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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2026
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- This amendment provides a statement of important state interest.
- In the United States, In the United States, you have every right to not vote.
- I'm a professor at Florida State University.
- The bill analysis states that the title of the present bill states, while all the matters involved in
- The other gentleman, the salary for teachers comes from the state.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This amendment provides a statement of important state interest.
- So it's a partnership with the state through Florida Digital Service.
- In the United States, In the United States, you have every right not to vote.
- I'm a professor at Florida State University.
- The bill analysis states that the title of the present bill states, while all the matters involved in
Summary:
The committee took up several bills and confirmations. It reported favorably SB 332, as amended, on a narrow public-meetings/public-records exemption for legal strategy and settlement communications during the pre-suit period in Burt Harris claims; SB 464, requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day; SB 984, clarifying firefighter cancer/death-benefit provisions and related prevention language; SB 576, expanding and codifying the local government cybersecurity protection program under Florida Digital Service; SB 964, revising how certain gifts and honoraria are reported to the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612, requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with exceptions and a delayed effective date; SB 830, creating public-records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096, clarifying the filing deadline for Florida Civil Rights Act complaints; and SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship.
The committee also considered a large confirmation package. Jeffrey Aaron’s appointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission was discussed separately after Senator Polsky raised concerns about his political connections and prior work; the committee still recommended him favorably. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably in one vote.
The longest and most contentious item was SB 1296, with a committee substitute, on the Public Employees Relations Commission and public-sector unions. The PCS would change union certification/recertification rules, require a recent showing-of-interest form, create different voting thresholds for public safety and non-public safety employee organizations, limit paid union leave for non-public safety unions unless reimbursed, require equal access to certain employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for legislatively funded salary increases. Senators raised constitutional concerns, especially about the single-subject rule and collective-bargaining rights, and many speakers opposed the bill as union-busting and harmful to teachers, bus drivers, nurses, utility workers, and other public employees. Supporters argued it would improve accountability, ensure genuine member support, and prevent taxpayer-funded union activity. The committee continued debate on SB 1296 after extensive testimony, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The state arbitration process is rarely used, time-consuming, and difficult to navigate.
- Should that not be allowable, you can still apply for the state program. You're right.
- I'm sure we all hear from constituents from one end of our state, one corner of our state to the other
- Is there any information we could gather from other states?
- I've heard from others who are within our state that have said different numbers.
Committee:
Senate Health Policy
Keywords:
provider disputes, health plan, dispute resolution, Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare regulation, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions, ambulatory surgical centers, patient safety, licensure
Summary:
The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They decided to keep their manufacturing in the state.
- These issues present an opportunity for the state of California and other states in the U.S. to improve
- Most other states can't, and they're trying.
- And we can be the state that From discovery to delivery, and we can be the state that actually delivers
- That's why we're in the United States.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Education Oversight - Morning Session Dec 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It is free for every public school in the state of Oklahoma.
- It is free for every public school in the state of Oklahoma.
- So what I'm curious about is how we stacked up in the state of Oklahoma against other states with threats
- compared to having a school shooting in the state of Oklahoma.
- Alone, according to the United States Department of Justice, was $3 million.
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on Oklahoma school safety from Commissioner Tipton, OSSI director Mike Fike, OACTIC director Alan Young, OSBI lieutenant Isiles Keene, and Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton. The main focus was a statewide school-safety framework built around response, prevention, and recovery. Witnesses described training law enforcement in the LASER active-shooter response model, adding A-TURK training for coordinated law enforcement/fire/EMS response, expanding run-hide-fight and Stop the Bleed instruction for educators and staff, conducting risk and vulnerability assessments, and using the Rave panic-button system and the ProtectOK tip app to speed reporting and dispatch. They also emphasized behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) teams as a prevention tool to identify and support at-risk students before violence occurs.
Members asked about administrator and teacher training, school counselor involvement, how apps are deployed on personal versus school devices, and whether schools are actually using the programs. Witnesses said administrators, counselors, and SROs should be part of BTAM, that training is most effective when it is realistic and repeated, and that Rave is geofenced and typically invited onto devices by schools. Several members stressed that school leaders must buy in for safety plans to work, and one member raised concerns about traumatic training and the need for mental-health support as part of prevention. Witnesses said mental-health referral and monitoring are part of BTAM, but the school and local partners must manage the process.
OSBI’s lieutenant added broader context, comparing school safety to fire safety and noting that Oklahoma still lacks some statutory requirements for intruder drills and stronger penalties for school threats. He also discussed possible future tools such as surveillance analytics, gunshot detection, ballistic-rated doors and walls, and better access controls, while warning that technology should supplement, not replace, basic safety systems and training. Sheriff Walton closed by describing rural response challenges and his foundation’s effort to place ballistic shields in schools and police cars, arguing that human resources and rapid communication remain the biggest gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Patients with state-regulated plans pay only in-network cost-sharing, no balance billing.
- The state arbitration process is rarely used, time-consuming, and difficult to navigate.
- Should that not be allowable, you can still apply for the state program. You're right.
- I'm sure we all hear from constituents from one end of our state, one corner of our state to the other
- Is there any information we could gather from other states?
