Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up Tab 1, CS for SB 50 on Veterans Affairs by Senator Gaetz.
• Dan Hendrickson, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative, waves in support.
• allow judges in all judicial circuits the option of using veterans' courts.
• Dan Hendrickson, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative Waves in Support.
• do to, you know, take care of our veterans, veterans' courts programs and anything that we can do to

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Rules Committee heard and voted on a series of bills, beginning with SB 54 on toxicology screenings in autopsies of violent offenders, which requires medical examiners to screen for psychotropic and intoxicating substances, consult treating providers when possible, and report findings to state agencies; it passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 176 on public postsecondary campus safety policies, requiring colleges and universities to publish clearer reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, and staff. Both bills were reported favorably without major opposition. The largest portion of the meeting was devoted to CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill. The bill covers a wide range of agriculture-related issues, including fair association rules, preemption of local restrictions on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food and animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent Farmers Feeding Florida funding, forest service training expansion, signal-jamming device penalties, CDL English proficiency enforcement, no-solicitation protections, food safety inspector protections, biosolids regulation, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted several amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanded veterinary loan eligibility, citrus foundation consolidation, technical corrections, removal of outdated fair references, a nonprofit definition fix, and a late amendment deleting the bill’s disparagement clause after extensive testimony and debate about free speech and agricultural speech protections. A separate late amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill drew strong support from farmers, agritourism groups, food donation advocates, and some utility and wastewater interests, while conservation groups and biosolids operators raised concerns about land surplus provisions and biosolids restrictions. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then approved SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while an amendment added written disclaimer requirements; it passed favorably. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices also passed, directing the Building Commission to incorporate standards into the Florida Building Code. SB 50 on veterans’ courts was approved, allowing judges in all circuits to use veterans’ courts for cases involving service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. Finally, SB 1004 on the sale of dogs and cats passed after amendments removed an appropriation and kept the bill’s disclosure, financing, and consumer protection provisions, and SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed with discussion about coaches providing basic support to student-athletes and possible parental-consent language. The committee also began hearing SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, which would regulate crypto kiosks with registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections; an amendment to that bill was adopted, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a civil engineer, 27-year veteran of the department.
• She's a civil engineer, 27-year veteran of the department.
• -Vietnam veterans.
• Today, among us are the veterans of that special guerrilla...
• Today, among us are the veterans of that special guerrilla unit who joined us in Vietnam, and they're

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of gubernatorial appointments and floor items. The chamber confirmed Dina Eltawasi as Director of Caltrans, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, and Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and later confirmed William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board. Each appointment was presented by Senator Grove and approved on roll call, with final confirmation votes recorded after calls were lifted. Several measures were taken up on third reading. SCR 143, by Senator Umberg, honored Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans who served with U.S. forces during the secret war in Laos; Senator Archuleta also spoke in support, and the resolution passed unanimously. SR 96, by Senator Cortese, proclaimed April as National County Government Month and highlighted the role of counties and CSAC; it also passed unanimously. SB 1347 clarified that stock albuterol authorization applies to all public schools, including preschools; SB 977 required chain restaurants offering children’s meals to provide at least one healthier option meeting nutrition standards; SB 1234 required fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is already ordered; SCR 161 designated May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; SR 101 updated the Senate Rules Committee membership by replacing Senator Jones with Senator Ochoa Bogh; and SB 1111 addressed liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas. All of these measures were approved, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate also adopted SCR 128, by Senator Perez, declaring April 13–24, 2026, as High School Voter Education Weeks to encourage civic education and youth participation in elections. The consent calendar was then approved after Senator Cervantes removed SB 1381; the remaining consent items passed 35-0. Throughout the session, members introduced visiting groups, including Hmong and Laotian veterans, CSAC representatives, and students in the gallery. The day concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, after which the Senate announced its next floor session and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a civil engineer, 27-year veteran of the department.
• She's a civil engineer, a 27-year veteran of the department.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 143 by Senator Umberg, relative to the special guerrilla unit veterans.
• -Vietnam veterans.
• Today, among us are the veterans of that special guerrilla...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everyone, to the Technology and Economic Development and Veterans Committee meeting of Tuesday
• from the top, which is Senate Bill 5420, ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans
• Senate Bill 5420 is the bill that relates to veteran benefits.
• Welcome back, everyone, to the Technology Economic Development Veterans Committee, and we are ready to
• The expansion that allows more veterans to have access to things that they have earned, as well as the

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 6289, which would direct the Department of Commerce to develop a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan by June 30, 2027, with updates every five years. Senator Kaufman said the bill is intended to create a more intentional, coordinated, data-driven statewide strategy to support businesses of all sizes and sectors. Supporters from the Washington Economic Development Association and the Department of Commerce said the plan is needed to align regional and local efforts, improve competitiveness, and address challenges such as capital access, infrastructure gaps, tariffs, and AI-related disruption. Both Commerce and WEDA supported moving the update cycle from two years to five years, and Commerce said the change would save money and help reduce the fiscal impact. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6149, which would expand the definition of a rural county for public facilities funding and related programs to include counties with population density of 100 or more people per square mile if they have no city larger than 45,000 people. Senator Wilson said the bill is meant to preserve rural eligibility for counties like Cowlitz as cities grow, so they do not lose access to grants and loans that support economic development. Members raised questions about how the new definition would affect counties and whether it would better capture rural areas within larger counties, but no testimony opposed the bill. In executive session, the committee considered three bills. For Senate Bill 5420, concerning access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, the committee adopted a striking amendment that broadened some eligibility language, including changing a reference from physical to medical discharge and updating employment preference provisions, then advanced the bill by a 12-0 vote with one excused. For Senate Bill 5649, creating a Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program, members began debate on amendments that would add WSDOT scoring criteria favoring Washington-made or Washington-grown goods and limit grants and loans to projects not already eligible for Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board funding. The committee also reviewed several amendments to the AI companion chatbot bill, including narrowing educational and gaming exclusions, adding protections around age inference and manipulative engagement techniques, and limiting data collection; one amendment was withdrawn before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Opportunity subcommittee of the Veterans Opportunity subcommittee of the Veterans Affairs<06:10:
• </c> that all of our service members veterans that all of our service members veterans and<06:10:24.240
• </c><06:10:30.600><c> are</c> do that is by uring that veterans are do that is by uring that veterans
• It is my honor to introduce the Protect Veteran Act to reinstate veterans who are recklessly terminated
• ><c> are</c><07:56:00.920><c> recklessly</c> reinstate veterans who are recklessly reinstate veterans

