considerations, changing the defective date, and noting $10.8 million for site design plus $1.2 million for contract support; the bill passed with amendments, with reservations from some members over county input and funding. For SB 371, the chair amended the bill to remove recklessly/negligently causing damage and require intentional conduct throughout, while leaving other issues for Judiciary review; the bill passed with amendments, with at least one member voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are pushing for the department to make good on the promise that was made.
• I promise you that I really think you should listen to what I have to say today.
• With all that being said, I absolutely promise you, promise you to God above, we've gotta fix this.
• You know, what I so admire. about farmers like promise made is promise kept, right?
• California, and also Mike Bardsley, that they were very, very concerned, and I promised them that I would

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know more about spider crabs than anybody in this room, I promise you.
• Anybody in this room, I promise you.
• Our Direct Connect to UCF partnership is a promise to students. Thank you.
• Our Direct Connect to UCF partnership is a promise to students.
• It literally is a promise.

Summary: The subcommittee began with an informal “college day” exercise in which members described what careers and colleges they would choose if starting over, often citing factors such as program reputation, location, cost, graduation rates, employment outcomes, and family or personal interests. Members mentioned a range of possible paths including law, aviation, education, construction management, psychology, social work, criminal justice, nursing, intelligence studies, and the arts. Several also highlighted the value of historically Black colleges and universities, dual enrollment, and career/technical education. The chair used the exercise to frame the meeting’s broader focus on Florida’s higher education pathways and student outcomes. Dr. Kathleen Plinsky of Valencia College then gave an overview of the Florida College System and Valencia’s role in it, emphasizing Florida’s statewide articulation and transfer framework, open-access mission, affordability, and workforce alignment. She described Valencia’s record enrollment, high retention, large share of first-generation and working students, and partnerships such as Direct Connect to UCF, Osceola Prosper, and Open Door grants for short-term training. Members asked about guaranteed transfer, apprenticeships, enrollment trends, student demographics, out-of-state residency, county scholarship costs, dual enrollment outcomes, and barriers to expanding career dual enrollment. Dr. Plinsky said the system supports transfer and acceleration well, but funding constraints limit growth in some areas; she also noted that dual enrollment participation is high and that Valencia’s affordability and student support efforts have driven recent enrollment gains. Dr. Jim Clark of Florida State University followed with an overview of the State University System, describing its governance, performance-based funding, low tuition, and strong graduation and research outcomes. He highlighted FSU’s enrollment, research profile, transfer student success, FSU Health, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, partnerships with K-12 schools and Tallahassee State College, and efforts to expand nursing and medical education to address workforce shortages. After the presentations, the committee heard from a panel on student acceleration and mobility: Shannon Mercer of the Department of Education explained the Office of Articulation, the statewide course numbering system, FASTER records, the 2+2 transfer model, specialized AA transfer degrees, and credit for industry certifications, military, medical, and law-enforcement training. Panelists from Kaiser University, Florida State University, and Pinellas County Schools described their institutions’ roles in transfer, advising, career pathways, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My promise is to continue to do that. My word means something.
• My promise is to continue to do that. My word means something.
• My promise is to continue to do that. My word means something.
• <00:50:32.520> are ticking and a lot of uh promises are ticking and a lot of uh promises are
• I promise to be brief, and I will commit to heed that call.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had We're going to have some visiting senators, but I had promised Senator Cook that we would hear
• aspect of it that's a very unique. and the initial data in this area would suggest that it does have promising
• exposure and it is the variety of Parkinson's rooted in genetics. that Abigain has shown dramatic promise
• Treatment for multiple sclerosis has shown similar promise in situations where there... has not been
• Programs like the Texas AIM have shown promise but are not universally applied leading to the variability

Bills: SB128, SB640, SB672, SB904, SB1141, SB1263, SB1525, SB1528, SB2041, SB2306, SB2308, SB2357, SB2446, SB2695, SB2857, SB2891, SB2583

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, SB 640, Texas Family Code, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, child welfare, foster care, managing conservatorship, suicide attempt, youth suicide, mental health, child protective services, state custody, annual report, reporting requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• H.C.R. 59 designates April as Promise Month in Texas, a time to recognize and celebrate the enduring.
• ...promises of God that have sustained and guided individuals, families, and communities throughout
• This resolution is rooted in a simple but profound truth: God keeps His promise.

Bills: HCR10, HCR9

Keywords: balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism, HCR 9

Transcript Highlights:

• Donald Trump promised he would end the war in Ukraine.
• Donald Trump promised he would big time.
• Republicans promised they would Iran.
• :38.480> lower American people were promised lower American people were promised lower costs.<
• They were promised a Congress costs.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I make promises.
• But I promise y'all, I'm only—I turn 29 next month. I got about 70 years of life in me.
• But I promise y'all, people are fired up.
• I promise. We push back harder, and we do it in the best way we can. I promise you we do.
• Why do Louisiana's Black communities distrust our government promises?

