Transcript Highlights:

• And the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Speaker of the House are automatically TDLR-approved
• And the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Speaker of the House are automatically TDLR-approved
• And the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and if we have a two-thirds vote.
• And the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Speaker of the House are automatically TDLR
• appreciate Senator Hall's support, Senator Hughes, all the senators, and especially the Lieutenant Governor

Bills: HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB3133 , SB3070

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee met to hear several bills, beginning with House Bill 766, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both on their applications while keeping that contact information confidential. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 677, a companion to a previously approved Senate bill, would bar county election administrators from simultaneously holding another office or position appointed by an elected official; it also drew no public testimony and was left pending. Members then heard House Bill 3133, which would add explicit deepfake material to the list of content social media platforms must handle through complaint systems, including prompt acknowledgment, investigation, and status updates. Senators discussed concerns about how platforms would verify whether reported content was actually a deepfake, and the sponsor indicated the bill may be held pending while federal law on the subject is reviewed. House Bill 668 would create a one-year grace period for renewing an expired Texas handgun license to carry, codifying an existing DPS practice; it also received no testimony and was left pending. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 3070, a major overhaul of the Texas Lottery system. The bill would move oversight from the Lottery Commission to TDLR, dissolve the commission, impose new restrictions on ticket sales and internet play, create a lottery advisory committee, increase transparency and audit requirements, and include a sunset review that could lead to abolishing the lottery if not continued by 2027. The author described the bill as a response to alleged misconduct and illegal practices by the commission, while a witness from the Christian Life Commission testified in favor, supporting changes to prize anonymity and other lottery restrictions. After testimony, the bill was left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE PRAY THIS MORNING, GOD, THAT YOU GUIDE US, AND WE PRAY THIS MORNING FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, GOVERNOR
• WHEREAS GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS HAS EXPRESSED THE DESIRE TO ADDRESS THE LEGISLATURE.
• THIS DAY, MARCH 4TH, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR.
• WE ALSO HAVE WITH US FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEANETTE NUNEZ. PLEASE STAND.
• GOVERNOR BUSH AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PUT THIS IN PLACE NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO. FLORIDA HAS GROWN.

Bills: SJR3 , SB5 , SJR36 , SJR3 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB790 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066 , SR44 , SR135 , SR171 , SR180 , SR185 , SR187 , SR188 , SR191 , SR197 , SR198 , SR199 , SR200

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray this morning, God, that you guide us and we pray this morning for President Trump and Governor
• Whereas Governor Ron DeSantis who has expressed the desire to address the Legislature.
• President: We also have with us former Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez. Please stand.
• Governor Bush and legislative leaders put this in place nearly 30 years ago. Florida has grown.
• In recent years, the legislature in partnership with Governor DeSantis has appropriated record funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:36.720><c> organizations</c> fought with big powerful organizations fought with big powerful
• </c><00:30:30.799><c> You</c><00:30:30.960><c> can</c> power. We've beaten the NFL. You can power.
• </c> power, not empower consumers. power, not empower consumers.
• For these reasons, monopoly power.
• That's what the power of the people is.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> halt and closed more than 100 power halt and closed more than 100 power plants<01:09:21.520><c>
• </c><01:22:28.480><c> from</c> Administration will reclaim power from Administration will reclaim power
• Most powerful chips on Earth right here in the USA, and we’re not giving them any money.
• It’s a very strong, powerful act.
• As commander-in-chief, my focus is on building the most powerful military of the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• May she rest in power and in peace.
• May she rest in power and Joanne Bland.
• </c><00:15:08.000><c> of</c> resilience, faith, and the power of resilience, faith, and the power of
• </c><00:34:03.200><c> to</c> her build coalitions and power to her build coalitions and power to realize
• </c> Illinois's fir third third first power Illinois's fir third third first power of<02:10:17.199><c

