Video & Transcript : 'convention centers' :

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 24th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • pledge for the payment of obligations from certain additional tax revenue derived from hotel and convention
  • center projects.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • In Florida, in June of 2024, we had a coordinated bomb threat incident on one day that 54 Jewish centers
  • So can I assume that this amendment would clear the way for organizations like PACE Center for Girls
  • And you really made that the center of what you have done.
  • And is that convention bureau or... ...that convention bureau or destination marketing organization now
  • It prohibits... ...and mobile carriers at theme parks and detention centers.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to fallen service members. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar focused on a series of bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief explanations and floor debate. Several bills were temporarily postponed, but the body took up and passed multiple others, often substituting identical House companions before final passage. The first major measure, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, drew extensive supportive debate from senators who described debate as a civic skill that builds confidence, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, especially for students in public schools and underserved communities. An amendment creating a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, expanding access through public-private partnerships, and establishing coach training was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 1072 creating an Anti-Semitism Task Force, with a late-filed amendment clarifying that the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is not intended to infringe First Amendment rights; that bill also passed 37-0. Other measures passed included a PFAS bill phasing out firefighting foam containing forever chemicals and setting testing, reporting, and enforcement requirements; an expansion of the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program; student health and safety legislation expanding seizure-response training in schools; updates to funeral and cemetery regulation; protected cell captive insurance company legislation aimed at increasing insurance market capacity; nonprofit corporation updates; child welfare reforms streamlining foster-care medication approvals and related procedures; salvage title/e-signature changes; and forensic client services changes allowing certain APD clients to be housed with other secure forensic residents. Most of these bills were passed after substituting House companions and received unanimous votes. The most contentious debate came on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Senator Yarborough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting DEI practices he described as discriminatory or ideological, while several amendments sought to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances such as LGBTQ Pride Month. Those amendments were rejected, and debate continued on the bill’s scope and exemptions, but the transcript ends before final disposition of SB 1134 is shown.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Jan 27th, 2026

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • For this reason, the name of the organization was updated in 1988 after a vote of national convention
  • We have had over 5,820 attendees at the 97th Florida FFA Convention.
  • We have had over 70 leadership and career ...7th Florida FFA Convention.
  • state as we showcase their efforts and recognize their successes at the 98th Florida FFA State Convention
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/25

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> churches converted to a daycare center churches converted to a daycare center uh<00:01:45.360><c
  • Northstar Center East building in Northstar Center East building in Downtown<00:14:39.519><c> Minneapolis
  • All of those strategies center around what we're doing advancing what we call in St.
  • All of those strategies center around what we're doing: advancing what we call in St.
  • All of those strategies center around what we're doing: advancing what we call in St.
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The strategy is about ensuring that our investments remain forward-looking, adaptive, and farmer-centered
  • Secretary Ross and I have been able to travel to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • But I will just add that Berkeley is home to the International Center for Bioeconomy on Macroalgae, and
  • I think one maybe assumption in that that I heard that I would correct is that many conventional farms
  • Our work is centered around irrigated farmland.
Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how California agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. Committee chairs framed the issue as balancing climate goals, food production, rural economic vitality, and the fact that agriculture was not specifically funded in the recent cap-and-invest reauthorization. The first panel from CDFA and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described the state’s climate-smart agriculture portfolio, including Healthy Soils, SWEEP, the Dairy Methane Reduction Program, and Alternative Manure Management, and explained that GGRF revenues are now more constrained and may not fully support all tiered programs. LAO emphasized that agriculture is about 8% of California’s emissions, that most ag emissions are outside the cap, and that the Legislature should consider program effectiveness, the role of incentives, and GGRF priorities. CDFA testified that roughly $727 million has been invested in its flagship climate-smart ag programs, producing estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. The department said technical assistance is essential because farmers face risk when adopting new practices, and noted new Proposition 4 funding for Healthy Soils, SWEEP, and a regional farm equipment sharing program. University researchers then presented economic and methane-reduction analyses: UC Berkeley’s Dr. Hill described working landscapes as a major economic driver, while UC Davis’ Dr. Kibreab outlined dairy methane reduction pathways, including herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed, arguing that incentive-based programs have helped California move toward its methane goals. A later panel featured sharply different views on dairy digesters. Phoebe Seton argued that digesters worsen air and water quality, encourage manure liquefaction, and are an inefficient use of public funds, while CalCAN’s Brian Schobey and agricultural representatives said programs like AMP, SWEEP, Healthy Soils, FPIP, and the Farmer Program deliver measurable emissions reductions plus co-benefits such as water savings, lower energy costs, and improved air quality. Farm and industry witnesses stressed that stable, incentive-based funding helps family farms remain viable, supports co-investment, and should be treated as a partnership rather than a regulatory stick. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing ended with public comment and a continued call for future funding and policy discussion.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The strategy is about ensuring that our investments remain forward-looking, adaptive, and farmer-centered
  • Secretary Ross and I have been able to travel to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • Cannon Michael: We've also permitted a compost center on the farm to help with the SB 1383 goals of the
  • I think one maybe assumption in that that I heard that I would correct is that many conventional farms
  • Our work is centered around irrigated farmland.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The strategy is about ensuring that our investments remain forward-looking, adaptive, and farmer-centered
  • Secretary Ross and I have been able to travel to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
  • unrelated to what I presented on, but I will just add that Berkeley is home to the International Center
  • I think one assumption in that that I heard that I would correct is that many conventional farms love
  • Our work is centered around irrigated farmland.
Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. The chairs opened by noting that agriculture had been largely left out of the cap-and-invest reauthorization, despite prior support through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and framed the hearing around climate-smart agriculture, food security, rural vitality, and the need for measurable co-benefits such as water savings, soil health, and air quality improvements. The first panel included CDFA Deputy Secretary Virginia Jamison and LAO analyst Helen Kirsten. Jamison described CDFA’s climate-smart portfolio, including the Healthy Soils Program, SWEEP, the Alternative Manure Management Program, and dairy methane reduction efforts, saying roughly $727 million has supported these programs and produced estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. She emphasized technical assistance, oversubscription of the programs, and the need for continued investment and better measurement/verification. Kirsten outlined the cap-and-invest structure, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and the state’s emissions inventory, noting agriculture is about 8% of California’s GHG emissions and that funding for tier-three programs may remain constrained. She also said prior LAO work found the programs have significant reduction potential but that some estimated benefits may be overstated, recommending further evaluation. The second panel featured UC researchers Alexandra Hill and Ermi Kibreab, who presented on the economic importance of California’s working landscapes and on dairy methane reduction pathways. Hill said working landscapes are a major part of the state and national economy, with agriculture driving most of the sector’s sales and jobs. Kibreab explained that dairy is central to methane reduction because it accounts for a large share of agricultural methane emissions, and described herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives as complementary strategies. He said digesters and other incentive-supported measures are helping California move toward its methane goals, while noting feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed-based approaches could offer additional reductions in the future. The third panel brought contrasting views from environmental advocates, farmers, and industry representatives. Phoebe Seaton argued that further state funding for dairy digesters is not environmentally or economically justified, citing concerns about methane, nitrous oxide, groundwater impacts, odors, and high cost per ton reduced. Brian Shobe of CalCAN supported continued funding for programs like AMP, SWEEP, and Healthy Soils, saying they provide multiple co-benefits and that farmers need stable, incentive-based support to comply with climate and water regulations. Cannon Michael of Bowles Farming Company described his farm’s investments in organic and regenerative practices, composting, drip irrigation, solar, habitat management, and workforce programs, and said consistent funding helps farms plan and remain viable. Tricia Gerringer of the Agricultural Council of California urged funding for FPIP, the Farmer Program, methane reduction programs, and sustainable ag waste management, arguing they deliver immediate, measurable reductions and co-benefits. Members and witnesses debated the relative merits of digesters versus alternative manure management, the role of regenerative agriculture, and whether agriculture should be treated as a distinct policy category. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment supporting agricultural climate funding and a request to include agriculture in broader cap-and-invest discussions.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • that billions of payments go through, from Social Security checks to grants for community health centers
  • resilience of our financial system, the ongoing Basel III rulemaking process has remained front and center
  • Just this weekend, the President removed the board of the Kennedy Center and made himself Chairman.