Bills: SB116, SB121, SB130, SB407

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:00.480> I promise act? Yes, Mr. Chair, members. I promise act? Yes, Mr.
• The NDC changes you'll see are to the grant program, the Promise Grant program.
• <00:36:48.480> grant grant program, the promise grant grant program, the promise grant program
• And just so that the committee knows, the Promise Act resources are all across the state.
• The Promise Act resources are all across the state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to a whole lot of other potential students from the promise of accessing in-state tuition
• But this bill breaks that promise.
• Let's keep the promise of opportunity alive for every student in Texas. Thank you. Is our student.
• Let's keep the promise of opportunity alive for every student in Texas. Thank you.
• Let's keep the promise of opportunity alive for every student in Texas. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I want to see us respect agreements and honor promises when it comes down to it.
• respect agreements I want to see us respect agreements and<00:06:58.600> honor<00:06:58.880> promises
• c> it<00:07:00.320> comes<00:07:00.600> down<00:07:00.880> to and honor promises
• when it comes down to and honor promises when it comes down to it. it. it.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Reyer delivered a farewell floor speech as she prepared to move to the Senate, thanking House staff, colleagues on both sides of the aisle, her predecessors Laurie Halverson and Sandy Meehan, her constituents, family, caucus, and the “Corona class.” She reflected on entering the House during early COVID, after George Floyd’s murder and amid wildfire smoke, and said her constituents sent her to fight for justice, affordable health care, and a future where Minnesotans can afford their lives. She highlighted policy accomplishments she said were often bipartisan, including medical debt and garnishment reform, treatment access for children with rare diseases, support for Medicaid dental care, housing and bonding funding, solar on public buildings, and stability for soil and water conservation districts. She also pointed to disappointments, saying the House had seen health care stripped from immigrant neighbors, duplicate health plans, families left without needed home care, underinvestment in disability services, and no Republican support for protecting people from future ICE incursions. Reyer closed by calling for protection of human rights, including for queer and trans people, reproductive rights, immigrants, tribal sovereignty, and voting rights, and urged members to listen to one another, honor agreements, reject divisiveness, and govern with compassion. She also thanked Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman for her leadership. The transcript does not indicate any vote or formal action taken during the speech.

Transcript Highlights:

• I promised every I represent Weyler we would be no more than five minutes. Yes. Okay.
• people are no more discussion I know people are hustling.<00:07:39.440> I<00:07:39.599> promised
• I promised every I represent hustling.
• I promised every I represent Wiler<00:07:42.000> we<00:07:42.160> would<00:07:42.319>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference on HB 718 met to reconcile House and Senate language. Members discussed two main parts of the bill: provisions requiring the Department of Education to report on rules that exceed state or federal requirements, including any fiscal impact on school districts, and language related to the new Pasquaney school district and its tax-rate setting timeline. Conferees said they were agreeable to the Senate’s additions on reporting and the handling of indeterminable fiscal impacts. The group focused on a House amendment, 2725H, which made two technical changes to the Senate language: adding the word “certified” to align with existing statutory language and changing the bill’s effective date to “upon passage” so the Department of Revenue Administration could act in time. A further clarification was proposed to specify July 1, 2025, for the tax-rate language, and members agreed to that change as well. There was some concern raised that the bill’s underlying special education implications could have indeterminate fiscal effects on school districts, and one member said that without a fiscal note they could not support it. After discussion, the House members voted in favor of the three changes, the Senate member present also supported them, and the chair announced the result as effectively unanimous. The committee then said the report would be drafted and the bill would move forward, with HB 102 mentioned as another item to be placed on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one fell swoop, all that rhetoric, all those promises, commitments, and commitments are spectacularly
• the same obscuring... ...spending, the same COVID-money manipulation, and the same obscuring of promises
• Senator O'Scanlon's talk... ...for the same broken promises.
• We slashed promised relief. For existing teachers.
• We slashed promised relief for our seniors through STAY NJ, mostly impacting Bergen County.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of us, especially on this side, they all promise and make commitments that public safety is the number
• With respect, this is the opportunity for me to fulfill the promise that I've been giving DPS for the
• With respect, this is the opportunity for me to fulfill the promise that I've been giving DPS for the
• And we would have fulfilled what we promised. ...would be funded, and we would have fulfilled what we
• promised.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in the promise that we are a nation where our every single voice matters, where each citizen
• But to honor that promise, we must confront the realities of our time with the courage and with renewed
• It is up to us to continue that work to safeguard the right... we cherish and to ensure that the promises
• The governor has done very little Except talk Except point fingers except not keep promise promises that
• And today, with this vote on AB 130, we keep that promise.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I still believe it is the Promised Land, its holy ground, to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
• President Trump was elected to keep that promise. of a strong America that promotes peace abroad and
• One promise has been met, one promise hasn't been, there's a million reasons for that, but I think you
• a right to survive, Palestinians have a right to live, and Palestinians have a right to what was promised
• that you mentioned, again, I'm not in there, I can't tell you exactly what's going in, but I can promise

