Video & Transcript Research : 'drinking straws'

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FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 20, 2025 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Despite the operator admitting to drinking Andy Fernandez: two beers, neither a breathalyzer nor a blood
  • years in the can on the boat, I believe that's the correct number, and there were admissions to drinking
  • demand that you have training and we demand that you follow the law and we demand that you do not drink
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Ways and Means (03/05/2025)

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • In most cases, they don't say, 'Gee, I think I'm drinking too much. I better stop going to bars.'
  • In most cases, they don't say, 'Gee, I think I'm drinking too much. I better stop going to bars.'
  • In most cases, they don't say, 'Gee, I think I'm drinking too much. I better stop going to bars.'
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 3rd, 2025

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Take a quick drink of water, Mr. Chair.
  • have, or can you tell me a Is there anyone that wakes up every single day, eating, sleeping, and drinking
  • We decided to pick it all up, and you know, so now you have someone eating, sleeping, drinking every
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • For example, water infiltrating into the ground in one city becomes drinking water for another community
  • For example, water infiltrating into the ground in one city becomes drinking water for another community
  • silos because true sustainability requires us to connect land use, wastewater, storm water, and drinking
  • The water sustainability program overall addresses emerging drinking water supply threats and overall
  • addresses emerging emerging drinking addresses emerging emerging drinking water<01:08:03.359>
Keywords: 1183, house
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 21 (2-5-26)

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I also sit here today on the floor and I'm drinking my hot tea out of a mug that I got at the opening
  • And I also sit here today on the floor and I'm drinking my hot tea out of a mug that I got at the opening
  • While George Lee Wainscott established Ale-8 in 1902, he didn't actually introduce the drink that we
  • to come in and go through their facility, see what they do, how they do it, and they'll hand you a drink
  • right off the right off the a drink right off the right off the bottling<02:04:12.880> line<02
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior journal. The House communicated that it had passed House Bill 4 and requested concurrence. The chamber then received second-reading reports for Senate Bills 18, 33, 85, and 132, and committee reports indicating Senate Bills 136, 183, 2, 4, and 71 should pass, with some substitutes and title amendments. The Senate also introduced Senate Resolutions 79 and 80 honoring Joseph Harden McFarland and Jeremiah Parsons. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 5, relating to Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement. The sponsor described it as a way to improve school nutrition, support Kentucky producers, and keep food dollars in local communities. Several senators spoke in support, including references to the Make America Healthy Task Force and the idea of using food procurement as a tool for rural prosperity and better nutrition in schools. Senate Bill 5 passed by roll call, 38-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 73, which would allow home-based processors to use beef tallow in cosmetic products. The sponsor said the bill would expand existing home-processing authority beyond food products to cosmetics. It passed unanimously, 38-0. Senate Bill 12, relating to medical provider coverage and level four trauma centers, drew the most extended debate. Supporters argued it would help rural hospitals join the trauma network by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work under physician supervision, including remote supervision, and said it would improve access and save lives in underserved areas. Opponents, including a physician senator, argued the bill would lower trauma-care standards and could put patients at risk by allowing non-physician staffing in facilities that need immediate hands-on medical expertise. After lengthy discussion, the bill was advanced and then passed by roll call, with supporters emphasizing rural access and opponents warning about patient safety and the adequacy of physician coverage.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • The drinking water groundwater trust fund is a fund that we receive through a settlement fund.
  • <01:18:07.920> The<01:18:08.080> drinking little bit more detail.
  • The drinking little bit more detail.
  • The drinking water<01:18:08.640> groundwater<01:18:09.120> trust<01:18:09.440> fund<
  • <01:18:14.320> We That funding is administered by DES, and the drinking water groundwater
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 3/18/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • many decades to help build and improve key infrastructure from roads and bridges, wastewater and drinking
  • <01:10:01.159> water<01:10:01.360> treatment Wastewater and drinking water treatment
  • Wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities<01:10:02.880> parks<01:10:03.159> and
  • be on the financing that we give to local communities throughout the state to support their safe drinking
  • the state to support their safe drinking the state to support their safe drinking water<01:15:55.320
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 1

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is Poso's up river that has affected my water that I drink and that millions of Minnesotans drink
  • And this bill would limit their ability to comment on their drinking water, on the air they breathe.
  • upsetting to hear that we feel like they should not have a voice in their land, their water that they drink
  • There is Poso's up river that has affected my water that I drink and that millions of Minnesotans drink
  • And this bill would limit their ability to comment on their drinking water, on the air they breathe.
Keywords: 1183, house
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN Informational Briefing 01-14-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have public health hazards, drinking water contamination, nitrate-related issues like blue baby syndrome
  • public health to Solutions we have public health hazards<00:57:50.079> um<00:57:50.440> drinking
  • <00:57:50.799> water hazards um drinking water hazards um drinking water contamination<00:
  • <00:57:58.680> nitrogen<00:57:59.039> in<00:57:59.160> the<00:57:59.280> drinking
  • <00:57:59.599> water rates of nitrogen in the drinking water rates of nitrogen in the drinking
Keywords: 912, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Wed Apr 2, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This will help for the community not to have a lot of issues, people gathering, drinking, and things
  • The department is supportive of protection of groundwater and drinking water resources.
  • Um, particularly it's the provisions to prevent, you know, the siting of landfills over our drinking
  • The Hawaii Farm Bureau absolutely supports protecting our precious drinking water and irrigation water
  • water and irrigation precious drinking water and irrigation water.<01:13:18.640> Supports<01:
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • As a barista, you're not just serving drinks. You're supposed to act a certain way.
  • I wasn't making the drinks fast enough, and I wasn't being ready and peppy enough.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities hosted “Strength and Support,” a networking and resource-sharing event focused on employment for youth and young adults with disabilities, with ASL interpretation, CART, recording, and livestreaming provided. The panel featured self-advocates, job coaches, and employment support staff who shared personal employment stories, including internships and career services through MassAbility, community advocate work at an independent living program, advocacy and podcasting, supported employment in retail and food service, and examples of successful placements through job coaching and clubhouse programs. A major theme throughout the discussion was the barriers people with disabilities face in finding and keeping work, especially repeated rejection, lack of experience, inaccessible hiring and training processes, weak communication, and employers’ assumptions about disability. Panelists described the importance of accommodations, flexible scheduling, clear communication, patient supervision, and ongoing job retention support. Several speakers emphasized that networking and in-person connections often helped them secure interviews or jobs when online applications did not. In response to questions about making employment more inclusive and sustainable, panelists recommended person-centered support, accessible applications and onboarding, opportunities to gain experience through internships and fellowships, and stronger employer education about the value of job coaches and disabled workers. They also stressed self-advocacy, patience, and taking chances on people. The event ended with audience Q&A and closing thanks to the speakers, interpreters, tech staff, and attendees.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Jun 18th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then we also repealed the clean water and drinking water... ...12 in the last session.
  • And then we also repealed the clean water and drinking water state revolving fund rules and incorporated
Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large slate of agency rules and related reports. The chair announced that several items were stricken from the agenda and that the maternal health providers and remote monitoring rules were pulled by the agency. The committee filed reports on emergency rules, ALC subcommittee rule reviews, and administrative directives, then moved through agency rules from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce/Insurance, Department of Corrections, and multiple divisions of the Department of Human Services. Most rules were explained as technical updates or implementations of 2025 legislation and were approved without objection. Examples included repeal of obsolete equine ID-chip rules, updates to agriculture financing and pesticide rules, removal of duplicative workers’ compensation plan language, a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities, DHS marketing rules for PASS programs, a comprehensive DCFS policy manual revision, Medicaid-related changes for fictive kin, ABLE accounts, presumptive eligibility for pregnant women, SNAP work requirements and alien eligibility, coverage for certain incarcerated youth, nurse aide training updates, and permanent rules for state employee insurance and procurement. The committee also approved requests to exclude the Insurance Department from rulemaking requirements for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting and for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would issue rules later when more guidance is available. The most extended discussion concerned DHS’s dental Medicaid rate rule under Act 1025. Members and witnesses debated whether the statute’s language covered only oral surgeons or also general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, and whether the rate increase should apply more broadly to the services rather than the provider title. DHS said it was following the black-letter language of the law and could not confirm a broader interpretation without further approvals and funding, while legislators and a Dental Association representative said the intent was to increase payment for the services, especially in rural areas. Members also discussed the possibility of fixing the language in a future session or through a new rule if approvals and CMS review allow. Despite the concerns, the committee approved the rule. The meeting ended with approval of rule review reports and monthly updates, and the committee adjourned.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Jun 18th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then we also repealed the clean water and drinking water... 12 in the last session.
  • And then we also repealed the clean water and drinking water state revolving fund rules and incorporated
Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large set of agency rules and reports. Early items were routine filings: emergency-rule reports, subcommittee review reports, and administrative directive reports were filed without objection. One rule from the Department of Agriculture on maternal health providers and remote monitoring was noted as pulled by the agency and not considered. The committee then reviewed and approved several Agriculture rules, including repeal of equine ID-chip rules after Act 703 of 2025, updates to finance rules adding a new water and sewer treatment facilities grant and consolidating revolving-fund rules, and a pesticide rule creating a Class J pesticide category for feral hog toxicant use. It also approved a Commerce/Insurance rule removing duplicative workers’ compensation plan provisions, and a Corrections rule creating a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities and community correction centers. A member asked about prison visitation hours during COVID, and staff said they would check on that. The committee next approved multiple Department of Human Services rules. These included marketing rules for provider-led organizations under Act 301 of 2025, a comprehensive revision of the DCFS policy manual, changes to Medicaid eligibility to include fictive kin placements and to expand ABLE account eligibility under Act 875, presumptive eligibility changes for pregnant women to align with federal rules, and a follow-up SNAP/TEA/Work Pays rule with updated work requirements, mandatory employment and training, alien eligibility changes, and job-search requirements for certain applicants. DHS also presented a rule implementing federal coverage for certain incarcerated youth before and after release, and the committee approved it. Another DHS rule updated nurse aide training requirements to match federal CNA hour standards and moved criminal-records-check procedures to the agency website. The most extended discussion involved DHS Division of Medical Services’ dental rate rule under Act 1025. The agency explained that it was increasing pediatric dental rates and certain oral-surgery-related rates, but not orthodontic rates or a broader special-needs benefit limit because CMS would not approve a diagnosis-based limit. Members debated whether the statutory language was intended to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, with legislators, the Dental Association, and DHS discussing legislative intent, fiscal impact, and whether a future fix or emergency rule might be needed. Despite the disagreement, the committee approved the rule. The committee also approved other DHS medical rules: adverse-decision appeal changes and prior-authorization posting requirements, an increased RSV administration fee for children, expanded emergency treat/triage/transport ambulance authority, and clinic-based physical and occupational therapy coverage. Later, the committee approved permanent rules for the new state insurance program under Shared Administrative Services, procurement rule revisions recommended after an ACASO review, and commodity-management rule updates including a new revenue distribution model. Under Act 595 of 2021, the committee granted two Department of Commerce/Insurance requests to be excluded from rulemaking requirements: one for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting, and one for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would promulgate rules later when clinical guidelines are available. Finally, the committee accepted a recommendation to keep and extend the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education rules, filed outstanding rulemaking updates, and adjourned without further business.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-REVIEW Mar 17th, 2026

ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a new original contract for drinking water analysis as required by the Safe Water Drinking Act
Summary: The ALC-Review Subcommittee reviewed seven methods of finance, including university projects at ASU Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Black River Technical College deferred maintenance, UA Batesville’s Farm Project Gateway Center, UAMS PET cyclotron equipment, a new allied health building at UAPB funded by a federal grant, and UCA’s multi-purpose arena design work. The committee also approved an alternative delivery construction project for UAPB’s Allied Health and Sciences Building, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members then approved discretionary grants from the Department of Health and DHS, including support for a heart attack center designation, community health worker training, homeless services funding corrections, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. In the contracts section, the committee reviewed RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and a large slate of out-of-state and in-state contracts covering topics such as seatbelt survey data collection, Medicaid and DHS systems, state hospital staffing and services, veterans’ services, education assessments, and state IT and procurement projects. Several contracts drew extended questioning. Senators and representatives pressed DHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs about heavy reliance on contract nursing and staffing costs, and officials said they were using pay incentives and recruitment efforts to increase state employee staffing. Members also questioned AEDC’s lithium supply chain study and the Department of Education’s security contract, with concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments. The committee held three in-state contracts—Department of Education security services and two DHS staffing contracts—until Friday, then adopted the remaining contracts and received informational reports on contract amendments, executed contracts, and emergency procurements before adjourning.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 am

