Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, the rules are suspended. Question comes on adoption of the order.
• Is there objection? Chair hears none. Question now comes on adoption of the order.
• Is there objection? Chair hears none. Question now comes on adoption of the order.
• Is there objection? Chair hears none. Question comes on adoption of the order.
• Is there objection? Chair hears none, and the order is adopted.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted an emergency preamble for Senate No. 2799, establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education employee. The chamber also adopted a congratulatory resolution honoring the Warren Public Library on its 150th anniversary. Several local bills then advanced, including Senate No. 2509 on filling mayoral vacancies in New Bedford, House No. 4171 on vacancies among town meeting members in Milford (as amended), and House No. 4233 amending the Charter of the City of Malden, which was passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. Senate No. 2799 was also passed to be enacted. The Senate adopted a committee report extending the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure’s reporting deadline to March 5, 2026. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition concerning the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code to the Committee on Financial Services. Multiple Senate orders were then adopted setting expedited procedures for Ways and Means consideration of several bills, including campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees (Senate No. 507, new draft 2898), property tax bill shocks (Senate No. 1933, new draft 2899), municipal tax relief (Senate No. 1935, new draft 2900), property tax deferral (Senate No. 2713, new draft 2901), a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption (Senate No. 2036, new draft 2902), and honoring Blue Star Families (Senate No. 2903). The Senate also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and dispense with printing a calendar. At the close of business, members moved to adjourn in memory of Mary Ann Lomba of Dorchester, with remarks noting her community service and family, and the motion prevailed. The Senate adjourned in her memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any objection to using previous roll? All right. Hear none. So ordered.
• Any objection to Bale. I'll second that.
• Any objection to previous roll? All right, hear none.
• Any objection to from Senator Bale.
• And any objection to to the role.

Bills: HB465, HB307, SB338, HB465, HB307, SB338, SB359

Keywords: emergency management, public funds, educational materials, promotional materials, state agency, speedy trial, visiting judge, court administration, public interest, criminal justice, New Hope, Madison County, municipal boundary, corporate limits, deannexation, boundary adjustment, local act, city limits, municipal jurisdiction, annexation rollback

Transcript Highlights:

• of<00:05:16.800> the objection, further reading of the objection, further reading of the journal
• Hearing no objection, the chief clerk.
• If there is no objection, the reports will be adopted.
• Hearing no objection, the reports are adopted. Second reading of House File 1532.
• If there is no objection, we will take action on these motions first.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, show the motion adopted.
• Without objection, show the motion adopted.
• Without objection, show the motion adopted. Read the bill and the veto message.
• from the Rules Committee, I would have objected.
• Without objection, the Senate is now adjourned for the day.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer focused on Holocaust remembrance and a warning against antisemitism, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of the joint proclamation calling the session. The proclamation said the special session was convened to consider immigration-related legislation and appropriations to support coordination with federal immigration enforcement, including a chief immigration officer, restrictions on benefits for undocumented immigrants, voting-related offenses, penalties for removed aliens who re-enter, bail and detention considerations, ID requirements, and support for local law enforcement. Senate Bill 2B on immigration was filed and placed on the special order calendar for the next day, with an amendment deadline set after the Appropriations Committee meeting. The Senate then took up veto overrides on House Bill 5001 from the 2024 regular session, which is the General Appropriations Act. Members discussed the governor’s vetoes of legislative support and transparency-related funding, including IT systems, research, oversight, and Florida Channel services. Senator Pizzo objected to waiving Rules on one item and argued the chamber should also address broader cuts, including arts funding, while the Rules Chair said the items under consideration were limited to support services and that broader funding concerns could be addressed separately. The Senate voted to override line item 2802, funding legislative support services, by 35 yeas and 1 name, and line item 2803, also for legislative support services, by 36 yeas and 1 nay, both passing by the required two-thirds vote. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, this, without objection, this rule is reviewed and approved. Moving to C2B.
• Seeing none, this, without objection, is reviewed and approved. All right, moving to C.
• This without objection, this rule is reviewed and approved. Moving to C to B.
• All right, seeing none, without objection, these are reviewed and approved.
• Seeing none, this rule is, without objection, reviewed and approved.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates with no questions, and several Commerce rules were approved, including repeals tied to the minority business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act because they were superseded by Act 116 or duplicative of statute. The Insurance Department’s new rule for online marketplace guarantee providers was also approved, with Airbnb used as an example of the type of platform covered. The Department of Education presented an update to the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program to align payment milestones with Act 502 of 2025, and DFA presented a rule implementing a new tax credit for Arkansas rice used in beer and sake production under Act 874 of 2025. Members asked about verification of grain bills and whether the credit was broadly available; DFA said the rule tracks the statute and requires producers to submit the grain bill with their return. DHS then presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes from Public Law 119-21, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64, changing treatment of dependents and exemptions, and adjusting energy assistance income treatment; the rule was approved despite one public comment. Later, DHS Medical Services amended the Medicaid Rehab Hospital Manual to allow rehab hospitals to operate psychiatric units and bill Medicaid for those services, and also secured approval for a recovery audit contractor exemption because Arkansas law bars contingency-fee contractors and the state already has other program integrity safeguards. The Board of Public Accountancy’s rules implementing Act 428 of 2025 were approved after discussion of a new CPA licensure pathway requiring a bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience, changes to substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of a government/not-for-profit coursework requirement. The committee also approved the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, retained all 18 DAPSAF rules under a review of Group 3, filed outstanding 2023-session rulemaking updates, and adjourned after filing monthly updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:11.120> Any<00:10:11.519> objections?
• Any objections? If not, the discussion? Any objections?
• If there are no objections and consent.
• If there are no objections, we'll be taking final reading on consent.
• If there are no objections, seconded.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She used the floor mic without objection. That will be the order.
• That the bill be advanced without objection. That will be the order.
• Change who so desire without objection. That will be the order.
• Senator Hicks, are you objecting or are you going to change?
• Right, without objection, that will be the order. Will there be changes?

Bills: HB2894, HB3418, HB3415, HB3413, HB3414, HB3416, HB3417, HB3419, HB3420, HB1739, HB1752, HB1979, HB2941, HB2992, HB3075, HB3086, HB3177, HB3269, HB3278, HB3279, HB3497, HB3644, HB4432, HB3720, HB3849, HB3882, HB3919, HB3941, HB4118, HB4141, HB4268, HB4342, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any objection? Without objection, show the motion adopted.
• Is there any objection? Seeing none, show the motion adopted.
• Any objection? No objection. Let's show the motion adopted. And we are done. Thank you all.
• Is there any objection? Seeing none, show the motion adopted.
• Any objection? No objection. Let's show the motion adopted. And we are done. Thank you all.

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and amendments related to traffic safety, utilities, schools, and motor vehicle administration. Senator Pizzo’s SB 1782, as amended, expanded reckless driving per se to include certain high-speed behaviors; the late amendment removed impound language but kept mandatory court appearance, and the bill was reported favorably. Senator McLean’s SB 818 on utility relocation was amended to include an important state interest finding; after testimony from county groups opposing the cost shift to local governments and Charter Communications supporting the bill, it was also reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1644 on emergency vehicles, after a delete-all amendment broadened warning-signal use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles. Senator Trumbull’s SB 1348 on DHSMV services was amended to streamline local delivery of motor vehicle services and remove certain fines, waiting periods, and CDL retesting provisions; it passed favorably with support from Florida Tax Collectors. Senator McLean’s SB 1188 on local governing authorities and charter schools drew the most debate, with supporters arguing local governments were using traffic and site-plan rules to block charter schools and opponents warning the bill would tie the hands of local governments and create a blanket preemption; it was reported favorably. The committee then passed SB 636, which limits use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic conditions, and requires FDOT signage. Senator Arrington’s SB 1152 increased the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee from $15 to $25 to raise more money for wildflower research and habitat programs; it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Any objection to using previous role? >> Any objection to using previous role?
• Any objection to using the previous roll? >> Oh. [laughter] Oh, I'm so sorry.
• Any objection to using previous roll in hearing them en masse?
• :14:48.160> role<00:14:48.480> and objection to using previous role and objection to using
• Any objection to using previous roll in hearing them in mass? >> None. 15-0.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, Senate Bill 397 will be reported favorably.
• Any objection? Seeing no objection, House Bill 398 will be reported as amended. Thank you, Mr.
• Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, House Bill 1201 reported favorably. Thank you.
• Any objection? I'm seeing no objection. Senate Bill 41 is going to stay here in committee.
• Any objection? Seeing no objection, Amendment Set 4323 has been adopted back on the bill.

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills dealing with judicial vacancies, travel reimbursement, election administration, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection; it allows the Supreme Court to reappoint a retiring judge on an ad hoc basis to finish cases or provide urgent coverage, while not changing other laws that prevent a judge from returning to the same seat after retiring or resigning. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was reported as amended after the committee adopted a new amendment removing lodging from the bill, leaving only meal reimbursement limits tied to the federal GSA rate. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk was also reported favorably; it would create per diem pay for legislators doing legislative business outside session and raise statewide elected officials’ salaries using a formula tied to university president pay. The committee deferred Senate Bill 41, which would have extended the deadline for public bodies to publish open-meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, after the author said he wanted more time to work with opponents. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, which would have created public-records exceptions for certain university searches, research, and donor information, drew substantial questioning and testimony from the press and members; after amendments narrowed the scope, the committee ultimately held the bill for further work rather than voting it out. Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, was reported favorably; it requires public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including at least two contacts, a mailing address, email addresses, a website if available, and a phone number, without requiring public funds for member phones. On election-related bills, Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller was reported favorably as amended. It allows precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place when both use the same ballot, with Secretary of State Landry saying it would preserve voter privacy, reduce costs, and be seamless for voters. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter was also reported favorably; it increases the number of election commissioners allowed in closed party primaries to match staffing needs created by the new system. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, which makes certain crime-scene photos, audio/video recordings, and digital images nonpublic except by court order or clerk access, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. House Bill 906 by Representative Billings was reported favorably as amended; the amendments let party state central committees decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in party primaries, require notice to the Department of State, and make participation rules consistent across the party’s related races, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The committee also deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So without objection, we're going to hold L2.
• Without objection, L1 will be sent out.
• Without objection, they reviewed. M4, Billy. Thank you, Ms. Chair.
• All right, without objection, other than M-4? on M4.
• All right, then these will be approved without objection. Without objection. Billy N., yes.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies. Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options. The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's no objection, HB2349 will be left pending. Seeing no objection, HB2349 is left pending.
• Without objection, HB1842 will be left pending. Is there an objection? Sure, there's none.
• If there is no objection, HB 589 will be left pending. Is there an objection?
• Okay, let's see if there's an objection. HB 3308 will be left pending. Is there an objection?
• If there is no objection, HB 705 will be left pending. Hearing no objection, HB 705.

Bills: HB589, HB705, HB1842, HB1874, HB2349, HB2614, HB2827, HB3012, HB3214, HB3308, HB3385, HB3529

Keywords: cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, charitable raffles, nonprofit, wildlife conservation, ticket sales, fundraising, master electrician, electrical work, occupational licensing, work scope, Texas law, Texas Real Estate Commission, TREC, real estate broker, sales agent

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there objection to the consent agenda?
• Is there objection to taking up the late filed amendment? Without objection, show it introduced.
• Is there objection to the introduction of this late filed?
• Is there objection to taking up the Late filed amendment, without objection, show it introduced.
• Objection to taking a filed amendment.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, show that it is introduced. Without objection, show it introduced.
• Is there any objection? Is there any objection? Seeing none, show the motion adopted.
• Is there objection to taking up the late-file amendment? Without objection, show it introduced.
• Is there objection to taking up the late-file amendment? Without objection, show it introduced.
• Is there objection to taking up the late-file amendment? Without objection, show it introduced.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there an objection, Chair?
• If there's no objection, the, the bill will be left pending. Is there an objection, chair?
• If there's no objection, the, the bill will be left pending. Is there objection, Chair?
• If there's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there an objection, Chair?
• Is there objection?

