Transcript Highlights:

• We have Matthew is an opponent who wishes to appear, followed by Eric Rubin.
• Followed by Matthew. Chair Chaney: Please make your way up. You are recognized for three minutes.
• Matthew, an opponent. You are recognized for your three minutes followed by Kiera, Equal Ground.
• Matthew: My name is Matthew and we discussed two bills that have almost no relation to the state of Florida
• Matthew Holiday, Naples Comprehensive Health, is a proponent, waiving in support. What a surprise.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE MATTHEW JOHNSON REPRESENTING HIMSELF, AND OPPONENT OF THE BILL AND WOULD LIKE TO APPEAR IN PERSON
• MATTHEW GRASCHOLSKY? AS AN OPPONENT AND ALSO REPRESENTING HIMSELF.
• MATTHEW JOHNSON REPRESENTING HIMSELF IS AN OPPONENT OF THE BILL AND WISHES TO APPEAR IN PERSON.
• MATTHEW? I'M GOING TO MISPRONOUNCE THE SAME GENTLEMAN AGAIN. MATTHEW? KORSHLOSKI? IS AN OPPONENT.
• TRABULSY IS A TOUGH ONE. >> MY NAME IS MATTHEW AND I WANT TO READ TO QUICK EXCERPTS.

Transcript Highlights:

• Labriola, who will be followed by Matthew. Mr.
• Thank you, Matthew. Mr.
• Hi, my name is Matthew Gerholski.
• Speaking in favor, followed by Matthew Gerholski, followed by Matthew Poske. Good afternoon, sir.
• Matthew Gerholski. Okay. Indicated. Thank you. Matthew Grijolski. Okay. Indicated opposition.

Summary: The committee first considered CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility to certain contaminated or brownfield properties in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, added adjacency and density/intensity limits, and excluded agricultural land, park land, land outside the urban growth boundary, and land near military installations. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote, with limited support and opposition noted in waived appearance forms. Members then took up CS/CS/SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators. The strike-all added public swimming pools and related child-centered locations to residency and presence restrictions. Testimony was sharply divided: proponents argued the bill would help protect children and law enforcement, while opponents, including treatment experts and homelessness advocates, said there was no empirical evidence the restrictions reduce abuse and warned of retroactive punishment and increased homelessness. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 8-1. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after an amendment allowing certain enclaves adjacent to interstates to be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential uses and clarifying exclusions for protected areas. Opponents argued it would weaken zoning and comprehensive plans, while supporters framed it as a property-rights measure; the bill was reported favorably 10-0. SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, a technical update to nonprofit law modeled on prior for-profit corporate revisions, also passed unanimously after supportive waived testimony. Later, the committee approved SB 1338 on charitable giving, which creates a donor remedy for endowment restrictions and limits state reporting burdens on certain regulated or exempt organizations; members discussed cy pres and the sponsor said further changes would be worked out later. CS/SB 532 on court fees was amended to let clerks retain all collections above revenue projections rather than half, with supporters saying clerks have been underfunded for years; it passed 10-0. The committee also favorably reported SB 218 on land use regulations, which restores normal land-use authority to counties not affected by recent hurricanes, and CS/SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability, which creates a presumption against liability for entities that comply with cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements; the cybersecurity bill drew concerns about retroactivity and the adequacy of compliance incentives but passed 9-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Grolski: Thank you for allowing me to be here.
• I am an attorney with Matthew Grolski: I'm the SJA and also a gun owner.
• Matthew Grolski: Engineers knew that since 2017. They've done nothing to fix it.
• Chair: John Harris Mauer followed by Matthew Petroski, I believe. You're recognized.
• Chair: Matthew Petroski? Not here? He was against the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• MATTHEW. SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO HELPED ME WITH THIS. OKAY.
• PLEASE OPPOSE THE BILL. >> Chair McClain: MATTHEW. >> MY NAME IS MATTHEW AND A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS AT
• MY NAME IS MATTHEW.
• WE ARE GOING TO START WITH MATTHEW.
• I STILL CAN'T GET YOUR NAME RIGHT REPRESENTING THE WHEEL ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL MOTORSPORT MATTHEW, THE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:19:50.240> Matthews.<00:19:50.880> No. Senator Matthews. No.
• Senator Matthews. No.
• Chair, I'm Senator Matthews Mr.
• Senator Matthews >> I. Senator Koran No. Senator Matthews No. No. No.
• Senator<01:30:39.080> Matthews? Senator Matthews? Senator Matthews?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have Matthew Singer from the Florida League of Cities, and you are waving in support.
• Next up we have Peggy Matthews, speaking for information from the American Watercraft Association.
• Peggy Matthews, American Watercraft Association.
• Next up, we have Matthew Holliday from Naples Comprehensive Health speaking for... Matthew?
• Matthew? He had to go to another meeting. All right. Thank you so much.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and considered a series of bills, beginning with SB 266, which would exempt sales and use tax on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft sold from manufacturers to operators. Senator Harold said the measure is intended to help Florida attract an advanced air mobility industry and create jobs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of EVTOL aircraft and excluding drones, then reported the bill favorably. SB 350, by Senator DeSigley, was also reported favorably after a minor amendment; it allows local governments to permit vehicles to travel slowly on flooded streets without being treated as unlawfully impeding traffic. Supporters from the Florida PBA and Florida League of Cities waived in support. The committee next approved SB 706, designating part of U.S. 92/Gandy Boulevard as the Senator James A. Sebesta Memorial Highway. SB 628, Lucy’s Law, was heard with extensive emotional testimony from Lucy Fernandez’s parents and others. The bill strengthens boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless boating, requiring boating safety education after certain violations, and aligning some boating penalties more closely with motor vehicle laws. A substitute amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 872, dealing with county and municipal price controls for the removal and storage of electric vehicles, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from towing industry representatives about the added costs and storage constraints posed by damaged EVs; the Florida Insurance Council spoke in opposition. The committee then approved SB 650, which expands hazardous walking condition criteria for elementary school students to include walkways along freeways, ramps, and interchanges, regardless of speed limit. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated substantial testimony from safety advocates and families affected by distracted driving; it would rename Florida’s texting law as a hands-free driving law and prohibit handheld use of wireless devices while driving. The committee also passed SB 994, increasing driver education requirements for standard and learner’s licenses, and SB 662, designating a portion of West Beaver Street in Duval County as Harry Frisch Street. Several senators recorded affirmative votes on bills after the roll calls, and the meeting adjourned after all listed measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ted Booth and Matthew Holmes.
• If anybody has any questions, I have with me Matthew Holmes, who's one of my lead analysts and who's
• <00:01:38.400> have<00:01:38.560> with<00:01:38.799> me<00:01:39.360> Matthew
• <00:01:39.759> Holmes questions, I have with me Matthew Holmes questions, I have with me Matthew