  • It's no secret that most conventional economists hate tariffs, but I want to note that Indiana gained
  • Even though the conventional wisdom is that tariffs will reduce jobs, do you commit to following the
Bills: SB257
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • in 1849, where there were many representatives at that convention who were from Iowa, and there was
  • in 1849, where there were many representatives at that convention who were from Iowa, and there was
  • was 800 million meals during the pandemic at a time when kids couldn't get to a school or get to a center
  • One was how to implement a high-performing, learner-centered, future-ready education system.
  • It's not about adult-centered issues. It really needs to be about the kids.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 22nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The conventional manufacturing process for synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizer generally relies on fossil
  • that achieve at least an 80 percent reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional
  • natural 80% reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional natural gas-based
  • State and grow, you know, build this flywheel of green agriculture and make Washington State the center
Bills: SB5816, SB5971
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Fiscal Policy Mar 2nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The project was originally created in 2016 and operated through the CARD centers that later expired under
  • It allows participating CARD centers to work with local sheriff's offices to provide voluntary tracking
  • Each conventional septic system installed during this window will decrease water quality and increase
  • It's important to understand that DEP can only prohibit conventional septic tanks where our waters are
  • I teach math at Rosenwald Learning Center in Bay County.
Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with several measures that were amended and reported favorably, including a strike-all to SB 4 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, SB 1570 restoring a statewide missing-persons project for individuals with special needs, and SB 182 creating a teacher training and mentoring program for schools needing improvement. Members also advanced SB 794 on APD background screening and support coordination standards, SB 1168 on background screening for athletic coaches and related entities, and SB 214 to let rural special districts pay verified invoices directly for state- and federally funded work. Supporters emphasized improved child welfare investigations, help for families of vulnerable individuals, teacher retention, and better administrative efficiency; the APD bill drew especially strong testimony from waiver clients and providers about the importance of competent support coordinators and stable services. The committee also favorably reported SB 1376 on grants for genetic counseling education, SB 1574 requiring newborn screening for biliary atresia, SB 1510 as the DEP agency package with environmental, septic, water quality, solar, and permitting changes, and SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery licensing and consumer protections. SB 688, after a delete-all amendment, would create licensure for naturopathic doctors and a board of naturopathic medicine; it drew strong support from naturopathic advocates and sharp opposition from a critic who argued the bill would authorize diagnosis and treatment beyond appropriate limits. SB 1318 made a technical change to scholarship account reversion language, with senators clarifying that remaining funds would return to the scholarship funding organization for future use rather than to the state. Later, the committee approved SB 682 on domestic violence and protective injunctions, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local Act iteration expanding affordable housing options and limiting local barriers. It also reported favorably SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria after extensive debate about constitutional issues and modern gang activity, SB 762 allowing cross-jurisdiction assignment of capital cases among regional conflict counsel offices, SB 1332 strengthening career offender registration requirements, SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, and SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The most contentious discussion came on SB 1226, which would overhaul Public Employee Relations Commission rules, require majority support for union certification, and impose new limits on union activities and dues-related practices; members debated constitutional concerns, differences between first responders and other public employees, and the bill’s impact on union representation and public-sector labor rights. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 536 drawing several no votes and SB 1226 still under active debate at the end of the transcript.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS House Floor - 21 January, 2026; 2:00 PM

Mississippi House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now, when conventional recognized treatments in our country have failed, many of our veterans and
  • ><c> recognized</c><00:21:36.880><c> treatments</c> when conventional recognized treatments when conventional
  • All hospitals and all community mental health centers, including all state hospitals, must participate
  • All hospitals and all community mental health centers, including all state hospitals, must participate
  • </c><00:36:45.760><c> including</c><00:36:46.160><c> all</c><00:36:46.480><c> state</c> health centers
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 12 (1-22-26)

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 12, an act relating to medical provider coverage in level four trauma centers.
