Video & Transcript : 'texting while driving' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- through but a place you drive to.
- through but a place you drive to and the reason you're going to say you drive to it is because of the
- All while expanding equity outcomes across the Commonwealth.
- And I asked just because while we're struggling to...
- In FY27, while cost sharing with EOTSS, In FY27, while cost sharing with EOTSS to gain efficiencies,
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Summary:
The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began.
MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services.
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal.
The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 19th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This evaluation finds that while there are some bright spots and progress has been made, the envisioned
- If you look on Chart 13, you will see that while HED distributed most of the endowment funds quickly,
- If you'll turn your attention to the gray text box on page 14, the report describes how ENMU was able
- But what we still see is that while they're here, they still get misused.
- You know, my family, we were the victims of a drive-by shooting. And Mr.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 49 - Afternoon Session Apr 29th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- weekend working, mowing, whatever it is, and I just stop to take a break and I look at my email or a text
- And he had a rule, and I voted no, and I walked out of the room, and I immediately got a text message
- on his floor at the apartment until the day he kicked me out because I spit peppermint toothpaste while
- Those first years when the class of 2016 would gather up, there'd be a text message go out, and we'd
- Will you tell everybody, just by a raise of hand, that I did send you a text message immediately and
Bills:
HR1055 , SB2170 , SB1833 , SB1198 , HR1056 , SB1730 , SB563 , SB1379 , SB1645 , SB2155 , SB1280 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1461 , SB1457 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , SB1344 , SB1309 , HR1054 , SB2159 , SB1948 , HB1371 , SB1365 , SB1976 , SB1975 , SB2026 , SB1565 , SB1621 , SB237 , SB933 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB171 , SB1873 , SB2067 , SB1623 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1826 , SB2072 , SB444 , SB2184 , SB1966 , SB1812 , SB2117 , SB2135 , SB330 , SB1239 , SB1428 , SB1531 , SB1484 , SB1405 , SB3
Summary:
The House convened under quorum call and began with several recognitions and presentations, including visits from Comanche County 4-H, the Muskogee Police Department officers who completed EMT training, the March of Dimes, and Ag Day honorees, including the Ag Hall of Fame recipient Ron Justice. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1054 designating April 2026 as Library Month, with a special presentation honoring library leaders and advocates for their work on the first Library Day at the Capitol.
The House then considered and passed a series of bills, mostly on broad bipartisan votes, covering state symbols, fireworks sales, oil and gas royalty protections, AP exam access, veteran records access for grandchildren, Medicaid support for a food-is-medicine grant, law library representation, controlled substances, public health, state security staffing, financial exploitation protections, credit union modernization, workforce data, staffing contracts, enterprise zone incentives, conveyance/title theft protections, hospice narcotics disposal, duplicate statute cleanup, and memorial highway/bridge designations. One major bill, SB 237 on eliminating the solar and battery storage manufacturing tax exemption, was laid over after discussion and questions about tax policy and local incentives.
Several measures drew brief explanation and questions, including SB 2159 on state symbols and wheat, SB 1948 on fireworks sales, HB 1371 on oil and gas royalty payments and bankruptcy protections, SB 1975 on AP testing locations, SB 2026 on access to veterans’ discharge papers, SB 1565 on food-is-medicine Medicaid support, SB 1642 on splitting short opioid prescriptions, and SB 933 creating a right-to-try pathway for individualized treatment. Most of these bills passed with little or no debate, and several emergency clauses also passed by the required two-thirds vote.
Not all measures advanced: SB 1771, expanding Workforce Commission data authority, failed on a 27-46 vote, and the House later gave notice of intent to reconsider. SB 1365 was reconsidered and then passed, but its emergency clause failed. The session also featured an extended personal privilege speech by Rep. Scott Fetgatter marking his departure, in which he thanked colleagues and staff and reflected on his tenure and legislative work.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 20th, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- through but a place you drive to.
- through but a place you drive to and the reason you're going to say you drive to it is because of the
- All ...while expanding equity outcomes across the Commonwealth.
