Transcript Highlights:

• know, Representative Bobby McCool knows probably better than anyone else, we play a very special function
• know, Representative Bobby McCool knows probably better than anyone else, we play a very special function
• know, Representative Bobby McCool knows probably better than anyone else, we play a very special function
• than anyone else we play a very better than anyone else we play a very special<00:03:30.000> function
• when it comes to special function when it comes to Workforce<00:03:31.439> needs<00:03:31.720

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met for its first meeting and heard an update from KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Corral. He opened with a brief report on flood impacts across the state, noting damage at Big Sandy and Hazard, support for displaced faculty and staff, emergency student aid, and the use of campuses as shelters and Red Cross sites. He then outlined KCTCS’s role as the state’s largest postsecondary system, serving about 107,000 students across 16 colleges and 70 campuses, with strong enrollment growth, major dual credit and GED operations, and a large workforce-training mission. Corral emphasized student support needs such as food, housing, and mental health services, and said KCTCS wants to expand work with incarcerated populations and recovery communities. Corral also described system changes focused on compliance, stability, leadership development, property disposal, and curriculum review. He said KCTCS has addressed prior audit findings, is conducting additional audits, has sold or is selling several buildings, and has removed 400 underutilized credentials to better align programs with employer needs. He highlighted transfer agreements with the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University, and said KCTCS is working to align training with employers and local governments. He also discussed the system’s response to House Bill 6 and the $90 million appropriated for an efficient operations and innovation plan, including three proposed capital projects: a Somerset Community College facility for diesel, automotive, welding, HVAC, CAD, and 3D printing; replacement of an outdated Louisville building; and a South Central/Glasgow allied health facility to expand nursing and related programs. In response to questions, Corral said the Blue Oval SK training building in Glendale is open and operational, though workforce demand there has been slower than initially expected, and that KCTCS is working with the company and state officials to cover operating costs. Members praised KCTCS’s workforce role and flexibility in meeting employer needs statewide. Representative Moll also commented on the system’s progress and importance to Kentucky’s workforce development. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that makes it harder for commuters, to families with children, to just basically function.
• 00:04:38.960> to<00:04:39.120> just<00:04:39.320> basically<00:04:39.760> function
• <00:04:40.640> Uh<00:04:40.720> we um to to just basically function.
• Uh we um to to just basically function.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 1944, authored by Representative Freiberg, was heard and then laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would move Minnesota to permanent standard time until Congress authorizes states to adopt permanent daylight saving time, at which point the state would make a one-time switch. An A1 amendment updating the years was adopted without opposition. Freiberg said his broader goal is to eliminate the clock change, and he noted the proposal has bipartisan support. Testimony was strongly in favor of the bill. Dr. Roxanne Pritchard, a University of St. Thomas psychology professor and neuroscientist, said permanent standard time better aligns with human biology, supports sleep and mental health, and could reduce insomnia, heart attacks, and car accidents associated with the spring time change. J.P., president of Save Standard Time and a co-chair of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, argued that daylight saving time causes chronic sleep deprivation, increases accidents and illness, and does not actually save energy or improve productivity. He said standard time provides a more balanced and honest clock, especially for children, commuters, outdoor workers, and service personnel. Members asked a few brief questions, including whether the bill would be laid over for inclusion in another bill and whether it would align Minnesota with other places to avoid travel oddities. The chair confirmed it would be laid over, and no votes were taken beyond approval of the A1 amendment. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is incumbent upon the purchaser to do their due diligence and inherit the risk as a function of that
• It is incumbent upon the purchaser to do their due diligence and inherit the risk as a function of that
• Just as a function of an excavator removing phosphate rock, it is assumed that you have liability.
• We're going to have, talking about the health and safety of our constituency, more data as a function

