Transcript Highlights:

• Questions may be directed to Patrick Fitzgerald, Chief Counsel of the Assembly Legislative Ethics Committee
• Questions may be directed to Patrick Fitzgerald, Chief Counsel, to the Assembly Legislative Ethics Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you think back to when we passed, let's say, the Ethics Commission, a constitutional amendment
• So, again, looking back at what we did with the Ethics Commission, I think that same language was.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: I call to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Tuesday, February 10 of 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to call to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Tuesday, April 22nd of this year

Summary: The Rules and Ethics Committee met on Tuesday, April 22, with a quorum present after roll call. The chair thanked attendees and sergeant staff, then presented a special order letter for the House session on Friday, April 25. The letter included negotiated time allocations for questions and debate on all bills placed on special order. There were no questions, no public testimony, and no debate on the special order letter. The committee voted to adopt it. Members were also reminded that the amendment deadline for Friday’s session is the next day: main amendments must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. and approved by 4:00 p.m., and hearing amendments must be submitted by 6:30 p.m. and approved by 7:00 p.m. No further business was raised, and Representative Tramont moved to adjourn. The meeting ended without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we're going to call to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Thursday, March 27

Summary: The Rules and Ethics Committee met on Thursday, March 27, 2025, with a quorum present. After the roll call and brief thanks to staff, the committee took up the special order letter for the House session scheduled for Thursday, April 3. The chair noted that negotiated time allocations for questions and debate were included for all bills on special order. There was no public testimony and no debate on the special order letter. The committee voted to adopt it unanimously by voice vote. Members were also reminded that the amendment deadline for the Thursday session was the next day, with main amendments due to House bill drafting by 3:00 p.m. and approved by 4:00 p.m., and adhering amendments due by 6:30 p.m. and approved by 7:00 p.m. With no further business, the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Summary: The Rules and Ethics Committee met on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, with a roll call taken and several members noted as present or excused. The chair welcomed ex officio member Gant and thanked staff and security. The main item of business was a special order letter for the Thursday, February 13 floor session, which included negotiated time allocations for questions and debate on all bills on special order. Members were asked for questions, public testimony, or debate on the special order letter, but none was offered. The committee then voted to adopt the special order letter by voice vote, with ayes prevailing and no opposition recorded. The chair also reminded members of the floor amendment deadlines for Thursday’s session: main amendments must be submitted to bill drafting by 7 a.m. and approved for filing by 8 a.m., while adhering amendments must be approved for filing by 9 a.m. With no further business, the committee adjourned on motion without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, we're going to call to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Thursday, April 3rd

Summary: The Rules and Ethics Committee met on Thursday, April 3, 2025, with a quorum present. After the roll call and brief opening remarks, the committee considered the special order letter for the House session on Wednesday, April 9. The chair noted that negotiated time allocations for questions and debate were included as required by the rules. There was no public testimony and no debate on the special order letter. The committee voted to adopt it unanimously by voice vote. Members were also reminded of upcoming amendment deadlines: main amendments and implementing/conforming bill amendments are due the next day, with separate deadlines for GAA amendments and adhering amendments on Tuesday, April 8. With no further business, Representative Kennedy moved to adjourn, and the meeting ended without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to call the Order of the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Tuesday, April 28, '26.

Summary: The House Rules and Ethics Committee met on April 28, 2026, with a quorum present. The committee considered a proposed special order letter for the April 29 House session, which included time allocations for questions and debate on bills placed on special order. There were no questions, no public testimony, and no debate on the letter, and it was adopted by voice vote. Members were also reminded of the amendment deadlines for the Wednesday session. Main amendments were due to House bill drafting by 6:00 a.m., approved for filing by 7:30 a.m., and hearing amendments were due by 8:00 a.m. and approved for filing by 8:30 a.m. No further business was taken up, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: We're going to call to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Thursday, March the 5th