Keywords: AIR Task Force - Room 409, 13 January, 2026; 3:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The January meeting of the AIR Task Force focused on reviewing a draft report on artificial intelligence and discussing how to move forward with future work. Ted Booth and Matthew Holmes explained that the report is intended to lay a foundation by describing AI-related challenges, what Mississippi has already done, and possible steps for future reports, since the task force will continue meeting in coming years. Members were invited to suggest edits and improvements, including on how the group communicates by email and how to keep the process efficient given everyone’s schedules. A major topic was whether the task force should recommend a statutory definition of artificial intelligence. The chair said a bill needed to be filed quickly and asked members to review the definition on page five of the report. Booth read the definition, which tracks federal language describing a machine-based system that makes predictions, recommendations, or decisions using machine and human inputs. Members generally agreed the definition was solid and noted that it could be amended later as the field evolves. The task force also discussed the broader legislative approach to AI. Members said the issue is fluid and that they do not want to regulate too early or duplicate existing law. They noted that current criminal statutes, including recent changes related to morphed images, appear to cover AI-related crimes for now, and the attorney general’s office reported no current loopholes or need for tweaks. Homeland Security likewise had no recommendations for new legislation. The chair said the report would be submitted to leadership if there were no objections, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raymond Burton, Alliance board member Jeffrey Jones, Wii Club members, second place youth of the year Matthew
• youth<00:05:13.039> of<00:05:13.280> the<00:05:13.440> year<00:05:14.080> Matthew
• <00:05:14.720> Messiah<00:05:15.800> Carggo youth of the year Matthew Messiah Carggo
• youth of the year Matthew Messiah Carggo and<00:05:16.960> the<00:05:17.199> perseverance<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Norton is the journal clerk. He, you might recognize him.
• 06:37.440> um dite D who is the bill status clerk um dite D who is the bill status clerk um Matthew
• :39.039> who<00:06:39.199> is<00:06:39.360> the<00:06:39.479> journal Matthew
• uh Norton who is the journal Matthew uh Norton who is the journal clerk clerk clerk he<00:06:44.840>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Matthews, thank you, Mr.
• > have<00:37:05.040> discussed Senator Matthews and I have discussed Senator Matthews and
• Thank you, Senator Matthews.
• Matthews as the lead, uh, lead on this Matthews as the lead, uh, lead on this committee,<01:52:58.480
• Senator Matthews: Yes. Chair Frentz: Yes. Senator Jeang: No. Senator Matthews: Yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh Senator Matthews. Sorry. Uh Senator Matthews.
• > adopt<01:09:23.560> an Senator Matthews, we didn't adopt an Senator Matthews, we didn't
• Senator<01:09:53.240> Matthews.
• Madam Chair, thank Senator Matthews.
• Senator<01:13:10.480> Matthews?<01:13:11.280> Yes. Senator Matthews? Yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm like, Matthew, why do you have a stick?
• And I go, Matthew, we need to talk about this. Why do you have a stick? It's a sharp stick.
• I'm like, Matthew, why do you have a stick?
• And I go, Matthew, we need to talk about this. Why do you have a stick? It's a sharp stick.
• I'm like, Matthew, why do you have a stick?

