Video & Transcript Research : 'hard drive'

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 5th, 2026 at 10:08 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We recognize the caliber of the University of New Mexico and have already hired numerous alumni to drive
  • We have to really have the pathways that are driving more students in... ...and includes our industry
  • We have to really have the pathways that are driving more students in and that are building our capacity
  • school girls, actually, because the data that we saw, if you don't capture their attention then, it's hard
  • Otherwise, it's very hard with universities alone and with a research lab alone to get the entire machine
Bills: SB145, SB143
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 2nd, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • So per country data is hard to find.
  • cost hard dollar costs and drive cost out that we know of And then, based upon your paper, Dr.
  • So cybersecurity is very hard.
  • Hard to, to, to quantify, but an example is. Well, okay, so I don't want it to be hard.
  • drive those comments to the commission?
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Senate Floor Session - 05/14/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm not supposed to look back, so it's a little hard to to I'm helping you out, little hard to to I'm
  • I'm not supposed to look back, so it's a little hard to to I'm helping you out, little hard to to I'm
  • I'm not supposed to look back, so it's a little hard to to I'm helping you out, little hard to to I'm
  • I'm not supposed to look back, so it's a little hard to to I'm helping you out, little hard to to I'm
  • real hard. real hard.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/12/26 - Part 3

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we know that they're hard to pass because of the lobbyists.
  • It's hard, and I hope that everybody takes pity on me.
  • And are really hard uh in their lives.
  • You will drive that out of this state. You will drive that out of this state.
  • I'm trying know I myself, I drive an EV.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring parental involvement for minors using platforms in Minnesota. Early on, members reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13) after first rejecting a narrower amendment to the amendment (A18) on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then offered a technical amendment (A14) to address liability and drafting concerns, but withdrew it after saying it contained an unintended drafting error and could create legal problems, including issues around data collection and rulemaking. During third reading debate, supporters described the bill as a first step to protect children from addictive social media design, online exploitation, and harmful data practices. Representative Scott said the bill would require parental consent and limit addictive features for child accounts, while emphasizing that the consent language must be prominent and that the bill’s effective date would not begin until next July. Representative Enen, Representative Feist, Representative Greenman, and others backed the measure as a bipartisan effort to hold big tech accountable and protect kids, though Greenman also noted that the legislature had not shown the same willingness to confront gun violence. Opponents and skeptics raised concerns that the bill relies on parents understanding complex legal and technical terms, that it may not fully protect children, and that it could still leave gaps around liability and privacy. Representative Leeing questioned why the bill does not simply restrict addictive features for all children and asked about parental waivers and location tracking; Scott responded that the bill uses IP address information and does not specifically address liability waivers, but said the measure is a policy choice intended to empower parents. The debate ended with broad support from several members, and the bill was presented as likely to pass, though no final vote on the bill itself was included in the excerpt.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

October 15, 2025 - 11:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Someone like me will just, in about two years, I'll just That makes us hard to do our job.
  • And to the families that came, I know that that's always hard every time you visit me.
  • It's also very hard to you.
  • So standing here with my back to my friends is kind of hard. But I believe in this bill.
  • They have a hard job. They are stretched to the limit, and I respect that. Mr.
Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered one bill, HB 603, which would repeal section 768.21(8), the Florida medical negligence wrongful death exception often referred to by supporters as the “Free Kill” law. The sponsor argued the current statute unfairly bars certain families—especially adult children or parents of unmarried adults without minor children—from recovering non-economic damages when a loved one dies from medical negligence, while such damages are available in other wrongful death cases. Supporters, including family members, AARP, and some legal advocates, testified that the law is discriminatory and denies equal access to justice for grieving families and vulnerable adults. Opponents, including physicians, hospital and insurer representatives, and business groups, argued that repeal would increase malpractice exposure, raise premiums, worsen access to care, and accelerate physician retirements or departures from Florida. Several urged that if the bill moves forward, it should be paired with caps on non-economic damages to balance the impact on the health care system. Supporters countered that negligence must still be proven, that the law creates unequal treatment, and that existing tort reforms have not lowered premiums. The sponsor closed by rejecting claims that the bill is “jackpot justice” and emphasizing that families deserve court access and accountability. After debate, the committee voted on HB 603 and passed it 16-2. The meeting then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:
  • the critical role it plays in preparing tech. as students to succeed in treating patients and in driving
  • This enhanced support for research drives. economic development, and workforce creation throughout Texas
  • The university will leverage its current infrastructure and faculty expertise to drive advancements in
  • This collaborative approach is poised to drive groundbreaking advancements. and provide affordable care
  • It will provide the workforce, engineers, and technicians critical to drive and deploy AI-driven health
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • High caseloads, limited transfer opportunities, and stalled advancement are driving workforce burnout
  • Are driving workforce burnout and attrition.
  • miles of road than some other districts, but it has more potholes on its roads because more people drive
  • It's hard for people to imagine all the time and energy that you have put into this budget, pouring your
  • And I know that so much of the hard work that you do goes unseen and unrecognized.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate met on the FY27 budget and began with several ceremonial introductions and brief amendment withdrawals. Senator Collins withdrew amendments related to restoring DCF social worker funding and educator pay. The chamber then ruled a package of tax-related amendments offered by Senator Tarr out of order on constitutional grounds, finding they would create money-bill provisions that must originate in the House; the Senate upheld that ruling by a vote of 35-4. Senator Tarr later offered amendments on a gas tax suspension and related tax relief themes, but those were not adopted. The Senate considered and rejected several other amendments, including proposals on commemorating Commonwealth history, naming a bridge, repeat offenders, and no-cost calls. One amendment by Senator Fattman to extend domestic violence leave protections to contract employees was adopted unanimously, with 39 votes in favor and none opposed. The chamber also adopted an amendment creating a special commission to study the adequacy, reliability, and distribution of unrestricted general government aid (UGA), after extended debate about inequities in municipal aid and local budget pressures. Members from across the chamber supported the commission, while some emphasized that adequacy of funding, not just redistribution, remains a concern. The Senate then took up Chapter 90, passing the municipal roads and bridges bill to be engrossed. It also adopted a community programming amendment and a Senate Ways and Means amendment, then adopted the Ways and Means budget amendment as amended and ordered the underlying FY27 appropriations bill to a third reading. After lengthy closing remarks from the Ways and Means chair, minority leader, and the Senate President praising the budget process and highlighting investments in local aid, education, public safety, and other priorities, the Senate voted 40-0 to pass the FY27 budget bill to be engrossed. The chamber then adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Trooper Kevin Thomas Traynor.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Conservation Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the corgis jumped out; she took off running, and as I'm driving, getting down close to the fence
  • I'm driving, getting down close to the fence line. I'm like, no, I don't like what I'm seeing.
  • We keep driving. The little corgi won't get back in, so we drive off a little ways.
  • They had run the mare so hard up and down the fence line that they flat wore her out.
  • They had attacked his legs hard enough, and whenever he was trying to kick them away, he stumbled and
Bills: SB38, SB46, SB18
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Texas Legislative Medal of Honor Committee May 13th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He did hard things and he set tough goals. He relentlessly pushed his physical and mental limits.
  • Texas and as a SEAL on deployment, he embraced risk and embodied the quiet strength, loyalty, and drive
  • On our drive down yesterday, Christie and I had a discussion about what we could offer this committee
  • That is just an example of who Gage was: determination, drive, and the energy that you would imagine
  • It’s hard to say; I’ve said this in so many ways over the last 15 months.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • He did hard things and set tough goals. He relentlessly pushed his physical and mental limits.
  • Texas, and as a SEAL on deployment, he embraced risk and embodied the quiet strength, loyalty, and drive
  • On our drive down yesterday, Christy and I had a discussion about what we could offer this committee
  • That is just an example of who Gage was: determination, drive, and the energy that you would imagine
  • It’s hard to say, in so many ways that I’ve expressed this over the last...
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Workforce Apr 1st, 2025

S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • I used to run a truck driving company.
  • If you are a truck driver, You don't know if you're just going to drive for that company for a week or
  • employers who steal, cheat, and lie with public contracts that are paid for by your constituents' hard-earned
  • Medical examiners and death investigators are dedicated, hard-working professionals and highly deserving
  • While simultaneously driving economic growth for Texas, we strongly urge the committee to support House
AL
Transcript Highlights:
  • What I was trying to drive for is: have there been issues with that process?
  • I understood that those changes would drive the cost up a little bit. ...drive the cost up a little bit
  • It is extremely hard to hire...
  • It is extremely hard to hire for that job classification, so a lot of facilities have no food service
  • That's exactly where I'm driving to from the budget standpoint.
Keywords: 924, joint, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 01/28/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:28:21.880> up<00:28:22.200> cost tax ra which is already driving up cost tax ra
  • which is already driving up cost and<00:28:23.240> get<00:28:23.399> rid<00:28:23.559>
  • some extremely hard choices uh in<01:19:02.840> a<01:19:03.000> similar<01:19:03.320><
  • We're within a vote here, and so you're going to—this is going to be really, really hard, harder than
  • manage um on our own as really hard manage um on our own as really hard bipartisan<01:56:43.560>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/26/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Transcript Highlights:
  • In the past, the state helped us out to fund that driving track.
  • You know, that is a regional driving track, so I think we have to...
  • It's very hard to make a decision on single appropriations in a vacuum.
  • And without seeing that information, it's hard for me to make a decision today.
  • And without seeing that information, it's hard for me to make a decision today.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2641, which would ban firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect firefighters and the public from carcinogenic and persistent chemicals that can contaminate groundwater, and noted Arizona had already banned the foam for training. A University of Arizona public health researcher testified that firefighters have higher PFAS levels than the general public and that AFFF use is associated with elevated exposure, while a firefighters’ association representative said alternatives exist and that the bill would remove uncertainty for departments. The committee passed HB 2641 unanimously, 15-0. The committee then heard HB 2602, a $24,000 appropriation for a 10% pay increase for Department of Public Safety employees in fiscal year 2027. The sponsor and supporters from the Arizona Troopers Association argued the raise was needed for recruitment and retention, citing vacancies, departures, and the cost of training new troopers. Several members supported the idea but raised concerns about the budget impact and the broader issue of pay disparities across agencies and state employees. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-0-3 vote, with two members voting no and three voting present. Finally, the committee considered HB 2225, which would appropriate $10 million for capital costs at the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy in Yavapai County and keep the funds from lapsing until 2029. The sponsor and Yavapai County law enforcement witnesses said the academy is overcrowded, serves multiple agencies across northern Arizona, reduces travel and lodging costs, and provides both basic and in-service training. Some members questioned whether the state should fund a county-based facility and raised concerns about the size and structure of the appropriation, while others supported the training mission but wanted the issue handled in the budget process. The committee voted to give HB 2225 a do pass recommendation, with several members voting no or present.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Sep 11th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • I know how hard all the sub-chairs and their staff worked in a special.
  • But in terms of driving it and getting it to come forward, that was different.
  • But in terms of driving it and getting it to come forward, that was different.
  • We celebrate the hard-won child care package.
  • We celebrate the hard-won child care package included in AB 151.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes. Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity. The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Joint Committee on Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • PBMs exist to drive down costs.
  • PBMs exist to drive down costs.
  • PBMs exist to drive down costs.
  • This has already hit Massachusetts very hard. Massachusetts...
  • This has already hit Massachusetts very hard.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a lengthy hearing on a large docket of pharmacy and drug-pricing bills, with most testimony focused on PBM reform, 340B drug discount program protections, specialty medication access, and medication adherence. Chair James Murphy and Senator Paul Feeney opened the hearing and took testimony from legislators, patient advocates, pharmacists, health center leaders, industry representatives, and policy groups. Several speakers described delays, denials, high out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacy closures tied to PBM practices, while others emphasized the importance of community health centers and independent pharmacies in serving patients. On the 340B program, supporters including Senator Eldridge, Senator Payano, Community Care Cooperative, Fenway Health, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and several community health center leaders argued that bills such as H. 1107 and S. 819 would stop discriminatory PBM and manufacturer practices, preserve contract pharmacy access, and protect safety-net providers that say they reinvest savings into care, pharmacy expansion, interpreter services, behavioral health, and other services. Opponents including PhRMA, the Community Liver Alliance, and a public policy analyst argued the program lacks transparency and accountability, has grown beyond its original purpose, and may benefit large hospitals and for-profit entities more than low-income patients. They urged more reporting and oversight rather than expanding protections. On PBM reform, testimony supported bills including H. 1157, H. 1234, S. 724, S. 831, and related measures that would require rebate pass-through, ban spread pricing, limit steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, and improve reimbursement for community pharmacies. Independent pharmacists and patients said current PBM practices raise costs, create administrative burdens, and threaten access to local pharmacies. PCMA, representing PBMs, opposed the reforms, arguing PBMs lower costs, that plan sponsors choose to contract with them, and that the Health Policy Commission and CHIA should complete their ongoing study before new mandates are adopted. The committee also heard support for H. 1322 and S. 734 on specialty medications, and for H. 781 and H. 1305 on medication synchronization to improve adherence. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation - 05/05/2026

Environmental Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • So believe me, they are hard at work right now.
  • One, what's driving the cost of food now are both climate change, damage to crops, the severe weather
  • They will be the ones driving the investments in the system.
  • I know that you've been working hard on this to try to answer some of the concerns.