- What drives you to do what you do? And one of my teammates is Kent.
- But he was saying he had a two-hour drive. So thank you, Mr. Deputy.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held an FY27 Health and Human Services budget hearing in Mattapan, hosted at the Boston Public Library branch. Chairs Lydia Edwards and Russell Holmes, along with Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing ever in Mattapan and highlighted the importance of bringing state budget deliberations into a majority-Black neighborhood. Several legislators introduced themselves as they joined, and the committee noted that public testimony was not part of the format, though agencies were invited to discuss priorities and challenges.
MassAbility opened the agency testimony. Leadership described the agency’s mission to support people with disabilities through employment, training, home and community life services, and disability determination. They said Governor Healey’s FY27 budget funds MassAbility at $93.3 million, a 1% reduction from FY26, and explained that the agency is responding to federal funding uncertainty and shifting program needs by redesigning services internally. Members questioned a proposed $1.3 million reduction to the Home Care Program, staffing changes, and whether services could be maintained with fewer resources. MassAbility said it was reviewing data on who uses the program, that it does not provide nursing or personal care, and that it is working with a transition plan and a working group. The agency also discussed federal uncertainty around vocational rehabilitation funding and said it had received delayed federal awards but remained in contact with national associations and federal partners. The testimony included a personal story from a participant, Joshua Corcoran, to illustrate the impact of services.
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing testified next, requesting $11.27 million, about a 6% increase over FY26. The commission said it serves about 1.4 million residents and focuses on communication access in health care, courts, public safety, and other public systems. It highlighted interpreter and captioner workforce shortages, a mentorship program to expand the provider pool, and a modernized referral platform funded through capital contingency money. Members asked about interpreter availability, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL access for students and families, and training for police and emergency responders. The commission said staffing remains limited, especially for after-hours services, but that it is expanding training, school outreach, and partnerships with DCF and other agencies.
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind then presented its FY27 budget request of $30.8 million. The commissioner said the agency serves nearly 9,000 legally blind residents, provides training and peer support, and placed 190 consumers in competitive integrated employment this year. It also described services for older adults, vocational rehabilitation, and the Turning 22 program for young adults with additional disabilities. Members raised concerns about a 7% cut from the prior year and asked how the agency could maintain services; the commissioner said the agency had no waiting list, had trimmed overhead, and could manage the budget through internal efficiencies and strong partnerships. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the session, describing expanded legal and support services for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, citizenship and financial literacy programs, and the Family Welcome Center in Mattapan. Members asked about federal funding losses and the structure of the new legal services program; ORI said FY26 funding is stable but FY27 federal cuts remain uncertain, and that the legal program uses a centralized intake system with priority for emergencies and first-come, first-served access.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, July 16, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> record the text of this amendment. record the text of this amendment.
- Speaker, the Senate is fiddling while America burns.
- Ao was driving. Yes.
- Ao was driving. the vehicle that Mr. Ao was driving.
- </c> allow you to continue to do this while allow you to continue to do this while you<03:15:53.520><
Keywords:
Orland Project, Central Valley Project, Sacramento Canal Unit, water transfer, water rights, drought relief, federal reclamation, Bureau of Reclamation, California water, irrigation, water management, Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act, Reclamation Reform Act, water users association, water supply, drought resilience
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 4, February 12, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> offices while we're away from home. offices while we're away from home.
- Those of you who live here are within driving distance.
- </c> who live here are within driving who live here are within driving distance.<00:57:45.119><c> You're
- Rest of the members just hang loose here for a moment while we sort this out.
- we sort this here for a moment while we sort this out.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty One - Tuesday, March 3 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I think talking to some of my school districts, it took a while to adapt to it.
- It was not meant to drive wedges between school districts.
- I also just got through texts from our interim superintendent, Dr.
- And it stayed vacant for a while.
- And it stayed vacant for a while.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> is because you know I received text is because you know I received text message<00:21:04.559><c>
- Did that drive the number up for future?