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, recall to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Thursday, February 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call to order the Rules and Ethics Committee meeting for Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Summary: The Rules and Ethics Committee met on Thursday, April 10, 2025, with members present and the chair opening the meeting by thanking members and staff for their prompt attendance and safety support. The main item of business was a special order letter for the House session on Wednesday, April 16, which included 58 bills and set negotiated time allocations for questions and debate on each bill. There was no public testimony and no debate on the special order letter. The committee adopted the special order letter without objection. The chair also reminded members that the main amendment deadline for the Wednesday session was the next day, Friday, with main amendments due to House bill drafting by 3:00 p.m. and approved for filing by 4:00 p.m., and hearing amendments due by 6:30 p.m. and approved for filing by 7:00 p.m. The meeting then adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 458 by Senator McMath is an act in Title 33 relative to local ethics entities to provide
• Relative to local ethics entities to provide for the use of taxes imposed for the local ethics entities

Bills: SR130 , SR131 , SR132 , SR133 , SCR74 , SCR12 , HB582 , HB221 , HCR74 , HCR58 , HB71 , HB79 , HB158 , HB160 , HB169 , HB227 , HB251 , HB289 , HB330 , HB394 , HB410 , HB429 , HB769 , HB1017 , HB1234 , HB712 , SCR3 , SB54 , SB72 , SB129 , SB164 , SB232 , SB287 , SB322 , SB374 , SB375 , SB386 , SB409 , SB447 , SB458 , SB78 , SB112 , SB124 , SB125 , SB174 , SB190 , SB201 , SB208 , SB236 , SB273 , SB307 , SB347 , SB357 , SB385 , SB387 , SB393 , SB401 , SB415 , SB426 , SB435 , SB487 , SB488 , SB523 , SB222 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB480 , SB514 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR31 , HCR47 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1243 , HB54 , HB137 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB321 , HB396 , HB512 , HB552 , HB578 , HB638 , HB663 , HB708 , HB717 , HB718 , HB1009 , HB1082 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1198 , HB1246 , HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB259 , HB267 , HB288 , HB308 , HB403 , HB405 , HB414 , HB417 , HB478 , HB546 , HB548 , HB555 , HB557 , HB609 , HB670 , HB672 , HB740 , HB779 , HB786 , HB796 , HB812 , HB848 , HB915 , HB917 , HB921 , HB930 , HB933 , HB1095 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1129 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1187 , HB1195 , HB1230 , HB316 , HB511 , HB514 , HB799 , HB1039 , HB17 , HB36 , HB41 , HB47 , HB73 , HB126 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB271 , HB324 , HB337 , HB351 , HB399 , HB571 , HB723 , HB726 , HB750 , HB759 , HB844 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1036 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782 , SB149

Summary: The Senate convened with 29 members present, opened with prayer by Oren Connor, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a musical performance by the Chuck Wagon Gang. The chamber also recognized several guests and observances, including birthdays for Senators Seabaugh, Fesi, and Price, White Coat Wednesday participants, Tourism Day, the Louisiana Oil Marketers Association, Chenault International Airport’s 40th anniversary, and visiting fair queens from Washington and Tangipahoa parishes. The Senate dispensed with reading the journal and received numerous House and Senate messages, committee reports, and resolutions. Several Senate resolutions were taken up and adopted, including commendations for Isaac Herzenberg, condolences for Kathleen Sessomson and former Senator Louis Lambert Jr., recognition of White Coat Wednesday and Tourism Day, and a study resolution on transfer-on-death and payable-on-death accounts. The Senate also adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 782, which concerned vapor and alternative nicotine products and was described as giving the state more tools to combat illegal vapes. A number of Senate bills returned from the House with amendments were either concurred in or rejected, including SB 54, SB 72, SB 129, SB 164, SB 232, SB 287, SB 374, SB 375, SB 386, SB 409, SB 112, SB 124, SB 125, SB 174, SB 190, SB 207, SB 236, SB 307, SB 357, SB 385, SB 387, SB 458, SB 477, SB 590, SB 593, SB 618, SB 655, SB 692, SB 707, SB 732, SB 738, SB 748, SB 776, SB 807, SB 860, SB 868, SB 887, SB 888, SB 905, and SB 961, with votes generally passing by wide margins. The chamber also considered several House bills on final passage. Among those approved were measures on local security districts, budget review authority, school activity access for virtual students, electronic bid forms, brake equipment and trailer safety, construction management at risk contracts, temporary registration plates, the Louisiana Maritime Academy name change, OMV fee and ID issues, ferry operations, group purchasing for local governments, the Green Envelope Program for drivers with disabilities, OMV field office fees, LED fee updates, port development priorities, workforce instructor capacity, and a campus disciplinary process bill tied to hazing prevention. Some House bills were passed after amendments, while others were passed over or rejected for later conference, including bills on virtual school participation, historic preservation, civil service, suicide prevention, local government training, and economic development districts. The Senate also rejected House amendments on SB 78 and SB 208, and rejected amendments on SB 387, sending those matters toward further negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• consistent schedule that meets the medical needs of the student and complies with the provider's ethical
• consistent schedule that meets the medical needs of the student and complies with the provider's ethical
• code of conduct. and needs of the student and complies with the provider's ethical code of conduct.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 25, 2026, with a quorum present and heard a series of education-related bills and one resolution. The committee first took up HB 636 on hazing at public post-secondary institutions. Representative LaFleur presented the bill as a response to Caleb Wilson’s death, and family members, former Rep. Jason Hughes, and other supporters urged stronger prevention, reporting, and penalties. The committee adopted amendments adding implementation details and a lifetime ban on re-chartering an organization if hazing results in death, then reported the bill as amended as the “Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act.” The committee then heard HB 218 on food insecurity screenings in public schools. LaFleur said the bill would formalize a process to identify hungry students and connect families to resources, with amendments tying the screening to existing McKinney-Vento forms and adding food-insecurity questions. Support came from charter school representatives, the Department of Education, and others, while Dr. Will Hall suggested involving caregivers and faith-based groups. The bill was reported with amendments. The committee also approved HB 626, which would require colleges and universities to provide suicide-prevention information, hotline access, and aggregated non-identifiable reporting on suicide risk. Rep. Jordan described it as a response to an uptick in suicides among college-age students, and the Board of Regents said most institutions already use telehealth or 988 resources. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee heard HB 749 on the administration of START, START K-12, and ABLE savings accounts. Rep. Carver said the bill would modernize and secure the program by allowing a third-party manager and online platform, while Treasury and Board of Regents staff explained that oversight would remain in place and that ABLE accounts would not be charged fees. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 352 on behavioral health services for public school students. Rep. Mack and advocates from the Arc and ABA providers said the bill would ensure medically necessary services can be delivered in classrooms or other school settings, while the Louisiana Federation of Teachers asked for clearer pre-conference expectations to avoid classroom disruption. After testimony from parents, providers, and school stakeholders, the bill was reported with amendments. Finally, the committee approved HB 201 creating a state seal of fine arts for high school graduates, and HB 738 revising student disciplinary proceedings at colleges and universities to ensure evidence and fairness in disciplinary actions. Both bills were reported favorably. The committee also began hearing HCR 14, which expresses support for federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, but the transcript cuts off before any final action on the resolution is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Crossbows do not replace skill or ethical hunting.
• And if we don't start to adapt to where people want to take game in a legal and ethical manner, I don't
• Take game in a legal and ethical manner, I don't see any, you know, I remember reading in hunter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It is incumbent upon us to be leaders in the ethical and responsible adaptation of AI.
• make sure is that we're preparing them for the workforce, that we're making sure it's being done ethically
• make sure is that we're preparing them for the workforce, that we're making sure it's being done ethically

Transcript Highlights:

• It is incumbent upon us to be leaders in the ethical and responsible adaptation of AI.
• make sure is that we're preparing them for the workforce, that we're making sure it's being done ethically
• make sure is that we're preparing them for the workforce, that we're making sure it's being done ethically

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview hearing on the 2026-27 budget and policy issues for California’s three public higher education segments: the Community Colleges, CSU, and UC. Chair David Alvarez emphasized shared responsibility to expand access, right-size campuses to enrollment trends, improve transfer pathways, align programs with workforce needs, and measure success by completion, transfer, and job placement rather than participation alone. The chancellors and president each described their systems’ current enrollment trends, budget priorities, and efforts to collaborate more closely across segments. Chancellor Sonia Christian said community college enrollment has rebounded strongly and asked for 3% enrollment growth funding, more support for the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, and recovery-related workforce training in Los Angeles. She highlighted right-sizing efforts such as Peralta’s proposed consolidation into Oakland City College, and described partnerships with CSU, UC, employers, unions, and housing projects. Chancellor Mildred García said CSU is focusing on CSU Forward, enrollment growth, student success, facilities, and fiscal health monitoring, while reallocating enrollment and resources to higher-demand campuses. She cited intersegmental programs such as nursing pathways, 2+2 and 3-year degree programs, and AI curriculum work, and said the system is also addressing labor and compensation issues. President J.B. Milliken said UC is facing federal funding threats, investigations, and rising costs, but has reached record enrollment of more than 300,000 students, including over 200,000 California resident undergraduates. He supported continued compact funding, said UC is exploring more use of technology, experiential learning, and short-term credentials, and stressed the need to adapt while preserving UC’s research and medical mission. Members pressed all three leaders on common course numbering, transfer outcomes, enrollment reallocation, BSN capacity, deferred maintenance, and the role of the master plan; the leaders generally agreed more collaboration and flexibility are needed, and several committed to follow up with updated data and timelines. No formal votes were taken. Public comment followed, including support from the CSU employees union for the Governor’s budget and full funding of CSU obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill helps ensure that OBGYNs can do procedures safely, ethically, and This bill helps ensure that
• OBGYNs can do procedures safely, ethically, and without fear that patients' private medical information
• I'm not disparaging the ethics of the prosecutor; mistakes happen, but the law has been clear for 30

Bills: HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 195, which would protect the personal assets of certain health care providers from collection in medical malpractice judgments. Supporters said the bill would help recruit and retain physicians, especially in high-liability fields like obstetrics, while opponents argued broader malpractice reform should focus on insurance and legal representation. Members discussed whether the bill’s definition of “independent provider” matched existing law, and the committee adopted a friendly amendment to add osteopathic physician. HB 195 then passed on a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 279, a health care privacy and safety measure for reproductive and gender-affirming care. The sponsor said it would strengthen protections for sensitive health information, limit geofencing around clinics, allow providers to keep personal addresses confidential, and remove provider names from medication abortion packaging. Supporters framed it as a privacy and safety bill; opponents said it would weaken parental access, create confusion for emergency physicians, and shield abortion access. After extensive questions about HIPAA, emergency care, and data collection, the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 30, which would repeal the requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar, drew similar testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued the reporting requirement is outdated, medically unnecessary, and exposes providers to surveillance and possible out-of-state targeting; opponents said the data supports transparency and public health oversight. Members questioned what data would be lost and how the state currently uses the reports. SB 30 passed 6-3. The committee also heard House Bill 234 on fentanyl definitions, with law enforcement and business groups supporting clearer criminal penalties; members and the sponsor worked through possible amendment language to better align the bill with existing controlled-substance definitions, and the discussion was continued for a revised draft. Finally, House Bill 292, the New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act, received broad support from advocacy groups and passed the committee substitute 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill implements the Commission on Ethics recommendation by clearly mandating that reporting individuals
• file Form 10 with the Commission on Ethics rather than electronically filing their Form 1 or Form 6.
• We have Kerry Steelman, Executive Director of the Florida Commission on Ethics, and she is speaking for

