Transcript Highlights:

• from the governor.
• </c><00:01:26.880><c> from</c> notice of appointment from notice of appointment from um<00:01:28.200>
• </c> um from the governor. um from the governor.
• Governor Dayton first appointed me to the Tax Court in December 2012.
• Governor Dayton first appointed me to the Tax Court in December 2012.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I was appointed sheriff of Clay County.
• Governor DeSantis appointed me sheriff to lead the agency through a crisis.
• And I will definitely be up today on your appointment. Thank you very much, Senator Bradley.
• I strongly urge every member of this committee to vote no on appointing a CEO profiting from torture
• I strongly urge every member of this committee to vote no on appointing a CEO profiting from torture

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so Governor DeSantis has remained steadfast.
• And one of the things that Governor Scott did when he appointed me, he sort of said, 'Ron, I want you
• I was originally appointed by Governor Scott in 2014 and reappointed by the governor and subsequently
• by Governor DeSantis as well.
• I'm honored to be reappointed by the governor for a full four-year term.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard a presentation from the Governor’s Office on the proposed education budget, which totals $32.5 billion overall and includes no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents. Officials highlighted major funding for financial aid and scholarships, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, veteran-related scholarships, EASE, Open Door, law enforcement/first responder programs, and workforce initiatives. They also emphasized increases for workforce education, Florida College System operations, nursing pipeline and line funds, and university operations, performance funding, and faculty recruitment and retention. Committee members asked questions about the Ocoee Scholarship, the proposed post-secondary Guardian program, and how university recruitment and retention funds would be used; officials said the Ocoee Scholarship remains funded at current levels, the Guardian program would offer flexible campus safety options, and the university funds would be distributed to institutions for faculty recruitment and retention without additional directives. The committee then heard from a series of appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Testimony consistently focused on affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and allied health programs, dual enrollment, adult learners, and local economic needs. Several trustees highlighted strong nursing NCLEX pass rates, expansion of campuses or programs, and efforts to tailor education to regional workforce demands such as health care, construction, law enforcement, aviation, and hospitality. One appointee from Miami-Dade College emphasized helping adult students return and complete degrees by easing credit transfer and admissions barriers. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the full slate of confirmations as a block. A motion was made and the roll was called; the confirmations were approved favorably, with members voting yes and no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's obviously appointed by the governor, and it's under this other agency who wants perhaps to use
• I want to be clear that this legislation complies with federal law that requires the governor to appoint
• That has always been a position that has been appointed by the governor and will continue to be appointed
• I want to be clear that this legislation complies with federal law that requires the governor to appoint
• That has always been a position that has been appointed by the governor and will continue to be appointed

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• to</c> who was appointed by the governor to who was appointed by the governor to represent<00:05:25.120
• Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Green, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke and Second Gentleman
• Jamie Governor Josh Green and First Lady Jamie Green, Green, Green, Lieutenant<00:10:19.120><c> Governor
• Governor’s Message number 502 informs the Senate that the governor appointed Rashelle F.
• </c> informs the Senate that the governor informs the Senate that the governor appointed<00:48:41.119

Bills: HCR1 , HCR2 , SB2001 , SB2002 , SB2003 , SB2004 , SB2005 , SB2006 , SB2007 , SB2008 , SB2009 , SB2010 , SB2011 , SB2012 , SB2013 , SB2014 , SB2015 , SB2016 , SB2017 , SB2018 , SB2019 , SB2020 , SB2021 , SB2022 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2025 , SB2026 , SB2027 , SB2028 , SB2029 , SB2030 , SB2031 , SB2032 , SB2033 , SB2034 , SB2035 , SB2036 , SB2037 , SB2038 , SB2039 , SB2040 , SB2041 , SB2042 , SB2043 , SB2044 , SB2045 , SB2046 , SB2047 , SB2048 , SB2049 , SB2050 , SB2051 , SB2052 , SB2053 , SB2054 , SB2055 , SB2056 , SB2057 , SB2058 , SB2059 , SB2060 , SB2061 , SB2062 , SB2063 , SB2064 , SB2065 , SB2066 , SB2067 , SB2068 , SB2069 , SB2070 , SB2071 , SB2072 , SB2073 , SB2074 , SB2075 , SB2076 , SB2077 , SB2078 , SB2079 , SB2080 , SB2081 , SB2082 , SB2083 , SB2084 , SB2085 , SB2086 , SB2087 , SB2088 , SB2089 , SB2090 , SB2091 , SB2092 , SB2093 , SB2094 , SB2095 , SB2096 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2099 , SB2100

