Transcript Highlights:

• But I appreciate Lieutenant Governor, Mr. President.
• So thank you very much, and thank you for the lieutenant governor, honorary lieutenant governors, for
• Respectfully yours, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor.
• Respectfully yours, Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor.
• This is a super important tool, but it's a very powerful tool, and that data is incredibly powerful.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He believed in the power of ideas, truth...
• The lieutenant governor for his donation.
• I thank the lieutenant governor for his donation.
• And I like to applaud Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
• And I like to applaud Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

Summary: The joint Senate and House Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education convened for its first public hearing, adopted its proposed rules without objection, and framed the hearing as an organizational, invited-testimony-only session. Members repeatedly condemned political violence and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying the committee was created in response to concerns about civil discourse, intimidation, and hostility on college campuses. Several members emphasized that the goal was not to suppress speech but to protect open expression while maintaining order, due process, and institutional accountability. The first witness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Wyn Rosser, outlined implementation of Senate Bill 37. He described the General Education Advisory Committee, which is reviewing broad core-curriculum knowledge and skills and may recommend reducing the current 42-hour core, while leaving review of specific courses to individual institutions. He also explained the new Office of the Ombudsman, the board’s role in supporting it, and existing training and certification requirements for governing board members. Members asked about enforcement tools, transparency, and whether the ombudsman would investigate complaints involving censorship, retaliation, or political bias; Rosser said some enforcement exists in certain laws, but he deferred on the exact scope of the ombudsman’s investigatory authority and on issues outside the agency’s role. University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis testified that UT Austin supports free speech, academic freedom, and civil discourse, and he described three areas of focus: speech on campus grounds, classroom discourse, and how people treat one another. He said the university enforces time, place, and manner rules, expects professors to present alternative views on controversial topics, and has created internal reporting and appeal processes for students and faculty. Members questioned him about heckler’s veto incidents, protests, off-campus participants, complaints about professors, hate speech, and whether the university would protect speakers and students from disruption or unfair targeting. Davis said the university would not tolerate disruptions, would use due process and factual review, and is working to align campus practices with the new law and regents’ expectations. Ricky Adam Jr. of Turning Point USA’s Club America described the group’s campus and high-school organizing, praised Charlie Kirk’s approach to open debate, and said the organization is expanding in Texas. He raised concerns about school administrators and a counselor at an Early College High School in Killeen allegedly interfering with a student club and withholding footage, and committee members said they would seek information and, if necessary, use legislative process to investigate. Members from both chambers reiterated support for free speech, criticized political violence and campus suppression of viewpoints, and stressed that future hearings would continue examining implementation and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho Power had eyes on it.
• The water board works with Idaho Power and water users to fund this program.
• Idaho Power operates the program. It is the gold standard of Idaho Power operates the program.
• Idaho Power advises them when to operate their generators as well.
• , and they reduce ...power.

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33154, introduced by Senator Tammy Nichols, which would update Idaho’s cloud seeding statute with clearer definitions, authorizations, and reporting requirements. Nichols said the proposal was a refinement of a bill from the prior session, did not create or expand a program, and had no fiscal impact, but would improve transparency and public accountability for existing cloud seeding operations. The committee moved to send the RS to print. The Idaho Department of Water Resources then presented zero-based rulemaking for Water District 34 in the Big Lost River Basin (docket 37-0312-2-250). Matt Anders explained that the changes were largely clarifying and reducing unnecessary language, with substantive edits in definitions, river reach descriptions, allocation of natural flow, and timing/administration provisions. He said the rule text was reduced by 484 words and that the committee approved the docket after a brief question about winter stock water use. Director Matt Weaver gave an agency update covering budget holdbacks, the new Water Administration Bureau, groundwater and delivery-call administration on the Eastern Snake Plain, Treasure Valley groundwater conditions, the Bear River Compact, and the proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into IDWR. He described ongoing curtailment and mitigation efforts, new groundwater district work in tributary basins, and concerns about staffing experience and workload. Committee members asked about groundwater district participation, Bear River water rights, and the effects of canal efficiency projects and Bear Lake storage; no votes were taken on the update. Jeff Raybould of the Idaho Water Resource Board reported on revisions to the state water plan, major water project funding, recharge and cloud seeding programs, aging infrastructure grants, and regional sustainability projects. He said the board had submitted state water plan changes tied to the ESPA settlement and a higher recharge target, and discussed projects such as the Anderson Ranch Dam raise, Priest Lake work, and the Twin Falls Canal Company lining project. Members questioned Bear Lake storage and how canal efficiency savings would affect groundwater demand, but no formal action was taken on the board presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the cost of that backup power?
• The Texas Tech University Center for Pulse Power and Power Electronics has a deep specialization in developing
• Force convened by Governor Abbott's Executive Order GA-49.
• Created by Governor Greg Abbott's Executive Order GA-494.
• An estimated 250 Texans died from power outages.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Power outages can be incredibly disruptive.
• Power outages can be incredibly disruptive.
• In the power sector, at least, we have, in offshore wind, a ready option for greater certain power sector
• production responsible for 10.3% of New England's total power plant emissions.
• Nuclear power is the only carbon-free source that can do that essential job.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the governor vetoed the bill, preferring that our office resolved the issue through a new piece
• Power. Yes. Power. Struggling with that word. Yes. We all struggle with that word. I know.
• The governor wanted some explicit language, which we have taken, which we will be taking in the next
• legislature, it has received bipartisan support, and we have complied with the veto message that Governor
• You know, e-bike batteries, electric scooters, portable power systems, they've all become more popular

Summary: The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality heard four bills. SB 299 by Senator Cabaldon would extend a CEQA exemption for child care facilities to those located in residential zones, with committee amendments adding guardrails excluding sites on protected lands and within 3,200 feet of oil wells or refineries. Support came from child care, local government, planning, county, and rural county groups; one environmental opposition witness raised concerns about broader CEQA issues. Members generally praised the bill as a needed correction to last year’s CEQA changes and noted its importance for child care access and community-serving facilities. SB 58 by Senator Padilla would update the state’s approach to hydrogen sulfide by strengthening monitoring and response standards based on current science and public health impacts, especially in the Tijuana River Valley and Salton Sea areas. Testimony in support emphasized serious undercounting of exposures and health harms in low-income, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant communities; air district representatives said they would review amendments, while business and industry witnesses expressed concern about late amendments and possible implications for geothermal operations. The committee discussed the bill as a statewide framework rather than a district-specific response, and the author accepted committee amendments. SB 811 by Senator Caballero would create a statutory framework for regulating metal shredding facilities, clarifying DTSC enforcement authority and incorporating prior negotiated environmental justice and fire-safety amendments. Supporters from the recycling industry and labor said the bill would reduce legal uncertainty, protect jobs, and preserve an important circular-economy sector; opponents from community, environmental, school, and local government groups argued it weakened hazardous waste protections and did not adequately address pollution and fire risks, especially in West Oakland. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries such as e-bike and outdoor equipment batteries; local governments and recycling groups supported it as a common-sense response to fire and disposal problems, while one battery recycler sought further discussion on implementation. All four bills were voted out of committee and sent to Appropriations, with SB 58, SB 299, and SB 811 passing unanimously and SB 501 passing on a 5-2 vote after additional members joined the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the governor vetoed the bill, preferring that our office resolved the issue through a new piece
• It's explicit that they have the enforcement opportunity, or they have the enforcement regulatory power
• Power, yes. Struggling with that word. Power. Struggling with that word. Yes.
• The Governor wanted some explicit language, which we have taken, which we will be taking in the next
• You know, e-bike batteries, electric scooters, portable power systems, they've all become more popular

Summary: The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality heard four bills focused on environmental regulation and public health. SB 299 by Senator Cabaldon would extend a CEQA exemption to child care facilities in residential zones, with committee amendments adding guardrails to exclude sites on natural/protected lands and within 3,200 feet of oil wells or refineries. Support came from child care, planning, local government, and county groups, while one wildlife/plant organization opposed. Members emphasized the need for more child care access and noted the bill was a narrow fix to last year’s CEQA legislation. The committee later voted the bill out on a 7-0 vote. SB 58 by Senator Padilla would update California’s hydrogen sulfide standards and response framework, citing outdated rules and monitoring gaps in the Tijuana River Valley and Salton Sea areas. Testimony from UCLA and community advocates described health impacts and undercounted exceedances, while air district representatives and business interests raised concerns about the scope and timing of the proposal. The committee accepted amendments and advanced the bill on a 7-0 vote. SB 811 by Senator Caballero would establish a regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities, clarifying DTSC enforcement authority and incorporating prior negotiated environmental justice and fire-safety amendments. Supporters included the recycling industry and labor groups; opponents from community, environmental, and local government organizations argued the bill was too deregulatory and did not adequately protect nearby communities. The bill passed 5-0. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand the state’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries such as those used in e-bikes and portable power systems. Supporters said the change would improve collection, reduce fire risks, and shift disposal costs from local governments to producers; one battery recycler expressed interest in working on implementation details. The bill was amended and advanced on a 5-2 vote. After quorum was established and votes were taken on call, all four bills were reported out of committee and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um and and really understood the power um and and really understood the power of<00:27:07.440><c
• by by the governor after being vetted<00:37:13.560><c> by</c><00:37:13.640><c> the</c><00:37:13.760>
• to make a choice you have to governor to make a choice you have to have<00:38:07.720><c> three</c><00
• Sometimes that would lead to a little bit of bloodletting when a new governor came in, so it provides
• would require the governor to provide the name at least 30 days prior to the expiration of a term of

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:24 SB 3 Discussion 01:06 SB 3 Vote 04:51 SB 15 Discussion 07:14 SB 15 Vote 14:42 SB 103 Discussion 15:39 SB 103 Vote 33:53 SB 201 Discussion 35:44 SB 201 Vote 39:47, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met with a quorum and first considered Senate Bill 3, relating to student athletes and NIL. Senator Max Wise said the bill would modernize Kentucky’s NIL framework so universities remain competitive and student-athletes can benefit, noting the state’s earlier NIL law and the need to act before a pending national settlement. Several members supported the bill but expressed concern that NIL has changed college athletics and could eventually affect high school sports. The committee reported Senate Bill 3 favorably. The committee then took up Senate Bill 15, relating to minimum wage exceptions for minor league baseball players. Senator Amanda Bledsoe and MLB representative Josh Allen explained that the bill would align Kentucky law with the players’ collective bargaining agreement, treating the players as salaried rather than hourly workers and addressing overtime issues. Members discussed the minimum weekly salaries at Single-A and Triple-A, along with housing, meals, and health benefits under the agreement. The committee adopted a committee substitute, passed a title amendment, and reported Senate Bill 15 favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 103, which concerns the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and services for people with disabilities. Senator Danny Carroll and provider advocates said the bill would add regulatory oversight, require reporting to the legislature and governor, and give preference to in-state services when available, while preserving access to out-of-state services when needed. Testimony focused on Kentucky’s low employment ranking for people with disabilities, unused federal funds, provider funding concerns, and an OVR order of selection that would limit services to the most severe cases. The committee adopted a committee substitute and reported Senate Bill 103 favorably after supportive comments from members about the program’s impact on employment and quality of life.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it better for me as a gigantic power user to be able to say I can build my own power... ...power user
• A power campus can sign a PPA today with a customer seeking clean nuclear power in the long term, but
• needing reliable power now.
• needing reliable power now.
• As I understand this concept, we want to build a gas-fired power plant to power an AI facility.

Summary: The Committee on Utilities heard testimony first on House Bill 2807, which would lower Missouri’s renewable energy standard from 15% to 7.5% and add nuclear generation as an eligible source, with the sponsor saying the goal is to give utilities more flexibility and support dispatchable power. The sponsor and several witnesses discussed a Senate companion and committee substitute that would clarify the bill to apply only to new nuclear and, in the Senate version, add battery storage credits. Support came from Renew Missouri, Ameren Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau, and Associated Industries of Missouri, who emphasized grid reliability, dispatchable generation, and the need to adapt to growing energy demand. Opposition from the Consumers Council of Missouri focused on ratepayer impacts, warning that the bill could increase the RESRAM surcharge and urging explicit language to prevent nuclear costs from being passed through to consumers. The committee then heard House Bill 2598, a more complex proposal to create a Missouri Advanced Nuclear Office and a grant program to help finance a “power campus” pairing a natural gas plant with a small modular nuclear reactor. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to attract large data centers, provide near-term power, and use gas plant profits to help fund future nuclear development, while also positioning Missouri to compete with other states and federal nuclear incentives. Witnesses from Bridge to Nuclear and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce supported the concept as innovative and pro-reliability, though committee members repeatedly questioned why the state should put general revenue at risk, how profits and grants would be structured, and whether private markets could do the work without state involvement. Opposition to HB 2598 came from a consumer advocate and an environmental/community witness, who criticized the bill’s potential effects on electric rates, transparency, water use, and local communities affected by data centers. They objected to confidential grant applications and argued that the proposal would further favor large corporations over residents. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing. Before adjournment, the chair announced that a committee substitute for Representative Banderman’s solar bill would be heard at a later, committee-only session, with the public allowed to attend but not testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ivy on January Chair by Governor K.
• </c> utilized for geothermal electrical power utilized for geothermal electrical power generation. generation
• Thank you, Governor.
• We pray for your safety and when the with Governor Ivy this last year to pass with Governor Ivy this
• </c><03:24:17.439><c> of</c> return to our homes, may the power of return to our homes, may the power

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pray for Governor Ron DeSantis, his wife Casey, and their children.
• But what about a nuclear power plant can be built in the reserve area?
• We feel the bill is overbroad, and it concentrates extraordinary power in the hands of the governor and
• Simple disagreement with those in power.
• And then I do believe the governor has the opportunity to replace these people.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All entities that were safely able to receive power were restored within four days.
• Infrastructure saw 3.3 million accounts without power.
• How are we going to replace that because we lost power for a couple of weeks?
• We had what I like to coin... ...as the impossible debris mission from Governor DeSantis.
• To help with local roads, it does take an executive action from the governor.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• These returns have been duly canvassed by the Governor.
• Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth; Her Honor, Kimberly Driscoll, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth
• Please welcome the Governor, and she's joined by the Lieutenant Governor, Driscoll, as well.
• Please welcome the Governor of the Commonwealth, Maura Healey. Good morning.
• Members will rise as the sergeant-at-arms escorts the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Constitutional

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House of Representatives convened on January 1, 2025, for the opening of the 194th General Court. The session began with the call to order, invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem, followed by remarks from the Dean of the House, Governor Maura Healey, and Speaker Ron Mariano. Speakers highlighted the historic nature of the new session, the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence, and priorities such as public service, transparency, and continued collaboration between the House, Senate, and administration. The House received and filed the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s communication transmitting election returns, then adopted a special committee report confirming that the members-elect had been duly elected. The chamber also accepted the resignation/declination of Representative-elect Gerald Paracela, who had been nominated to the District Court. A committee was appointed to notify the Governor that a quorum of members-elect had assembled and were ready to be sworn in, after which the Governor administered the oaths of office to the members. The House then elected Ronald Mariano of Quincy as Speaker by roll-call vote, with 132 votes; Bradley H. Jones Jr. received 21 votes, Mark T. Lombardo 4, and the total vote count was 157. Timothy Carroll of Hull was elected Clerk by acclamation and sworn in, and he announced the appointment of assistant clerks. The House also adopted temporary rules to continue the prior session’s House rules and temporary joint rules, and agreed to a Senate order scheduling a convention for the following day to administer oaths to the Governor’s Council. The session concluded with a benediction and adjournment until the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So my call on my colleagues, on Governor Walz, on our agencies, is to hold the line and to act now.
• </c> So my call on my colleagues, on Governor So my call on my colleagues, on Governor Walz,<00:09:47.320
• And to secure those rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the
• </c> corporate power. corporate power.
• </c><00:35:01.680><c> to</c><00:35:01.840><c> take</c> on the governor to take on the governor to take

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House of Representatives: Whereas Article 3, Section 3(c)(1) of the Florida Constitution permits the Governor
• Now, therefore, I, Ron DeSantis, Governor of the State of Florida, by virtue of the power and authority
• Ron DeSantis, Governor of the State of Florida, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by
• Ron DeSantis, Governor. Reading of the proclamation, Mr. Speaker.
• However, in the first week of January, the Governor indicated his desire to take the lead on redistricting

Summary: The House convened in special session with prayer, a moment of silence for former Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mettier Bowen, the Pledge of Allegiance, and confirmation of a quorum. The clerk read the Governor’s amended special session proclamation, which added two subjects to the call: legislation protecting Floridians from artificial intelligence harms, including an AI Bill of Rights and possible public-records exemptions during early investigations, and legislation on medical freedoms similar to Senate Bill 1756. The special session was set to run from April 28 to May 1, 2026. The chamber then seated and swore in three new members: Representatives Hillary Holley, Samantha Scott, and Emily Gregory. The House adopted motions accepting their certifications as prima facie evidence of election and declaring them duly elected and qualified members. Guests of the new members were recognized in the chamber. Speaker Pro Tem Duggan outlined the House’s approach to the special session, saying the House had received the Governor’s proposed redistricting maps and intended to bring them to the floor for consideration the next day. He also said that, because no bills had been filed on the other topics in the call before the special session began, those issues would not be taken up. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene on April 29, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. or upon call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• , President Pro Tem, Speaker of the House, or the chairman of the board of a... ...gives the governor
• opportunity to follow the law from the perspective that there’s been a complaint, say, from the governor
• We gave the power to our county folks as well. Thank you, Representative Gannon. Thank you, Mr.
• Obviously there’s a separation of powers issue here too, right?
• So I think if a Speaker or Pro Tem or governor wanted to make them public, I don't think there's any

Summary: The House Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the minutes from March 17, 2026, then took up several bills. House Bill 896, sponsored by Representative Shirts for Speaker Moyle, would create a process for certain state and local leaders to refer alleged law violations to the Attorney General, allow notice and an opportunity to cure, authorize enforcement actions and attorney’s fees, and permit disqualification from public office or employment for uncured violations. Supporters said it was a measured way to ensure laws are followed; opponents argued it lacked a probable-cause threshold, could be weaponized politically, and improperly exempted the legislature. Despite those concerns, the committee sent HB 896 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, with Representative Gannon recorded as opposed. The committee then advanced House Bill 856, which tightens Idaho’s laws on human remains by prohibiting the sale, purchase, or lease of dry human remains and making violations a felony. Representative Scott and testifiers described online and retail sales of human remains, grave-robbery concerns, and the need to close loopholes in current law. The bill drew support from the Idaho Association of Counties, the Idaho State Association of County Coroners, and the Ada County Chief Legal Advisor, and it was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also unanimously advanced Senate Bill 1250, which exempts photos of deceased individuals from public disclosure under the Public Records Act while preserving a family-request exception after proceedings conclude; testimony emphasized privacy, dignity, and avoiding trauma for families, while the press club supported the balance struck in the bill. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1260, which clarifies Idaho’s immigration-related law by refining definitions and limiting application to adults, and Senate Bill 1369, which revises venue rules so certain civil cases may be filed where the incident occurred rather than only where the defendant resides. Both were sent to the floor with do pass recommendations, with one recorded no on SB 1260. Finally, the committee heard and passed Senate Bill 1311, which requires ignition interlock vendors to report proof of installation to the Transportation Department and notify prosecutors when a device prevents a vehicle from starting. AAA, MADD-related advocates, and victims’ families supported the bill as a way to close loopholes and improve DUI enforcement; the committee sent it to the floor with a do pass recommendation and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I applied to be on the board, and the governor selected me this year.
• And so I applied to be on the board and the governor selected me this year.
• Board, and the governor selected me this year.
• And I'll do everything I can in my power to help in that effort.
• I look forward to serving the great state of Florida, President Cochran, and our governor.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1318, 1320, 1327, 1416, 1494, 1613, 1631, 1662, 1664, 1711, 1741, and 1821 are transmitted to the Governor
• 1327, 1416, 1494, 1613, 1631, 1662, 1664, 1711, 1741, and 1821, and 1821 are transmitted to the governor
• Number two, adds one licensed midwife who is appointed by the governor as a member of the board.
• Nothing in the Constitution gives us as lawmakers the power to restrict access to non-obscene materials
• Nothing in the Constitution gives us as lawmakers the power to restrict access to non-obscene materials