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we ask the Board of Governors and three universities, the university financial landscape.
• Their oversight body, Board of Governors, can also review our reports.
• The Board of Governors, I can't speak for the Board of Governors.
• As far as if it board of governors or anybody else, I'm pulling from memory bank.
• As far as the Board of Governors, we do engage. They also have an inspector general.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Florida Auditor General’s office on recent operational audits of four universities and to discuss how audit findings are handled. The Auditor General explained that financial audits occur annually and operational audits at least every three years, with universities required to respond in writing to findings; the office generally follows up in the next audit cycle, though it can audit sooner if needed. Members asked about accountability, whether findings are referred to other bodies, and how internal university audit functions interact with the state audit process. The chair emphasized the committee’s oversight role in ensuring public funds are used appropriately. The audit findings highlighted issues at New College of Florida, Florida A&M University, the University of Florida, and Florida Atlantic University. At New College, auditors cited invoice/payment errors, delinquent student account collection delays, prohibited extra compensation, exceeding state remuneration limits for certain employees, weak purchasing card controls, construction management cost documentation issues, and subcontractor licensing documentation gaps. At FAMU, auditors found investment accounting classification issues, delayed bank reconciliations, late vendor payments, and incomplete annual employee evaluations. At UF, auditors reported concerns over a $6.4 million consulting contract, event and catering spending, president’s office hiring and salary practices, bonus and relocation payments, continued high compensation after the president transitioned to another role, travel expenses including charter flights, and remote work agreements. At FAU, auditors found distance learning fee revenue exceeded allowable costs by about $2.8 million, carry forward funds were underreported by about $77 million, and credit card controls needed improvement. Members pressed the Auditor General on whether overpayments were refunded, whether any findings involved statutory violations, and what enforcement exists beyond the audit report. The auditor said some issues were corrected by the universities, such as New College recovering excess compensation from foundation funds, but others would be revisited in future audits; if potential fraud were identified, it would be referred to the state attorney’s office. The chair closed by noting that accountability for public spending rests with the Legislature and the committee, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• are currently on the market and offered by Apple and Google’s app stores are far more granular, powerful
• grown since his teenage years, the tools to which parents have access have also become far more powerful
• </c><00:20:18.559><c> more</c> access have also become far more access have also become far more powerful
• Um actually the tools that are powerful.
• </c><00:20:26.559><c> and</c> more granular and powerful and more granular and powerful and tailorable

Bills: HB69 , HB114 , HB161 , HB69 , HB114 , HB161

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: firearms, possession, Class 1 municipalities, criminal penalties, federal law, stolen firearms, prohibited persons, HB114, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama, dental board, dental licensing, dentist regulation, professional licensing, occupational licensing, healthcare regulation, licensure board, state agency continuation, agency sunset review

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Lord, today we pray for Governor Brad Little as he readies to deliver his State of the State address
• Thank you for Governor Little and for his work serving as chief executive of this great state.
• President, I ask unanimous consent that the President appoint a committee to notify the governor that
• Go to the governor. Oh, my bad. We're going to notify the governor first.
• Governor, Senator, the House is organized. We were ready to do business. I couldn't read this.

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with Governor Kathleen Blanco and Governor Edwards, we asked State Planning to get involved.
• And we're just making that in alignment with every other governor appointment.
• The governor appoints, the Senate confirms. That's two things that we're doing.
• The state public defender already sits within the office of the governor.
• The state public defender already sits within the office of the governor.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:

• So we had the governor had met with the Speaker and Senate President this past summer to show them kind
• And as a part of that, the governor had asked for a third party to come in and take a look at the cost
• And as a part of that, the governor had asked for a third party to come in and take a look at the cost
• And as a part of that, the governor had asked for a third party to come in and take a look at the cost
• And as a part of that, the governor had asked for a third party to come in and take a look at the cost

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of other industries that when they build a new center, they draw large amounts of power
• So we're talking a whole different level than what we've ever seen in the state history of power.
• Industrial companies that have this type of power need may have thousands of jobs versus maybe 100 jobs
• Industrial companies that have this type of power need may have thousands of jobs versus maybe 100 jobs
• So in light of Representative Maynard's question about large entities that use a whole lot of power,

