Video & Transcript : 'SGU veteran' :
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FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Oral health is essential to overall health, yet too many veterans lack access to basic dental services
- This bill revises the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to ensure that veterans living
- The program would ensure that veterans living in Florida with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty
- By doing so, the bill expands access while still targeting resources to veterans who need help affording
- The amendment does not change the eligibility, does not change the purpose of the Veterans Dental Care
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public comment on several health and human services funding concerns before moving through a series of bills. Testimony at the start focused on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, with a client warning that proposed changes to eligibility and drug access could disrupt care for thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS, and urging the Legislature to intervene. Another speaker asked for support for the iBudget waiver, saying provider costs have risen and requesting about a 7% increase for direct support professionals to help stabilize the developmental disabilities workforce.
The committee then unanimously reported favorably several bills. SB 428 expanded Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7, based on drowning-prevention recommendations. SB 68 required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligned reporting dates with the House version. SB 1718 changed the definition of when an adult visitor in an out-of-home placement becomes a non-visitor, reducing repeated background checks, made the Step Into Success pilot permanent, adjusted foster youth stipends, and created a best-practices program within the Florida Institute for Child Welfare.
The committee also approved SB 606, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials provided to new parents and requires hospitals and birthing centers to document compliance; members highlighted bathtub drownings as a key concern. SB 96 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program to veterans up to 400% of the federal poverty level, while an amendment removed the bill’s specific appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process. SB 340 required nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before taking the NCLEX. SB 1480 created a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in federally designated areas of critical need if an area is de-designated, to avoid disrupting patient-provider relationships. All bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Florida law designates Veterans Day on November 11th. Thank you, Madam Chair and Senators.
- Florida law designates Veterans Day, November 11th, as one of numerous legal holidays to be observed
- This bill ensures that all Florida school districts formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday
- . ...state's armed forces, including the nearly 1.4 million veterans that call Florida home.
- I'm a Marine Corps veteran. I utilized Troops to Teachers.
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.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- a study on mental health among women veterans.
- Tragically, women veterans also experience higher rate of suicide.
- Additionally, women veterans utilize women veterans benefit at a lower rate than men.
- Women veterans are one of the fastest growing demographic in the state.
- As a member of Ineo, that's amazing that we have our veterans on the floor.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We had a couple of members from the Treasury speak about veterans with disabilities.
- We had a couple of members from the Treasury speak about veterans with disabilities.
- As a side note, during Rachel's presentation, she mentioned veterans benefits and veterans with disabilities
- During my day job here at the DPPC, we had a recent meeting with the Office of the Veteran Advocate,
- which is a new organization that has a lot of great resources for veterans.
Summary:
The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly meeting virtually and in person at the State House. The commission approved the March minutes and elected its officers by unanimous roll call vote: Denise Garlick as chair, Chris White as vice chair, Carl Richardson as treasurer, and Osmondahar as secretary. The meeting also welcomed several new commissioners, including Rep. Jay Livingstone, Rep. Vanna Howard, Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, Rep. John Marzi, and Leo Sarkisian, with brief introductions from the new legislative members.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the commission’s current work and the broader policy environment affecting people with disabilities. Commissioners and subcommittee leaders raised concerns about federal threats to Medicaid/MassHealth, Section 504 accessibility protections, DEI-related rollbacks, immigration policy impacts on the direct care workforce, and the loss of funding for youth employment and vocational rehabilitation programs. Members also discussed ableist language in public discourse and the need for stronger advocacy and communication in response to these developments.