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any objection? Objection. Rep. McMahon has made an objection. So here we are.
• Is there any objection to the motion? Seeing no objection, the amendments are adopted.
• Is there any objection with amendments?
• Are there any objections? Are there any objections, members? No objections. The amendment is on.
• Are there any objections? I'm going to object because I think the bill needs a lot of... Rep.

Bills: SB57, SB405, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB222, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB815, HB949, HB1092, HB1214

Keywords: SB 57, Act 735, Act 463, nutrition, public health, food additives, artificial colors, banned chemicals, ingredient labeling, food labeling, FDA, food and beverage regulation, consumer disclosure, school nutrition, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17, food manufacturers, food retailers, compliance, effective date delay

Transcript Highlights:

• Without<03:29:11.680> objection, Without objection, Without objection, Mr.<03:29:13.920> Gentleman
• Without objection. HR1823 as amended. Without objection.
• Without objection. Speaker, as amended. Without objection.
• Without<07:08:47.680> objection. Without objection. Without objection.
• Without<07:30:36.558> objection, Without objection, Without objection, it<07:30:38.478> is<

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No objection. The Senate recesses until 12 noon. Our papers from the House.
• Is there an objection? The Chair has none, and the rules are suspended.
• Is there an objection? The Chair hears none. Third reading of the bill.
• Is there an objection? The Chair hears none. Third reading of the bill.
• Is there an objection? The Chair hears none, and the order is adopted.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roder of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, by standing vote, with 8 in favor and none opposed. The chamber also suspended rules to refer several petitions to committee, including a resolution to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications and a petition on officer training related to stage suicides. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including legislation clarifying the duties of the Adjutant General and enhancing access and support for military-connected families, both with new drafts, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was ordered to a third reading. A major portion of the session focused on the House’s nonconcurrence in the Senate’s amendment to the fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget and the appointment of a conference committee. Senators from both parties debated how to respond to the federal government shutdown and the threatened lapse in SNAP benefits, with repeated calls for the Commonwealth to use available state resources to prevent hunger, protect vulnerable residents, and seek federal reimbursement. Several members criticized the governor’s use of taxpayer-funded communications on the issue, while others defended the administration’s limited initial response and emphasized fiscal constraints. The Senate ultimately insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee consisting of Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. The chamber also passed several local and special bills, including measures exempting Natick’s assistant fire chief from civil service, authorizing sewer service in Sharon, changing the term of the elected moderator in Holden, updating Medford’s linkage exaction program, and establishing sick leave banks for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roder. The Senate later adopted amended resolutions calling on the President of the United States to release contingency funds for SNAP during the shutdown, adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's no objection, SB527 is left pending. Is there objection?
• If there's no objections, HB 3569. Is there an objection? The chair hears none.
• Okay, if there are no objections, HB 813 will be left pending. Are there any objections?
• If there are no objections, SB 1307 is left pending. Are there any objections?
• If there's no objection, HB 4074... HB4074 will be left pending. Is there objection?

Bills: HB813, HB1680, HB3569, HB4074, HB4635, HB5178, SB527, SB1307, SB1822

Keywords: autism, health insurance, coverage, medical treatment, health benefit plan, HIV prevention, prescription drug, prior authorization, health benefits, insurance coverage, insurance, contract termination, property and casualty, insurance agents, discrimination, appraiser, umpire, licensing requirements, continuing education, admin penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• Any objections? Seeing none, the minutes of May 5th, 2026 are approved.
• Any objection? Report House Bill 1250 favorably. Any objections?
• Any objections to the adoption of amendment set 3615?
• Without objection, House Bill 163 was voluntarily deferred.
• Any objections? Seeing none, that is going to be next week.” “Any objections?

Keywords: 974, senate, all