Transcript Highlights:

• Should our state institutions be receiving money from domestic or foreign terrorist organizations?
• It explicitly includes under the category by which students can be removed from private institutions,
• My name is Samantha Cadiz, and I'm here representing the Clio Institute, urging you to vote no on this
• But me and many others, on the reciprocating end of this bill, are worried that our institutions are
• And on top of that, the accused institutions will not have a fair trial to fight back.

Bills: S0500 , S0536 , S0762 , S1582 , S1632 , S1634 , S1742 , S1750 , S1792

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Keywords: security detail, protective detail, candidate protection, election security, statewide office, governor, lieutenant governor, cabinet officer, nominee, officer-elect, FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, primary election, general election, canvassing commission, political party, minor party, campaign safety, election protection, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So we ask students to go and do their best and take the course. institutions.
• I saw firsthand when we coordinated with our higher education institutions.
• And I really believe transfer reform is not really just about movement between institutions.
• And that is inefficient for institutions and inequitable for students.
• And that is inefficient for institutions and equitable for students.

Summary: The committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit examining California’s community college transfer process and whether streamlining it could improve access to bachelor’s degrees. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized that California’s transfer system is central to equity and workforce development, but that only about one in five transfer-intending community college students complete a transfer within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to confusion created by differing requirements across the UC, CSU, and community college systems, including limits and inconsistencies in the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), TAG, and major-specific prerequisites. State Auditor’s staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU systemwide enroll more transfer students than the Master Plan target, individual campuses and high-demand STEM programs often do not. The audit identified barriers including unclear and varying course requirements, limited counseling and education plans, insufficient counselor staffing at some campuses, and weak equity plans. It also found that many students never even apply because they do not accumulate enough units or cannot navigate the process. The auditor described examples where transfer students with strong preparation were denied at selective campuses and noted that articulation alignment across systems remains limited. Representatives from UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges responded that transfer remains a top priority and described ongoing reforms. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus-level capacity and program differences limit how much can be standardized from the system office. CSU said it admits more than 90% of eligible transfer applicants, is expanding transfer planning tools and direct outreach, and is implementing SB 640’s Transfer Success Pathway Program. Community Colleges said transfer reform must focus on clearer credit mobility, more consistent articulation, and broader ADT adoption. Members pressed the systems on inconsistent major requirements, the need for better coordination, and whether campuses are fully prioritizing transfer students; no votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• realigns energy-related programs by moving the Louisiana Geological Survey under the LSU Energy Institute
• realigns energy-related programs by moving the Louisiana Geological Survey under the LSU Energy Institute
• It is realigning the Geological Survey at LSU underneath the LSU Energy Institute.
• Student athletes are earning significant compensation, institutions are competing at a national level
• They are quite notable and important institutions.

Bills: HCR26 , HB113 , HB380 , HB392 , HB476 , HB513 , HB608 , HB682 , HB905 , HB987

Committee: House Education

Keywords: human growth, development education, prenatal education, state standards, biological science, grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, community college, technical education, pilot program, driver training, transportation, Safe Haven Law, flyers, child safety, infant relinquishment, name image likeness

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's coming through a different process, the Guttmacher Institute.
• And I understand that the sponsor mentioned the Guttmacher Institute.
• This institution... These individual facilities reporting it.
• This institute has deep historical ties to Planned Parenthood.
• Secondly, the Guttmacher Institute, I would suspect, does not have the ability or the power to force

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Joining me today, I have Nancy Cohen, CEO and founder of the Gender Equity Policy Institute, and Grayshina
• I'm Nancy Cohen with Gender Equity Policy Institute, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit research and policy
• institute.
• I'm Nancy Cohen with Gender Equity Policy Institute, Los Angeles-based nonprofit research and policy
• institute.

Summary: The committee considered several coastal, climate, and air quality measures. Senator Laird presented SCR 136 marking the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy Act, and SJR 12 opposing the federal offshore oil and gas leasing program; both drew broad support from environmental groups, local governments, and other advocates, with no opposition heard. Senator Padilla presented SB 10, requiring state climate plans to include gender impact assessments, with supporters arguing climate harms fall disproportionately on women and LGBTQ+ people; the bill also drew no opposition in the hearing. Senator Padilla also presented SB 675 to restructure the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District board and expand public transparency, while supporters cited severe air quality problems and opponents raised concerns about unfunded mandates, consultation, and impacts on local permitting and economic development. Senator Allen presented SB 1229 to limit disaster-rebuild coastal permit exemptions when replacement structures would newly impede coastal access or sensitive protections, with supporters saying it would prevent investor abuse of post-disaster rebuilding rules. After testimony, the committee took up the measures and recorded votes. SCR 136, SJR 12, SB 10, SB 675, and SB 1229 all advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes, with some members voting no on the more regulatory measures. The consent calendar was also approved, including ACR 157, SB 899, SB 949, SB 963, SB 1008, SB 1207, SB 1428, and SJR 5. All of the listed measures were sent onward, generally to Appropriations, and the committee concluded its hearing after the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joining me today, I have Nancy Cohen, CEO and founder of the Gender Equity Policy Institute, and Grayshina
• I'm Nancy Cohen with the Gender Equity Policy Institute, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit research and policy
• institute.
• I'm Nancy Cohen with Gender Equity Policy Institute, Los Angeles-based nonprofit research and policy
• institute.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this institution will never be the same because of it.
• Democratic institutions that once seemed permanent feel more fragile than many of us have imagined in
• Before I close, I want to thank the people who make this institution work.
• People who make this institution work: Senate Secretary John Bloomer, Melissa Graydell, Aaron Pedley,
• And that really means a lot for us and for this institution.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But despite this economic strength, the state continues to rely heavily on private financial institutions
• , or opening schools is simply the price the state pays to borrow money from outside financial institutions
• leading to concentrated financial power among the large national banks and private equity-backed institutions
• doing in communities. ...leverage public resources to support partnerships with local financial institutions
• . community leverage public resources to support partnerships with local financial institutions, community

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The institutions and legal systems in three different states, including Kentucky, failed both me and
• But what sticks out for me in your story is how many times you went to institutions that you truly had
• And I apologize on behalf of all those agencies and institutions that turned you away and let you down
• that you truly had faith in institutions that you truly had faith in the<00:10:08.000><c> court</c><
• 39.360><c> of</c><00:10:39.519><c> all</c> And I apologize on behalf of all those agencies and institutions

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions: Charles Bassett.
• SB 1295, inmate's medical institution release. Judiciary and Elections.
• Director of Department of Insurance in Financial Institutions, Charles Bassett.
• SB 1295, inmate's medical institution release. Judiciary elections.
• from state governance... ...secular protections, affirming the separation of religious institutions

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While many of those banks left the Net Zero Alliance recently, nothing is stopping financial institutions
• While many of those banks left the net zero alliance recently, nothing is stopping financial institutions
• A report released in 2024 by Ohio's Buckeye Institute is found that operating expenses for farmers under
• Florida Farmer Financial Protection Act, which is part of this bill, would prohibit financial institutions
• Further, if a financial institution has made any ESG commitment related to architecture, or excuse me

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee heard House Bill 651, described by sponsors as the Florida Farm Bill and a comprehensive FDACS agency package. The bill combined technical agency updates with several policy provisions, including changes to water additive rules, labeling requirements for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, criminal penalties related to drones over agricultural land, mail theft, and retail fuel theft, updates to disaster recovery loan programs, an FFA scholarship, school infrastructure provisions, land purchase authority for converted agricultural land, and a Florida Farmer Financial Protection Act addressing ESG-related banking practices. A major portion of the discussion focused on the bill’s fluoride language, with supporters arguing for local choice and consumer consent and opponents warning about public health impacts and loss of local control. Members also questioned the C-4 registry language and whether it was duplicative or could affect organizations’ status. Public testimony was split. Opponents included Florida for All and the Florida Dental Association, with testimony arguing the bill protected agribusiness interests and that removing fluoride would harm dental health, especially for low-income families. Proponents included Heritage Action, Heartland Impact, and several individuals who argued the bill protected farmers from ESG-driven banking restrictions and supported informed consent and the removal of fluoride from public water. Several agricultural and advocacy groups also waved in support. During debate, some members praised portions of the bill such as housing for agricultural workers, drone penalties, and school-related provisions, but said they could not support the fluoride preemption or the C-4 language. Others supported the fluoride provision as a matter of individual and local choice. On final passage, the committee reported HB 651 favorably. The vote was 11-4, with Chair Esposito, Vice Chair Botana, Representatives Barnaby, Benaroch, Black, Mayfield, Mooney, Plasencia, Salzman, and Weinberger voting yes, and Representatives Alvarez, Bartleman, Henson, and Rainer voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2097 by Hughes relates to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education
• Senate Bill 2163 by Parker relates to measures to assist students enrolled at public institutions of
• property of a charitable organization that provides financial support for medical care at certain institutions
• Senate Bill 2176 by Parker relates to the establishment of the Texas Cyber Command as a component institution
• Senate Bill 2176 by Parker relates to the establishment of the Texas Cyber Command as a component institution

