Video & Transcript Research : 'volunteer program'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Work Session on HB 54 (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sorry, you said you volunteered.
- I'm sorry, you said you volunteered.
- <00:35:19.440>
is to make sure that this program is to make sure that this program is effective - from this program program go to the from this program program go to the patients<00:49:28.119>
- There's no regulation of the medical program in Maine.
Summary:
The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position.
Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program.
Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Even though Simon is on a Medicaid waiver program now, HCS, there are no dayhabs in Central Texas that
- There are numerous programs for individuals with disabilities and individuals with other conditions,
- Even as a young child, my son... was excluded from programs that purported to be for all abilities.
- Since 2011, these volunteers have traveled across Texas and beyond through what they call the convoy
- These are 100% volunteer-led efforts.
Bills:
SB2959, HB3096, HCR29, HCR56, HCR12, HCR55, HCR74, HCR78, HCR116, HCR117, HCR6, HCR50, HCR107, HCR80, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR75, HCR93, HCR12, HCR6
Keywords:
firearm safety, awareness month, public safety, responsible ownership, storage, recreational use, profound autism, awareness day, caregiver, disabilities, support, counseling, mental health, awareness, support services, community health, necrotizing enterocolitis, premature infants, breastfeeding, health awareness
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So, outside of the University, our Board of Pharmacy is all volunteer.
- The State Association is all volunteer.
- > all<00:09:53.040>
volunteer <00:09:53.680>we're Association is all volunteer we're - This is relating to an early learning apprenticeship grant program.
- This bill establishes an early learning apprenticeship grant program.
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education met on January 31 and heard six bills. The chair opened by outlining committee practices, including giving at least 72 hours’ notice for hearings, releasing testimony by 5:00 p.m. the day before hearings, and deferring bills needing substantive HT1 changes so members would not vote “blind.” Members briefly thanked the chair for the transparency approach before moving to the agenda.
HB 223 would create a Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy special fund and workforce assessment fee to support a pharmacy center. Testimony from the Board of Pharmacy, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo College of Pharmacy, Mokai Drugs, and others generally supported the measure, emphasizing workforce data, rural access, student loan repayment, and retention. The committee later advanced HB 223 with amendments, including leaving fee amounts blank for further discussion and inserting a defective date, and the motion passed unanimously.
HB 940 would appropriate funds for the rat lungworm lab at UH Hilo; HB 546 would establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute at UH to advance AI; HB 549 would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program; HB 1172 would add the Department of Taxation to the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for wage-data sharing; and HB 1320 would require UH to collect and publicly report graduate outcome data and create a dashboard. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with some privacy concerns raised on HB 1172 and a request to protect taxpayer confidentiality. In decision-making, the committee passed all five bills with amendments, generally deleting or blanking appropriations and FTEs for Finance Committee review, adding defective dates for further discussion, and in HB 549 adding a statement that the program is a matter of statewide concern. The committee recessed briefly for decision-making and then adopted the chair’s recommendations on each bill.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 22nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for supporting programs like ours and for celebrating these athletes.
- Standing here again reminds me that this program doesn't just build champions; it builds legacies.
- volunteer hours to the betterment of Oklahoma.
- My 4-H programs focus on citizenship, healthy living, and science.
- We also have supporting programs.
Bills:
HB3834, HB3940, HB4346, HB2947, HB3257, HB3264, HB4326, HB4421, HB3944, HB3979, HB4118, SCR22, SB169, HB1047, HB2123, HB2650, HB3260, HB3403, SR41, HB3649, HB3742, HB3831, HB3996, HB4321, HB4339
Keywords:
HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs, clinical trials, FDA approval, breakthrough therapy designation, opioid use disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, mental health, neurological disorders, drug development, public-private partnership, State Department of Health, intellectual property, revolving fund, research funding, medical licensing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Texans by prohibiting state agencies from collecting, releasing, or disclosing membership, volunteer,
- Volunteers would have peace of mind knowing their personal information wouldn't be publicly disclosed
- The committee will meet regularly and review the recommended ways that state programs can cut down on
- installation programs at TDLR.
- So for over 25 years, each of these programs has acted independently, without a common goal.
Bills:
HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40
Keywords:
power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/09/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Zoomobile programs. Zoomobile programs.
- <00:31:15.480>
and program and program and the<00:31:16.920>electronic <00:31:17.960>- And we also have student workers and a whole volunteer monitoring program.
- And then student workers and volunteers. siloed out by program. So, it it siloed out by program.
- . program. program.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/16/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We have over 10 distinct youth programs, 30 staff, and 90 program volunteers.
- .<00:37:04.480>
Our <00:37:04.960>programs <00:37:05.359>grew volunteers. - Our programs grew volunteers.
- staff,<00:37:40.320>
90 <00:37:40.720>program program areas, 30 staff, 90 program - program areas, 30 staff, 90 program volunteers.<00:37:41.920>
So <00:37:42.079>it's <00:
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Happy to answer any questions. ...commend the Court-Appointed Special Advocate programs.
- So I want to delineate that between the local Girl State event, which are their volunteers that volunteered
- That purpose of the program.
- We will volunteer. I will put in my own hours. I will phone call. I will do work.
- And so it may not always be the exact same person handling each program.
Summary:
House Management considered a series of House resolutions honoring individuals, teams, and organizations. Resolutions passed recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and commending CASA programs, the Mountain Home Bombers’ boys and girls cross-country championships, a corrected honor for a girls’ team roster, Mount St. Mary Academy’s state golf title, Central Arkansas Christian High School Choir, a local candy shop, Joe T. Robinson’s football and swim/dive state championships, Arkansas Tech University’s Golden Suns and their cross-country team, and North Little Rock’s girls basketball championship. One resolution honoring the Passion Play was pulled from the agenda and moved to regular session. Most of the honors were approved without opposition after brief presentations and no questions.
The committee then took up House Resolution 1052, which drew extended discussion. Sponsors and several legislators argued that many Arkansas girls selected for Girls State were being denied participation because school counselors missed an application deadline, despite the students meeting requirements and similar deadline flexibility having been granted in prior years. They said the issue affected roughly 150 girls statewide, that the American Legion Auxiliary board had not been responsive to calls or requests for a meeting, and that the legislature was offering to help with space, funding, or volunteers if needed. Supporters framed the resolution as a matter of fairness, civic opportunity, and not punishing students for adult mistakes, especially since Boys State deadlines had been extended in some cases.
Committee members asked about the impact on girls whose brothers were allowed to attend Boys State and whether the situation sent a negative message about equal opportunity. Sponsors said the girls were being treated unfairly and that the resolution was intended to urge the Auxiliary to allow participation. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the resolution. The meeting then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Jul 9th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We work with the programs bureau or the ERG, which is an engineering firm, to help us provide actual
- That a major part of those small systems are volunteers.
- He oversees the newly established program oversight team at the NMFA.
- On slide 23, we see the general characteristics of the program. It's getting started.
- some of those programs and then alternative certification programs.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- academic employer partnership programs... ...student loan repayment programs and academic employer partnership
- programs, fellowships, apprenticeship programs, and then rates and payment model reform, thinking about
- It would be, it requires volunteer submission. So CHIA would be more in depth, right?
- I just volunteered to join the committee. I'm not on the committee. I shouldn't.
- I never learned how to not volunteer. Not a concept, Chris, only.
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on workforce supports met with Chair Andrew Lerault presiding. Members completed roll call, approved the August 2025 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Amy Doyle, director of the Behavioral Health Workforce Center at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Doyle described the center’s launch in September 2024 and its legislative mandate to study behavioral health payment rates, workforce needs, and licensure/certification barriers, with an emphasis on recruitment, retention, capacity building, diversity/equity, and sustainability. She also shared data on unmet behavioral health needs, ED boarding, workforce shortages, aging and turnover in nursing and direct care, and the need to improve data collection on non-licensed workers and populations such as people with developmental disabilities and autism.
