Transcript Highlights:

• walking up to the Capitol today and I walked by the House Office, there’s a bunch of kids doing sidewalk art
• the Capitol today, and I walked by the house office building, there's a bunch of kids doing sidewalk art

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered a series of bills affecting tax policy, workforce development, business regulation, consumer protection, rural development, and artificial intelligence. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida; an amendment removed an appropriation from the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. SB 554, a broad update to Florida’s not-for-profit corporation law, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from Florida Bar representatives. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales and predatory financing practices, received strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which provides rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was likewise reported favorably. SB 214, expanding the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties for economic development purposes, was reported favorably. SPB 7030, a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations, was adopted as a committee bill and favorably reported. The committee also heard extensive discussion on SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, clarify rural community eligibility for certain unincorporated areas, exempt military entities from a reverter clause on land conveyances, and revise E-Verify enforcement procedures. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including penalties, protections for workers incorrectly flagged, and the treatment of gig workers. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. Despite the debate, SB 998 was reported favorably, with Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no. The committee also took up SB 482, an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate periodic disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restrict certain uses of personal data and likenesses, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. The bill drew both support and criticism: supporters emphasized child safety, transparency, and consumer protection, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, broad definitions, lack of audit mechanisms, and the absence of a private right of action for adults. Senators Smith and Davis urged clearer definitions and stronger accountability, but both said the bill was a starting point. The committee reported SB 482 favorably. The meeting ended with recorded affirmative votes requested by Senators Yarbrough, Wright, and Davis on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Capitol today, and I walked by the House Office building, there's a bunch of kids doing sidewalk art
• the Capitol today, and I walked by the house office building, there's a bunch of kids doing sidewalk art

Bills: S0214, S0482, S7030, S0554, S0994, S0998, S1004, S1074, S1076, S1266

Keywords: special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, artificial intelligence, personal data protection, consumer rights, chatbot, deceptive practices, government contracts, public records, consumer protection, data privacy, investigations, proprietary information, chatbots, Florida statutes, nonprofit

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism heard and advanced several bills focused on economic development, consumer protection, workforce issues, and technology. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. SB 1266, as amended, creates a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with Cyber Florida and was also reported favorably. SB 554, a Florida Bar-backed update to the not-for-profit corporations statute, was approved without opposition. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales practices and predatory financing at retail pet stores, received supportive testimony from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which sets rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, also passed favorably. The committee also considered SB 998, the Department of Commerce package, which combines updates to the Small Cities CDBG program, clarification of rural community eligibility, an exemption from a reverter clause for military-related land conveyances, and revisions to E-Verify enforcement. The E-Verify portion drew the most debate, with questions about employer cure periods, treatment of current investigations, and whether the bill creates a loophole for independent contractors. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal enforcement between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. SB 998 was reported favorably on a divided vote. SB 214, which expands the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties, was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 482, an artificial intelligence consumer-protection bill that creates an “AI bill of rights” covering companion chatbots, parental controls for minors, data privacy, de-identified data, unauthorized use of likeness, and enforcement by the Attorney General, with a limited private cause of action for minors. The bill drew extensive testimony both in support and in opposition, including concerns about privacy, age verification, and enforcement, but it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7030, a public-records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations under the AI bill, and adjourned after members requested to be recorded on certain votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And two weeks ago, I was there, and people who were in the art tour were coming in and printing labels
• You'll see that in the spirit of our state-of-the-art aquatic center, which is home to the only bulldog-shaped

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am faculty in art and art history and Middle Eastern studies, and I oppose this bill because its limits

Bills: HB2476, HB2893, HB4848, HB5062, SB37, SB60, HB2860, HB4930, SB646, SB 37

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• We're happy to have them; it's a liberal arts school out there, right?
• In terms of education, he holds a Bachelor of Business Arts degree.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we do know that for Healing Arts licenses, HCAI does collect data from individuals who currently
• Because we do know that for Healing Arts licenses, H-Kai does collect data from individuals who currently

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill at hand is regarding art of-of- Yes, that's part two. Thank you.
• At hand is regarding art of... that's part two, okay, and it's a case study.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the graphic arts department for our agency.
• Art Technology Training Grant, which is a re-entry initiative where we are teaching technology skills

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are an entertainment and arts district, so I represent four James Beard award-winning restaurants,
• We are an entertainment and arts district, so I represent four James Beard award-winning restaurants,

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met with a quorum present and began with member introductions, during which members identified their districts and, informally, their favorite restaurants. The committee then turned to a housekeeping resolution, 2025-P100, covering House policies and administrative procedures. The chair explained that the resolution consolidated routine rules updates prepared by House Research. The committee adopted two amendments to the resolution. The A1 amendment gave members more flexibility in how they receive their postage and digital constituent communications allotment. The A2 amendment corrected titles in the resolution. Staff then reviewed the resolution’s contents, including service awards, donated leave, comp time and time cards, remote work, member business services payments, leadership compensation, expense reimbursement, stationery, postage and digital communications, member communication expenses, alcohol and drug policies, legal fee provisions, photographs and digital images, chaplain pay, the high school page program, and the undergraduate internship program. Members asked several questions during discussion. Representative Long confirmed there were no changes to the legal-fee policy. Representative Hollins asked about the high school page stipend, and staff said it was proposed to increase from $10 to $15 per day. Representative Pursell asked about the 50-mile reimbursement threshold for members’ expenses; the chair said it is derived from IRS tax regulations. She also suggested reviewing how other states handle reimbursement. No members of the public testified. After discussion, the committee renewed the motion and adopted the 2025 resolution as amended. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• agency, Sachi Watase grew up in New Mexico, became a Fulbright Scholar, and received her Bachelor of Arts
• This diverse group of New Mexicans is feeding our state's cultural roots through the traditional art

Transcript Highlights:

• not-for-profit institutions, including the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, the Palace Theatre Trust, an arts
• not-for-profit institutions, including the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, the Palace Theatre Trust, an arts

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that Joint Rule 12 be suspended on the following petitions: A petition of Paul McMurtry relative to arts

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a message from the Governor recommending legislation on energy affordability, independence, and innovation, which was referred to the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. The House also recognized several guest groups, including visitors from the Celiac Disease Foundation and a sixth-grade class from Holy Name School in West Roxbury. The Committee on Rules reported a series of congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including observances for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month and ALS awareness, a commemoration of Wakefield’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monuments, recognition of veterans’ efforts regarding Agent Orange awareness, and congratulations to an Eagle Scout. The House suspended the rules and adopted these resolutions. The House then considered Senate amendments to House Bill 4010/House 4100, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The House did not concur in the Senate’s amendment and instead ordered a committee of conference, appointing Representatives Michalowitz, Ferranti, and Smola. The House also concurred in the referral of a retirement-credit petition and suspended Joint Rule 12 for several other petitions, including measures on arts education, a psychedelics treatment pilot program, toxic-free medical devices, and retirement credit service. House 4100 was later taken up for final passage, its emergency preamble was adopted, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The House adopted an order to adjourn to Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• In arts, sports, and entertainment? Yes, for sure. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :18:58.400> the academic support, all grounded in the academic support, all grounded in the arts
• :19:00.240> a<00:19:00.480> small<00:19:00.880> day<00:19:01.200> camp arts
• What started as a small day camp arts.
• to our communities and power of art to our communities and establishing<00:19:42.000> the<00:
• She has opined that the essence of photography is the art and science of painting with light.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These classes provided and digital art.
• And I feel like if I'm paying that much money, my son should be able to take an art class or like, you
• And I feel like if I'm paying that much money, my son should be able to take an art class or like, you
• And I feel like if I'm paying that much money, my son should be able to take an art class or like, you
• class or like, you know, a language art class or like, you know, a language class<01:45:05.360> if

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students need arts and music education, hands-on project-based lessons that teach teamwork, and a wide
• Students need arts and music education, hands-on project-based lessons that teach teamwork, and a wide
• Students need arts and music education, hands-on project-based lessons that teach teamwork, and a wide
• and art into impact.
• entrepreneurship, healthc care, the arts entrepreneurship, healthc care, the arts and<01:04:34.960

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be the STEM school that goes really heavy into the advanced sciences, and that one wants to be the arts
• be the STEM school that goes really heavy into the advanced sciences, and that one wants to be the arts
• be the STEM school that goes really heavy into the advanced sciences, and that one wants to be the arts
• be the STEM school that goes really heavy into the advanced sciences, and that one wants to be the arts
• And it includes the arts and music and physics and English.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitutional Amendment created four dedicated funds for outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts
• Constitutional Amendment created four dedicated funds for outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts
• <00:14:52.040> Fund,<00:14:52.480> and<00:14:52.600> the<00:14:52.680> Arts
• <00:14:52.920> and Clean Water Fund, and the Arts and Clean Water Fund, and the Arts and Cultural
• compliance with what we see with other administrative bodies like this, that do work similar to this, at the Art

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would encompass all of the other creative content development, uh, music, um, other aspects of the arts
• would encompass all of the other creative content development, uh, music, um, other aspects of the arts
• Next up, Angela Lrret, International Culture Arts Networks.
• I got to be a part of the International Culture Arts Network, and being that, I was able to create a
• I got to be a part of the International Culture Arts Network, and being that, I was able to create a

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard seven bills on consumer protection, DBEDT-related matters, and tourism/creative industry issues. On SB 2031, DCCA supported aligning state law with the FTC’s 2025 rule on hidden fees and pricing misrepresentations in live event ticketing and short-term lodging; hotel and financial industry witnesses also testified, and senators asked for complaint and enforcement data. On SB 2129, DBEDT and business groups supported a study of minimum wage impacts, with testimony emphasizing effects on hours, employment, prices, and business viability; a senator asked whether the study could also examine the gig economy and business closures, and DBEDT said that may be possible but would require more research and data access. On SB 2259, which would promote dementia-friendly businesses, DBEDT said the measure fit better with another agency and lacked the department’s expertise, while the Executive Office on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association supported the intent and offered to help with curriculum, branding, and training. Testifiers described dementia as a spectrum and said businesses should be trained to communicate effectively with customers and employees living with the disease; suggested amendments included changing the branding language and requiring at least 85% of employees to complete training rather than all employees. A senator also raised concerns about stigma and whether early-stage dementia should affect a person’s ability to function, and the witness responded that people can often function well in early stages. The committee also heard SB 2577 on sports tourism, which DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported as a way to better understand which events draw visitors and economic benefits. SB 2578, creating a film commission, drew broad support from DBEDT, Creative Industries, SAG-AFTRA, the Hawaii Film Alliance, the Hawaii Film Office, and others, but several witnesses urged changes to the commission’s composition and authority, including more labor representation and limits on the commission’s ability to adjust the production cap. Senators questioned staffing, costs, and whether current film office employees should transfer to the new commission, and one senator proposed a friendly amendment to add musicians, SAG, IATSE, and Teamsters, though the department cautioned that too many members could make the commission difficult to manage. The transcript ends during discussion of the film bill, with no final votes or committee actions stated for the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• We especially trying to incorporate, you know, art into future AMD, um AMP, sorry.
• We especially trying to incorporate, you know, art into future AMD, um AMP, sorry. >> Yeah, no, AMP,
• We especially trying to incorporate, you know, art into future AMD, um AMP, sorry. >> Yeah, no, AMP,
• We especially trying to incorporate, you know, art into future AMD, um AMP, sorry. >> Yeah, no, AMP,
• We especially trying to incorporate, you know, art into future AMP.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses. Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately. A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.