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would reduce the governor's control over emergency powers. I will be presenting that.
• This bill would reduce the governor's control over emergency powers.
• So our current governor would not be affected by this, but if we had any emergencies after that...
• Okay, but I don't believe that the governor—that's what the governor was agreeing to when it was amended
• Okay, the way it's written, it says when the governor in office at the time... for any reason it's no

Summary: The Senate Corrections and Public Safety Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from May 13, June 10, and June 17, and then considered two bills. HB 329 would reduce the governor’s control over emergency powers by giving the General Assembly more authority to review, limit, or end emergency orders and regulations, requiring more frequent updates and tighter renewal rules; members discussed the bill’s effective-date language, and no public comment was offered. The committee then heard HB 468, which would raise the monthly 911 surcharge from 60 cents to 90 cents, the first increase in about 20 years, to generate roughly $13 million annually for 911 operations and next-generation technology. Senator DeFar and the state 911 administrator emphasized the need to stabilize funding and improve services such as text-to-911, geolocation, and faster language translation for non-English callers; several members expressed support and asked to be added as sponsors. No votes on the bills were taken during the meeting, and there was no in-person public comment on either measure. The meeting concluded after public comment was closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• and site restoration plan for a solar energy power plant.
• and site restoration plan for a solar energy power plant.
• a solar energy power plant owner or operator, if part of the solar energy power plant is damaged or
• Finally, the amendment removes the solar energy power plant site remediation fund.
• We should apply them to every power plant that's out there.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2787, which would bar the state and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce or cooperate with the federal Mexican wolf reintroduction program, while exempting the Livestock Loss Board’s livestock loss program. Sierra Club and animal welfare advocates opposed the bill as harmful to wolf recovery and unnecessary given the livestock loss reimbursement data. The committee approved HB 2787 on a 4-3 vote. Members then considered House Bill 255, which would create a Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund and authorize the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to administer projects using long-term water augmentation funds. Opponents argued brackish groundwater is still groundwater and pumping it could cause localized impacts and land subsidence, while supporters framed it as a water-supply solution. The bill failed on a 2-4 vote. The committee next advanced House Bill 2782, requiring disclosure rules for regulatory assets included in utility rates, and House Bill 2781, which would impose financial assurance, insurance, decommissioning, and site-restoration requirements on solar energy power plants. HB 2781 drew stakeholder testimony from solar industry, utilities, and local-government interests; an amendment to revise financial assurance and remove a remediation fund was adopted, but the bill itself then failed on a 4-4 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2975, which would suspend State Land Department solar scoring maps and require new mining and housing resource maps, despite opposition that it would reduce transparency and favor certain land uses over solar. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2696, as amended, directing the Arizona Commerce Authority to prioritize fuel and gas price reduction and create a fuel resiliency task force, after debate over whether the bill should focus more broadly on energy resilience and whether the ACA was the right agency. The committee also passed HCM 2009, urging Congress to streamline mining access, compensate states for subsurface mineral rights, and require legislative approval for new national monuments, and HB 2889, which would fund ADEQ monitoring of uranium contamination and create a statewide registry and tribal-partnered monitoring program. Finally, the committee heard HB 2763, which would require a legislative joint resolution before the Game and Fish Commission could close a shooting range; Game and Fish said it would add another step to the closure process and mainly affect the Ben Avery facility, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.