Subcommittee reports highlighted recent activity on disability employment, workforce supports, and long-term services and supports/health equity. Presentations included veterans with disabilities, employment programming for young adults with disabilities, immigration and labor protections, MassHealth’s PCA working group, and a health equity roundtable. The commission also discussed future plans to create an advisory board, develop successor and mentoring planning, and launch regional “meeting the moment” listening sessions across the Commonwealth to strengthen outreach and leadership development. The meeting ended with an open invitation for commissioners to share urgent information with staff for broader distribution and a unanimous motion to adjourn.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:59:14.720><c> a</c> educated at WSU, an Army veteran, a educated at WSU, an Army veteran, a
- <c> children</c><02:20:30.240><c> with</c> veterans or assisting children with veterans or assisting
- </c> construction, the Department of Veterans construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs,<02:29
- </c> the Military Construction, Veterans the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs<02:36:14.640><c>
- </c> bridging rental assistance for veteran bridging rental assistance for veteran empowerment<02:38:
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Army veteran whose body was used without his family's knowledge.
- That we do to honor our veterans as they depart this life. And I am so sorry.
- I'm also a veteran of the United States Navy. Thank you for your service.
- Army veteran, and the CEO of Metamarket, a bioskills lab or anatomical facility.
- Army veteran and the CEO of Metamarket, a Biolskills Lab or Anatomical Facility.
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending.
The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending.
Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion.
After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Up next, we're going to listen to some rules from the Idaho Division of Veterans Services.
- I'm Mark Chappelle, the chief administrator for the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, and I am pleased
- 21-01-21-21-21, rules governing admission, residency, and maintenance charges in the Idaho State Veterans
- Home and Division of Veterans Services administrative procedures.
- Those services are no longer being provided by the veteran services.
Committee:
House Commerce and Human Resources
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 10 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 1403, Veteran with Combat Injuries Day, designate February 13th as.
- Senate Resolution 35, extend recognition and thanks of the Senate to Veterans Outreach of Mississippi
- the month that we're designating for like the Gold Star Fathers' Day, National Blood Donor Month, Veterans
- </c><00:39:12.840><c> Combat,</c><00:39:13.360><c> that</c> Blood Donor Month, Veterans Combat, that
- Blood Donor Month, Veterans Combat, that type<00:39:13.880><c> thing.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 17 Mar 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Introduction of veteran of the. Week. Introduction of doctor and or nurse of the day.
- service by joining the Travis Mannion Foundation, a national organization dedicated to supporting veterans
- family, both in uniform and in their community, that made them truly deserving of being named the Veteran
- Family of the Year by the Oklahoma Veterans Council, and they were recognized right here on the house
- The year before, they delivered gift bags to the veterans at the veterans hospitals, and that was a much
Bills:
HB3522 , HB4300 , HB4359 , HB4363 , HB3467 , HB2987 , HB3076 , HB4427 , HB3026 , HB3288 , HB3315 , HB3711 , HB3885
Keywords:
alcoholic beverages, ABLE Commission, licensing, regulation, annual reporting, child care, criminal history, background checks, child safety, Oklahoma laws, advisory committees, statewide assessments, student testing, testing window, end-of-year testing, Oklahoma Academic Standards, Oklahoma School Testing Program, State Board of Education, grade 3-8, alternate assessment
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- The caucus or the veterans caucus. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Speaker.
- 8:00 — that's 8:00 a.m. for civilians — the earliest meeting caucus in the General Assembly, the veterans
- And as all veteran caucus members know, make sure you do your 20 push-ups before you get there.
- The caucus or the veterans caucus. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Speaker.
- And as all veteran caucus members know, make sure you do your 20 push-ups before you get there.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This is Senate Bill 1377, Senate Draft 2, House Draft 1, relating to veteran cemeteries.
- Senate draft 2, House draft 1 relating Senate draft 2, House draft 1 relating to<00:05:21.360><c> veteran
- 23.120><c> On</c><00:05:23.280><c> behalf</c><00:05:23.520><c> of</c><00:05:23.680><c> the</c> to veteran
- On behalf of the to veteran cemeteries.
- ” versus just veterans and citizens, right?
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> is to support the over 990,000 veterans is to support the over 990,000 veterans in<01:33:16.679>
- </c> portfolio that includes the Veteran portfolio that includes the Veteran Cemetery<01:33:22.400><c
- <01:34:22.800><c> services</c> veteran services veteran services current<01:34:25.199><c> vacancies</
- </c> military Affairs and veteran military Affairs and veteran services<01:34:32.280><c> 18</c><01:34
- As a veteran population ages, do we need as many veteran service officers?
Summary:
The committee reviewed the Department of Corrections budget, with the chair initially noting that the overall numbers looked close to fiscal year 2024 spending, except for federal funds. Department officials explained that prior ARPA expenditures and delayed revenue recognition had distorted the comparison, and that the corrected general fund spend was about $169.7 million. Members then focused on whether the budget’s staffing assumptions were realistic, especially the shift from overtime to full-time lines and the use of vacant positions to offset overtime costs. The department said it is leaning on vacancy savings, but would return for additional appropriations if unforeseen staffing problems arise.
A major portion of the discussion centered on recruitment, retention, and staffing levels. Officials reported a 42% vacancy rate in enforcement ranks, down from 51% in January 2023, with 28 new officers headed to the next academy and 33 new hires already tracked. They said overtime is more expensive than regular staffing because of benefits and that it takes about 11 months for a new hire to break even. Members also asked about the split between incarcerated and supervised populations; the department said it oversees about 1,970 inmates in facilities and just over 4,000 people in the community, with 77 positions supervising the community population and the inmate population remaining the most expensive area.
The committee also discussed how sentencing and statutory changes affect incarceration levels, including misdemeanor/felony thresholds and theft thresholds, with the department agreeing that such changes can significantly affect prison and jail populations. Members asked about education and recidivism, and the department said base education is the most important foundation, followed by vocational training, while noting that many incarcerated men lack a high school diploma. The department also described a $1.3 million reduction in contracted forensic evaluation services, explaining that these evaluations are court-ordered competency assessments and are not statutorily required to be provided by DOC. Finally, members reviewed victim services funding and staffing, including VOCA-supported positions, and the department explained that a new victim witness specialist would help support survivors at parole hearings and safety planning.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 06:00 pm
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Housing, economic development, health care, climate, veterans, to name a few. Mr.
- Speaker, Veterans, to name a few, Mr.
- It's the biggest veterans legislation in state history. Thank you.
- We built brand-new, world-class facilities at the Veterans Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke.
- She is a World War II veteran. The staff there take care of her like family.
Summary:
The House and Senate met in joint convention for the Governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth address. Before the address, the chamber handled routine organizational motions, including recesses, the appointment of committees to escort the Lieutenant Governor, constitutional officers, and the Governor into the chamber, the posting of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and an invocation and benediction. The joint convention then heard Governor Maura Healey’s address, followed by remarks from legislative leaders and a closing benediction.
In her speech, Governor Healey said the state is strong and highlighted accomplishments from the past session, including tax cuts, expanded child care support, the Affordable Homes Act, transportation improvements, federal funding gains, veterans’ services, and health care measures. She also emphasized ongoing priorities such as reducing housing costs, improving transit and infrastructure, expanding primary care and mental health services, supporting education and career pathways, strengthening clean energy and AI investment, and protecting reproductive health care. She called for abolishing tenant broker’s fees, creating a statewide graduation standards council after the MCAS requirement change, and continuing efforts to address the emergency shelter system and other cost pressures.
No roll call votes were taken on legislation during the address itself, but the convention adopted the various ceremonial orders and motions by voice vote. After the Governor’s remarks and the benediction, the joint convention adjourned, and the House later adjourned to meet the following Tuesday in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- have made employment, poverty, mental health, housing, disabilities, gun safety, education, and veterans
- And her dad was a veteran. Her own mom was a social worker, as is she, and her dad was a veteran.
- Her dad suffered mental health challenges during his life from his unmet needs as a veteran.
- We didn't forget about the veterans. We didn't forget about our seasonal communities.
- Veterans bill in the country. That goes to you.
Summary:
The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators.
The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session.
In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement.
The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 50 would allow judges in all judicial circuits the option of using veterans' courts.
- A veteran can earn his or her way out of the justice system as an alternative to incarceration.
- In the Veterans Court, and it also codifies a role for the state attorney.