Committee:
Senate Health Policy
Summary:
The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified access to the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, on background screenings, would centralize clearinghouse screening functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration; an amendment clarified that sealed and expunged records may be reviewed for eligibility determinations, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1156, on ambulatory surgical centers, would move their regulation into a standalone section of law separate from the hospital-focused Chapter 395, and it was reported favorably.
The committee also considered SB 1480 on temporary certificates for practice in areas of critical need. A strike-all amendment created a grandfathering process for current certificate holders with active primary care relationships if federal designation changes remove an area’s critical-need status. Supporters said it would protect patients and preserve access to care in underserved areas, and the bill was reported favorably.
The most extensive debate was on SB 1756, the medical freedom bill. The sponsor said it would require vaccine educational materials and alternative schedules for parents, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that emergency treatment authority does not include mandatory vaccination, and allow pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter with written warnings. The committee adopted one amendment to extend liability protections to physicians as well as pharmacists, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required counseling for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with physicians, pediatricians, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that the bill would lower vaccination rates and increase risk to vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with no final vote taken in the portion provided.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 02:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Christine Ashburn, State Farm, waiving in opposition.
- We are small-dollar cash lenders in this state.
- So you mentioned other states.
- Forty-three states do. One state has not spoken on this issue.
- of the physicians in the state of Florida.
Summary:
The subcommittee considered a long agenda of civil justice and claims measures. HB 1173, relating to the Florida Trust Code, was presented as a clarification of standing in trust litigation after recent case law; after questions about who may sue, an amendment was adopted clarifying that an expressly named charity retains standing, and the bill passed 14-2. HB 1437, on attorney’s fees in motor vehicle PIP disputes, drew testimony from insurers and reform groups opposing a return to fee-driven litigation and from medical groups supporting fee recovery for prevailing parties; it passed 17-0. CS/HB 147, addressing prohibited debt-collection communications during nighttime and early morning hours, was described as a clarification of an outdated statute in light of modern communications, with support from business groups and no opposition in the vote; it passed 18-0.
The committee then heard several claims bills against the Department of Children and Families. HB 6511, for relief of L.P., described severe injuries to a child after DCF allegedly failed to act on warning signs; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 18-0. HB 6515, for relief of Michael Barnett, involved DCF’s alleged failure to investigate domestic violence that preceded the killing of three children and injury of a fourth; members asked about the settlement amount and the case’s circumstances, and the bill also passed 18-0.
HB 1517, expanding wrongful death law to allow parents of an unborn child to recover for the child’s death, generated the most extensive debate. The sponsor said it aligns civil law with existing criminal definitions and excludes claims against mothers and providers of lawful medical care, including IVF; opponents warned it could be used to target reproductive care, support networks, and domestic violence survivors, while supporters framed it as a justice measure for families. An amendment clarifying damages rules for minors and unborn children was adopted, and the bill passed 13-4. Finally, HB 947, on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sought to allow broader evidence at trial and to change “shall” to “may”; supporters said it would improve fairness and transparency, while opponents argued it would weaken post-2023 tort reforms and reintroduce inflated medical damages. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then taken up with additional opposition testimony.
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jun 25 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And to be clear, the decision of the Supreme Court states that.
- That is frankly absurd, especially considering that states as diverse as California, Texas, and even
- We have Department of Corrections state prisons and state correctional facilities around the state.
- parks and our state forests that we don't even have to touch.
- parks and these state forests.
Summary:
The Senate returned from recess and first handled routine calendar matters, laying several bills on the table or over in their order without objection. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1400, which addresses sentencing for second-degree murder in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commonwealth v. Lee decision. Senator Street offered an amendment to replace mandatory life without parole with parole eligibility after 25 years and individualized review, but the Senate tabled the amendment by a 26-24 roll call. The bill then advanced to final passage after extended debate over whether it adequately met the court’s constitutional ruling and how it would affect victims, culpability, and retroactivity. It initially passed 31-19, then after reconsideration and a correction to one member’s vote, passed 30-20 and was sent to the House.
The Senate next considered Senate Bill 1212, which tightens the handling of sexual assault evidence kits by removing discretionary language that had contributed to inconsistent testing practices. Supporters said it would improve statewide consistency, preserve a survivor’s right to decline testing, and help reduce the rape kit backlog. The bill passed unanimously, 50-0, and was sent to the House. The chamber then moved through additional calendar items, including re-referrals of several House bills to Appropriations and multiple bills being passed over.
Later, the Senate took up House Bill 1667 on a supplemental calendar after suspending the rules. The bill became the vehicle for several amendments tied to affordability and tax policy. Senators adopted a back-to-school sales tax holiday amendment, a data-center tax exemption repeal amendment, and a school-choice-related amendment transferring EITC provisions and increasing scholarships by $25 million. Other proposed amendments, including a digital advertising tax and a combined reporting corporate tax reform, were tabled. After further debate on the bill’s impact on electric bills, data centers, and the state budget, House Bill 1667 was agreed to as amended and the Senate recessed.
UT
Utah 2025 Regular Session
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee - November 19, 2025
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- With all law enforcement in the state? No. What's here? No.