Summary: The committee took up several bills and confirmations. It reported favorably SB 332, as amended, on a narrow public-meetings/public-records exemption for legal strategy and settlement communications during the pre-suit period in Burt Harris claims; SB 464, requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day; SB 984, clarifying firefighter cancer/death-benefit provisions and related prevention language; SB 576, expanding and codifying the local government cybersecurity protection program under Florida Digital Service; SB 964, revising how certain gifts and honoraria are reported to the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612, requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with exceptions and a delayed effective date; SB 830, creating public-records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096, clarifying the filing deadline for Florida Civil Rights Act complaints; and SB 1656, designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. The committee also considered a large confirmation package. Jeffrey Aaron’s appointment to the Public Employees Relations Commission was discussed separately after Senator Polsky raised concerns about his political connections and prior work; the committee still recommended him favorably. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably in one vote. The longest and most contentious item was SB 1296, with a committee substitute, on the Public Employees Relations Commission and public-sector unions. The PCS would change union certification/recertification rules, require a recent showing-of-interest form, create different voting thresholds for public safety and non-public safety employee organizations, limit paid union leave for non-public safety unions unless reimbursed, require equal access to certain employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for legislatively funded salary increases. Senators raised constitutional concerns, especially about the single-subject rule and collective-bargaining rights, and many speakers opposed the bill as union-busting and harmful to teachers, bus drivers, nurses, utility workers, and other public employees. Supporters argued it would improve accountability, ensure genuine member support, and prevent taxpayer-funded union activity. The committee continued debate on SB 1296 after extensive testimony, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill implements the Commission on Ethics recommendation by clearly mandating that reporting individuals
• file Form 10 with the Commission on Ethics rather than electronically filing their Form 1 or Form 6.
• We have Kerry Steelman, Executive Director of the Florida Commission on Ethics, and she is speaking for

Bills: S0332 , S0464 , S0576 , S0830 , S0964 , S0984 , S1096 , S1296 , S1298 , S1612 , S1656

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The committee first heard a committee substitute for SB 332, which creates a narrow public meetings and public records exemption for certain pre-suit settlement communications in Bert Harris claims involving local governments and private property rights. The sponsor said the change is intended to allow confidential legal strategy and negotiation during the 90-day pre-suit period while keeping settlements and outcomes public. The strike-all amendment was adopted, supportive testimony was waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved several other measures, including SB 464 requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday; SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, which was amended to add a statement of important state interest and reported favorably after testimony from firefighters both supporting the bill and urging a longer benefit window; SB 576 on local government cybersecurity, which was amended to route the program through the Florida Digital Service and strengthen state-local coordination; SB 964 clarifying how certain gift and honoraria disclosures are filed with the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with a delayed effective date; SB 830 creating public records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096 clarifying the filing deadline for employment discrimination complaints; and SB 1656 designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. All were reported favorably. The committee also considered a slate of appointments, including a separate vote on Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employees Relations Commission, which was recommended favorably after Senator Polsky objected to the appointment and cited concerns about political ties and prior work. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 1296 on the Public Employees Relations Commission, as substituted by a committee PCS. The PCS would change union certification and recertification rules, require stronger showing-of-interest and voting thresholds, limit paid union leave in some cases, require equal access to employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for state-funded salary increases. The bill drew extensive testimony, with supporters arguing it would improve accountability, transparency, and taxpayer fairness, and opponents—many of them teachers, bus drivers, and other public employees—saying it would weaken collective bargaining, burden workers, and function as union busting. Members raised constitutional concerns about the single-subject rule and collective bargaining protections, and debate was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• license real L&I, but training and required training and understanding to maintain a certain level of ethics
• and understanding that he had a... ...to maintain a certain level of ethics and understanding that he
• We have no knowledge of the ethics or even having the conversations individually to stop this before

Bills: HB2112

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: age restrictions, online content, digital media, youth protection, cyber safety