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• An accessory dwelling unit is a smaller, independent, fully functioning home located on the same lot
• An accessory dwelling unit is a smaller, independent, fully functioning home located on the same lot
• That is functionally the legislation of the bill that I've just explained. Mr.
• Chairman, that is functionally the legislation of the bill that I've just explained. Thank you.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs heard three measures. First, SB 184 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas, with exceptions for planned unit developments and master-planned communities. The bill and its amendments were discussed at length, including parking restrictions, homestead exemption treatment, short-term rental concerns, impact and mobility fees, pre-approved designs, manufactured ADUs, and an OPPAGA study on mezzanine financing and tiny homes. Testimony from the Florida League of Cities raised concerns about parking, short-term rentals, and fee parity, while several senators supported the concept but asked for further refinement. The committee adopted the amendments and reported CS for SB 184 favorably. The committee then took up SB 118 by Senator Brodeur, which preempts regulation of presidential libraries to the state and defers regulation to the federal government, with the stated purpose of preventing local governments from imposing obstacles to a future presidential library in Florida. There was no debate or public testimony, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7704, a proposed committee bill to repeal the sunset date on a public records exemption for property photographs and personal identifying information of applicants or participants in disaster-related housing assistance programs held by state and local housing entities. With no questions, debate, or public testimony, the committee approved the motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we appropriated over $20 million to functionally end veterans homelessness in Minnesota.
• We've actually, by our own numbers, also now met the criteria for functional zero in Ramsey County, but
• functional end to veterans homelessness. functional end to veterans homelessness.
• also now met the criteria for functional also now met the criteria for functional zero<00:21:28.480
• Minnesota, like I said, is poised to become the fourth state in the country to have achieved functional

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A director would have to have those same qualifications if the director was ever going to function as
• But if the director wasn't going to function as a teacher, then the director would not have to have all
• I don't know how often or how common it is for a director to function as a teacher in a center, and how
• A director would have to have those same qualifications if the director was ever going to function as
• A director would have to have those same qualifications if the director was ever going to function as

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• deformity, loss of use of limb, or loss of a bodily organ system, or permanent physical, mental, or functional
• deformity, loss of use of limb, or loss of a bodily organ system, or permanent physical, mental, or functional
• physical deformity loss of use of limb or loss of a bodily organ system or permanent fiscal mental functional

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of that tool then being in and part of the functional process of review of water conveyance
• So you might think that in the context of the structure, it's considered to no longer be functional at
• Historically, it had been looked at as the project is, if maintained, maintains its complete functional
• before that water was constantly... ...was functioning before that water was coming faster out of the
• we do have the opportunity to mitigate those functions and acres elsewhere.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we had over $20 million appropriated to functionally end veterans homelessness.
• And we had over $20 million appropriated<00:29:43.039> to<00:29:43.440> functionally<00
• :29:44.000> end appropriated to functionally end appropriated to functionally end veterans<00:
• care in Minnesota declaring a functional care in Minnesota declaring a functional end<00:30:29.360
• <00:31:26.320> zero<00:31:26.640> for<00:31:26.799> veterans achieved functional

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be more typical Aggie function than anything else. Thank you, Senator.
• Yes, so beyond the deciding of cases, which is our core function and what we're focused on as judges
• As you know, for those who don't, Texas is one of two states that have two functionally supreme courts
• Our office performs an accounting function for the state by paying the expenditures and claims related
• You do have a very important function.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, space planning follows agency assessment of services and functions.
• Many functions across the enterprise are full-time onsite.
• uh the space follows the and functions uh the space follows the business<00:04:07.239> uh<00:
• <00:04:10.720> across<00:04:11.040> the work many functions across the work many functions
• this is Who basically the job functions this is Who We<00:52:55.480> Are We Are We Are those

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• After your testimony is complete, the Zoom chat function is for technical staff only, so please use the
• chat function for any technical issues.
• is allowing you to zoom chat function is allowing you to chat<00:13:51.920> with<00:13:52.079
• the chat function for any technical<00:13:56.519> issues<00:13:57.360> if<00:13:57.480
• function only for technical issues.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They cause severe functional impairment leading to a high rate of death and suicide, with veterans being
• They<00:06:35.480> cause<00:06:35.880> severe<00:06:36.440> functional<00:06:37.040
• > impairment They cause severe functional impairment They cause severe functional impairment leading
• Our concern is how this functions in practice.
• <00:25:36.040> in Our concern is how this functions in Our concern is how this functions in

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a difference between allowing the judicial process to function and sabotaging it.
• The judicial process, our ultimate check on executive overreach, is allowed to function, and that distinction
• :08.880> to on executive o overreach is allowed to on executive o overreach is allowed to function
• some kind of hope in the face of the Trump thugery, I say to them, at least Vermont is sane and functional
• Vermont is sane and functional. Vermont is sane and functional.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hodgson said he would share the goal of striking entities that no longer perform a function
• >> perform a function. >> perform a function. Anyone<00:11:48.800> else?
• The second provision is it transfers all KCNA functions into COOT.
• <00:26:52.080> All<00:26:52.320> KCNA KCNA functions into COOT.
• All KCNA KCNA functions into COOT.