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the net proceeds of the Louisiana Lottery, specifically designed to benefit veterans in Louisiana.
• The bill creates a veteran service grant board responsible for overseeing the disbursement of funds,
• Louisiana is not the first state to utilize lottery proceeds to create a veterans fund.
• The Texas Lottery has contributed more than $296 million to veteran programs in the state of Texas.
• I think you're going to provide, again, just another avenue for support for our veterans.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the bill for repairing gravestones for veterans.
• The Veterans Commission does have a fund for repairing gravestones in veteran cemeteries, but those who
• This is the bill for repairing gravestones for veterans.
• The Veterans Commission does have a fund for repairing gravestones in veteran cemeteries, but those who
• Further discussion, gentlemen from Veteran Green County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• dedication to its veterans and military families.
• My name is Juan Joseph, and I'm a combat veteran with 20 years of service.
• , the happier I am, as we all support our good veterans.
• So let's pass this so we can continue being the most friendly veteran state in the union.
• Let's pass this so we can continue to be the most friendly veteran state in the union.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism took up several measures, beginning with SB 1666, which would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, smart contracts, blockchain, and NFTs. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. It also approved CS/SB 480, a proposal to create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model; the bill drew significant questions about preexisting conditions, ACA coverage, costs, and whether the plans would function like insurance, but it was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from some members and outside groups. The committee then unanimously advanced CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program; an amendment added military-spouse hiring preferences and protections for private employers that adopt them voluntarily. The committee also approved CS/SB 1400, a bill aimed at non-consensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes. The measure requires covered platforms to provide a removal process, post clear notice of that process, and remove identified content within 24 to 48 hours, with liability under the Florida Unfair Trade and Deceptive Practices Act for noncompliance; an amendment carved out internet service providers from liability. Members raised concerns about repeat uploads and the meaning of “reasonable efforts,” but the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adopted SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, despite testimony opposing it as unnecessary and constitutionally questionable. It also passed SB 1252, which would create a centralized statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies; the sponsor said the first step would be a $250,000 feasibility study, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 922, which revises Florida’s restrictive covenant laws by creating a streamlined process for certain non-compete and garden leave agreements involving employees with access to sensitive information and higher wages. The bill drew extensive debate over worker mobility, global scope, and whether it would strengthen employer leverage too much; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. The last major item was SB 1776, a Florida Whistleblowers Act revision that adds a notice-to-cure requirement, narrows retaliation and employer definitions, and limits claims where another statutory remedy exists. Members and public speakers raised concerns that it could make whistleblower claims harder to bring and give employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was amended and then reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's this extra liability associated, potentially. with the returning veterans.
• We saw veterans coming from the war.
• And we still have wartime. veterans, correct? We absolutely do.
• Gulf War veterans who are here in the state of California.
• It was designed with veterans in mind, but it is open to all state workers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas former Colorado Representative, Senator, veteran, and farmer Lewis H.
• </c><00:38:25.680><c> affairs,</c> related to veterans affairs, related to veterans affairs, agriculture
• </c> the Memorial Day events and the Veterans the Memorial Day events and the Veterans Day<00:48:56.720
• We just had a couple of clarifying... 47 and the state veterans and military 47 and the state veterans
• In state veterans military &gt;&gt; Thank you.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans.
• Every August he said that he didn't do things just on Veterans Day.
• He wanted veterans to know that we were always thinking about them.
• I read the proclamation for all the things he had done as a dedicated supporter of veterans.
• , or veterans in general—that's always all over the community meeting needs wherever he saw it.

Bills: SCR46 , SB31 , SB39 , SB227 , SB330 , SB401 , SB407 , SB467 , SB482 , SB500 , SB506 , SB512 , SB527 , SB584 , SB619 , SB636 , SB646 , SB647 , SB648 , SB659 , SB663 , SB715 , SB732 , SB758 , SB801 , SB816 , SB847 , SB870 , SB884 , SB1020 , SB1055 , SB1065 , SB1137 , SB1169 , SB1181 , SB1283 , SB1383 , SB1395 , SB1410 , SB1433 , SB1490 , SB1558 , SB1574 , SB1626 , SB1666 , SB1718 , SB1727 , SB1756 , SB1757 , SB1845 , SB1924 , SB1964 , SB1972 , SB2018 , SB2031 , SB2075 , SB2076 , SB2080 , SB2111 , SB2117 , SB2154 , SB2161 , SB2173 , SB2206 , SB2225 , SB2253 , SB2268 , SB2314 , SB2322 , SB2351 , SB2371 , SB2476 , SB2533 , SB2540 , SB2570 , SB2589 , SB2623 , SB2658 , SB2660 , SB2692 , SB2693 , SB2717 , SB2722 , SB2753 , SB2779 , SB2877 , SB2880 , SB2900 , SB2920 , SB3031 , HJR4 , SB5 , SB260 , SB1786 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB1 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR46 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1924 , SB2253 , SB2018 , SB2206 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB1490 , SB2314 , SB2046 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB1137 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB1558 , SB884 , SB227 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1626 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB648 , SB647 , SB512 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB2366 , SB1013 , SB2692 , SB2570 , SB2797 , SB2111 , SB2371 , SB2383 , SB646 , SB1169 , SB1754 , SB1718 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB1756 , SB2119 , SB527 , SB2322 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB407 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB3031 , SB2877 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2920 , SB2929 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB2742 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB2117 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1964 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2722 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2623 , SB2658 , SB1574 , SB2900 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB401 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB467 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB2031 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB31 , SB2880 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB2351 , SB410 , SB659 , SB816 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB482 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , HJR4 , HB135 , HB1109 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2615 , SB1049 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB1568 , SB2841 , SB2885 , SB3016 , SB2858 , SB2610 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB2308 , SB2306 , SB2041 , SB1528 , SB1681 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB2544 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , HCR35 , HCR64