Keywords: Israel, Hamas, Panama Canal, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, diplomacy, Chinese influence

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll be brief, I promise. Look, this is obviously something that I'm incredibly passionate about.
• So you've delivered on that promise, Mr. President. My hat's off to you, and I salute you, sir.
• I hope... ...and you're delivering on that promise to your people back home.
• It's the bill that keeps the promises that were made to the residents of those communities.
• And I thank you for keeping your promise, because that's what this bill does.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, Catholic lay leaders, seniors advocates, Broward County school officials, and veterans-related guests. The chamber then moved through its special order calendar, beginning with several Florida Statutes revision bills. SB 36 adopted the 2025 Florida Statutes and prior session law; SB 38 conformed statutory terminology for the Division of Criminal Investigations; SB 40 removed repealed provisions; and SB 42 cleaned up obsolete language, cross-references, and typographical errors. Each passed unanimously or nearly unanimously after brief explanations and no substantive debate. The Senate also passed CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, as amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub’s role under USF and clarify research and modeling responsibilities; CS/SB 116 on veterans, which expanded veteran awareness and coordination efforts, added mental health training, and authorized adult day health care; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempted local regulation to give a future Florida presidential library maximum flexibility; CS/SB 126 on prescription hearing aids, allowing mail distribution for adults after appropriate professional evaluation; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice from being expanded to certain serious cardiac conditions; and SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Most of these measures passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 118 drew questions about local zoning, parking, and safety and passed 36-3, with one senator later changing to a no vote over local control concerns. Later, the Senate approved CS/CS/SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property, and CS/SB 348 on ethics, which would penalize false claims of military rank or honors for material gain and require paycheck withholding for delinquent ethics fines owed by public employees. The chamber also passed CS/CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, which included a CPI/case manager recruitment program, a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and improved data collection and capacity analysis for commercially sexually exploited children. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures was adopted after a detailed explanation of rule review, transparency, and rulemaking deadlines, and CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed after an amendment clarifying contracted services and discussion of CPA licensure pathways. The longest and most celebratory debate centered on CS/SB 110 for rural communities. The bill created an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and road funding, school and health care investments, and related rural support measures. Amendments refined transportation priorities in the Everglades agricultural area and clarified the FARM road program. Senators from across the chamber praised the bill as a long-awaited investment in rural Florida, agriculture, broadband, health care, and quality of life. After extensive debate and emotional closing remarks from the sponsor and leadership, the bill passed overwhelmingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess I'll be brief, I promise.
• So you've delivered on that promise, Mr. President. My hat's off to you, and I salute you, sir.
• And you're delivering on that promise to your people back home. And that's what today means.
• It's the bill that keeps the promises that were made to the residents of those communities.
• And I thank you for keeping your promise, because that’s what this bill does.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, the Red Mass, visiting students, school board members, veterans, and other guests. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed before and during the day’s proceedings. Committee and executive reports were largely absent, and the Senate proceeded directly to floor action on the listed bills. The Senate passed a number of mostly unanimous bills, including SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42 on Florida Statutes revision; CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub and related research; CS/SB 116 on veterans, expanding benefits coordination, mental health training, adult day health care, and other veterans services; SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids to adults; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice for certain serious cardiac conditions; SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property; SB 348 on ethics, including false military rank claims and collection of delinquent ethics fines; and CS/SB 7012 on child welfare workforce recruitment, treatment foster care pilots, and data collection for commercially sexually exploited children. Senate Memorial 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure was also adopted by voice vote. Two bills drew more extended debate. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions about local zoning, traffic, and whether the bill’s express preemption would limit county and municipal authority; supporters argued it would prevent local obstruction and help Florida attract a presidential library, while one senator said she would vote no because of concerns about local safety and planning issues. CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services; supporters said it would broaden pathways into the CPA profession and address workforce shortages. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures and CS/SB 110 on rural communities were temporarily postponed, then later taken up and passed after extensive debate, with SB 110 amended to prioritize certain rural transportation projects, expand housing, health care, broadband, and economic development support, and draw strong bipartisan praise for its focus on rural Florida. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and made several closing announcements and recognitions.