Keywords: HB 66 (discussion only) -- 00:05:33 Consideration of HB 213 -- 00:12:16 Consideration of HB 314 -- 00:22:11, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee opened its first meeting of the year with prayer, the pledge, a roll call, and a reminder of committee procedures, including sign-up rules for public testimony, decorum expectations, and recognition of staff. The chair noted the committee had a quorum and outlined the day’s agenda, which included three bills. Representative Hodgson presented House Bill 66 for discussion only, explaining that it would distinguish between boards and commissions that can meet entirely electronically and larger public agencies that should have a quorum physically present unless there is an emergency. He said the bill also aimed to require agencies to post member information and contact details online so the public can provide feedback. Representative Tipton asked whether the bill would apply to state and local bodies, and Hodgson said it would; no vote was taken on HB 66. The committee then considered House Bill 213, sponsored by Representative Emily Callaway, on reemployment of retired police officers. A committee substitute was adopted unanimously. Callaway said the bill would reduce barriers to rehiring retired law enforcement officers, allow local agencies and universities to offer health benefits in lieu of retirement benefits, lower the service threshold for this specific rehiring from 20 years to 15 years, and give agencies flexibility on retirement contributions. She emphasized that the bill would not allow double dipping and had no quantified fiscal impact. Members raised a question about review by the Public Pension Oversight Board; Callaway said that had not yet occurred, and the chair noted the committee’s practice that pension-related bills are typically reviewed by that board first. Despite that concern, the committee voted 16-2 to report HB 213 favorably, with two members passing. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 314, relating to the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and declaring an emergency. After adopting a committee substitute, Representative Matt Lockett said the bill was intended to reorganize oversight of Kentucky Wired by moving KCNA into the Finance and Administration Cabinet under the Commonwealth Office of Technology, abolishing KCNA’s separate executive director, transferring KCNA functions and records to COOT, and restructuring the board with new members and two governor appointments from lists submitted by KACo and KLC. He said the measure was meant to provide stronger oversight and more direct control over the project, and that the emergency clause was needed because of budget implications. Members asked for clarification on the differences between committee substitutes, and Lockett said one prior substitute removed the attorney general from the board at his request, while the current one added the governor’s appointments. He also said a floor amendment would strike language related to a nonprofit board associated with Kentucky Wired. The transcript ends during discussion of HB 314, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• services are to allow these people to be integrated with society, and they serve a socialization function
• c> socialization that's and they serve a socialization that's and they serve a socialization function
• <00:22:28.840> thank function thank function thank you<00:22:31.320> further<00:22:31.679
• Some of those were funded, some were not, but the fact that they've been functioning for a year or more
• for a year that they've been functioning for a year or<00:33:31.880> more<00:33:32.799> at

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee met for final approval of HB 1 and HB 2, with legislative budget staff Michael Kain reviewing the final amendment documents and surplus statements. Kain explained that HB 1474H and HB 1484H incorporated the committee’s prior votes and the Governor’s recommended sections, and he walked through the budget math for the general fund, education trust fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He said the committee’s proposal remained balanced overall, though the current-year general fund showed a projected deficit that HB 2 would address by allowing a possible rainy day fund transfer if needed. He also noted that the committee’s revenue estimates were below the Governor’s, requiring reductions and adjustments to appropriations and lapse assumptions. Members discussed the rainy day fund provisions, including a section in HB 2 that suspends existing restrictions so a transfer can be made if the deficit materializes. Kain said the committee’s approach differed from the Governor’s because the state was not below the overall revenue plan, and the fiscal committee would retain a role in determining any transfer. He also summarized that the Highway Fund would end with about a $13 million balance and Fish and Game with about $3 million, both without additional general fund support. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2 unanimously: Amendment 1473H, a technical cleanup to the Group 2 retirement seven-year rule, and Amendment 1482H, a technical correction to the recreational services language. Amendment 1484H, which incorporated those changes into HB 2, was adopted on a 14-1 vote after minority members objected to the bill’s broader cuts and policy changes, including reductions to state agencies, health and human services, and education-related provisions. The committee also adopted Amendment 1474H to HB 1A on a 14-1 vote after similar debate over budget reductions, vacancies, university funding, and school spending limits. Finally, the committee voted 14-1 to report HB 1A and HB 2 as amended as ought to pass, with the minority voting no and the committee planning a full House presentation the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• he mentioned at the cost of $137,000, it sounds like for that equation that they're doing other functions
• that he mentioned at the cost of 137,000, it sounds like for that equation that they're doing other functions
• wish to provide virtual public comment on SB 309 with Senate Amendment 1, please use the raise hand function

