Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:10:02.320> we<00:10:02.480> didn't<00:10:02.800> take they're on a priority
• and we didn't take they're on a priority and we didn't take care<00:10:03.160> of<00:10:03.279
• > the<00:10:03.480> priorities<00:10:04.040> hospitals<00:10:04.519> nursing<
• /c> care of the priorities hospitals nursing care of the priorities hospitals nursing homes<00:10:05.560
• :41.279> I<00:10:41.360> don't<00:10:41.560> think<00:10:41.959> we Priorities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to make sure that continues to be a priority, speaking out on human rights issues, which there
• Israel is a huge priority for me, and making sure that the rest of the world knows that the U.S. stands
• But, obviously, pushing back on Iran is a top priority.
• And this needs to be among the top priorities when it comes to standing up for human rights.
• I hope to return that to a top priority when the U.S. has the opportunity to chair the Security Council

Transcript Highlights:

• Our top strategic priority is to grow the force. Our top strategic priority is to grow the force.
• And around that, we've made safety our number one priority.
• Now, there's way more priorities than we have resources to do. That's like economics 101.
• There's way more priorities than we have resources to do. That's like economics 101.
• There's way more priorities than we have resources to do. That's like economics 101.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we're doing as a committee is we're looking at where the priorities are and investing in those
• <01:03:44.240> of<01:03:44.400> our priority of our priority of our of<01:03:45.520>
• I do think that the senator brings up some good points in terms of this being a priority, and we do have
• really making this a priority. Mr. really making this a priority. Mr.
• ,<01:10:08.120> continue going to make this a priority, continue going to make this a priority

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 42 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation by Pastor Jaylen Robinson, and recognized several guests and honorees. Early floor remarks included a welcome to students from Forest Oak Middle School, a young Senate shadow from Woodlawn High School, and guests from Charles H. Flowers High School. The chamber also noted a doctor of the day and announced that panoramic photos in the Senate lounge were available for order by March 27, with eye exams available in the State House. The main legislative business was Senate Bill 283, the President’s Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee presented 291 amendments, described as funding priorities for jobs, infrastructure, and reliability while staying within debt affordability limits. The amendments covered school construction, natural resources, higher education, housing, Maryland Environmental Service, miscellaneous grants, local Senate bond initiatives, jails and detention centers, and pre-authorizations for fiscal 2028. Four amendments were separated for individual roll calls: 30, 35, 46, and 241, all of which were adopted. The remaining committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the favorable committee report as amended was then taken up. During debate on the capital budget amendments, one senator raised concerns about the bill and the difficulty of tracking the amendments on the electronic system, prompting discussion about technical issues and the availability of the documents on the website and in paper form. The chair said the committee had been working on the bill for months and urged the body to proceed. A question was raised about Amendment 264, which deauthorized a Willing Helper Society renovation project in Charles County; the chair explained the money had not been spent, was about to expire, and was repurposed to a Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland project to keep the funding in Charles County.

Transcript Highlights:

• Priority bill.
• This is a Black Caucus priority bill. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• It is a women's priority bill.
• SB 627 is a Latino and API caucus priority bill.
• You wonder why 911 priority calls take so long to respond to...

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:46.720> for saying we have a priority for saying we have a priority for costeffective
• I have just a couple comments on the first goal, the priority of cost effectiveness.
• So that's why it makes it so difficult to rely on cost effectiveness as a priority, because we don't
• as a priority because we don't<00:48:16.480> really<00:48:16.720> know<00:48:16.880>
• in terms of looking at um priority in terms of looking at um making<00:59:06.480> sure<00:59:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Davidson and Vice Chair Frelich, housing first means that housing is the first priority.
• Housing first means that housing is the first priority.
• And hearing directly about their priorities and input on approach for improved systems.
• It is aligned with state priorities.
• To address these challenges, the report recommends continued investment in four priority areas: first

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• show you the impact that we can have with your continued support and support of the legislative priorities
• One of the things that we mentioned this morning, we The legislative priorities.
• On the single-family development side, which is a priority for us, we have a need for $75 million.
• And, you know, we know there's choices, there's priorities to be made.
• And, you know, we know there's choices, there's priorities to be made.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our priorities are severely misplaced if this is what we are doing to try to make Texas a better place
• Why is that not the priority instead of this?
• Why is not that the priority instead of this? That should have been the only thing that.
• Why is that not the priority instead of this?
• That flooding has always been the number one priority for this session and will remain such.

Bills: SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 8, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, and heard extensive public testimony both for and against the measure. Supporters, including representatives of Texas Values and Texas Values Action, argued the bill was needed to protect women’s privacy and safety in restrooms, locker rooms, showers, prisons, domestic violence shelters, and other government-controlled spaces, and said it would provide clear, sex-based rules. Opponents, including many transgender Texans, civil rights advocates, clergy, business and public safety voices, and others, argued the bill would invite harassment, gender policing, lawsuits, and invasive inspections, while harming trans, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people as well as cisgender women who do not fit stereotypes. Several witnesses said the bill would conflict with federal law or prison standards, worsen safety in shelters and prisons, and hurt Texas’s reputation and economy. The chair repeatedly noted the compressed special-session schedule and said flood relief remained the session’s top priority. Public testimony on SB 8 was eventually closed, and the bill was left pending. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 6, dealing with consumable hemp product restrictions. Testimony on SB 6 focused on whether the bill went too far in restricting hemp-derived THC products. Opponents argued hemp and THC have medical and economic value, that the bill would criminalize conduct and burden courts, and that regulation—not prohibition—was the better approach. Some witnesses supported tighter rules such as testing, child-resistant packaging, and limits on marketing to children, but still opposed the bill’s broad THC ban, higher fees, and age restrictions. Several speakers emphasized benefits for veterans, chronic pain patients, and small businesses, and warned that prohibition would push consumers toward the illicit market. The committee heard the testimony and then continued with additional witnesses, with no final vote or disposition reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Universal meals is one of the governor's main priorities, so we can't touch that.
• main priorities. So we can't touch that. main priorities. So we can't touch that.
• I think it's something that the House leadership said is a priority and our team delivered it, and it's
• I think it's something that the House leadership said is a priority and our team delivered it, and it's
• I think it's something that the House leadership said is a priority and our team delivered it, and it's