Bills: HB2093, HB2370, HB2376, HB2380, HB2381, HB2383, HB2423, HB2481, HB2621, HB2895, HB4005, HB4043, HB4109

Keywords: mental health, school curriculum, education policy, instruction requirements, statute repeal, charter schools, education, weapons detection, public safety, school administration, school districts, real estate transactions, school property, bond issuance, land use approval, capital improvements, school governance, board meetings, education funding, parental notification

Summary: The committee first approved the March 18, 2026 minutes and then considered the nomination of John Snyder to the State Board for Charter Schools. Snyder described his background in municipal finance, charter school financings, and prior service with Arizona charter school organizations and the Arizona School for the Arts. Members asked about how his finance experience would help the board’s oversight role, and the committee voted 6-0 with one not voting to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard HB 2093, which would remove the statutory requirement that health education include mental health instruction tied to multiple dimensions of health and would repeal related consultation requirements in 2037. The sponsor argued the bill would remove social-emotional learning from schools and return mental health matters to parents, while opponents, including students, a suicide-loss parent, and youth mental health advocates, said school-based mental health education saves lives and should remain available with parental opt-out. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give the bill a do pass recommendation. Several school safety and education bills followed. HB 4043, requiring at least one campus employee trained in CPR, first aid, and AED use where applicable, passed unanimously after testimony from the sponsor and school administrators. HB 4005, requiring instruction on ethical and educational uses of artificial intelligence in school districts beginning in 2027-28, passed 4-3 despite opposition from the Arizona Education Association over unfunded mandate concerns. HB 2895, allowing Native American language proficiency to satisfy a world language requirement and adding language clarifying districts are not required to offer such courses, passed unanimously as amended. HB 2383, renaming trampoline court safety legislation as Ty’s Law, also passed unanimously as amended. The committee also advanced HB 4109, a school public safety and notification bill requiring district safety policies, parent and law enforcement notification after life-threatening violence or weapon incidents, annual public safety reporting, and misdemeanor penalties for noncompliance. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters cited delayed or inadequate notification in serious incidents, while opponents argued the bill was too broad and criminalized administrators. The bill passed 4-3. The committee then approved HB 2376, appropriating $40 million for the school safety program and prioritizing school resource officers and school safety officers, and HB 2380, requiring greater public access to governing board meetings, materials, video, and out-of-state travel approvals; both passed 4-3. Finally, the committee began considering HB 2381, a major strike-everything amendment on career technical education district governance and funding, along with a follow-up amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would any of those individuals care to speak on this nominee, Rebecca Matthews? Seeing none?
• Matthews mentioned. I’ve met with the finance folks. I’ve met with the president.
• Seeing no debate, Senator Burgess recommends confirmation of Rebecca Matthews to the Board of Trustees
• For debate on Rebecca Matthews.
• Seeing no debate, Senator Burgess recommends confirmation of Rebecca Matthews to the Board of Trustees

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Gregg. Matthew, welcome. Good afternoon. Matthew, you have three minutes. In a second.
• My name is Matthew Gregg. I am the Program Director of Sungrown Cannabis Alliance.
• Find me on LinkedIn, Matthew Gregg, and I will make sure you get a link to our monthly meeting, where
• My name is Matthew Gregg. That has been my testimony. That has been my time. Thank you.
• Seeing none, thank you, Matthew, for being here. Absolutely. Much appreciated. Megan.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held a hearing on a broad set of cannabis and hemp bills, with the chairs opening by emphasizing unfinished work on equity, public health, safety, and market stability. The committee heard testimony on House Bill 146, which would create more efficient cannabis testing standards by increasing batch sizes, reducing or eliminating some environmental testing, standardizing lab reporting, and requiring annual scientific review and public data reporting. Industry witnesses, including a representative of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, cultivators, and a testing lab owner, said current testing rules are overly burdensome, costly, and inconsistent, and argued the bill would lower compliance costs while preserving consumer safety. A testing lab witness also said some operators switch labs to obtain higher THC results or pass contaminated batches, and urged greater transparency and better sampling protocols. A major portion of the hearing focused on intoxicating hemp and related bills that would bring hemp-derived intoxicating products under a stronger regulatory framework. Legislators and industry witnesses described products sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores as often untested, not age-gated, and sometimes mislabeled or far above the federal hemp THC threshold. Testimony from attorneys and cannabis business leaders said states can regulate these products more strictly under the Farm Bill’s non-preemption language, and pointed to New Jersey and other states as possible models. Some witnesses and committee members stressed that any new rules should avoid harming non-intoxicating CBD businesses or lawful hemp farmers, while others argued that the products are effectively cannabis and should be regulated like cannabis for licensing, testing, age limits, and taxation. The committee also heard extensive public-health testimony in support of bills S. 95, S. 96, S. 97 and their House counterparts H. 191, H. 192, and H. 193. Parents, advocates, and public health professionals urged stronger warning labels, THC potency caps, and improved data collection on cannabis-related harms, citing cannabis-induced psychosis, addiction, anxiety, and youth exposure to high-potency products. Several witnesses said Massachusetts has not done enough to track health outcomes or warn consumers, and referenced other jurisdictions such as Connecticut, Vermont, Colorado, Canada, and Quebec as examples of stronger limits or warnings. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shed, Andrew Puce, Brady Stevens, Matthew Cussen, Joshua Rhodess, Chase Renault, Wyatt Wright, Wyatt
• 04:27.680> Shet,<00:04:28.720> Mason<00:04:29.120> Martell,<00:04:30.000> Matthew
• Killian Shet, Mason Martell, Matthew Killian Shet, Mason Martell, Matthew Shed,<00:04:31.120>
• 00:04:33.120> Stevens, Shed, Andrew Puce, Brady Stevens, Shed, Andrew Puce, Brady Stevens, Matthew
• Cussen, Joshua Rhodess, Chase Matthew Cussen, Joshua Rhodess, Chase Renault,<00:04:38.960> Wyatt<

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Brenda Steady and then suspended the rules to introduce 12 House bills by number only, referring them to committees. Members also read a House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Milton High School Yellow Jackets boys soccer team on winning the Division 2 championship, and the chamber welcomed the team and coaches to the gallery. The Speaker announced that HCR 163 had been mistakenly placed on the consent calendar and removed it, and also announced committee appointments following a resignation. A series of guest recognitions followed, including visitors from the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, the 2026 Snelling Early Childhood Leadership Institute cohort, mentoring organizations observing National Mentoring Month, the Vermont Historical Society, and former Representative Mari Cordes. Members also highlighted an upcoming Act 73 overview, the first Farmers Night concert, and a Caucus for Vermont’s Economy meeting. No votes were taken on these announcements, but the House formally welcomed the guests and recognized new House leadership and a new committee assistant. On the action calendar, the House passed H.649 on captive insurance companies and concurred in S.60 establishing the Farm Security Special Fund for weather-related farm losses. The House then approved H.534 on community action agencies, with the Human Services Committee describing it as a statute update that changes terminology, strengthens planning and governance requirements, and uses people-first language; the committee reported a 10-0-1 vote. The House also advanced H.84, which allows telehealth appointments to be recorded only with patient and provider consent; the Health Care Committee said it modernizes telehealth law without weakening privacy protections and reported a 10-0-1 vote. The chamber ordered third reading or passage on each bill and then adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew He was born on December 11th, 2003, the eldest child of Jose and Vanessa Perez.
• Matthew dreamed of serving in the military and of one day joining law enforcement.
• Matthew married the love of his life, Jessica Patino.
• In August 2024, Matthew and Jessica announced that they were expecting a child together.
• Matthew Andres Perez. Thank you, Assemblymember Calderon.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Van Name, waiving in support from Lyft. Did you want to speak? You were good?
• My name is Matthew Poske, and I'm a member of the FJA, and I'm a trial lawyer in Jacksonville, Florida
• Matthew Van Name, waiving its support from Lyft. Did you want to speak? You were good?
• Madiow, Waving Support Personal Insurance Federation of Florida, and Matthew Posgay, TNC insurance, oh
• And I did have my My name is Matthew Poske.

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:

• You're up, Matthew. You're up, Matthew Frasier. You're on deck, Charles Miller. You're in the hole.
• Thank you, Matthew. Thank you, yes ma'am. Thank you, Matthew Frasier. You're up, Charles Miller.
• Matthew Prer, Mobile. Matthew Prer, Mobile, Alabama.

Bills: HB471, HB473

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Johnson, Stewart, Kleene, Karan, KW, Kunish, Kupek, Lang, Lets, Lisy, Limmer, Lucero, Man, Marty, Matthew
• 28.520> Marty Lang lets lisy limmer Lucero Man Marty Lang lets lisy limmer Lucero Man Marty Matthew
• Wade<00:07:30.960> mchan<00:07:31.759> Miller<00:07:32.720> Mitchell Matthew
• M Wade mchan Miller Mitchell Matthew M Wade mchan Miller Mitchell Mohammad<00:07:34.080> Murphy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all