Transcript Highlights:

• appointed.
• starts the process, and only the governor.
• of the Senate, appoint all officers whose appointment or election is not otherwise provided for, and
• may remove any officer appointed by, this says him, we'll say her, unless... ...remove any officer appointed
• We'll have a new governor, maybe a Republican, God forbid.

Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 40, a committee substitute addressing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and privacy. Sponsor Sen. Worth said the bill was intended to preserve ALPRs as a law-enforcement tool while adding guardrails to prevent sharing or selling data for immigration enforcement, protected health care activity, or criminalizing constitutionally protected conduct. Supporters included state and local law enforcement, the ACLU, immigrant-rights, reproductive-rights, and sexual-assault advocacy groups. Law enforcement witnesses said the bill balanced privacy with public safety and cited cases where ALPRs helped locate kidnapped children, murder suspects, and stolen vehicles; opponents and some senators argued the bill was too narrow, too focused on immigration and health care, and raised concerns about federal law, data sales, and enforcement. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment removing subsection F, then approved the committee substitute and advanced SB 40 on a do-pass motion. The committee then heard Senate Bill 104, which would create a process for removing wildlife commissioners after the 2023 wildlife commission legislation and the governor’s veto of the prior removal language. Sen. Worth explained that SB 104 would allow the governor to initiate removal for malfeasance, incompetence, or failure to attend meetings, with notice, a hearing, and exclusive review by the state Supreme Court; he said it was modeled on the Board of Regents removal process and was intended to complete the wildlife commission reforms. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Audubon Southwest, and the Department of Game and Fish supported the bill, saying it would depoliticize wildlife management and provide stability. Senators asked about the existing “three consecutive meetings” vacancy language, current vacancies, and the prior removal of a commissioner. The committee discussed the governor’s earlier veto and whether the bill was necessary, but no amendment was adopted and the committee approved SB 104 on a do-pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's certainly not unique to any governor.
• , and the speaker, they each make some appointments.
• This commission includes four individuals appointed by Governor Healey, one each for Senate President
• Have you had communications with the governor, the lieutenant governor, on any of these things about
• Have you had communications with the governor, the lieutenant governor, on any of these things about

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• It ends up being the governor doing it to them, not for them.
• And so what happened was the<04:28:47.600><c> governor</c><04:28:48.000><c> had</c><04:28:48.319><c>
• to</c><04:28:48.720><c> issue</c><04:28:49.120><c> an</c><04:28:49.359><c> executive</c> the governor
• had to issue an executive the governor had to issue an executive order<04:28:50.720><c> that</c><04:
• by the governor through the PUC.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it gives the Speaker one appointment and the Senate Committee on Committees one appointment.
• The governor retains removal authority over all board members, but the original appointing authority
• </c> which it made the initial appointment which it made the initial appointment going<00:08:35.440><
• </c><00:08:42.159><c> authority</c> but the original appointing authority but the original appointing
• </c> governor removal. governor removal.

Transcript Highlights:

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So the member's appointment is for a term of five years.
• And the vacancy on the commission would be filled by the original appointing authority.
• the House appointments, Madam Chair?
• to appoint.
• And so what makes the House the expert and the psychologist that needs to be appointed?

Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• Further, it reassigns appointments of the Arizona Homeless Services Board from the governor to the Senate
• It passed both chambers on party-line votes and was vetoed by the governor.
• The committee is composed of seven members appointed by the President of the Senate and six members appointed
• It was, but when vouchers went universal, Republicans and Governor Ducey decided it...
• But when vouchers went universal, Republicans and Governor Ducey decided to not track any of that.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long minority calendar covering a wide range of bills, with sponsors giving brief descriptions and members frequently raising concerns about constitutionality, cost, federal preemption, and policy impacts. Topics included medical intervention and vaccination/mask prohibitions, state treasurer investment rules, vacant state positions reporting, shooting range closure limits, congressional term limits, audit penalties, cellphone use while driving, procurement restrictions tied to China, air ambulance regulation, hospital immigration-status reporting, SNAP purchase restrictions, school assessment changes, school contract transparency, religious excusals from school, student contact information, fitness reporting, and several property tax, water, and agriculture measures. Members also discussed bills on AI-generated sexual material consent verification, DEI liability, hate-crime sentencing, commercial driver forfeiture tied to immigration status, speed-limiting devices for repeat speeding offenses, PFAS firefighting foam, name changes for sex offenders, abortion-inducing drugs, prisoner transition services, sexual extortion penalties, solar radiation management bans, and cultivated-cell food labeling and sales bans. Several bills drew explicit opposition or requests to pull them from consent, especially those affecting abortion access, immigration-related hospital reporting, school testing, religious release programs, DEI policies, and cultivated-cell foods. Members noted that some measures appeared duplicative, overly broad, or likely unconstitutional, and in multiple cases referenced prior vetoes or prior-year versions of the same bills. Supportive comments were also made on selected bills, including the PFAS foam prohibition, the assistive technology study committee, the digital goods consumer protection bill, and the prisoner transition services extension. The caucus also considered water and infrastructure measures, including brackish groundwater funding and studies, water augmentation authority bonds, Pima County water rates, groundwater transport rules, and HOA drought watering limits. Toward the end, members reviewed election-related memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers, a memorial urging withdrawal from the United Nations, and another urging defunding the IMF; all three were noted as being on consent and were pulled for further discussion. The meeting closed with announcements, including a note about a local missing-person concern and a caucus recognition program called the Affordable Arizona Award.

Transcript Highlights:

• I said, they just came back from Youth and Government, so you want to be the governor?
• a committee of four members of the House to notify the governor that the House of Representatives is
• is misinformed about whether governor is misinformed about whether the<01:10:38.760><c> legislature<
• </c> governor's office to notify the governor governor's office to notify the governor that<01:11:33.120
• I call on Representative Anderson from the committee to notify the governor to give the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• A unit in state government where a majority of the employees are appointed by the Governor and confirmed
• Of the ten positions that we are requesting, six of them, as noted, are Governor appointees, which are
• So once the director is appointed, then the dominoes will fall for the remaining positions.
• consider what there was a lot of interest last year in not doing the governmental appointment issue,
• The Governor Newsom issued in, I believe, September of ’23.”

Transcript Highlights:

• A unit in state government where a majority of the employees are appointed by the Governor and confirmed
• So once the director is appointed, then the dominoes will fall for the remaining positions.
• consider what there was a lot of interest last year in not doing the governmental appointment issue,
• If May 14, the day before the May Revise, you all announce, hey, good news, we just appointed six new
• The Governor Newsom issued in, I believe, September of '23.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on several GovOps-related budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding for the California Education Learning Lab. The Learning Lab described its intersegmental grants to UC, CSU, and community college faculty, including AI-related work and a math alignment project, and said the Governor’s proposal would move the program’s home agency to GovOps and restore $4 million annually. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to improve coordination, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the projects are hard to scale, similar professional development already exists in the segments, and the state should consider saving General Fund dollars. Senators split on the value of the program, with some emphasizing innovation and intersegmental collaboration and others questioning its measurable long-term impact; the item was held open. The committee then reviewed the Office of Civil Rights proposal to implement AB 715 and SB 48 with $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. GovOps said the office had been set up administratively, positions were being recruited, and it would provide training, technical assistance, and complaint review related to anti-Semitism and other discrimination in TK-12 schools. The LAO had no concerns, but senators raised substantial questions about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance while the laws are being implemented, the use of gubernatorial appointees, and whether the staffing structure matches the likely workload across different discrimination categories. GovOps said it would develop guidance, coordinate with CDE, and shift resources as needed once staff are hired, but several members said they were not prepared to support the item as presented; it was also held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee approved vote-only items 11 through 17 and 6 through 10. It then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation on a request for five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand digital service delivery work. ODI described projects such as reducing unauthorized EBT theft and forecasting community water system outages, and said it uses guardrails and contracts to protect sensitive data when working with vendor AI services. The LAO had no concerns, and members generally praised ODI’s small, high-impact role; the item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative, reporting that 423 miles are complete, more than 70% of the network has been permitted, and about 5,300 miles are expected to be completed by December 2026, with some work potentially slipping into 2027. CDT said Skyline Technology Solutions had been selected to operate the network and that the third-party administrator, Golden State Net, would continue to support development and later help oversee operations and sales. The LAO noted the project’s progress but raised concerns about the novel three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Senators questioned the legal basis for the operator arrangement, the revenue outlook, reporting to the Legislature, and whether the network will be self-sustaining; CDT said it expects revenues to cover operations over time and will continue annual and quarterly reporting. The item was left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> brother Austin, Lieutenant Governor brother Austin, Lieutenant Governor Ainsworth<00:36:14.320><
• Judge Pedway just retired, and I think the governor just made an appointment for someone from the DA's
• Judge Pedway just retired, and I think the governor just made an appointment for someone from the DA's
• Judge Pedway just retired, and I think the governor just made an appointment for someone from the DA's
• Judge Pedway just retired, and I think the governor just made an appointment for someone from the DA's

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number three, messages<00:13:40.160><c> from</c><00:13:40.320><c> the</c><00:13:40.480><c> governor
• </c> messages from the governor. Mr. Mr. messages from the governor. Mr. Mr.
• </c><00:13:44.000><c> We're</c><00:13:44.160><c> in</c> governor? Yes, Madam Speaker.
• We're in governor? Yes, Madam Speaker.
• conferies to the noted House appointed conferies to the noted House and<00:14:56.639><c> Senate</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Governor Hobbs proclaimed March 18th as Health Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness in Arizona,
• Governor Katie Hobbs, Arizona Proclamation.
• Now, therefore, I, Katie Hobbs, governor of the state of Arizona, do hereby proclaim March 18, 2016,
• Now, therefore, I, Katie Hobbs, governor of the state of Arizona, do hereby proclaim March 18, 2016,
• Business on the President's desk, appointments by the President.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, electronic roll call, and several guest introductions, including recognition of Health Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The President also made temporary committee appointments for the day and announced the day’s calendar of bills and committee referrals. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on several measures. Senate Bill 1014, relating to health insurance, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1016, on employment practices and religious exemptions, also passed 17-9 after debate about workplace safety and public health. Senate Bill 1050, concerning state parks and veteran access, passed 19-9, with supporters citing benefits for disabled and retired veterans and opponents warning about impacts on park fees. Senate Bill 1054, relating to referendum power and emergency measures, passed 16-10 amid debate over local emergency authority. Senate Bill 1177, relating to public monies and health care services, passed 17-9 after sharp partisan debate over transgender-related medical restrictions. Senate Bill 1194, also on health care services and vaccination-related medical decisions, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1398, relating to AHCCCS, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1751, relating to capital punishment, passed 16-9. The Senate also passed SCR 1049, a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment on capital punishment, by a 16-9 vote. Throughout the floor debate, members offered explanations of vote focused on public health, religious liberty, veterans’ benefits, emergency powers, transgender rights, vaccination policy, and the death penalty. The Senate then announced a Health and Human Services Committee meeting for the following day and adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been signed by the governor and put into law.
• That's why I said this bill's been passed numerous times, passed as committee, signed by the governor
• That's why I said this bill's been passed numerous times, passed that as committee signed by the governor
• Many city-owned hospitals are appointed by the mayor, county usually appointed by the commissioners,
• Many city-owned hospitals are appointed by the mayor, county usually appointed by the commissioners,

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• By my math, where we currently pay our statewide elected officers, I think the governor is the highest
• to make all five appointments within this bill.
• Originally, the PSC has three appointments.
• to make all five appointments within this bill.
• Originally, the PSC has three appointments.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy