Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, can I confirm number one you are holding?
• Judicial counsel. I move item 1 C. All right. 1 C. And we have a second. Mr.
• :22:53.520> have<00:22:53.600> enough<00:22:53.840> ARPA judicial council, they
• have enough ARPA judicial council, they have enough ARPA funds<00:22:54.559> left<00:22:54.799
• We said this out loud to each other the other day in committee, but I just want to confirm that this

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd have to research that a little bit more to confirm, but I think that is an excellent point that the
• The one section for the executive, judicial, and legislative facility holdings, and the second section

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the committee's judicious approach to distributing the funding cuts in recognition of a
• Ways and Means Committee with the Direction that nonpartisan staff make any technical corrections to confirm

Bills: HF2439

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations

Transcript Highlights:

• Gas Proceeds and Pass-Through Entity Withholding Tax Act to the Magistrate Retirement Fund and the Judicial
• At 9 a.m., we'll be starting with Senate Bills 5 and 85, and then we're going to have a little confirmations

Transcript Highlights:

• It confirms that investors have rights of ownership and transfer, even if the property is held... ...
• Respectfully, to answer Representative Turner's question and confirm his understanding of the Stevens
• The Court of Appeals erred by misconstruing the other duties clause to encompass judicial branch duties
• within a hundred miles of the coast. 150 miles of the Gulf of Mexico, since 1980, Texas has seen 90 confirmed

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• be 21 members, three from each ward, but they can be appointed by the mayor and then subject to confirmation
• would allow sales tax authorization up to 3.75% to finance $45 million for construction of a new judicial
• construction<00:19:43.280> of<00:19:43.480> a<00:19:43.520> new<00:19:44.000> judicial
• for construction of a new judicial for construction of a new judicial center, center, center, >

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Leanna Garcia said she was there on behalf of the Arizona Judicial Council.
• It outlines enrollment verification requirements for access to confirm member eligibility and standards
• The governor appoints regents, but we in the Senate confirm them.
• The governor appoints regents, but we in the Senate confirm them.
• to be held by the county, but also the Department of Revenue is my understanding, and I have not confirmed

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Confirm these your servants in your peace, and let your light shine upon them.
• officers, registered special conservators of the peace, and technicians employed by a locality to confirm
• House Joint Resolution 116, confirming the appointment of Fritz Sassine as Director of the Division of
• Senate Bill 158 relates to the maximum number of judges in each judicial district and circuit.
• These are judges that have been approved by the Council on Judicial Circuits, and I would ask the body

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• believe that these are hypothetical; they're definitely real issues, and they're real issues as confirmed
• believe that these are hypothetical; they're definitely real issues, and they're real issues as confirmed
• the only witness that I have. issues and they're real issues as issues and they're real issues as confirmed
• by the Secretary of State confirmed by the Secretary of State himself. himself. himself.
• matters previously decided by,” the three words “or pending” before “the planning board in a quasi-judicial

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Take this moment to say his name, share his story, and confirm with whoever you must to ensure he is
• Take this moment to say his name, share his story, and confirm with whoever you must to ensure he is
• Second Session, submission of Senate Bill 35, a bill creating an additional judgeship in the First Judicial
• A bill creating an additional judgeship in the First Judicial District and making an appropriation.
• We'll be doing the confirmation hearing for Anna Silva, who is the designee for the General Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates judicial economy, takes cases out of our court system, and it allows for cases to be settled
• without going through the judicial process.
• IT CREATES JUDICIAL ECONOMY, I TAKES CASES OUT OF OUR COURT SYSTEM AND IT ALLOWS FOR CASES TO BE SETTLED
• WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE JUDICIAL PROCESS.
• We want to make sure that they stay out of court, because our judicial system is already overwhelmed.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed. The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that yesterday Representative Weyler and he heard from the judicial branch that this has been
• However, he said, the judicial branch has been asked for a 4% cut to try to meet the budget deficits
• Representative Lehman said he was concerned that they were hearing from the judicial branch, which he
• He said that yesterday Representative Weyler and he heard from the judicial branch that this has been
• The discussion confirmed that the date being considered was February 21, 2025.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do individual confirmation votes.
• I was previously confirmed by the U.S.
• I was previously confirmed by the U.S.
• I was hugely confirmed by the U.S.
• I was previously confirmed by the U.S.