  • Senate Joint Resolution 51, joint resolution applying for an Article 5 convention to propose amendments
  • c><00:09:04.720><c> an</c><00:09:04.880><c> article</c><00:09:05.360><c> 5</c><00:09:05.920><c> convention
  • </c><00:09:06.399><c> to</c> applying for an article 5 convention to applying for an article 5 convention
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. During second reading, several bills and a joint resolution were reported to the Rules Committee, including measures on trauma center provider coverage, cremation, public library trustees, local occupational license fees and taxes, and a food-is-medicine resolution. The House also communicated passage of House Bills 176, 178, and 280 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced Senate Bill 39, Senate Bill 181 with a committee substitute, Senate Bill 17 with a committee substitute and title amendment, and Senate Bill 34. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 13, which would allow military installations to have ex officio representation on nearby planning and zoning bodies to improve communication about land use near bases. It passed 37-0. Senate Bill 46, concerning school transportation, was amended by committee substitute to require background checks and drug testing for drivers of school vans and to extend van use to 10-passenger vehicles; it passed 37-0 after a brief clarification about the amendment’s display in the system. Senate Bill 22, expanding the dual credit scholarship program to support a teacher apprenticeship pathway, was amended to require a 2.75 GPA and then passed 36-1 after questions about employment status and liability; the sponsor explained it would help address teacher shortages and reduce student debt. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 90, which extends the behavioral health conditional dismissal pilot program from 2027 to 2031 to continue offering treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for eligible low-level offenders; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 51, a proposed constitutional change to freeze property tax assessment increases for homeowners age 65 and older on their primary residence, also passed 37-0. Senate Bill 30 was passed over but retained its place in the orders of the day. The rules committee later posted Senate Bills 27, 40, and 76 for the next day, and the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bill 109 to Licensing and Occupations, Senate Bill 68 to State and Local Government, and Senate Resolutions 45 and 46 to the Senate floor.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Licensing & Administrative Procedures Apr 8th, 2025

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here representing the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
  • Rob Koehler represents the Christian Life of the Baptist General Convention in Texas.
  • They land directly on customers, building owners, hospitals, schools, senior living centers, and even
  • legalize liquor by the drink because he wanted the National Homebuilders Association to bring their convention
  • the drink, and he said because I wanted the, the homebuilders Association to come to have their convention
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Executive Departments and Administration (01/22/2026)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I think one reason it's so popular, not just that it's more affordable than a conventional burial
  • And unlike conventional burial with a coffin and concrete and often um exotic Good morning.
  • And I think one reason it's so popular, not just that it's more affordable than a conventional burial
  • </c> expensive than a full conventional expensive than a full conventional burial burial burial followup
  • </c><03:08:20.399><c> for</c> board of the New Hampshire Center for board of the New Hampshire Center
Keywords: 1189, house, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, what was new this year is we added affordability and data center experts as a necessity.
  • We also took on four data center witnesses for the first time in the state of Florida.
  • It's like data centers. Data centers are coming. We might as well get ready.
  • The amount of water that is going to take to run these data centers... ...concern about.
  • And we just do it right, because, you know, we don't have to take every data center.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met with a quorum present and heard an update from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of the Office of Public Counsel. Trierweiler described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate cases and related proceedings, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service hearings to challenge unsupported utility costs while seeking outcomes that are “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable.” A major focus of the presentation was the office’s work on large utility dockets, especially the Florida Power & Light rate case, as well as other recent cases involving Duke, TECO, Sunshine, and St. Joe. Trierweiler said the office had settled some cases but not others, had two appeals pending, and had filed motions for reconsideration where required. He also discussed storm cost recovery, affordability concerns, and the new challenge of data center tariffs and related energy and water demands. He said the office brought in new experts on affordability and data centers and was trying to get ahead of those issues through workshops and settlement efforts. Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how the office evaluates a fair profit for utilities, the role of settlements and counterproposals, and the impact of data centers on energy and water use. Trierweiler said customer voices come in through hearings and correspondence, that utilities are entitled to a fair return but not imprudent costs, and that the office is concerned about data center growth and its resource demands. No votes were taken, and the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm with the Mercatus Center. I'm a research fellow there.