- </c> text messages always say, fund PERS. text messages always say, fund PERS.
- </c> That drives the ADC up does it not? That drives the ADC up does it not?
- </c><00:56:01.599><c> messages</c> hitting them uh you know text messages hitting them uh you know text
Committee:
Joint Finance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In the meantime, we'll take a brief pause while we text people angrily to get them to come to the hearing
- In the meantime, we'll take a brief pause while we text people angrily to get them to come to the hearing
- Like, what happens if you’re only able to access 30 days of medication while frantically searching for
- And one of the first things you see when you drive around are all the murals.
- While you're coming up, could I get a motion and a second on the consent calendar?
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a lengthy agenda of Senate bills, with most measures ultimately advancing on party-line or broad bipartisan votes after substantial testimony and several amendments. Early in the hearing, SB 418 by Sen. Menjivar was presented as a health access bill to codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and require coverage for up to a 12-month supply of medically approved hormone therapy; supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care amid federal threats, while there was no opposition testimony. The committee later also took up SB 456, which would exempt muralists from contractor licensing requirements for commissioned fine art murals; supporters said recent enforcement had chilled mural projects and harmed artists and communities, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 641, part of the wildfire response package, and SB 774, a sunset review bill for the Department of Real Estate and Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, also advanced with support and no opposition. SB 775 and SB 776, sunset extensions for the behavioral sciences, psychology, and optometry boards, passed after witnesses described technical changes and the need to keep the boards operating. SB 777, dealing with abandoned cemeteries, drew testimony from local governments, industry, and counties; after amendments removed a local takeover mandate and shifted the bill toward a stakeholder working group and study process, opposition softened or was withdrawn and the bill moved forward to Local Government. SB 790, on interstate reciprocity for online higher education, generated the most debate, with supporters arguing California students and institutions need stronger consumer protections and access to the national reciprocity framework, while opponents said the bill’s terms conflicted with the existing compact; it passed as amended to Appropriations after committee members emphasized continued work on student protections. The consent calendar, including SB 389 and SB 861, was also approved, and the committee adjourned after additional vote changes were recorded.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 30th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- While the next panel moves to the Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Okay, while we wait for Don, we're going to go ahead and move on to Gary Duvia.
- Okay, while we wait for Don, we're going to go ahead and move on to Gary Duvia.
- You can do so by phone, text, or email—just make sure we know.
- You can do so by phone, text, email, just make sure we know.
Committee:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources
Keywords:
sea lion, predation control, salmon preservation, fishing industry, voluntary donations, ungulate, wildlife conservation, ecosystem management, population sustainability, environmental impact, wildfire, federal response, community protection, natural resources, firefighter safety, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So while people wanting information about us is not new, So while people wanting information about us
- Most associates are required to wear this device on their arm on any given day while they're working.
- Most associates are required to wear this device on their arm on any given day while they're working.
- driving.
- The AI-enabled driver-eye cameras, which are produced by Netrodine, allegedly encourage safe driving
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on California privacy in the age of mass surveillance, with members framing the issue as urgent in light of AI, data brokers, workplace monitoring, and government access to commercially collected data. Opening remarks emphasized California’s long-standing privacy tradition and concern for impacts on Latino, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable communities. The committee heard from experts from UC Law San Francisco, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and a worker-organizer from Amazon, followed by a journalist from 404 Media.
Nicole Ozer reviewed the history of California’s constitutional right to privacy, tracing it to the 1972 ballot measure and arguing that lawmakers should use that right more fully to operationalize stronger protections against surveillance. Deirdre Mulligan described how surveillance capitalism has expanded through physical-world instrumentation, biometrics, connected devices, and AI, and argued that notice-and-consent models are inadequate because people cannot meaningfully understand or control how data is collected, inferred, shared, and used. Ari Waldman focused on disparate harms to marginalized communities, including queer people, survivors of domestic violence, and people seeking reproductive care, and called for stronger regulation, limits on data collection and sharing, and greater accountability for companies and government access to data.
