Transcript Highlights:

• The next order of business is a meeting of the Committee on Committees and Rules Committee.
• </c> on Committees and Rules Committee. on Committees and Rules Committee.
• </c><02:51:18.560><c> rules</c> committee on committees and the rules committee on committees and the
• of the Committee on Committees and<02:51:23.520><c> Rules</c><02:51:23.840><c> Committee</c><02:51:24.160
• Next order of business is report of the Committee on Committees and Rules Committee. Mr.

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the committee, it's always a pleasure to present before the interim committee.
• We were hoping to just make sure that the committee doesn't forget about that need.
• So we have now reintroduced it in this Congress, and we're hopeful. We're always hopeful, but...
• I hope you enjoy your time in retirement.
• I really hope this committee can read that carefully.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Reminder to the committee about the committee dinner tonight at Santa Fe at 6. 6. Santa Fe.
• And so, Madam Chair, and also to the committee members as well, I hope this is something to be taken
• Thank you, committee.
• I'm ready for the committee, ma'am, Chair. Okay, questions from the committee.
• I hope you can make it. I know there's 70... At Santa Cafe. I hope you can make it.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also co-chair of the education policy committee.
• And so I also serve on the jobs committee, and we're hearing that the same in other agencies.
• I think that's the bigger problem, and I hope that comes up in negotiations.
• </c><00:13:28.079><c> And</c> hope that comes up in negotiations.
• And hope that comes up in negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2700, Technology Study Committee, Assistive Technology.
• Shope, Committee of the Whole. Mr. Majority Leader. Mr.
• Show up, committee, committee, the whole. Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Chairman. And I. Mr.
• Shope, Chairman, Committee of the Whole. Mr.
• So I do hope that we can work on a plan.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized the doctor of the day and several guests, and then moved through a long floor agenda. Members received House messages, handled committee appointments, and considered a large number of bills in Committee of the Whole, including SB 1046 on information technology, SB 1066 on civil liability and fraudulent scientific research, SB 1332 on light rail expansion participation, and SB 1286 on veterinary prescriptions. Amendments were adopted on each of those measures, with SB 1332 drawing a notable objection from Senator Kuby over state interference in local transit decisions and preference for autonomous vehicles over light rail. SB 1286 was described as a compromise between stakeholders on electronic veterinary prescribing, including limits for antimicrobial drugs and longer windows for flea and tick medications. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. SB 1009 on school curriculum passed 16-10 after debate over AED training and whether it created an unfunded mandate. SB 1086 on the Arizona health care cost and payment system passed 18-8. SB 1317, appropriating money to the Attorney General for a coordinated jail reentry program, passed 22-4 amid discussion about the program’s success and concerns over the funding source. SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1709, SB 1550, and SB 1761 also passed, with comments focusing on school safety funding, probation revocation for dangerous crimes against children, a Queen Creek-related appropriation, and university cooperative extension and experiment station needs. SB 1046 and SB 1286 later passed third reading as well. The chamber also paused for a St. Patrick’s Day recognition, welcoming Speaker Murphy of the Irish Parliament and reading a proclamation honoring Irish heritage and the Phoenix-Ireland relationship. Afterward, the Senate returned to business, received House requests to return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration, heard a personal privilege statement on an ICE detention death, and announced upcoming committee meetings and caucus schedules. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll call the committee meeting to order.
• Anyone else hoping to be heard on the bill? Okay, with that, we'll turn it to the committee.
• Chairman and committee members.
• Anyone else hoping to be heard on the bill? Okay, we'll turn it back to the committee.
• Chair and Committee.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm honored to be co-chair of the House Energy Committee, a committee that I've been on since I was
• Our committee heard a challenging.
• </c> bipartisan support, into this committee bipartisan support, into this committee bill.<00:05:07.280
• I truly hope that as we move into the conference committee process with this bill, we consider utilizing
• that as we move into the I truly hope that as we move into the conference<00:30:59.600><c> committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll discuss bills, resolutions, conference committee reports, and joint committee reports.
• Love dispels fear, and hope dispels despair.
• We will always remember and we will always choose hope over hate.
• We are nearly halfway through our second round of the Journey of Hope.
• I hope for generations more to be there, but the reality is, Mr.

Bills: HR1046 , SB1733 , SB1439

Keywords: Oklahoma City, terrorism, Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, memorial, remembrance, first responders, community support, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, fossil fuels, liability protection, climate change, energy independence, oil and gas

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope you'll join them and I hope you'll join me in welcoming them here today.
• </c><00:07:28.319><c> on</c> bill and referred to the committee on bill and referred to the committee
• them and I hope you'll hope you'll join them and I hope you'll join<00:08:38.719><c> me</c><00:08:38.800
• So I hope you will support the committee<00:15:35.199><c> by</c><00:15:35.360><c> voting</c><00:15:35.680
• </c> committee by voting yes on this report. committee by voting yes on this report.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope this committee will support the request for $30 million for CRDP under CDPH. Thank you.
• I hope that this committee will support the request of $30 million to continue and save the California
• I hope that this committee will support the request of $30 million to continue and save the California
• I hope this committee will support the request for $30 million for CRDP under CDP. Thank you.
• I hope that this committee will support the request of $30 million to continue and project.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those reasons, I hope this committee will... ...trust of all law enforcement.
• For those reasons, I hope this committee will support this bill and unmask these abuses.
• I hope they do, and I hope I'm wrong.
• I hope they do, and I hope I'm wrong.
• Anyone else hoping to be heard on the bill? Okay, we'll turn it back to the committee.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review will
• Lee, welcome to the committee. Thank you.
• Chair and members of the committee.
• It is my hope that we will start voting in 15 minutes, and so I hope that members of the budget committee
• I hope that members of the budget committee start to make their way back to the committee room so that

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge the Texas State Affairs Committee to favorably vote SB 2595 out of committee. Thank you.
• So the committee substitute has not been adopted by the committee; it's a proposal.
• There is a committee substitute, which has already been laid out before the committee.
• There's a committee substitute.
• There is a committee substitute which has been already laid out before the committee.