Bills: SCR8 , SCR24 , SCR25 , SB1 , SB65 , SB315 , SB371 , SB372 , SB379 , SB400 , SB402 , SB406 , SB427 , SB487 , SB502 , SB509 , SB535 , SB610 , SB707 , SB740 , SB761 , SB840 , SB875 , SB893 , SB918 , SB925 , SB965 , SB987 , SB990 , SB995 , SB1006 , SB1018 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1121 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1300 , SB1343 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1532 , SB1555 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR57 , SCR25 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SCR8 , SB565 , SB372 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB925 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB815 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB621 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB24 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB1527 , SB125 , SB599 , SB1330 , SB53 , SB916 , SB896 , SB1352 , SB973 , SB785 , SB710 , SB472 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB1547 , SB961 , SB1038 , SB513 , SB578 , SB711 , SB746 , SB942 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB1738 , SB108 , SB8 , SB318 , SB507 , SB533 , SB689 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB1198 , SB1146 , SB763 , SB667

Keywords: central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy, payments system, commercial banks, Texas Legislature, concurrent resolution, federal reserve digital currency

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an Alabama Law Institute bill that updates our business code.
• This is the Alabama Law Institute bill.
• Yeah, you know I love the Alabama Law Institute, and I've carried a number of bills before... of bills
• Yes, uh, the Law Institute does a great job. Thank you, gentlemen.
• That one's appointed by the speaker from a list from the APA, an institutional pharmacist.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Senate, branch, the institution of the Senate, the<01:37:32.160><c> Republican</c><01:37:32.760
• But most importantly, she worries about this institution and the individuals in this institution, making
• </c> about the institution. about the institution.
• </c><01:56:01.720><c> and</c> she worries about this institution and she worries about this institution
• </c> the individuals in this institution. the individuals in this institution.

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I still find chartered institutions.
• </c><01:01:26.880><c> One</c> institutions that we work with. One institutions that we work with.
• And they're typically large institutions.
• And they're typically large institutions.
• And they're typically large institutions.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and introductions of commission members and guests, followed by approval of the agenda and a motion to approve the February 10 minutes with a correction clarifying that one quoted statement was misattributed. The commission then moved into presentations. The main presentation came from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors on implementation of the federal GENIUS Act for stablecoins. The speaker reviewed the OCC’s recent 367-page proposed rule, noting it raises many open questions and design choices for states, and discussed expected upcoming rulemaking from the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and Treasury. The presentation focused on six areas: permissible issuer activities, reserve assets and redemption, risk management and supervision, treatment of state-qualified issuers, capital/operational backstops, and foreign issuers. It also flagged unresolved issues around Bank Secrecy Act/AML requirements and the meaning of “digital asset service provider” activities. A substantial portion of the discussion addressed yield restrictions, with the presenter explaining the OCC’s broad definition of yield and its rebuttable presumption against issuer-affiliated or related third-party yield arrangements. The speaker said this likely forecloses many existing white-label structures but leaves some room for third-party payments depending on distance from the issuer, and noted ongoing Senate debate over similar provisions. The presentation also covered reserve valuation, liquidity and diversification requirements, redemption timing, and supervisory expectations such as third-party oversight, IT security, exam cycles, and reporting. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Middleton, relating to college entrance examinations considered for admission to certain public institutions
• limits on the number of athletic scholarships that may be awarded to foreign students by public institutions
• Senate Bill 1322 by Hagenbuch, relating to the accreditation of public institutions of higher education
• Senate Bill 1338 by Zaffirini, relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher
• for the siblings of certain military personnel. tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of