Josh Black testified about Amazon’s workplace surveillance, including handheld devices, time-off-task monitoring, hidden cameras, and driver-facing AI cameras, saying the system pressures workers to skip breaks, rush safety training, and discourages organizing. He said the surveillance is used to increase productivity and suppress union activity. Committee members asked about data retention, injury reporting, cash as a privacy-protective payment option, and whether workers truly consent to surveillance as a condition of employment. Jason Kebler described how police departments adopt commercial surveillance tools through pilot programs and vendor relationships, often without public debate, citing license plate readers and networked camera systems that can spread data across jurisdictions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with discussion of the need for clearer definitions, stronger enforcement, and continued legislative action.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Public Safety Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It creates real opportunities for them to drive change.
- So while we expand responsibilities, we are not expanding opportunity.
- While I was in the pharmacy— When that situation puts our safety at risk.
- It will drive regulated companies to try to compete.
- While we understand the author's intent to represent youth in L.A. County.
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of public safety bills. The chair announced recess and return times, noted several consent items, and said SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Testimony procedures were explained, including limits on principal witnesses and public comment. Several bills were heard out of file order with authors presenting and witnesses speaking in support and opposition.
SB 1446 would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make votes public, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluations in certain cases. Supporters, including the author and district attorneys, said it would improve transparency and public safety; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked a quorum. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual or serial sexual offenses from elderly parole eligibility; the author and district attorneys cited recent releases of serious sex offenders and the need to respect victims and sentences, while opponents said the elderly parole process is already rigorous and evidence-based and that the bill would reduce rehabilitation incentives. The chair and other members strongly supported the measure, but no vote was taken.
The committee also heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement forces from entering California without the governor’s permission; the author and supporters framed it as a state sovereignty and constitutional authority measure, and the committee discussed an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for implementation of Proposition 36; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and related services, while opponents called it fiscally reckless and said the budget process was the proper place to address funding. The chair summarized amendments removing a specific appropriation and limiting eligible recipients, and members emphasized that the voters approved Prop. 36 but it remains underfunded. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer oversight for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment providers, especially ABA providers serving children; it drew support from health plans and behavior analysis groups and no opposition. SB 1210 would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to all gang databases, including local ones; supporters described privacy harms and racial disparities, while police chiefs opposed applying CalGang rules to informal local investigative files. SB 1019 would create a DOJ cargo theft task force; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, and port interests described organized theft, rail sabotage, and supply-chain losses, and there was no opposition. SB 1217, on non-consensual intimate image removal, was introduced with privacy and public safety amendments and framed as a survivor-driven effort to create a DOJ clearinghouse for rapid takedown requests; the author said it would help end ongoing digital harm from exploitation.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- While we are, I'd like to proceed while we're waiting for committee members.
- While I'm not representing them today, I'm certainly here to share my technical expertise.
- He studied California driving laws so he could get his license.
- Brian, would you like to catch up on votes while we're waiting?
- While I don't usually agree with the governor, I think that's a pretty valid point.
Committee:
House Judiciary
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 4, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- will drive down my wage.
- You should be able to pay people a living wage while they're learning these job skills.
- But if it wasn't for having the opportunity to earn while I learn with a living wage, I would not have
- That allowed her to earn while she learned.
- I meant to text you last night, and it's just, whatever, you don't even know the story of my sickness
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> while playing hockey for Benel St. while playing hockey for Benel St.
- I drive much look at everything.
- </c><00:49:00.800><c> his</c> now a C4 quadripollegic that drives his now a C4 quadripollegic that drives
- While they may have it in the nurse's office, while teachers may have it, they don't allow students to
- While they may have it in the Narcan.
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- What I found is the driving force is usually consumer choice.
- drive; it's more consumer choice.
- This is about more than just fixing a few lines of text.
- This is about more than just fixing a few lines of text.
- Senate Bill 840 does that while still maintaining for the people they affect.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services, faith-based institutions, public safety, military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> kind of decreasing number for a while kind of decreasing number for a while and<00:07:57.319><c>
- There are romance scams, and then text and email scams, such as claiming the target won the lottery.
- I think it took a while after the financial crisis.
- I think it took a while after the financial crisis.
- </c><01:11:57.199><c> electric</c> more motans are driving electric more motans are driving electric
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Education Commission Apr 2nd, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Oklahoma Education Commission
Transcript Highlights:
- So, gig slacker was driving me in yesterday. He was like, Nellie, I need help.
- I live in Kingfisher, but I'll drive up the city. That works. I can't, I can't. This is Roxy.
- A light bulb went on yesterday while we were talking about how we take and make.
- He's got an eye on things, and he texts me late at night just to see if I'm still up.
- But I can zoom in from the car on the drive back. Zoom from the car that day.
Committee:
House Oklahoma Education Commission
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I was just checking my text to see if I had a text for Senator Chobo because she had to stay in Human
- And so a pause at the moment while we're figuring that out, while the adults are trying to figure out
- Automation, in the right context, has been a feature of petition drives and postcard drives and organizing
- drives for decades.
- So while I appreciate everyone at the table, they're not my audience.
Summary:
The committee held its first hearing and took up several privacy, AI, and consumer protection bills. SB 1106 (Cabaldon) would shorten the Delete Act data broker deletion response deadline from 45 days to 30 days; it received support from the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, one senator said they would lay off pending implementation of the original law, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations with a 5-0 vote on call. SB 923 (Becker) would expand the CCPA deletion right to all personal information held by businesses and require online-only businesses to offer a web form or similar method for privacy requests; supporters included the California Privacy Protection Agency and privacy groups, while business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance, and the email/web-form requirement. The committee advanced it 6-0 to Appropriations, on call, with members noting continued work on amendments.
SB 1142 (Becker) would regulate digital replicas and deepfakes, including takedown and notice provisions for large online platforms and protections against misuse of a person’s likeness, voice, or identity. Supporters emphasized harms from non-consensual synthetic media and fraud; opponents, including the Motion Picture Association and tech industry groups, raised First Amendment, due process, Section 230, and overbreadth concerns, especially around deceased persons and the 48-hour takedown process. Members said they would support the bill while working on constitutional issues, and it passed 6-0 to Judiciary, on call. The committee also adopted its rules without objection.
The committee then heard several member bills. SB 867 (Padilla) would impose a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children; supporters cited research showing sexual content, dangerous advice, and privacy risks, while opponents asked for narrower definitions and retailer liability protections. It passed 7-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1247 (Padilla) would give child influencers a right to request deletion or modification of images and likenesses used in monetized social media content; there was little testimony beyond a civil justice group’s opposition to a new private right of action, and it passed 7-0 to Judiciary, on call. SB 1114 (Cabaldon) would restrict sharing of state-collected LGBTQ-related data absent an enforceable order; Equality California and other advocates supported it as a safeguard against misuse of sensitive data, and it passed 6-0 to Appropriations, on call. SB 1159 (Cabaldon) would limit local governments’ obligation to treat AI bots and agents as persons in public participation and records processes; supporters said AI-generated comment floods and requests can drown out human participation, while opponents argued the bill should focus on fraud and warned about overreach. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1050 (Ashby) would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated synthetic performers; supporters framed it as a truth-in-advertising and worker-protection measure, while opponents urged narrower, materiality-based standards and exemptions for broadcasters. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about breadth and alignment with existing law, and the bill was moved forward on a due-pass motion to Judiciary.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- One afternoon, while she was still a student, we came upon a terrible accident.
- Petersburg College delivers strong outcomes while continuing to expand access and opportunity.
- While I was working, I also served on the board of my law school for 20 years.
- We're going to try and text her. We are waiting to hear from Sherry Young.
- Let's stand in informal recess for five minutes while we get this problem solved.
Summary:
The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative.
The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions.
Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.