Bills: HB45 , SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education will now come to order.
• Hello, members of the committee.
• Hello, members of the committee.
• Hello, members of the committee.
• So I want to thank you, Chair and committee members.

Bills: S1062 , S1718 , S7038

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Transcript Highlights:

• He is welcome to the committee.
• </c> is welcome to the committee is welcome to the committee representative<00:12:54.399><c> mcdonal<
• </c><00:15:12.600><c> hopefully</c> hope so the bill will hope hopefully hope so the bill will hope hopefully
• Evans, welcome to the committee.
• With that, the committee is in recess. The committee is in recess. [Music]

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• You're recognized to address the committee.
• I have served as chair of the Academic Student Faculty Affairs Committee, chair of the Audit Committee
• I've also served on the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, a second
• hope you'll offer me that chance.
• Rudman earlier in the committee.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee heard and voted on two higher education bills before moving to a long series of university and college board appointment confirmations. CS/SB 742 would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs tied to industry certifications, and would expand the money-back guarantee requirement from three to six programs at career centers and Florida College System institutions. A question was raised about whether the charter school access could reduce district funding or grant availability; the sponsor said it could, depending on available funds. The bill was supported by one appearance form and was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 892, which codifies the Florida State University Election Law Center so it can continue and receive recurring funding. The sponsor and FSU witnesses said the center is nonpartisan and focused on evidence-based research, especially on election administration issues related to natural disasters and public confidence in elections. After testimony and questions, including about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of testimony from numerous appointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, and Florida Atlantic University. Most nominees emphasized their personal ties to the institutions, support for workforce education, student success, and local economic development. Several highlighted priorities such as keeping tuition affordable, expanding internships and career pathways, strengthening nursing and other workforce programs, and improving graduation and retention rates. Some appointees also described campus-specific goals, including research growth at FAU and Harbor Branch, community engagement at New College, and continued support for health care workforce partnerships at FGCU. The most notable exchange came during testimony from Dr. Joel Rudman for the Pensacola State College board, where Senator Leek questioned him extensively about prior public comments that appeared to reference threats and drug testing legislators. Rudman said his remarks were aimed at Florida House members and not the Senate, denied any knowledge of illicit drug use by current or former senators, and said he was speaking candidly as a private citizen. Public testimony on his nomination included both support and strong opposition, with one speaker praising his community service and another warning about his alleged disruptive behavior and social media posts. The committee also heard from several supporters and appointees who were not questioned further, and the meeting ended with plans to vote on the appointments after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• By 2019, we had joined forces with the Pioneer School District Town Committee, called the Heart Committee
• I hope to get a write-up of that.
• I hope to get a write-up of that.
• Any additional questions from the committee? Any additional questions from the committee?
• Any questions for members of the committee? Any questions for members of the committee?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on late-filed bills and formal petitions, with testimony focused primarily on two local measures: Senate Bill 3026 concerning voting procedures for a proposed six-town regional school district, and House Bill 5294, a Worthington home rule petition seeking a one-year moratorium on large-scale solar development. Committee members reminded speakers of testimony limits and remote participation rules, then took testimony from local officials, residents, and advocates. On S. 3026, supporters from the Six Town Regionalization Planning Board and local boards said the bill would create a fairer, equal voting process across all six towns for a major regional school district decision. They argued the measure would expand voter access, address concerns about unequal polling opportunities, and help communities respond to declining enrollment and financial pressures affecting school sustainability. Testifiers thanked the bill’s sponsors and urged the committee to advance it. On H. 5294, Worthington officials and residents strongly supported the moratorium, saying it was not anti-solar but a needed planning pause for a small rural town facing industrial-scale solar and battery proposals. Witnesses cited limited municipal staff, volunteer fire and health services, water-supply and groundwater concerns, wildfire risk, decommissioning and oversight costs, land-use and ecological impacts, and the strain on rural communities from state energy mandates. Several speakers said the town needed time to develop zoning and safety regulations before projects moved forward, and they asked the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed testimony after the final speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the committee.
• Welcome to the committee. Thank you, Mr.
• ><c> last</c> distribute it to the committee your last distribute it to the committee your last sentence
• Chair, members of the committee.
• /c> interest uh committee Mr chair I hope interest uh committee Mr chair I hope that<00:31:46.279><c>

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:24:27.200><c> you</c><00:24:27.320><c> can</c> committee so I'm just hoping you can committee so
• The ultimate funding mechanism will not be determined by this committee or any other committee other
• The ultimate funding mechanism will not be determined by this committee or any other committee other
• </c> information and can help the committee information and can help the committee our<00:35:04.560><
• Chair and committee members.

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh committee.
• . committee. committee.
• </c> Welcome to the committee. Welcome to the committee.
• </c> Welcome to the committee. Welcome to the committee.
• I<01:26:06.360><c> would</c><01:26:06.600><c> hope</c> I would hope I would hope that<01:26:08.120><c

Bills: HF3426 , HF3896 , HF1426 , HF3793 , HF4061 , HF4246

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, wild rice, watercraft regulation, environmental protection, aquatic ecosystems, HF1426, product stewardship, extended producer responsibility, EPR, electronics recycling, e-waste, battery recycling, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, electrical products, covered products