Keywords: Texas beef, cattle industry, agricultural heritage, Texas strip steak, economic growth, SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability

Transcript Highlights:

• He did put the cap at 12.5, 12,500, is what could the max could be charged to a veteran for filing their
• "Is what could the max could be charged to a veteran for filing their claims.
• , ladies and gentlemen, as I explained earlier, this is just another tool in the toolbox for our veterans
• choose to go with an outside company, same outcome will come, but it's just another tool in the veterans
• ' toolbox that they tool in the veterans' toolbox that they can<00:12:30.280><c> file</c><00:12:30.520

Keywords: MS House Floor - 9 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These federal cuts specifically impact vulnerable veterans, such as veterans who are currently homeless
• , veterans raising children, and veterans awaiting disability determinations from the Veterans Administration
• job search costs from income, and it eases the work requirements for vulnerable veterans.
• SB 1201 also ensures that every veteran who applies for benefits is connected to a county veteran...
• ...that every veteran who applies for benefits is connected to a county veteran service officer.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a floor introduction welcoming Berkeley Mayor Adina Ishi. The body then moved through a series of third-reading bills, with most measures presented as responses to current policy concerns and several placed on call before roll votes were completed. Early measures included SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries, SB 1112 increasing penalties for towing industry notice violations, SB 877 requiring insurers to disclose claim materials and revisions, SB 1046 directing Cal/OSHA to develop protections for workers exposed to transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley, and SB 1091 creating a community anti-displacement and preservation housing program. These bills generally drew support and passed, with SB 1091 ultimately passing 34-2 after a call vote. The floor also considered SB 951 on AI-related layoffs and worker notice, SB 1030 repealing the “man in the house” rule in CalWORKs, SB 1218 tying vehicle registration renewal to payment of illegal dumping fines, SB 1013 tightening privacy and oversight rules for automated license plate readers, SB 1116 making technical changes to the Starter Home Revitalization Act, SB 1201 protecting veterans from food-assistance cuts, and SB 1164 strengthening state voting-rights protections. Debate on SB 1013 featured sharp disagreement over whether the bill’s 30-day retention limit and audit requirements were necessary guardrails or would hinder law enforcement investigations. SB 1164 also drew opposition over concerns about litigation and expanded Attorney General oversight, but supporters argued California should codify voting-rights protections amid federal uncertainty. Most of these measures passed, with SB 1013 and SB 1164 receiving notable no votes. A major portion of the session focused on AB 1768, an urgency measure authorizing Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to place local sales-tax measures before voters to help offset federal funding cuts to health care and safety-net services. Supporters framed it as a local-control measure needed to backfill losses from federal disinvestment and protect Medi-Cal, CalFresh, hospitals, clinics, and county services; opponents argued it would worsen affordability, expand regressive taxation, and bypass normal committee review. After extensive debate, the urgency measure received the required votes and passed. The Senate also adopted SCR 171 designating May 20 as California Nonprofits Day by unanimous roll call. The session ended with committee announcements, including budget subcommittee meetings, and a notice that the Senate would recess and reconvene later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• These federal cuts specifically impact vulnerable veterans, such as veterans who are currently homeless
• , veterans raising children, and veterans awaiting disability determinations from the Veterans Administration
• job search costs from income, and it eases the work requirements for vulnerable veterans.
• SB 1201 also ensures that every veteran who applies for benefits is connected to a county veteran...
• ...that every veteran who applies for benefits is connected to a county veteran service officer.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The genesis of this legislation, former educators and veterans and leaders in civic organization, came
• And so it would flow through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by civic or veteran
• Again, I'm a Vietnam veteran. able to discern with myself and John.
• Again, I'm a Vietnam veteran.
• Veterans Hall of Fame, and, folks, you need to come to the induction ceremonies.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2722, then voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 13 yes and 2 no. The sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the roles of liaisons for foster care students, McKinney-Vento students, and unaccompanied youth in higher education, and added language to avoid conflicting with Missouri law on public benefits for non-citizens. Members also discussed the fiscal note, which was expected to be minimal or not yet available until after committee reporting. The committee then heard House Bills 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Representatives Prouty and Pollitt, which would require the General Assembly to create Missouri-specific educational materials about how the state legislative process works and how a bill becomes law. Supporters, including legislators, teachers, students, and social studies coordinators, said the materials would help students understand Missouri government, civic engagement, and the differences between state and federal lawmaking. Several witnesses suggested the materials should be tailored by grade level, with third grade and high school mentioned as likely targets, and some members raised questions about drafting, implementation, and the estimated fiscal note. One witness spoke in opposition, saying only that he opposed the bill in the spirit of civil discourse. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 31, sponsored by Representative Martin, which would establish a Missouri seal of civic recognition for students who demonstrate civic knowledge, participation, and service. The sponsor described a tiered recognition system tied to coursework, civic engagement, and community or military service, administered through DESE and the existing civics and patriotic work group. Members asked about the resolution format, the role of the work group, how schools would track eligibility, and whether the measure should be narrowed to high school graduation before expanding to younger grades. Supporters, including a retired educator and civic education advocates, said the seal could encourage stronger civic learning and student engagement, while one coalition witness urged a streamlined, merit-based model and local district flexibility. The committee took no final action on the latter two measures during the hearing and adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 369, an act relating to veteran treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
• House Bill 381, an act relating to disabled and deceased veterans benefits. Representative Thomas.
• </c><00:19:38.320><c> Representative</c> veterans benefits. Representative veterans benefits.
• Resolution 14. to<00:31:30.720><c> Veterans,</c><00:31:31.120><c> Military</c><00:31:31.520><c> Affairs
• ,</c><00:31:31.919><c> and</c> to Veterans, Military Affairs, and to Veterans, Military Affairs, and