- our veterans.
- Senator Burgess, love seeing you in my district when you were heading the veterans group.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage.
Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program.
Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is just proof that your heart is fully committed to the military and veterans.
- A veteran can earn his or her way out of the justice system as an alternative to incarceration.
- In the Veterans Court, it also codifies a role for the state attorney.
- our veterans.
- Senator Burgess, love seeing you in my district when you were heading the veterans group.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c><00:31:22.000><c> public</c> notation of veteran status, public notation of veteran status, public
- This is a bill that honors our veterans by establishing Veterans Day as a tax-free day for the sale of
- The bill establishes Veterans Day as a tax-free day for the sale of items to a veteran for less than
- Colleagues, uh, the Veterans Caucus will meet tomorrow, hearings at 1:00.
- Uh, Baltimore County or excuse me,<01:53:41.520><c> veterans.</c> me, veterans. me, veterans.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School.
The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles.
Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment.
One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Ken is a 21-year Marine Corps veteran.
- He's a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 1st, 2026, as a day of remembrance and celebration of the Santa Rosa Barrio, honoring families, veterans
- on Judiciary and Elections, having under consideration House Bill 2226, relating to processing and veteran
- on Judiciary and Elections, having under consideration House Bill 2226, relating to processing and veteran
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 532 exempts 100% disabled veterans from paying tolls in the state of Florida.
- The bill is brought by a constituent who is a 100% disabled veteran who had to travel long distances
- disabled veteran just to get to the health care he needs?
- The bill is brought by a constituent who is a 100% disabled veteran who had to travel long distances
- more costs as a 100% disabled veteran just to get to the health care he needs?
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of transportation-related bills, most of which were reported favorably. SB 532 would exempt 100% disabled veterans from paying Florida tolls. SB 1738 would allow certain counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in by maintaining current levels of service, though there were concerns about congestion and future growth. SB 1696 aimed to reduce transportation network company driver impersonation, allow transit authorities to contract with ride-share platforms, and permit those platforms to participate in state-funded paratransit trips. SB 1378, as amended, would allow courts to order restitution in standard leaving-the-scene crashes; the amendment made restitution discretionary and required that the driver caused or contributed to the crash. SB 1210 would increase penalties for red-light and stop-sign crashes and require bodily injury insurance for drivers who cause such crashes. SB 1820, via strike-all amendment, addressed dealer-manufacturer relations by requiring written explanations of performance measures, prohibiting retaliation against dealers asserting statutory rights, and limiting franchise termination or nonrenewal to substantial breaches. SB 1246 created a specialty license plate for safe coastal wildlife, with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation for conservation work and an amendment allowing up to 10% for administrative and marketing costs.
The committee also considered SB 574, which would allow Florida residents with Purple Heart license plates to pass tolls free of charge; the bill was amended to change the plate reference to a specialty plate and was reported favorably. SB 1662, the FDOT department bill, was substantially revised by strike-all amendment covering a wide range of transportation issues, including USF’s role in the Florida Transportation Research Institute Consortium, Florida Transportation Commission provisions, seaport and airport-related changes, strategic space infrastructure, sewer lines in rights of way, small county road assistance, aggregate supply chain programs, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority board appointments. Testimony on SB 1662 included support from USF and the Florida Public Transportation Association, which raised concerns about added oversight and bureaucracy for transit systems. Most bills received support from affected stakeholders, and several were amended before final favorable votes.
Roll calls were taken on each measure, and all of the listed bills were reported favorably by the committee. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on several bills, and the committee adjourned after a brief personal privilege remark from Chair Collins.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- including including freshman Webb Verdell, shoulder leading to a late night visit to a local. and veteran
- as the leaping acrobatics of freshman Daniel Adler's and sweetness of jukes, and ankles broken by veteran
- One team stood victorious the house freshmen and whereas veterans like Rep.
- recognized the achievements of the house freshmen winning the first such game against the pension veterans
- Look the the veterans we were ready for y'all, but let me tell you what I can't take it away from the