Bills: SB309, SB309

Summary: The House Corrections Committee met and considered Senate Bill 309 with Senate Amendment 1, which would end the Department of Corrections’ practice of deducting room-and-board charges from wages earned by incarcerated people. Supporters said the bill would help people in work release and other correctional programs keep more of their earnings for reentry needs, while still allowing deductions for child support, restitution, court costs, fines, and other court-ordered obligations. The sponsor also argued the current collection process costs the state more to administer than it brings in, citing roughly $40,000 in annual revenue versus about $137,000 in administrative costs. A Department of Correction witness clarified that the bill applies to level four work release only, affecting about 300 people, and would not change level five populations or Delaware Correctional Industries programming. He also said the funds are held in a non-interest-bearing account and then sent to the general fund. Public commenters, including a private citizen, the ACLU of Delaware, and the Tide Shift Justice Project, strongly supported the bill and argued that incarceration costs should be borne by the state rather than deducted from already low wages. After discussion, a motion was made to release the bill from committee and a roll-call vote was taken. The vote appeared to have enough support among members present, but because fewer than five members were present, the committee could not fully release the bill and instead would circulate it for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, a lot of folks who are autistic have very different functional and support needs than those
• You're functionally a criminal.
• <04:26:34.159> I lifetime of reduced sexual function I lifetime of reduced sexual function
• Even more importantly, the foreskin serves an important function in male sexuality.
• Even more importantly, the foreskin serves an important function in male sexuality.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we're... ...three, but some of this that we're trying to discuss is related to getting to actual functional
• And so, that's where I think some of these tie together as tying salaries to a functional rate versus
• And so, that's where I think some of these tie together as tying salaries to a functional rate versus
• And so, that's where I think some of these tie together as tying salaries to a functional rate versus
• And so, functionally, when you have...

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the census, not a function of my opinion.
• of the census, not a function of my opinion.
• of the census, not a function of my opinion.
• That is not how a representative democracy is meant to function. Thank you.
• That is not how a representative democracy is meant to function.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D, later substituted with House Bill 1D, both establishing Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Senator Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a proposed redistricting plan on short notice and argued that mid-decade congressional redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based provisions in the Fair Districts Amendment are unconstitutional. He repeatedly said the Legislature was not being asked to prove the Governor’s legal theory, only to consider the proposal, and noted that no amendments were offered. A lengthy question-and-answer period followed, with senators raising concerns about the rushed process, lack of statewide public hearings, and the map’s effects on minority communities, compactness, communities of interest, and partisan fairness. Senators questioned whether the map cracked Latino and Black communities, whether partisan data was used, whether the Governor’s office had outside consultants, and whether the plan complied with the Florida Constitution, the Fair Districts Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act. Gates generally deferred on legal conclusions, said the Governor’s representatives had testified the map was race-neutral and used political data only as one factor, and emphasized that any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. After a motion to temporarily postpone failed by a recorded vote of 12 yeas to 23 nays, the Senate continued debate. Senators Rouson, Bernard, and others spoke in opposition, arguing the proposal was rushed, partisan, and harmful to communities of interest and minority voting power. Gates maintained that the Governor had a constitutional prerogative to propose the map and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The House companion bill was then substituted for the Senate bill, read a third time, and the chamber moved into final debate on the congressional redistricting plan.