Summary: The Senate met briefly to receive first-reading referrals of a large number of bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public education, health care, criminal justice, business regulation, transportation, water and natural resources, local government, taxation, elections, and public information. Many of the filings were by Senators Hughes, Perry, Alvarado, Creighton, Hancock, Parker, Zaffirini, Blanco, and others, and included proposals on school safety, health records and billing, election procedures, water planning, housing and rent issues, energy and environmental regulation, and criminal penalties. The chamber also read several concurrent and joint resolutions, including measures designating state symbols and local honors, a proposed constitutional amendment related to gaming by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, a proposal concerning special-session subjects, and resolutions on fiscal restraints and retirement obligations. No debate, testimony, or substantive action on the merits of the measures occurred in this portion of the transcript; the items were simply read and referred to committees. At the close of the proceedings, the Senate adjourned pursuant to a previously adopted motion and announced it would reconvene at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only has he been a visionary leader of the institution, but he has also understood that health care
• They're gutting science research at the very institutes that created protease inhibitors that turned
• ... ...institutes that created the medicine that allows people living with HIV to not just survive but
• It is a long-term pillar institution in San Francisco.
• It is a long-term pillar institution in San Francisco.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on floor recognitions and Pride Month observances. Members welcomed guests and honorees including APICA fellowship participants, the El Dorado Roses, retiring Loma Linda University Health president Dr. Richard Hart and incoming leader Dr. Anthony Hilliard, and Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Shrey Parique. The chamber also heard several personal and community tributes tied to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, including a long series of introductions of Pride honorees from across the state. The main legislative item was SR 116 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Senators Cervantes, Weber Pierson, Becker, Menjivar, Arreguín, Wahab, Ochoa Bogh, Wiener, and Laird, among others, spoke in support, emphasizing the history of Stonewall and other LGBTQ+ resistance movements, the contributions of Black, Latino, Jewish, women, and Asian American LGBTQ communities, and the need to oppose ongoing discrimination, violence, and attacks on transgender people. The resolution was adopted after a roll call vote of 28-0, and the Senate then proceeded to honor a large slate of Pride honorees from multiple districts and organizations. The Senate also adopted SCR 166 designating Soju Day, with support highlighting Korean American culture and soju as a symbol of hospitality and cross-cultural exchange. SCR 155, naming the State Route 52/Interstate 805 interchange in San Diego County the Officer Kirk Leeland Johnson Memorial Interchange, also passed unanimously after remarks honoring Johnson’s military and police service and the long effort by his partner to secure the memorial. In addition, the Senate confirmed Laura Capps to the Board of State and Community Corrections by a 27-9 vote and confirmed Danielle Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology by a 28-0 vote. The body also approved several Joint Rule 62(a) suspensions to allow committee hearings on short notice, moved AB 2294 to the inactive file, and sent SB 1189 back to the Assembly for further action. The session concluded with adjournment in memory motions for Judith Helene Ware, Huntley Gordon, and Adolfo Franceschi Colon, followed by announcements that the Senate would reconvene on June 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thereafter, the bill was committed to the committee on corrections and institutions, which the third
• ,</c><00:22:13.360><c> which</c> The Committee on Corrections and Institutions recommends that the House
• This year, the Committee on Corrections and Institutions made further changes, and I will present the
• as well as the Senate Committee on Institutions.
• . institutions. institutions.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The new rate disincentivizes participation in the program by savings institutions, limits consumer choice
• and sustainability to the program by setting sustainable interest rate parameters for savings institutions
• This comparable rate must also be documented and attested to by the savings institution to the Department
• of Financial Services when used by the savings institution.
• They instituted the comparability rule that said that the banks had to give the highest amount of money

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several bills and amendments, beginning with CS/SB 498 on trust fund interest for IOTA accounts. The sponsor said a 2023 Florida Supreme Court rule sharply increased interest paid into legal aid funding, creating a windfall and making participation difficult for banks. An amendment was adopted requiring savings institutions to pay the higher of 0.25% or the highest comparable rate offered on certain non-IOTA accounts, and the bill then passed favorably after testimony from banks, legal aid representatives, and other stakeholders both supporting and opposing the measure. The committee also approved CS/SB 232, which clarifies Florida’s consumer collection law applies only to phone calls during restricted hours and not emails or text messages, after a delete-all amendment and supportive testimony from industry groups. It then approved SB 132, as amended, to designate gold and silver as legal tender and set rules for custody, audits, electronic transfer, and government acceptance of payments; supporters called it a sound-money measure, while the banking association said it still had unresolved technical concerns. Later, the committee passed SB 1466 to create a trust fund for the My Safe Florida Home Program, with an amendment funding it from 20% of collected insurance premium tax revenue. It also considered SB 1206 on transportation network company insurance, reducing coverage during the “dead-leg” period before a rider is picked up from $1 million to lower limits; the bill drew sharp opposition from trial lawyers and support from insurers and some business groups, and the committee adopted a clarifying amendment before reporting the bill favorably. Finally, CS/SB 924 on fertility preservation for cancer patients was amended several times to narrow scope and clarify coverage rules, then passed favorably after debate over cost, preauthorization, and post-treatment storage obligations. The committee adjourned after allowing technical and conforming changes to implement the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Luke Pettit, nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions, brings
• Pettit, you have been nominated to be the Assistant Treasury Secretary for Financial Institutions, which
• The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions carries the important responsibility
• different things, so that institutions that are supervised by multiple federal regulators aren't torn
• And so these banks, these institutions support small businesses, they support our communities.

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth

Summary: The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.