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Summary: The House met in session with prayer, the Pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Jake Searock, Doctor of the Day Dr. Nicole Bowden, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Amy Cherry, Nurse of the Day Eileen Cooper Grubbs, and a presentation for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day. Members also welcomed student and community guests in the galleries. The chamber then moved through a long calendar of House bills, with most measures advancing on unanimous consent or broad bipartisan votes. Among the major bills discussed, lawmakers passed measures on county jail medication reimbursement (HB 2059), a sales tax exemption for LifeShare (HB 3920), ratepayer protections for large data centers and crypto mining facilities (HB 2992), a felony offense for breaking and entering an occupied dwelling without intent to commit another crime (HB 3267), PBM access protections for specialty pharmacy patients (HB 4457), adjunct teacher guardrails in K-4 tested subjects (HB 4427), malpractice coverage for state-employed nurse practitioners and physician assistants (HB 4430), and several higher education, water, and state government cleanup bills. The House also approved bills addressing the 988 mental health lifeline, juvenile oversight disclosures, school support employee tracking, a federal education tax credit opt-in, firearms education curriculum development, AI personhood restrictions, child safety reviews related to fentanyl, and expungement relief for trafficking victims. Debate centered most heavily on HB 2992, where supporters argued data centers should pay their share of infrastructure costs so residential and other ratepayers are not burdened, while some members questioned why the bill singled out data centers instead of all large-load users. HB 3267 drew questions about how the new offense would affect people with cognitive impairments, and HB 3312, the firearms education bill, prompted concerns about who would teach the curriculum. HB 3546 on artificial intelligence personhood also generated discussion about accountability and future regulation. Several bills were amended on the floor, including HB 492, HB 4302, and HB 4105. The House recorded numerous final passage votes, with many bills passing overwhelmingly and some by narrower margins, including HB 3800, HB 4333, HB 3704, HB 4159, and HB 3619. Emergency clauses were adopted on some measures, including HB 4427 and HB 3312, while others were passed without emergency action. The chamber also reconsidered and then passed HB 1979 after a motion to reconsider a prior failure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to remind all the nominees that although the governor has made this nomination, you would
• When you are looking for folks to serve in these capacities, when you have a governor that's in their
• So my job, whenever the governor asked me to come in, was to look at the agency and try to stabilize
• And you will see the agency in good standing with stability for the next governor whenever he comes in
• I'd like to extend appreciation to Governor Stitt for his initial nomination.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Governor gave us a good place to begin on agriculture.
• THE GOVERNOR GAVE US A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN ON AGRICULTURE.
• THE ASSEMBLY HAS ADDED $16 MILLION OVER THE GOVERNOR.
• So we provide $200 million in additional funding for the HAVP program; the Governor put in $50 million
• So we provide $200 million in additional funding for the HAVP program; the Governor put in $50 million

Summary: The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs. On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered. Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms. Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it originally lists governor, speaker of the house, senate prom, the substitute, which I will go
• Um, adds the lieutenant governor, the office of lieutenant governor.
• ,</c><00:12:04.399><c> the</c> Um, adds the lieutenant governor, the Um, adds the lieutenant governor
• , the office<00:12:04.800><c> of</c><00:12:04.880><c> lieutenant</c><00:12:05.279><c> governor.
• </c><00:12:06.240><c> Um,</c> office of lieutenant governor. Um, office of lieutenant governor.

Bills: HB139 , HB220 , SB274 , SB282 , SB277

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:03:46.600><c> and</c> should look for pedals, power, and should look for pedals, power, and
• </c><00:13:01.839><c> and</c> limitations on the amount of power and limitations on the amount of power
• </c> electric electrically powered vehicle. electric electrically powered vehicle.
• </c> that are much faster and more powerful that are much faster and more powerful than<01:46:37.240>
• </c><02:03:07.280><c> obviously</c> roads and that was gas powered obviously roads and that was gas powered

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Some used the cost to pay their portion of a joint powers agreement with the county.
• </c> their portion of a joint Powers their portion of a joint Powers agreement<01:03:28.559><c> with<
• plant and power line siting, and granting of certificates of need under section 216B.243.
• line</c> setting power plant and power line setting power plant and power line sighting<01:32:14.800>
• They fill that slot, and it makes their voice more powerful. None of this increases that.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• the governor had $5 million for teams.
• The governor did not have that in their version.
• The governor added $5 million this year, and we maintain that throughout.
• This is one that the governor had put in $800,000.
• Most of these are maintaining what the governor… ...are maintaining what the governor had.