  • You take what might be a dead or dying corridor and turn it into a new town center.
  • . center. center.
  • </c> apartments on top with conventional apartments on top with conventional parking<00:54:16.559><c>
  • </c><01:14:21.600><c> Louisville,</c> largest population centers Louisville, largest population centers
Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply. Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal. The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Joint Session Jan 13th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • decade after the call for independence was made Benjamin Franklin walked out of the Constitutional Convention
  • Now, we have programs like the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University
  • many Americans out of work, and with consumers footing the bill for the cost of power-intensive data centers
Summary: The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After opening formalities, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the appointment of a committee to notify the Governor that the Legislature was ready, the chamber recognized special guests and then received Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. In his address, the Governor reviewed what he described as seven years of major accomplishments in Florida, emphasizing fiscal restraint, tax relief, economic growth, education reforms, environmental restoration, disaster response, public safety, and immigration enforcement. He highlighted a larger rainy day fund, reduced debt, record job and business growth, universal school choice, higher teacher pay, Hope Florida, Everglades restoration, stronger hurricane response, and tougher laws on crime and illegal immigration. He also warned about property tax burdens, called for a constitutional path to property tax relief, urged informed consent in medical policy, and raised concerns about artificial intelligence. The Governor pointed to several bills already filed and urged lawmakers to send him legislation eliminating DEI in local government, further discouraging illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking the spread of Sharia law. He closed by asking the Legislature to continue advancing his agenda. After the address, the joint session voted to dissolve.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Joint Session Jan 13th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • after the call for independence was made... ...Benjamin Franklin walked out of the Constitutional Convention
  • Now, we have programs like the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University
  • many Americans out of work, and with consumers footing the bill for the cost of power-intensive data centers
Summary: The transcript is of a Florida Legislature joint session convened to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the House and Senate were received, a committee was appointed to notify the Governor that the joint session was ready, and the Governor and First Lady were introduced. The Senate President presided, a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were offered, and the joint session then recessed to await the Governor’s arrival. Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a lengthy address reviewing his administration’s record over the past seven years. He highlighted fiscal restraint, larger reserves and rainy-day funds, debt reduction, tax cuts, business and job growth, school choice expansion, education reforms, higher teacher pay, civics initiatives, environmental restoration efforts in the Everglades, hurricane response improvements, public safety and immigration enforcement, and opposition to DEI and other ideological policies. He also urged lawmakers to send him bills on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further restricting illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and addressing what he described as the creep of Sharia law. The Governor additionally called for property tax relief through the constitutional amendment process and for legislation emphasizing informed consent in medical decision-making. He warned about risks posed by artificial intelligence and said new technologies should align with American values. No substantive votes were taken on policy matters during the session; after the Governor’s remarks, the joint session adopted a motion to dissolve.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • decade after the call for independence was made, Benjamin Franklin walked out of the Constitutional Convention
  • Now, we have programs like the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University
  • many Americans out of work, and with consumers footing the bill for the cost of power-intensive data centers
Summary: The transcript captures a Florida legislative joint session convened to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the House and Senate formally received the Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet, and Supreme Court, a committee was appointed to notify the Governor, and the Governor was introduced and delivered a lengthy address. The Governor framed Florida as a model of conservative governance and highlighted accomplishments over the past seven years, including budget reserves and rainy day fund growth, debt reduction, tax cuts, economic growth and job creation, universal school choice, teacher pay increases, civics education, higher education reforms, Everglades restoration, hurricane response, public safety measures, immigration enforcement, and opposition to DEI and COVID-era mandates. The Governor also outlined priorities for the coming session, urging lawmakers to send him bills on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further discouraging illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking Sharia law. He additionally called for action on property tax relief, saying homeowners should not pay “perpetual rent” to government, and asked the legislature to place a tax-relief measure before voters. He emphasized emerging concerns about artificial intelligence and medical freedom, arguing for informed consent and ethical limits on new technologies. After the Governor concluded, the joint session took up a motion to dissolve. The motion was approved, and the joint session adjourned.