- Well, that's what I'm talking about: all state law enforcement, yes, DPS within the state.
- We are a kiosk company that operates in 49 states and 10 countries.
- Salt Lake, Utah State Correctional Facility.
- But this is how it looks at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Emergency rental assistance aid 3/16/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Across the state, 50% of displacement.
- </c><00:08:33.080><c> in</c> we're one of the highest tax states in we're one of the highest tax states
- </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
- Um and before I share across the state.
- We should not in our state government.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
The Senate's Historic Co-Presiding Officers / Minnesota's Housing Needs / Students at the Capitol Jan 26th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesota is not a deep blue state. It's certainly not a deep red state.
- </c><00:16:11.880><c> or</c> what level uh whether it's state or what level uh whether it's state or
- </c><00:20:25.919><c> that</c> Minnesota is one of nine states that Minnesota is one of nine states that
- </c> taxes social security income the state taxes social security income the state taxes<00:20:29.280
- Taking into account that maybe a young family starting out in Georgia or Texas or another state might
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/16/2026 - Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We do have state statute in Section 14-1733.
- This is in our state statute. Are you aware of those statutes?
- I was going to ask you how many other states have you been in?
- And I was going to say, what are you finding in the other states?
- Chair, how many states are you all in? We are in all 50 states. Okay. Thank you. Great solution.
Committee:
Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Sep 8th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning, I'm State Senator Leo Jaramillo [ID: member_22668].
- Then, you know, the United States, in 1848, gained sovereignty in this area.
- My name is Linda López, State Senator, District 11, the Southwest Quadrant.
- Actually, I just came back from a vacation in Washington State.
- Overall, good for the state, and here you go, you know?
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:13:18.160><c> Police</c> policies to allow Vermont State Police policies to allow Vermont State
- </c><00:13:41.760><c> police</c> policies to allow Vermont state police policies to allow Vermont state
- So far, 26 states have enacted similar legislation.
- I believe of the 26 states that I mentioned, there are only two, Texas and Minnesota, that have banned
- So if you're interested in that state.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (03/19/2025)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:50.280><c> and</c> regulations with how the state and regulations with how the state and National
- </c> two different they're in multiple States two different they're in multiple States so<00:17:52.240
- </c> going to wait um until both States going to wait um until both States change<00:18:01.159><c> um
- </c> looking for a critical number of states looking for a critical number of states to<00:22:19.120>
- There's a number of states that have it: Texas, Arizona, Montana, Indiana, Michigan, and Minnesota all
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, May 22, 2026 - PM
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Secretary of State. Secretary of State.
- </c> any other state. any other state.
- uh opened an office of deed York state uh opened an office of deed fraud.<01:24:00.080><c> Texas</c>
- </c><02:25:56.640><c> passed</c> state other states have already passed state other states have already
- ,</c> many states across the United States, many states across the United States, and<02:47:49.480><c
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that nature in other states. that nature in other states.
- to in-state.
- It was where we uh state to inner state.
- states such as Colorado,<02:34:32.399><c> California,</c><02:34:33.280><c> Texas,</c><02:34:33.920><
- Another state.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the day. The Senate also received several House messages referring bills to committee, including local constitutional amendments for Limestone, Blount, and Mobile counties, a human cloning bill, a Fair Campaign Practices Act bill, a public education bill, a court fees bill, and a physician assistance bill.
Committee reports were then taken up. The Finance and Taxation General Fund, Confirmations, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and Local Legislation committees all reported a number of bills favorably, many with amendments or substitutes. Several measures were advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day, and the Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Eileen Meyer and Tiffany Martin to the Alabama Board of Midwifery, Jennifer Ag, Jerry Gross, and Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees, Patricia Sims, Tony Cochran, and Sandy Stimson to the Alabama State Port Authority Board of Directors.
The Senate then adopted a special order calendar under Senate Resolution 34, setting the order of business for the 10th legislative day. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which was described as a child-protection measure requiring parental permission, age verification by app stores, accurate app age ratings, and limits on minors entering contracts through app downloads. Senators speaking in support said the bill was needed to protect children from harmful online content and preserve parental control, and they discussed an amendment clarifying the meaning of “act” and preserving compliance with other state age-verification laws. The debate was ongoing in the portion provided, and no final vote on HB 161 appears in this excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/29/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> with</c><03:37:57.840><c> the</c> a state policy advocate with the a state policy advocate with
- </c> neutral on things when our state neutral on things when our state agencies<04:05:52.399><c> are<
- ><c> this</c><04:07:21.920><c> was</c> something was stating that this was something was stating that
- I oversee Hampshire State Police.
- </c> Many states have stand your ground laws. Many states have stand your ground laws.
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty - Tuesday, March 24
Missouri House Floor Meeting
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Age verification requirement to view "material harmful to minors" 3/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Supreme Court had a similar law from Texas.
- You know what's happened in places, other states, that have passed this law?
- </c><00:14:45.120><c> of</c> to protect the kids of the state of to protect the kids of the state of
- There are about 26 states that have already passed some form of age verification.
- There are about 26 states that have already passed some form of age verification.