Bills: SB113 , SB114 , SB305 , SB111 , HB600 , SB112 , SB150 , SB109 , SB122

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: education funding, appropriations, local education boards, school safety, workforce development, Alabama, technology, higher education, career technology centers, public institutions, grants, local education agencies, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students

Transcript Highlights:

• Enhancement number six was included in the request and not recommended by the governor.
• The division requested seven enhancements, all of which were recommended by the governor.
• "The agency or the governor requested that $500,000 or any amount there, is that correct?"
• So the original $1 million amount was taken out as part of the 3% reduction by the governor.
• The division requested one enhancement, which was recommended by the governor.

Summary: The committee first approved a $3,700 dedicated-fund enhancement for the Endowment Fund Investment Board to replace a high-end laptop. It then took up several Department of Lands items. A $125,000 supplemental for Forest and Range Fire Protection to help stand up firefighters was rejected after concerns were raised that prior firefighter bonus money had gone largely to office staff rather than firefighters. The committee did approve a supplemental shifting 1.25 FTP and $160,000 from the Abandoned Mines Lands Fund to the Navigable Waterways Fund to align spending with statutory uses, and later approved a broader FY 2027 Department of Lands package including radio equipment, vehicle storage, a UTV, legal counsel fund shifts, Idaho Geological Survey support, replacement items, and OITS hardware. A proposed substitute that would have omitted the $140,500 general-fund restoration for eastern Idaho fire preparedness failed, but the original motion including that amount passed. The committee also adopted language for the Idaho Geological Survey and later approved Parks and Recreation FY 2027 enhancements for staffing, trail work, a mower, grant pass-throughs, staff housing, interpretive displays, Farragut entrance work, RV campsite development, and replacement items, after questions about federal replacement-item funding were answered by the director. A FY 2026 Parks and Recreation supplemental allowing program transfers above the 10% cap also passed. The committee then moved to the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services. It approved FY 2027 funding for the Idaho Home Visiting Program, immunization assessment fund restoration, disaster planning and training, fee-for-service lab testing, ARPA multi-year grants, HIV prevention, hepatitis prevention, and a $19,000 suicide prevention restoration; a substitute motion that would have reduced the home-visiting restoration to $500,000 failed, and the original motion passed. The committee adopted reporting language for suicide prevention, HIV prevention, hepatitis prevention, and immunization assessment funds. It then considered the Division of Early Learning and Development, approving funding for Idaho Child Care Program capacity, replacement items, population forecast adjustments, and the transfer of the Idaho Home Visiting Program from Public Health; a separate motion to require an open competitive acquisition process for Idaho STARS was set aside and the committee instead held the language in committee for further work. The committee also adopted language for Idaho Home Visiting reporting, Idaho Child Care Program reappropriation, Idaho Child Care Capacity Grant restrictions, and a transfer-limitation exemption for the division. Finally, the committee began the Division of Family and Community Partnerships and heard a request for $180,000 in federal funds for kinship navigation services to help relatives and close family friends care for children and prevent foster care entry. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that item, so no final action on it is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, members. governor signed a an updated version of governor signed a an updated
• Governor Walz is also and trails.
• </c><01:45:18.360><c> and</c> ongoing support from the governor and ongoing support from the governor
• </c><01:49:15.880><c> I</c> got a you know wonderful governor. I got a you know wonderful governor.
• I love<01:49:16.200><c> our</c><01:49:16.320><c> governor</c> love our governor love our governor but

Committee: Senate Capital Investment