Transcript Highlights:

• This is only re-appointments. This is only re-appointments. We have a group of reappointments.
• I'm honored to have been appointed by the governor to serve on the St. ...and the members of the committee
• I'm honored to have been appointed by the governor to serve on the St.
• Let’s go to our next new appointment. And that is Robert Michael—” “Go to our next new appointment.
• Pullum, a new appointment. He's a new appointment to the Board of Trustees of Valencia College. Mr.

Bills: S1570 , S1376

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to governor's appointments. Senator Reyes, you're recognized.
• Governor's appointments, file item eight. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Colleges Board of Governors.
• He was first appointed in 2020 and serves on the board as a public member.
• There's a $10 million proposal to implement SB 472 from the Governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's before Governor Walz's time, but actually I saw things get done. There was compromise.
• That's before Governor Walz's time, but actually I saw things get done. There was compromise.
• That's before Governor Walz's time, but actually I saw things get done. There was compromise.
• Republican Senate and a Democrat governor, and that's actually where we got some things done.
• That's before Governor Walz's time, but actually I saw things get done. There was compromise.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, continuing with further business, messages from the Governor will be deemed read.
• This is an important appointment, my friends.
• This is an important appointment, my friends.
• Eyes 28, no zero, the Governor's appointment is confirmed.
• The Governor's appointment is confirmed.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including students from Florence High School’s Law Academy, a fourth-grade class from Holy Spirit School, and Brigadier General Nick Brown of Marine Corps Installation West/Camp Pendleton. The chamber also handled routine business, including a motion to remove AB 1389 (Rubio) from the inactive file. The main floor action was on two gubernatorial appointments. Andrew Rakestra was confirmed to the Board of Environmental Safety by a vote of 28-0, and Indira Cameron Banks was confirmed to the Civil Rights Council by a vote of 28-8. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings on resources/environmental protection/energy, health and human services, judicial branch funding and court facilities, and state administration/general government. The Senate then took up adjourn-in-memory tributes. Senator Archuleta honored Yoshi Nakamura, a World War II veteran, educator, artist, and community activist whose life included service in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and decades of teaching in Whittier and at Rio Hondo College. Senator Blakespear honored Dr. Rosemary George Strayley, a longtime international development and women’s rights advocate who served in the Peace Corps, worked with major global institutions, and co-founded Run Women Run. The Senate expressed condolences and agreed to memorialize both individuals.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would be a director-level, you know, person that would be appointed by the governor.
• This would be a director-level, you know, person that would be appointed by the governor.
• This would be a director-level, you know, person that would be appointed by the governor.
• This would be a director-level, you know, person that would be appointed by the governor.
• by the governor. So, we felt that those by the governor.

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 592, which concerns regional conservation and energy resources planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors, and a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program to another authority. Jason Stock of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association said his group was fine with the bill as printed, especially after Senate language clarified that habitat stronghold designations are for information gathering and not regulatory purposes. Ted Diers of the Department of Environmental Services strongly supported the bill’s Winnipesaukee River Basin provisions, saying the state’s role in operating the wastewater system is outdated and that the communities are now capable of taking more control; he also supported creating a higher-level engineering/director position to oversee aging infrastructure and help manage a possible transition. Committee members asked about the facility’s location, capacity, costs, staffing, the possibility of private operation, the commission’s membership, and whether the six-month study timeline was realistic. Diers said there would be no state savings beyond administrative time, that the communities already pay the costs, and that a report in six months should provide useful next steps even if it would not resolve everything. The chair closed the work session on HB 592 and announced a brief recess before later action, while a member indicated interest in proposing an amendment to change the commission’s membership.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will not be moving into governor's appointments.
• Youngping Chen for appointment to the California Acupuncture Board. Dr.
• He's currently retired and was first appointed to the board in 2024.
• The appointment is confirmed.
• The appointment is confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move to grant the request of the Senate to appoint a conference committee.
• I move to grant the request of the Senate to appoint a conference committee on SB4.
• I refuse to consider a Senate amendment to request appointment. Members, Mr.
• I hope the votes concur and that the governor will immediately sign this bill.
• Through the office of the governor.