Keywords: Video Starts 00:00 Convene 05:16 Report of Committees 10:27 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 11:07 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 18:04 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 20:57 ConC and Rules Report 26:01 Adjournment 31:55, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. Members approved excusing absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from January 13, 2026. The Banking and Insurance Committee reported House Bills 176, 184, and 265 favorably, and those bills were placed on the calendar as having had first reading. The chamber then took up several announcements and citations. A legislative citation was adopted honoring Tatum Elizabeth Dale, with remarks from members describing her kindness, service, and impact on the community. Another citation was adopted recognizing Emily Bingham for her book My Old Kentucky Home: The Astonishing Life and Reckoning of an Iconic American Song. Members also announced upcoming committee meetings, including Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, the House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Health Services, and Oversight and Investigations. The House received a large batch of new bill introductions covering topics such as criminal law and minors, electric utilities, daylight saving time, veterans’ treatment and benefits, transportation, outdoor recreation, human trafficking, licensed professionals, automated license plate readers, postsecondary education, utility disconnection protections, electric metering, virtual currency kiosks, mental health facilities, perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening, controlled substances, prescription drugs, and literacy in schools. Two resolutions were also introduced, one encouraging a school naming honor for Jose Marte and another recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Committee on Committees then referred numerous bills to standing committees, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is General Maney for consideration, HB 199, Veteran Affairs.
• It aligns the Veterans Court bill with the mental health court.
• post-adjudicatory referrals to Veterans Court.
• I would like to mention we do have some veterans.
• Dan Hendrickson, Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee met to consider three bills. HB 199, relating to Veterans Court, was presented as a repeat measure aligning Veterans Court procedures with mental health and drug court laws and allowing post-adjudicatory referrals. A technical amendment was adopted, numerous witnesses waived in support, and the bill passed unanimously 17-0. The committee then took up HB 45, which would add public swimming pools and public bathing places to existing sex offender residency, work, volunteer, and visitation restrictions. The sponsor argued it would protect children and apply only to specified sex offenses. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns that the bill’s definitions were overly broad, could effectively ban registrants from much of Florida, and could increase homelessness and make offenders harder to track. An amendment narrowing the bill’s scope and definitions was adopted after debate, and the bill passed 11-5 as amended. Finally, HB 17, the Jason Rayner Act, was heard to clarify that force may not be used to resist an arrest by an officer acting in the performance of official duties, retain good-faith language, add manslaughter to offenses requiring a life sentence when reclassified, and increase the severity level for battery on a law enforcement officer. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen protections for officers; opponents argued it could sweep in accidental or less culpable conduct, while supporters said existing law already covered serious cases. A clarifying amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 16-0 as amended. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a young man who is a veteran. He is an Afghanistan veteran.
• There's a young man who is a veteran. He is an Afghanistan veteran.
• While he is not a veteran, he has benefited from what veterans have done for his family and the veterans
• vote for all veterans.
• What are we doing for veterans?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the House: the House petition of Joshua Toskey for legislation to authorize the establishment of a Veterans
• Suicide Mortality Review and Prevention Council within the Executive Office of Veterans Services...
• ...Suicide Mortality Review and Prevention Council within the Executive Office of Veterans Services comes
• from the House on the suspension of Joint Rule 12 and is referred to the Committee on Veterans and Federal
• The petition will be referred to the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Senator Behan.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a civil engineer, a 27-year veteran of the department.
• She's a civil engineer, a 27-year veteran of the department.
• -Vietnam veterans.
• I rise as chair of the Military and Veterans Committee to honor these men whose service has given us
• Today, among us are the veterans of that special guerrilla unit who joined us in Vietnam, and they're