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and improve collaboration across the ecosystem and engage stakeholders in developing goals and priorities
• Programs, the ability to understand program needs, and set funding priorities that align with overall
• He has a number of other sub-cabinets aligned with his strategic priorities. This is just one.
• His strategic priorities. This is just one.
• This priority reflects the strategy's commitment to skills-based pathways and lifelong learning.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I am talking about triage, responsibility, and priorities.
• me where you put your money, and I will show you your priority.
• Show me where you put your money, and I will show you your priorities.
• Show me where you put your money, and I will show you your priorities.
• Our priorities in every last one of our districts are our constituents.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I am talking about triage, responsibility, and priorities.
• me where you put your money, and I will show you your priority.
• Show me where you put your money and I will show you your priorities.
• Show me where you put your money and I will show you your priorities.
• Our priorities in every last one of our districts are our constituents.

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing visiting groups and guests, including college students and leaders, health and nonprofit organizations, Catholic Days at the Capitol participants, foreign dignitaries from Morocco, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, with remarks honoring the Parkland community and the school safety law that followed. The chamber then took up a special order calendar of bills, beginning with several claims bills and local relief measures. SB 14 for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County passed 37-1, and HB 6517 for A. Sanchez-Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg passed after substitution. HB 6515 for Lordes Latour and Edward Lator against Miami-Dade County also passed 38-1. The Senate then approved SB 52 on volunteer armed security at places of worship (39-0), SB 124 updating Florida Virtual School statutes (39-0), SB 504 on code inspector body cameras (39-0), and SB 506 on related public records (38-1). A lengthy debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Several senators argued for tighter oversight and supported an amendment by Senator Berman that would have limited fund use and required Legislative Budget Commission approval for continued spending; that amendment failed 12-27. The underlying bill then passed 29-10. Senators also adopted SB 594 on local housing assistance for mobile home owners (39-0), SB 656 strengthening Internet Crimes Against Children programs (39-0), SB 806 creating right-to-repair protections for wireless devices and agricultural equipment (39-0), SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute (39-0), SM 1186 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure by voice vote, SB 308 creating the Florida Museum of Black History with a late-filed amendment clarifying ex officio nonvoting legislative members (39-0), and SB 572 updating ethics law to include foster children and foster parents, as amended (38-0). The Senate also withdrew SB 1360 from further consideration, certified passed bills to the House, and adjourned until February 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've got a different priority.
• First Teach Forward OK is a major priority.
• This slide outlines Zoey Keogh's priority projects for FY2027.
• Positions are filled only when workload demand and legislative priorities clearly justify doing so.
• Overall, this history shows that OEQA's funding has grown in response to legislative priorities while

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a priority for the governor, and it will be reflected in that.
• This is a priority for the governor and it will be reflected in that.
• This, as you said, is a priority for the governor, and it really should be, in my opinion, part of the
• I mean, that's what a budget's all about is having conversations about what priorities are and how you're
• going to meet your priorities.

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This can be a really busy year, but that's gonna cause us to make that a priority.
• One more thing, the stabilization and reliability of our campaign finance filing platform our priority
• Access was preserved through lawful measures, which became our number one priority during this short
• We made their requests the number one priority, and we were able to keep up with them.
• million deficit from 2024, structural issues with billing and Medicaid, and questionable spending priorities

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, I-40 is one of our top priorities this year.
• Well, we even include, of course, other priorities like rural air service equipment, etc.
• And so each district engineer identifies those construction priorities; we roll them up for you all so
• And so for the most part, those projects will either remain on the priority list and be funded through
• But some of the more costly ones will just remain as a priority. Ready for construction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hansel outline his priorities for our intelligence mission.
• better compete short of armed conflict and re-establish deterrence in line with the Secretary's priority
• And then sequences them in priority, linking them to a new warhead production effort.
• I'm sort of glad that to hear that and certainly I am glad to hear because it's the top priority for
• I'm glad that we were able to meet in my office prior to this meeting and talk about priorities related

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, whatever priorities are identified through that process, that bonding money would be used to
• But it talks about priorities, and if you could just explain...
• The priority ranking of projects, and I think it's important that we have that information and gives
• Speaker, gentlemen, so this will remain a priority.
• The first priority for funding shall be abatement of illegal scrap tire dump sites and the recycling

Transcript Highlights:

• The choice among them entails a consideration of priority, risk, and cost.
• So I think thinking about geographical span, risk over time, and then those questions of priority, risk
• This is why supply chain resiliency is one of my top priorities.
• We have to have Arctic warfighting capacity and deterrence. as a much higher level priority.
• What's the top priority? Where are we willing to accept some risk and pay some cost? Thank you.

Keywords: Greenland, acquisition, national security, Arctic, geopolitical, China, Russia, icebreakers, trade routes

Summary: The meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focused on the potential acquisition of Greenland by the United States. This issue, first raised by President Trump in 2019, has gained renewed significance amidst shifting global dynamics and the strategic importance of Greenland in relation to transatlantic trade routes and national security. The members discussed the geopolitical implications of Greenland's position, especially given the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region. Notably, the urgency to address military presence and icebreaker capabilities in the Arctic was a major point of contention, with a call for a new fleet to counter foreign dominance in the area.