Bills: HB149 , HB2017 , HB705 , HB223 , HB 1056 , HB2854 , HB4623 , HB3000 , HB46 , HB 117 , HB3619 , HB4464 , HB5646 , HCR84 , HB500 , HB2963 , HB5509 , HB1973 , HB3909 , HB718 , HB252 , HB5666 , HB 119 , HB346 , HB5624 , HB5658 , HB5677 , HB1545 , HB3073 , HB4081 , HB 121 , HB4236 , HB3848 , HB4144 , HB40 , HB5682 , HB3697 , HB3333 , HB3642 , HB20 , HB549 , HB2731 , HB4233 , HB4690 , HB 127 , HB2525 , SB1637 , SB1 , SB1198 , SB509 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB268 , SB331 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1540 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2337 , SB2753 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB14

Transcript Highlights:

• Fourth, 2026, is approved, and up next we have the gubernatorial appointment for Rick Carnaroli of Pocatello
• I'm a Sixth District judge and Governor Little's choice for appointment to the..."
• "I'm a Sixth District judge and Governor Little's choice for appointment to the Idaho Judicial Council
• I'm interested in serving on the council to help the governor have the best slate of candidates to choose
• Chairman, I'd move that we send the gubernatorial appointment of Judge Carnaroli to the Idaho Judicial

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I just want to thank Mayor Mamdani for appointing me to serve as a member of the MTA board, and
• , the MTA board, and all of you to examine what works... ...the governor, the MTA board, and all of you
• I appreciate that the mayor has decided to appoint you to those positions. A couple of questions.
• When Amtrak was cutting service, there was effectively a commitment from the governor and the MTA to
• They're obviously through New Jersey Transit, but they're not well-appointed stations.

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and Transportation committees considered four nominations to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board: Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell. Each nominee gave opening remarks describing their public service or transportation-related experience and their interest in issues such as affordability, accessibility, state of good repair, regional connectivity, and transit safety. Senators also raised concerns about MTA transparency, the 2025-29 capital plan funding gap, fare and toll evasion, worker safety, and the need for better service in underserved areas. Members pressed the nominees on several policy questions, including the feasibility of free or reduced-fare buses, expanding bus service and bus lanes, restoring Hudson Valley and Harlem Line service, improving west-of-Hudson and Rockland County transit, and advancing the Second Avenue Subway and accessibility projects. The nominees generally said they were open to studying these ideas, emphasized collaboration with the MTA, governor, mayor, and legislature, and supported greater transparency and investment in transit infrastructure. Senators also highlighted labor concerns, including the MTA workers’ contract and safety for bus operators and other transit workers. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted separately on each nomination. Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell were each approved by the committees and advanced to the Senate floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The advisory that was established in 2019 by Governor DeSantis.
• It also transcends whoever holds the office of governor.
• God is greater than the governor, whoever that is.
• They just recently appointed a new executive directors wanted to, but it was or they don't.
• to ensure compliance with the act when appointing members to the commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why I accepted this appointment.
• Sadowitz's appointment.
• Sadworth's appointment today.
• Sadworth's appointment today.
• It's a real honor and a privilege to have this appointment from Governor Newsom to serve as Director

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointees and routine committee actions. Members approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, three not-required-to-appear appointments: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access for 14 million Californians, navigating federal changes, and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations, work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the effectiveness of CalAIM and community supports. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups largely supported the nomination, citing his experience and collaborative approach. The committee voted 5-0 to send his appointment to the full Senate. The committee also considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, science-based health assessments, improving risk communication, and supporting tools such as CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 guidance. Senators raised concerns about reliance on models versus real-world data, PFAS, environmental justice, wildfire and battery-fire impacts, and whether CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 are working as intended. Public testimony from environmental and health organizations supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role. The committee approved Thayer’s appointment 3-1, with one senator not voting, and forwarded it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of these are governor-based appointments. They serve at the pleasure of the governor.
• They're appointed by the governor. They are not Senate or House confirmed.
• So the governor would have that as the framework to select those individuals.
• ...are governor-based appointments. They serve at the pleasure of the governor.
• They're appointed by the governor. They are not Senate or House confirmed.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I move the chair to appoint a committee of three to inform the House.
• President, I move the chair to appoint a committee of three to advise the governor.
• Senator Wertz, if I can appoint those members and then go right back to you.
• So we're going to appoint members.
• I'll also appoint Senator Bergman, Senator Shindo, and Senator Boone to notify the governor that the