Summary: The committee first heard a confirmation from UCF trustee reappointee Mr. Christie, who described his background in medical devices and prior board service and said he wanted to help UCF strengthen its financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology pipeline. Members asked about UCF’s direction, and he emphasized the university’s role in producing engineers and supporting Florida’s space and technology sectors. The committee then moved to the higher education budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which was presented as an $11.5 billion total budget including local funds and focused heavily on workforce education, nursing, agriculture technology, tutoring, student aid, and university initiatives. Chair Harrell highlighted increases for school district workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education grants, the GATE program, nursing education through USF’s Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS rural and agricultural programs, UCF’s Community School Grant Program, UF’s literacy and tutoring initiatives, autism and neurodevelopment services, full funding for major scholarship programs, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and Harrell said a conforming bill would address the details. The budget proposal was adopted as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee, with staff authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then took up a series of confirmations, beginning with Florida State University reappointee Peter Collins, who emphasized his long FSU ties, leadership on the board, and goal of keeping FSU on a path toward top-10 status and AAU membership. Rebecca Matthews, a new University of West Florida appointee, discussed her education-related volunteer work, Florida Education Foundation service, and interest in supporting UWF’s continued excellence; senators questioned her on Title IX and she said she would support student protections and compliance. Rachel Moyah, another UWF appointee, highlighted her education, school board experience, and priorities of student safety, fiscal discipline, and workforce readiness; she also said she would comply with Title IX and other applicable rules. Ashley Ross, also nominated to UWF, said she would focus on university advancement, military ties, cybersecurity, civil engineering, and strong governance, and agreed that Title IX protections should be preserved and advanced. The most extensive questioning came during the confirmation of Adam Kessel, a UWF appointee and Heritage Foundation fellow, who was asked about prior writings on privatizing public universities, his comments about the GI Bill, and his views on free speech and Project 2025. Kessel said he did not recommend privatizing Florida universities, clarified that his comments about the GI Bill and over-enrollment were about broader higher education policy, and said he supports veterans and the GI Bill. He described his higher education work as focused on civic education, accreditation, student success, tenure, and free speech, and said trustees should improve campus culture through policies, training, and institutional neutrality. Public testimony on UWF was sharply divided: former UWF leaders and community members warned that the new slate of trustees and their vote to make Scott Yenor chair had chilled donations, enrollment, and community trust, while a James Madison Institute representative praised Kessel’s scholarship and thoughtful approach. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment Belvin Perry, who cited his judicial career and board service and said his goal is to support student success, retain strong faculty and staff, and help FAMU continue rising in national standing. Finally, the committee began hearing from remote appointees, including UCF nominee Mark Philburn, who emphasized his construction, affordable housing, and higher education board experience, and FSU nominee Peter Jones, who described his finance and investment background and long service to FSU boards and committees. The last nominee heard before the transcript ended was Florida Gulf Coast appointee Paul Applegarth, whose audio issues delayed his remarks; he began by noting his prior federal confirmation, military service, and GI Bill-supported education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, we're doing this in a judicious way with our budgeting, making these investments in a manner
• Second, we're doing this in a judicious Second, we're doing this in a judicious way<00:04:42.680
• and furthermore, these reforms I think are in the interest of more transparency and oversight and judicious
• Sort of addressing housing instability, this is a judicious and smart way to utilize these resources.
• It confirms that there's no cost to the bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Liguori that went through Ways and Means, HB 2780, Judicial Foreclosure Excess Proceeds Sale.
• Liguori that went through Ways and Means, HB 2780, Judicial Foreclosure Excess Proceeds Sale.
• Liguori that went through Ways and Means, HB 2780, Judicial Foreclosure Excess Proceeds Sale.
• She also asked whether she had missed all the other bills with Rhonda, and confirmed, “Yes, yes, we already

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills. Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the LESC study that was done last year, they did confirm that PED would get up to a $30 million
• Okay, under significant issues on page three, I have some concerns there since in 2018, the First Judicial
• Do you agree with that statement, that decision that was handed down by the First Judicial District?
• Do you agree with that statement, that decision that was handed down by the First Judicial District Court

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we're working with AOC in another capacity to get peer support workers in the judicial
• Region 10 has been confirmed and will be held in Tucumcari at the end of April.
• playing out, a lot of calls from folks with regards to, you know, I believe it's your capital here, judicial
• So the way the definition of a behavioral health region, it is defined as a judicial district or county

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Hesler, Assistant State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit, you're recognized, ma'am.
• Bill Gladson, State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, you are recognized, sir.
• Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
• Well, hopefully with the confirmation of Attorney General Bondi, she'll get control of that in some manner

Summary: The Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee met to hear a panel on the prosecution and enforcement of illegal gaming in Florida. The chair opened with a video showing seized machines at a Florida Gaming Control Commission warehouse and described the scale of illegal operations. Panelists included the commission’s executive director, local sheriffs and police officials, and state attorneys from several counties, who described widespread illegal slot-machine locations, often in strip malls or convenience-store-type settings, and said the machines are typically used in organized criminal activity rather than legitimate amusement gaming. Witnesses repeatedly said the current penalty structure is ineffective because possession and operation of illegal slot machines are generally second-degree misdemeanors, which they described as too minor to deter operators who can quickly reopen after paying fines or completing diversion. They said enforcement is resource-intensive, requiring undercover work, search warrants, machine seizure, storage, forensic review, and long prosecutions, often while the same operators reopen elsewhere. Several panelists cited associated crimes such as robberies, firearms offenses, prostitution, drug activity, human trafficking, and at least some homicides tied to illegal gaming locations. Members also asked about the difference between legal amusement devices and illegal slot machines, online gambling, illegal horse racing, local licensing and ordinances, and whether manufacturers or distributors could be pursued. The commission and prosecutors said legal slot machines are limited to specific regulated locations and that lawful amusement machines lack a material element of chance. They said many illegal machines are imported or reworked versions of gaming devices and that upstream accountability is difficult under current law. Panelists also discussed cooperation with licensed casinos, tribal gaming entities, and local governments, noting that some local ordinances have tried to permit or limit these businesses. The main policy takeaway from the panel was a call to increase penalties, likely to felony-level offenses, and to consider stronger forfeiture and enforcement tools. No vote or formal action was taken at the meeting, and the chair adjourned after thanking the panelists.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do individual confirmation votes.
• I was previously confirmed by the U.S.
• I was previously confirmed by the U.S.
• As I said, I was previously confirmed by the U.S.
• I hope that I am confirmed.

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, from a judicious perspective...
• process you go through to determine if the utility can provide the service. 2541 does not provide that judicious
• Since then, there have been numerous articles confirming this... ...horrible municipal water loss.
• position is only adopted if 75% of our members agree on it, and then that position is subject to confirmation

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB