Transcript Highlights:

• A quorum was established at the last hearing, and so we'll begin.
• Before you ask your question, let me get the clerk to call the roll since we've got a quorum.
• Quorum is present. Senator Miles. Mr. Chairman, a question to the author.

Bills: HB2026, HB2427, HB2455, HB2560, HB3510, HB3966, HB3986, HB4429, HB5436, SB3062

Keywords: memorial highway, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Archer County, highway designation, vehicle weight, ports of entry, Texas Transportation Code, truck regulations, load limits, Adopt-a-County Road, funding, road maintenance, county partnership, public recognition, memorial designation, highway, Sergeant Mark Butler, transportation, Brazos County

Transcript Highlights:

• Quorum is present. Thank you. Please silence all electronic devices.
• A quorum of the Joint Committee is the majority of the members of each house, and no business of any
• type may be conducted in the absence of a quorum.

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have quorum.
• Madam Secretary, if you can establish quorum, please. Colra? Here. Dixon?
• We've established quorum. Any other questions? We've established quorum.
• We already have a quorum, so we'll just go ahead and start. SB 8.
• So we still have a quorum. Ah. And so we'll go ahead. We're a little loopy.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee without quorum at first, then later established quorum and continued hearing several bills. SB 27, the annual CARE Court cleanup bill, would require courts to consider CARE referral for certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial, combine some hearings, allow limited data sharing among licensed medical professionals, and expand eligibility to include mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would clarify the meaning of “clinically stabilized,” streamline the process, and help more severely ill people receive treatment; opponents argued it would expand CARE Court too broadly, strain county resources, and divert attention from housing and voluntary services. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 82, dealing with so-called “infinite arbitration clauses,” would limit consumer contract arbitration provisions to disputes arising from the product or service actually purchased. The author and supporters said the bill would stop companies from forcing arbitration in unrelated claims and would not ban arbitration itself. Opponents from business and banking groups argued the language was too restrictive, could create litigation over related transactions, and should be clarified as prospective only. The committee approved the bill and placed it on call after a roll call vote. The committee then heard two reparations-related bills. SB 437 would direct CSU to develop a genealogical methodology and framework for verifying descendants of enslaved people, with oversight, reporting, and guardrails tied to recently allocated state funding. Supporters said the bill would create a fair, evidence-based process; opponents, including professional genealogists and reparations advocates, argued the work is already well understood, the bill is unnecessary, and it could delay action. SB 518 would create a Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within state government, with divisions for genealogy, property reclamation, outreach, and legal affairs. Supporters framed it as needed infrastructure to implement reparations recommendations; opponents objected to locating it in the Department of Justice, warned about data privacy and law enforcement control, and criticized the inclusion of broader communities. Both bills were moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 52, the End AI Rent Hikes Act, which would prohibit the use of algorithms to collude on and artificially inflate rental prices; the author and supporters described it as a response to AI-assisted rent fixing in California’s housing market.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris, how big of a problem are you guys having reaching quorum at your meetings?
• Chris, how big of a problem are you guys having reaching quorum at your meetings?
• Chris, how big of a problem are you guys having reaching quorum at your meetings?
• <00:21:20.720> at<00:21:20.880> your guys having reaching Quorum at your guys having
• reaching Quorum at your meetings<00:21:22.200> we<00:21:22.360> haven't<00:21:22.720><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures on agriculture, energy, stadium governance, and hotel consumer protections. On SB 448 relating to agriculture, Agra Business Development Corporation and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in support of a proposed conservation easement acquisition in Central Oahu; the chair asked follow-up questions about the exact location, cost, and agricultural potential of the land, and the witness said the parcel had good soil and water and was former pineapple land, with cost still to be provided. On SB 827 relating to meat processing, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism said the state needs more meat-processing capacity and that any grant program should complement, not compete with, existing efforts; the Attorney General’s office warned the bill lacked legally sufficient standards for grants of public money under the state constitution and offered draft standards. Several industry and chamber witnesses supported the measure, while discussion focused on the need for brick-and-mortar or modular facilities, infrastructure costs, federal inspection needs, and access for hunters and neighbor islands. The committee then took up SB 1269 relating to geothermal resources, which drew broad support from county officials, energy consultants, utility representatives, and community advocates, with one witness opposing it. Supporters described geothermal as a viable, indigenous, firm baseload energy source that could help reduce Hawaii’s high electricity costs and support clean energy goals; one witness emphasized prior work in New Zealand and another urged the state to move forward with exploration. A DBEDT representative explained that the department is coordinating geothermal-related work with the Hawaii Technology Development Corp., the University of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Energy Office, noting a prior $3 million appropriation, phase-one community engagement work, and plans to seek a contractor for geoscience and exploration in phase two. Members pressed DBEDT to explain how this bill fits with other geothermal measures moving through different committees, and the chair asked the department to review SB 993 and better coordinate the package of geothermal bills. On SB 1337 relating to the Stadium Authority, the stadium manager testified in support of clarifying quorum rules, explaining that the authority currently has eight seated voting members out of nine possible voting seats and that the bill would help ensure voting members are counted for quorum; he said meetings have not been delayed. Finally, on SB 883 relating to hotels, the Attorney General’s office raised First Amendment and contract-law concerns and recommended adding a purpose statement and a non-impairment savings clause. Unite Here Local 5 and other supporters said guests should be notified of hotel service disruptions such as construction, closures, or labor disputes, while opponents questioned who would enforce the law, what penalties would apply, and whether the measure could require hotels to pay damages even without a complaint. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2 has never had a quorum requirement, and this bill would impose a quorum requirement.
• Under quorum requirement, if you don’t meet the quorum requirement, you can’t proceed.
• meet the Quorum requirement you don't meet the Quorum requirement you can't can't can't proceed<02:18
• proceed so if this imposes a quorum proceed so if this imposes a quorum requirement<02:18:38.399
• You didn't meet the quorum requirement at the second session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just sent an email about 10 minutes ago, but we will not need a quorum tomorrow because the Senate's
• The clerk's desk will be open, but we will not have a quorum to do business.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into announcements and introductions. Members noted upcoming Hispanic Heritage Day hosted by the Latino Caucus and discussed the legislative schedule, including that the Senate was not expected to meet and that the House clerk’s desk would still open in case business was needed. Floor leaders clarified that there would be no quorum requirement for the next day because no Senate business was coming over, though the House would still be available if the Senate unexpectedly returned. There was also a light exchange about possibly introducing the Senate and a suggestion to play frisbee in the empty parking lot. No bills were debated or voted on. The House adjourned until the next day at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a quorum. I have a House committee substitute and did in... We have a quorum.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first considered a House committee substitute for Senate Bill 1067, a jurisprudence omnibus measure. The substitute combined several bills: House Bill 1711 on the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, which streamlines out-of-state subpoena and deposition procedures; House Bill 2666, an anti-SLAPP bill intended to protect speech by allowing early dismissal of certain lawsuits; House Bill 3116, which included changes related to workers’ compensation attorney substitutions and domestic LLC deadlock procedures to reduce litigation and court costs; and House Bill 3289, which addressed court operations, including a statewide automation fund and a treatment court administrator position for circuits lacking a commissioner or administrator. Members discussed each component briefly, with sponsors or other members explaining that the package was designed to eliminate unnecessary litigation, reduce attorney fees, and improve court administration. The committee adopted the House committee substitute by voice vote. The committee then voted on House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1067 and approved it do pass by a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 0 noes. The hearing then concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beth, is there a quorum? Yes, there is. Yes, there is a quorum. First bill on the agenda.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education held its first meeting, chaired by Senator Toby Stavisky, with a quorum present and members/staff introduced at the outset. The committee considered six bills covering professional licensing and health-related scope-of-practice issues, including licensure of dietitians and nutritionists (S.607), grandfathered engineering companies seeking geology authority (S.620B), pharmacist administration of contraceptive injections (S.1703), licensure of genetic counselors (S.309), dentists administering HPV vaccinations (S.4548), and confidentiality on mifepristone/misoprostol prescription labels (S.8656). Support and opposition memos were noted where available, including support from the Greater New York Hospital Association for S.607 and S.309, opposition from the Medical Society of the State of New York to S.607, and support from the New York State Council of Professional Geologists for S.620B. Each bill was moved, seconded, and approved by the committee, generally with some members voting no or abstaining/without recommendation on certain measures. S.607, S.620B, S.309, and S.4548 were reported to the floor, while S.1703 and S.8656 were reported to the Rules Committee. For S.620B, the committee noted a requested amendment to change the effective date from immediate to 18 months after enactment, to be handled on the floor. The meeting concluded at 12:40 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a quorum. Very good. Quorum is present. Please silence all electronic devices.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum present and took up two Open Government Sunset Review bills. SPB 706 would preserve the public meeting and public records exemptions for portions of Florida Public Service Commission hearings involving proprietary confidential business information, such as utility financial data, plant designs, and other sensitive records discussed in rate or related proceedings. Staff explained that the exemptions are set to repeal in 2026 and that PSC-related stakeholders unanimously supported renewing them; the committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and then reported it favorably. The committee then considered SPB 708, which would remove the scheduled repeal date for public records and meeting exemptions covering confidential information held by the Florida Gaming Control Commission. Staff said the bill maintains current policy and that interviews with the commission and stakeholders supported keeping the exemptions in place. The committee again adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. No opposition was presented on either measure, and there were no substantive amendments. After both roll calls, the committee completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a quorum present.
• At least we have a quorum. It does. The chart does. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Nothing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we please have established quorum? Haney present. Sanchez present. Avila Farías present.
• All right, we have a quorum. Do we have a motion?

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee met to consider SB 522 (Wahab) on a vote-only agenda item. The chair noted that testimony on the bill had already been taken at a prior hearing and invited written testimony for the record. A quorum was established, and Assembly Member Kalra moved, with Assembly Member Garcia seconding, to do pass the bill to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. During the roll call, members cast a mix of aye, no, and not voting votes, with some votes later changed on call. The bill’s supporters and opponents were not discussed in detail during this meeting, since no new testimony was heard. After the remaining members voted, the committee reported SB 522 out to Judiciary by a 7-5 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• To establish quorum, Wicks, here. Wicks, present. Aye. Sanchez, present. Arambula? Calderon?
• We have a quorum. Great. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, a quorum is present.
• Members, a quorum is present.

Bills: HB206, HB1238, HB2890, HB2970

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, injection wells, environmental regulation, water quality, site inspection, geoscientist, satellite imagery, interstate compact, liquefied natural gas, energy resources, Gulf Coast, regulatory coordination, HB 2970, Gulf Coast Protection District, Special District Local Laws Code, governor appointment

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and took up several bills, mostly as pending business. HB 1089, creating the Gulf Coast Protection Account to be administered by the General Land Office, was laid out as the House companion to SB 795; Senator Alvarado moved it be reported favorably, and it passed the committee 8-0. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for HB 2970 and then reported it favorably 9-0, despite the motion wording recommending the substitute in lieu of the original bill. HB 2890, HB 1238, and HB 206 were each laid out and reported favorably to the full Senate by 9-0 votes. For each bill reported favorably, members also approved motions to place the bill on the local and uncontested calendar, with no objections. The transcript reflects brief procedural repetition and some garbled audio, but the actions are clear: the committee advanced all measures considered during the meeting without recorded opposition. The chair then announced there was no further business and the committee stood in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pringle Representative Clark Representative Drummond Representative Brown Representative Shy We have a quorum
• We have a quorum. We have before us today House Bill 567, sponsored by the Representative.

Bills: HB567

Keywords: tax increment financing, economic development, municipal authority, urban revitalization, local government, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Quorum is present. Chair Busada, thank you.
• With a quorum being present, I want to welcome everyone to the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum present for what was described as its final committee meeting of the session. Chair Busatta opened the meeting by outlining the upcoming budget conference process, explaining that the House and Senate had both passed their budget bills and that conference negotiations would begin soon, with the Senate serving as the hosting chamber this year. She reviewed how the conference process works, including side-by-side budget documents, chamber offers, subcommittee negotiations, escalation to the chairs and then to the Speaker and President, and the required 72-hour cooling-off period before final budget passage. The main discussion focused on the differences between the House and Senate higher education budgets for fiscal year 2025-2026. The chair noted a total $62.5 million difference, with the Senate budget higher overall. Key differences included House reductions for vacant FTE positions, differing approaches to recurring versus nonrecurring funding in financial aid and workforce programs, the Senate’s larger funding level for workforce development capitalization incentive grants, and differing allocations for colleges and universities. In the university budget, the Senate centralized nurse education funding at the University of South Florida’s Center for Nursing and funded several specific initiatives, while the House proposed additional funding for performance-based metrics, faculty recruitment and retention, and tuition waivers. The chair also highlighted a major proviso difference involving the EASE grant, where the House proposed minimum benchmark metrics for institutional eligibility. No testimony was taken and no votes were held on the budget differences. After the overview and brief explanation of the budget and proviso side-by-side documents, the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned on a motion by Representative Blanco, without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> QUORUM IS PRESENT. >> Sen. Gaetz: QUORUM BEING PRESENT THE MEETING IS CALLED TO ORDER.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there are enough members for a quorum. A quorum is present.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have eight members, and there's a quorum before we get started.
• We have eight members, and there's a quorum before we get it started. There's a few announcements.

Bills: SB116, SB121, SB130, SB407

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Louisiana, 2020 census, elections, precincts, voting, election, political representation, 2026 precincts, demographics, Louisiana congressional map, U.S. House, election districts, precinct shapefiles, Voting Districts, VTD, 2020 Census, 2026 Precinct Shapefiles, apportionment

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee clerk will take a silent roll call to establish quorum. Quorum being established.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Select Committee on School Choice met, established quorum, and approved the minutes from its February 25, 2026 meeting. The committee then took up House Bill 4588, which was explained as a measure to align with Senate Bill 644 and require the Secretary of Commerce to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program under Public Law No. 119-20 and 119-21, with the change intended to place administration under Commerce rather than the Economic Development Authority. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4588 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 5048, which would create new code to ensure foster students in temporary placement facilities receive virtual instruction until placed in a permanent home. Counsel explained that if a county lacks a virtual program, a virtual charter school could be used, and the West Virginia Department of Education would provide free training for those responsible for the child, along with a plan to transfer information to the new school district and foster family. The committee adopted the proposed amendment, noting it had been worked out with the House, and then reported HB 5048 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked the committee and staff for their work during the session. The committee then adjourned by motion and unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee clerk will take a silent roll call to establish quorum. Quorum being established.

Keywords: 994, senate, all