Agriculture and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, if they have a low bacterial count, it's still safe to drink if the count's low enough.
  • But I wouldn't say that it's safe or unsafe to drink raw milk.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 9th, 2026 at 08:35 am

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Drink comes from standing together. Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee.
  • Thank you. drink comes from standing together.
Keywords: 996, all
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 5, 2026 - 12:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • looking at protecting agricultural areas Representative Cross: and the Everglades, protecting fresh drinking
  • The continued encroachment into that area with industry is really damaging not only for our drinking
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Rules Jan 27th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kevin Drinke. And then after him will be John Labriola. Well, he's waving in mind. You recognize.
  • My name is Reverend Kevin Drinke, and I have been an ordained minister for the last 20 years.
Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early measures included CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would allow qualified candidates or political parties to sue over violations of party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of it, arguing the bill removed existing limits on force and erased sentencing distinctions. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including CS/SB 7014, SB 7016, CS/SB 7012, SB 7000, SB 7002, SB 7004, SB 7006, and SB 7008, all of which extend or preserve public records or meeting exemptions for topics such as social media investigations, small business loan records, motor vehicle enforcement records, emergency shelter information, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, Public Service Commission proceedings, and Gaming Control Commission records. The committee also approved SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and opponents not appearing in the excerpt. HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably after supporters from the Florida Chamber and Associated Industries backed the bill, which limits strict liability claims involving natural geological substances on former phosphate mines but not phosphogypsum stacks. CS/SB 48 on housing, as amended, would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units, limit certain local barriers, and extend housing incentives; it drew broad support from housing, business, real estate, and advocacy groups. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 on CPA licensure modernization, SB 292 on public records protection for appellate court clerks, CS/SB 296 and CS/SB 298 on domestic and dating violence protections and related public records exemptions, and SB 386 on farm equipment warranty protections were also reported favorably, generally with supportive testimony from affected industries, advocacy groups, or public safety stakeholders. Later, the committee approved SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increase penalties and enforcement tools. It also heard but temporarily postponed CS/CS/SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services after the chair allowed public testimony because many stakeholders had traveled to attend; one opponent, a longtime builder, argued the bill could criminalize contractors who withhold payment for deficient subcontractor work. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes on selected bills and then adjourning.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Jan 27th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Reverend Kevin Drinke and I have been an ordained minister for the last 20 years.
  • My name is Reverend Kevin Drinke, and I have been an ordained minister for the last 20 years.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and considered a long agenda of bills, many of which were reported favorably. Early action included CS for SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS for SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and add mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of the bill, arguing it removed useful limits on force and imposed overly rigid sentencing. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including measures extending exemptions for social media platform investigations, small business loan program records, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigatory records, emergency shelter recipient information, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information, Public Service Commission records and meetings, and Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. The committee also advanced CS for SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and no participant would be required to take part. Other approved measures included HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands, which limits certain liability claims if notice and survey requirements are met; CS for SB 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units and was amended to remove hearing and variance requirements and clarify local ordinance obligations; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, described as a negotiated glitch bill preserving co-op authority over generation and power purchases; and CS for SB 364 on public accountancy, which creates additional CPA licensure pathways and mobility provisions. The committee also approved SB 292 creating a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families, despite some opposition votes. Later, the committee passed CS for SB 296 and CS for SB 298, which expand protections for victims of domestic violence and dating violence by creating a feasibility study for a secure web-based 911 alert platform and extending address confidentiality and public records protections to dating violence, stalking, and aggravated stalking victims. SB 386 on farm equipment, described as a “lemon law” for tractors and similar equipment, also passed. Additional open-government bills were approved for emergency shelter recipients, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, PSC records, and gaming commission records. SB 168 on public nuisances was reported favorably as well. One bill, CS for CS for SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was temporarily postponed after extensive stakeholder testimony; the chair allowed public comment but no vote was taken, and the sponsor indicated ongoing discussions and possible changes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded several individual votes for the record, and the committee adjourned.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Nov 18th, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because fluid milk is for Class I, which is bottled milk or fluid milk that we would drink.
  • We've got a lot of people here that are going to drink milk, come into stores, but they're going to process
Summary: The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand. The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.