Transcript Highlights:

• Let's say the governor had that stock. There couldn't be an approval by the governor.
• Governor, auditor, and the legislative approval. Okay.
• We're talking about a legislature, a treasurer, an auditor, and a governor.
• So they're elected, not appointed. And then... ...city marshal.
• So they're elected, not appointed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House has appointed a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches and has
• appointed Representatives Mikowitz, Diggs, and Suisian on the part of the House.
• Durant, moves that the Senate insist upon its amendment and appoint a committee of conference.
• The Chair will appoint Senator Rogers of First Bristol and Plymouth, Senator Comerford of Hampshire,
• The Governor, the Senate adjourned today, adjourned to meet again on Tuesday next at 11 o'clock a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, so this language... ...by the Governor and the Cabinet.
• When you mentioned Sharia law and this governor and his appointees, Sharia law and this governor and
• This bill gives the governor full political control through their appointed chief of domestic security
• It still requires the vote of the governor and the cabinet.
• The governor appoints the chief of domestic security, and it's also the head of FDLE. Okay, great.

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

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• The voters, the governor, and the Legislature, when they decided to cut the fee in the face of political
• The voters, the governor and the legislature, when they decided to cut the fee on, The governor and the
• , doctor's appointments, to get groceries, to get food.
• , doctor's appointments, to get groceries, to get food.
• to doctors appointments to get groceries to get food.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 519 by Representative Mike Johnson provides relative to the appointment of a special master
• I bring this bill to improve on what we've already talked about with special masters being appointed.
• Designated or approved under rules adopted for this purpose by the Supreme Court, with all appointments
• Christopher Walker, Deputy Executive Counsel for the governor, and the president would like to speak
• special advocates. ...of a better organization to help our court-appointed special advocates.

Bills: HB29 , HB39 , HB77 , HB153 , HB183 , HB211 , HB263 , HB299 , HB324 , HB519 , HB520 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB805 , HB823 , HB1004 , HB1011 , HB1018

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: insurance fund, retired employees, Ascension Parish, court clerks, premium costs, investment advisory board, HB 39, Act 283, peace officer, law enforcement officer, police certification, citizenship requirement, U.S. citizen, United States citizen, naturalization, lawful permanent resident, green card holder, immigration, public safety, law enforcement hiring

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number three, messages from the governor. Mr. Clerk, are there From the governor. Mr.
• Clerk, are there any messages from the governor?
• The governor The governor told me we will have to pay $250 million of the billion dollars in Kona flood
• made by those elected as governors and mayors.
• More than 270 bills have been or will be enrolled to Governor Green.

Transcript Highlights:

• as a committee of three to notify the Governor that the Assembly is ready to adjourn.
• Meant to notify the Governor that the Senate delegation is at the bar of the Assembly.
• The Governor has been notified that the Assembly is in session. Thank you.
• Speaker, her appointing committee has finally noted. Assemblymember Torres-Fossett. Mr.
• Speaker, your appointing committee has finally notified. So excited. Thank you, Assembly.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill updates and modernizes Florida's probate code by clarifying when a curator may be appointed
• your dad dies in one county and you live in the adjoining county, that gives them an opportunity to appoint
• a court-appointed attorney, a guardian, a curator, whatever you want to call it, but it's all the same
• That would all happen in a public meeting because it's a meeting of the governor and our cabinet.
• And so, but it should be considered potentially by the governor and the cabinet.

Bills: S0002

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, including several claims bills and policy measures. It heard and approved, mostly unanimously, bills on curators of estates (SB 326, as amended), remedies under the Florida Civil Rights Act (SB 1096), a claim for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland (SB 28), a DCF-related claim for L.E. (SB 6), trust administration reform (SB 786, as amended), a Broward County claim for the estate of a deceased minor (SB 18, as amended, 10-1), a DOT claim for the estate of Mark Legata (SB 26), veterans’ courts (CS/SB 50), extracurricular activities in public K-12 schools (CS/CS/SB 538, as amended), and pet sale protections for dogs and cats (SB 1004). The committee also considered the sovereign immunity claims bill (SB 1366), which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House and was reported favorably after testimony from local government, hospital, and school representatives who urged the Senate to hold to its current lower cap levels. The committee later approved a claims bill for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV (SB 2). The meeting included repeated roll calls and favorable reports on each measure, with the only recorded no vote on SB 18 from Senator Osgood. Several bills drew testimony from supporters and, in some cases, objections. SB 50 on veterans’ courts received broad support from veterans’ groups, criminal justice organizations, and community advocates who said it would expand problem-solving court options for veterans dealing with service-related issues. SB 538 on extracurricular activities drew support and opposition, and was amended to address home education eligibility, a school activity fee issue, technical conforming changes, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was presented as consumer protection legislation aimed at retail pet dealers, requiring disclosure of animal health records and financing terms and creating a private right of action for violations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1178, which would create a foreign interference restriction and enforcement framework targeting foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations. Supporters described it as a national-security measure to limit foreign influence, protect critical infrastructure, and restrict gifts, contracts, and sister-city ties; the sponsor withdrew one amendment and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1632, dealing with ideologies inconsistent with American principles, prompted substantial questioning about due process, domestic terrorist organization designations, Sharia law references, student discipline, and notice procedures. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect constitutional principles and target conduct rather than belief, but the transcript ends while public testimony on that bill is still underway.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the governor would still be able to appoint whomever he wanted.
• So we've asked that this legislation give the governor the opportunity to appoint someone for just a
• And do these appointments have to come from the congressional districts?
• And then what happens if someone's appointed in that district?
• What does that do to that appointment? How does that work?

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267, which would change the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors by adjusting appointment qualifications, term limits, and nomination procedures. Vice Chair Thomas explained the bill was meant to address the lack of nominations from existing entities and to allow the governor more flexibility, especially in smaller districts. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported HB 267 favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 478 on utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill, as amended, requires utilities to clearly label reimbursements on customer bills and sets a deadline for issuing refunds. After discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee changed the reimbursement timeline from 45 days to 90 days and clarified that the bill would not interfere with larger settlement or regulatory credits. HB 478 was then reported favorably as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 924, a consumer protection measure aimed at contractors who solicit residential property owners after declared disasters. The author said the bill was intended to curb predatory storm-chasing and fraudulent insurance-related practices, while still allowing emergency mitigation work. The committee adopted technical amendments and then a conceptual amendment shortening the catastrophe response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split: the Insurance Commissioner and some roofing industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to deter fraud, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses, limit legitimate door-to-door work, and not solve enforcement problems. The bill remained under consideration after extensive testimony and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:05.720><c> and</c><00:11:05.880><c> the</c> vision of our governor and the vision of our governor
• And so we are in strong support of Ryan as the appointment for the director.
• Sorry, Angela Melody Young, in strong support of the appointment for Director Yamane.
• Sorry, Angela Melody Young, in strong support of the appointment for Director Yamane.
• Sorry, Angela Melody Young, in strong support of the appointment for Director Yamane.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several gubernatorial nominations and appointments, beginning with Sunshine Cho and Barbara Tom for the Language Access Advisory Council. Both nominees said they stood on their written testimony and expressed interest in continuing to serve, and multiple organizations testified in strong support. No opposition or questions were raised on either nomination, and the committee moved on after hearing the testimony. The bulk of the meeting focused on GM 642, the nomination of Ryan Yamane to be Director of the Department of Human Services. Yamane gave an extensive opening statement describing his social work background, long public service career, and philosophy of compassionate, balanced leadership. He emphasized DHS’s role in helping people from keiki to kūpuna with dignity and support, and shared personal stories from disaster response and family-service work to illustrate his approach. Support testimony came from a wide range of state officials, agency directors, community organizations, health systems, advocacy groups, and former colleagues, who praised his leadership, problem-solving, communication skills, and empathy. One witness, Moani Kiala Katherine Tu Alun, testified in opposition, raising concerns about retaliation and safety issues affecting foster youth and alleging harmful treatment within Child Welfare Services. Another witness, Angela Melody Young, supported the nomination and said Yamane could help overcome barriers for vulnerable communities and improve DHS programs such as financial assistance, SNAP, and disability services. The committee also heard from DHS staff and related officials about the uncertainty surrounding possible federal funding and staffing cuts; Yamane said the department is gathering information, coordinating with Budget and Finance and federal partners, and preparing to prioritize services and adjust if federal changes affect programs. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem for the judiciary is that it's been a long-standing practice to appoint a retiring trial
• It's proven to be inefficient to be prohibited from having the option to appoint the outgoing judge as
• It wouldn't allow them—it would only allow the ad hoc appointment that the Supreme Court has today to
• ad hoc appoint a judge.
• Some are by the governors. We all know there's a lot of moving parts on this.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills dealing with judicial vacancies, travel reimbursement, election administration, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection; it allows the Supreme Court to reappoint a retiring judge on an ad hoc basis to finish cases or provide urgent coverage, while not changing other laws that prevent a judge from returning to the same seat after retiring or resigning. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was reported as amended after the committee adopted a new amendment removing lodging from the bill, leaving only meal reimbursement limits tied to the federal GSA rate. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk was also reported favorably; it would create per diem pay for legislators doing legislative business outside session and raise statewide elected officials’ salaries using a formula tied to university president pay. The committee deferred Senate Bill 41, which would have extended the deadline for public bodies to publish open-meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, after the author said he wanted more time to work with opponents. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, which would have created public-records exceptions for certain university searches, research, and donor information, drew substantial questioning and testimony from the press and members; after amendments narrowed the scope, the committee ultimately held the bill for further work rather than voting it out. Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, was reported favorably; it requires public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including at least two contacts, a mailing address, email addresses, a website if available, and a phone number, without requiring public funds for member phones. On election-related bills, Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller was reported favorably as amended. It allows precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place when both use the same ballot, with Secretary of State Landry saying it would preserve voter privacy, reduce costs, and be seamless for voters. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter was also reported favorably; it increases the number of election commissioners allowed in closed party primaries to match staffing needs created by the new system. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, which makes certain crime-scene photos, audio/video recordings, and digital images nonpublic except by court order or clerk access, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. House Bill 906 by Representative Billings was reported favorably as amended; the amendments let party state central committees decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in party primaries, require notice to the Department of State, and make participation rules consistent across the party’s related races, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The committee also deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appoint. We appoint a board. This is a discussion we've had many times.
• We appoint a board that controls the police department.
• who those people are, that is what matters, not the governor, not.
• Not the governor, not by a Senate appointment for whomever has to agree that doesn't even live in the
• It's not money that's coming out of Governor Keog's pocket or my pocket.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is composed of nine members appointed by the governor, representing specified interests in
• have with this bill is that we're setting up a workforce standards board of nine people who were appointed
• by the governor and answerable only to the governor.
• by the governor.
• This would be gubernatorial appointments by September 1st, the board's first meeting by October.

Bills: HB2513 , HB2524 , HB2611

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards

Transcript Highlights:

• You've also been a district court judge appointed by, was it Governor Martinez?
• Governor Martinez, so that'll make sense. That'll make some of my friends in the room happy.
• I was there for four years, and I was appointed magistrate judge about eight months later, appointed
• And that's kind of disheartening, you know, because it's hard to get an appointment.
• Bregman's ideas if he were to be elected governor, but I also think if he's not elected governor, continue

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:25.680><c> official</c> the term elected or appointed official the term elected or appointed
• </c> use in this section elected or appointed use in this section elected or appointed official<00:53
• </c><00:53:32.559><c> to</c> is select by election or appointment to is select by election or appointment
• ><c> lieutenant</c> that's that's um governor, lieutenant that's that's um governor, lieutenant governor
• ,<00:54:09.359><c> judges,</c> governor, judges, governor, judges, um<00:54:11.599><c> members</c><00

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills related to bribery and public corruption. On SB 2249, which would increase penalties for bribery under certain circumstances, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the measure, arguing that Hawaii’s current class B felony penalty is probationable and too weak to secure cooperation in corruption cases, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Snyder decision narrowed federal bribery prosecutions. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that elevating bribery to a class A felony and making it non-probationable was excessive, overbroad, and would remove judicial discretion. Multiple individuals also testified in support. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about removing deferred acceptance of plea provisions and asked HPD about the $20,000 threshold; the prosecutor said alternative charges could still be used in plea bargaining, and HPD said the threshold aligns with first-degree theft. The committee also discussed how current law tolls the bribery statute of limitations while an official remains in office, with the prosecutor explaining it can extend up to six years total. The committee then heard SB 2494, which would set a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses. The Public Defender opposed the extension, saying the justification based on the length of federal investigations was too broad and that bribery already has a longer limitations period than most felonies. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill, saying bribery cases often involve coordination with federal investigators, that federal and state evidence-gathering methods may differ, and that a longer period would help ensure admissible evidence and allow state prosecution when federal law no longer applies. Members asked whether there were public examples of cases lost to the current limitations period; the prosecutor said he was not aware of any publicly available examples, but maintained nine years was a reasonable period. The committee also considered SB 2737, which would create a misdemeanor for failure by a state or county elected official to report bribery. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments and suggested changing the term to “public servant” for consistency with existing law. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the intent but warned the reporting requirement could create Fifth Amendment issues for witnesses who might otherwise be useful in grand jury proceedings. The bill drew broad public support, with 33 supporters and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up SB 3071, which revises sex trafficking and promoting prostitution statutes by redefining “profits from prostitution” and adding an affirmative defense for certain lawful transactions. The Public Defender opposed the measure, saying it still could reach people without the required criminal intent and that the affirmative defense language could be applied unevenly. The Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported the bill, saying it better addresses concerns raised by the State v. Ibarra decision while closing loopholes that allow traffickers to disguise profits as loans or gifts. The prosecutor emphasized that traffickers are sophisticated and can structure transactions to evade current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1972, she was appointed by Governor Francis Sargent as a judge of the probate court, only the second
• The following year, in 1973, she was appointed first justice of the Suffolk Probate Court, a position
• In 1991, she was appointed Chief Justice of the Probate and Family Court Department, the first woman
• to be appointed to that role and the first woman to lead a major trial court department in the history

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and received a filed report from the Office of the Comptroller on its fiscal year 2025 deficiency report, which was ordered printed in the Senate Journal and placed on file. Senator Durant then welcomed members of the Longmeadow Lancers cross-country team, along with Representative Brian Ashe, to congratulate them on winning the Division 2 state championship, the program’s first-ever title. The main action of the session was a motion that the Senate adjourn in memory of the Honorable Mary C. Fitzpatrick, a longtime and distinguished probate and family court judge and the first woman to lead a major trial court department in Massachusetts. The Senate adopted the motion, observed a moment of silence, and noted her career, honors, and public service. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn and to reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. The chamber then adjourned in memory of Judge Fitzpatrick.

Transcript Highlights:

• A COURT APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE, A PERSON DESIGNATED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION OR AN ATTORNEY
• APPOINTED MEMBERS MAY SERVE ONLY A SINGLE SEVEN-YEAR TERM AND SPECIFIES THE APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE
• YEARS OF SERVICE AND REQUIRES THE APPOINTED BOARD OF GOVERNOR MEMBERS BE FLORIDA RESIDENTS OR GRADUATES
• WHO PICKS THE NEW PRESIDENT, IS IT THE TRUSTEES OR IS IT THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS?
• THIS WAS BROUGHT TO US BY THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read.
• He was initially appointed in 2018 and currently serves as the board's vice president.
• The appointment is confirmed. Ayes 27, no zero. The appointment is confirmed.
• The appointment is confirmed. Senator Reyes, file item 12. Thank you, Madam President, members.
• The appointment is confirmed.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized guests on the floor, including students honored for a young authors program and representatives connected to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The body then took up SCR 138 by Senator Ashby, designating Architecture Week and highlighting California architects’ work in climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation. The resolution also noted the low percentage of women in the profession and recognized Ida Claire, California’s first female state architect, along with other architects in attendance. SCR 138 passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also considered two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim’s reappointment to the California Acupuncture Board was confirmed without opposition. Davina Hurt’s appointment to the California Water Commission was then considered, with supportive remarks from Senator Becker citing her service and qualifications; the appointment was confirmed on a 26-7 vote. The chamber also approved the Senate journals for March 23-26, 2026, and pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda. Later, members made announcements about committee hearings scheduled after adjournment, including the Senate Human Services Committee, the new Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, and a joint budget subcommittee hearing. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of several individuals, including Andrea Schroeder, Country Joe McDonald, and Brenda Joe Martin, with members offering tributes to their civic, artistic, and community contributions. The Senate announced it would recess and reconvene on April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read.
• He was initially appointed in 2018 and currently serves as the board's vice president.
• The appointment is confirmed. Ayes 27, noes 0. The appointment is confirmed.
• The appointment is confirmed. Senator Reyes, file item 12. Thank you, Madam President, members.
• The appointment is confirmed.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized guests including young authors selected for publication and leaders involved with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The chamber adopted SCR 138, recognizing Architecture Week, with the author highlighting California architects’ work on climate resilience, energy efficiency, wildfire safety, and housing innovation, and noting the underrepresentation of women in the profession. The resolution passed unanimously, 32-0. The Senate also confirmed two gubernatorial appointments. Francisco Kim was confirmed to the California Acupuncture Board by a unanimous 28-0 vote. Davina Hurt was confirmed to the California Water Commission by a 26-7 vote after supportive remarks from Senator Becker, who cited her experience on the Belmont City Council and the Air Resources Board. The body also approved the Senate journals, pulled SCR 124 from the consent agenda, and announced upcoming committee hearings after adjournment. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senator Wiener honored Andrea Schroeder, describing her long career in LGBTQ advocacy, women’s leadership, civic service, and political organizing in San Francisco and beyond. Senator Arreguín remembered Country Joe McDonald for his music, anti-war activism, and Berkeley ties, and Senator Hurtado honored Brenda Joe Martin for her community leadership in Lamor and work with local business and civic organizations. The Senate then recessed with plans to reconvene on April 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• will be taken out of the orders of the day: an act authorizing the town of Milford Select Board to appoint
• Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor. This is House No. 4663. Is there an objection?
• An act establishing the position of the appointed town clerk in the town of Avon.
• Third reading of a bill: An act relative to elected and appointed officials in the town of Plymouth,
• Third reading of a bill: An act relative to elected and appointed officials in the town of Plymouth,

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating Anna Karaz on her 100th birthday. It then took up and passed to be engrossed a home rule bill authorizing bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole for the Town of Randolph. The sponsoring senator spoke in support, saying the measure would improve access, inclusivity, and voter participation for Randolph’s growing Haitian Creole-speaking population, and noted the town’s low recent turnout and the importance of not waiting for a federal language-access review. The Senate also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the Town of Milford Select Board to appoint a highway surveyor. It later adopted a Ways and Means order advancing a House bill on teacher preparation and student literacy with a new draft, and suspended rules to refer several Senate petitions. Additional local bills were enacted, including measures concerning Provincetown’s charter, the appointed town clerk in Avon, and Westwood liquor license authority. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition on retirement benefits for a Massachusetts Maritime Academy associate professor. Later, the Senate amended and passed a bill validating and confirming certain acts and proceedings of elected and appointed officials in the Town of Plymouth. A senator also offered remarks congratulating Sweet Paws Rescue on its 15th anniversary and new facility, which were ordered printed in the Journal. The chamber then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Gerard W. Moynihan of North Reading, followed by a moment of silence, and adjourned until the following Monday at 11 a.m.