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 11 members, and are they all governor-appointed? Is that correct? And they are.
• All are appointed by the governor.
• Then we have one public member who's appointed by the governor.
• They are all Appointed by the governor, and he has them set up where he wants to point them in different
• The board is composed of eleven board members appointed by the governor to staggered Four-year terms,

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lieutenant Governor for his fine work and service to this state.
• When our leadership comes to the capitol here, they meet with the governor. It's crazy.
• The Chair will appoint Senator Charley, Senator Nava, and Senator Wilson. to notify Governor Michelle
• Lieutenant Governor Henry Howie C. Morales is a statesman Thank you.
• And I've had the opportunity to serve under three governors and am grateful for that.

Bills: SB273 , SB37 , SB100

Keywords: SB273, appropriations, general fund, hold harmless, local government finance, municipal revenue, county revenue, correctional facility, jail contract, private prison, detention facility, immigration detention, revenue bonds, clawback, child welfare, juvenile justice, protective services, school improvement, New MexiCare, aging services

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the Chair appoint a committee of three to inform the Senate that the House has completed
• The Chair will appoint Representatives Debra Sariñana (member_12748), Kathleen Cates (member_14318),
• Speaker, I move that the Chair appoint a committee of three to advise the Governor that the House has
• The Chair will appoint Representatives Tara Lujan (member_13031), Cynthia Borrego (member_14254), and
• Martin Zamora (member_22662) to go inform the Governor that our business has concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's nobody appointed to office.
• It goes to Governor Walz.
• It goes to Governor Walz.
• It goes to Governor Governor Governor Walls.<00:30:49.679><c> And</c><00:30:49.919><c> we're</c><00:30
• </c><00:40:09.599><c> Um</c> about the appointments before us? Um about the appointments before us?

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> DEAR PRESIDENT ALBRITTON THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS WERE REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEES
• TWO, SENATE ACTION ON SET APPOINTMENTS TO BE TAKEN PRIOR TO THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE 2026 REGULAR SESSION
• PRESIDENT, THE REPORT CONTAINS THE NAMES OF 52 APPOINTEES APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO VARIOUS STATE
• Albritton: MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR OR OTHER EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS. >> NONE ON THE DESK.
• NEXT I WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Governor</c><02:25:21.920><c> uh</c><02:25:22.080><c> Sunund's</c> override Governor V Governor
• , the prior governor.
• because even though Governor Sununu hasn't taken any stand on any historical markers, Governor Sununu
• because even though Governor Sununu hasn't taken any stand on any historical markers, Governor Sununu
• Legislative branch but by the executive council and the governor because even though Governor Sununu

Committee: House Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• And the legislature and governor, then Governor Rick Scott, came up with an idea.
• You're going to spend what little you get in gas to make those appointments.
• You're going to spend what little you get in gas to make those appointments.
• Governor Ron DeSantis said that.
• Missing an interview could be because of a multiplicity of medical appointments.

Bills: S0124 , S0216 , S0382 , S0488 , S0490 , S0524 , S0584 , S0656 , S0816 , S0892 , S1156

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first postponed SB 524 and SB 1156. It then heard and favorably reported several bills, including SB 488 and SB 490 by Sen. Massullo, which update Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles procedures, raise the crash-reporting threshold, expand email use, and create a related public-records exemption. The committee also favorably reported SB 892 by Sen. Martin on enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders, SB 124 by Sen. Rodriguez updating Florida Virtual School statutes, and SB 584 by Sen. Yarbrough strengthening oversight of commercial driving schools and tax collector authority. SB 656 by Sen. Bradley, codifying the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and related grant program, and SB 816 by Sen. Bradley, formally establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute, also passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on SB 216 by Sen. McLean, which would tighten unemployment assistance eligibility by adding job-search requirements, more frequent verification, and fraud-reporting measures. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud and improve program integrity, while opponents from labor groups and several senators warned it would burden claimants, especially rural residents, seniors, and workers facing layoffs, and could sharply reduce access to benefits. Despite those objections, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. The committee also considered CS/SB 382 by Sen. Truenow on electric bicycles, requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating a task force to study broader regulation of e-bikes and related devices. A mother whose son was killed on an electric scooter urged the committee to restore scooters to the bill, and several members expressed support for further work on that issue. The committee reported the bill favorably. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.