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through appointments, resolutions, and bills. Governor’s appointments for Dina Eltawasi as Caltrans Director, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board were presented and later confirmed after roll calls and lifting of calls. The chamber also took up several third-reading measures and resolutions, including SCR 143 honoring Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans, SR 96 recognizing National County Government Month, SB 1347 clarifying stocking of albuterol in public schools, SB 977 requiring chain restaurants to offer at least one healthier children’s meal, SB 1234 requiring fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is ordered, SCR 161 designating Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, SR 101 replacing Senator Jones on the Rules Committee with Senator Ochoa Bogh, SB 1111 addressing liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas, and SCR 128 establishing High School Voter Education Weeks. Each of these measures was presented by the author, generally received supportive remarks, and passed by roll call, with calls later lifted and the votes confirmed. During debate, Senator Umberg emphasized the long-overdue recognition of Hmong and Laotian veterans who served in covert missions during the Vietnam era, and Senator Archuleta echoed that tribute on behalf of the Military and Veterans Committee. Senator Cortese and Senator McGuire spoke in support of SR 96, highlighting the role of counties in delivering public services and warning about the impact of federal cuts on health and human services. Senator Niello described SB 1347 as a cleanup measure extending existing albuterol stocking authority to all public schools, including preschool. Senator Weber Pearson argued SB 977 would improve children’s nutrition options at chain restaurants, while Senator Alvarado-Gil said SB 1234 would help keep fentanyl out of homes by ensuring court-ordered drug testing includes fentanyl. Senator Weber Pearson also presented SCR 161 on maternal mental health, citing high rates of pregnancy-related depression and anxiety and barriers to care. Senator Ashby presented SR 101 and SB 1111, the latter aimed at unauthorized AI-generated voice and likeness replicas, and Senator Pérez presented SCR 128 to encourage voter education for high school students. After the floor actions, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, with Senator Cervantes removing SB 1381 from consent. Committee announcements followed, including upcoming Budget Subcommittee meetings. The session concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, whose advocacy and writing were remembered by the chamber. The Senate announced its next floor session for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 2 p.m., and then recessed until later that afternoon for adjournment proceedings.