  • I know that you've been working hard on this to try to answer some of the concerns.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Environmental Conservation Committee met with a quorum and a very full agenda, moving quickly through a series of environmental and natural resources bills. Early action included approving S.1343B, the clean fuel standard bill, which was referred to Finance with one nay. The committee then took up S.1464A, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, where supporters said it had been heavily amended to address industry concerns and protect public health by reducing packaging waste and toxic chemicals. Opponents, including Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Stec, raised concerns about costs, unintended consequences for business, agriculture, dairy, food safety, and consumer prices. Supporters argued the bill would reduce waste, protect people from toxins, and that many farms and dairy operations were exempted. The bill was advanced to Finance with two nays and one without recommendation. The committee also considered several bills tied to climate and energy policy. S.2712, sponsored by Senator Stec, would delay CLCPA implementation for 10 years and require a cost-benefit analysis; Stec argued New York has not adequately studied the law’s costs and cited rising utility bills, while Chair Harckham and others defended the state’s clean energy direction and said the bill would not move forward. S.3652, which would prohibit certain restrictions on motor vehicle sales, and S.5611, which would create a Climate Action Cost Council and limit annual climate-related rulemaking, were both voted down and not referred onward. By contrast, S.797A, the Mohawk River Basin Management Act, advanced to Finance with support from its sponsor, Senator Fahy. The committee then took up S.8933, Senator Helming’s bill to prohibit PFAS in photovoltaic modules. Helming said the bill was a common-sense measure to keep forever chemicals out of solar panels and protect water and soil; Harckham responded that the bill’s timeline would effectively halt the solar industry and said there was no evidence of PFAS leaching from solar panels. The bill was not advanced. The committee also advanced S.9206 on brush-fire area reed removal for Staten Island, S.9280 on open water data, S.9462 on deer management permits, S.963 on Atlantic bonito and false albacore management, and S.9479A on tidal wetlands definitions. In the final portion of the meeting, the committee rapidly approved a long slate of routine end-of-session fisheries and marine resource extender bills, including measures on sharks, lingcod, black sea bass, blueback herring, fluke, scup, commercial food fish licenses, special management areas, American eel, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, squid, and winter flounder.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

FIN-WAM Joint Info Briefing - Mon Jan 26, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And, you know, Banyan Drive is an iconic spot for us.
  • You know, the County of Kauai tries hard.
  • <01:34:49.720> just really hard.
  • We tried really hard just really hard.
  • You can drive it like that.
Keywords: 910, house, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 069 Mar 24th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , reckless driving in their communities.
  • , to them due to to uh careless driving, to them due to to uh careless driving, reckless<01:45:02.639
  • reckless driving in their communities. reckless driving in their communities.
  • <02:46:04.319> I<02:46:04.640> would hard to make this happen.
  • I would hard to make this happen.
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and received several routine messages, including House-passed bills transmitted to the governor and the revisor. During moments of personal privilege, senators welcomed guests including members of the Persian Cultural Circle for the annual Naruse breakfast, a niece shadowing Senator Judah, and leadership from the Netherland Public Library. A tribute recognizing March 20, 2026 as Naruse Day was read into the record, celebrating the Persian New Year and the Iranian-American community. On the consent calendar, House Bill 1191 passed 33-0. The bill concerns audits of school districts receiving state education fund money for capital construction projects for qualified charter schools, making the state auditor’s examination discretionary rather than mandatory. The Senate then laid over third reading of bills until March 24, 2026, pulled House Bill 1098 off consent for later consideration, and authorized the Joint Budget Committee to conduct business while the Senate was in session. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole and adopted House Bills 1180 and 1189 on second reading. HB 1180 continues the Business Intelligence Center Advisory Board sunset process by repealing the board, while HB 1189 addresses property held by a community property spouse under the Uniform Community Property Disposition at Death Act. The committee report was adopted 33-0 and the bills were ordered revised and placed on the third-reading calendar. The committee also took up Senate Bill 112, concerning defendants who fail to appear in court and allowing certain pretrial release conditions for repeat failures to appear. Sponsor testimony emphasized that the bill was amended to use language from prior legislation and now focuses on repeated, willful failures to appear in the same case, with safeguards for municipal courts and situations where counsel is present. Supporters, including Senator Carson, argued the measure gives local courts a narrow tool to address repeated nonappearance and reduce burdens on judges, law enforcement, victims, and taxpayers; the discussion continued as the transcript ended.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Apr 15th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The school bus driver, an employee of Pasco County School Board, failed to drive safely, leading to the
  • Senators, this amendment enhances penalties related to the Florida ban on texting while driving law.
  • The amendment changes texting while driving from a non-moving violation to a moving violation, including
  • of people who've had their lives changed forever because of an injury or death due to distracted driving
  • And I am going to very soon have a young man driving or with a learner's license, and anything that helps
Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.