Committee members asked questions about what provider types were included in the workforce data and whether DDS-related residential and direct support roles were captured. Doyle said the center is still working to define and measure the full behavioral health workforce, including non-licensed roles, and welcomed follow-up on missing data sources. Members suggested additional sources such as CHIA and the Association of Developmental Disability Providers’ workforce survey. Doyle noted that the center is working with CHIA and that new licensure renewal surveys for behavioral health and allied mental health professionals will begin in 2025, which should improve future workforce data.
The discussion also touched on the Health Policy Commission’s broader workforce findings, including nurse attrition, burnout, low wages, and the importance of career ladders and advanced training. Doyle said the center’s first policy recommendations will come from its rate study, expected in the next one to two months, and will likely focus on capacity building and sustainability. After the presentation, members thanked Doyle and discussed subcommittee leadership. Chair Lerault announced he was stepping down, and Chris White volunteered to serve as co-chair; the committee agreed to move forward with that arrangement and to revisit FY26 goals once new leadership is in place. The meeting then adjourned by motion and second.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 01/27/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- Happy to answer any questions about the grants program or for programs and services generally.
- We have volunteer programs, significant volunteer programs, where we track the number of hours by our
- We have volunteer programs, significant volunteer programs, where we track the number of hours by our
- <00:36:01.480>
programs <00:36:02.000>significant <00:36:02.520>volunteer volunteer - programs significant volunteer volunteer programs significant volunteer programs<00:36:03.640>
where
Summary:
The subcommittee held its first hearing of the session and began with introductions from members and staff, many of whom shared personal or family connections to military service. The chair emphasized that the committee would work respectfully and invited members to raise concerns directly. No votes or formal actions were taken during the opening portion of the meeting.
The main substantive item was an overview presentation from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Commissioner Brad Lindsay described the agency’s mission, statewide footprint, and strategic goals, noting Minnesota has more than 286,000 veterans and that MDVA serves veterans in all 87 counties. He outlined the department’s structure, including eight veterans homes, four state veterans cemeteries, tribal and campus outreach, and the agency’s focus on seamless support, awareness of programs, stewardship of resources, and workforce retention.
Deputy Commissioner Ben Johnson then detailed the Programs and Services Division, including federal VA claims assistance, veterans employment and education support, state veterans cemeteries and memorial affairs, the State Soldiers Assistance Program, homelessness prevention, tribal veteran service officers, women veterans services, the Minnesota GI Bill, licensing and certification assistance, the state approving agency, veterans preference, emergency assistance, the LinkVet line, and the Minnesota Service Core partnership with Lutheran Social Services. He also noted the agency’s work on food insecurity and burial services. The presentation was informational only, with no committee action reported.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
FULL INTERVIEW: Supporting Our Hometown Heroes | Senator Jeff Howe Mar 20th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, and uh it was program, that thought.
- encompassing uh program in the nation. nation. nation.
- , state program.
- It is a state program, state program.
- And uh I think them into this program.
Summary:
The interview focused on the senator’s long career in the fire service and his legislative work on firefighter health and well-being. He described serving as a firefighter and fire marshal in St. Cloud, later as White Park’s only full-time firefighter, and also as a volunteer, EMT, captain, and fire chief in Rockville. He said those experiences made him familiar with occupational hazards faced by firefighters, including cancer, cardiac disease, and psychological trauma.
A major topic was the Hometown Heroes assistance program, which he helped advance. He said the program covers about 20,000 Minnesota firefighters, including career, paid-on-call, and volunteer personnel, and provides training on cancer awareness, cardiac disease, and emotional trauma, along with counseling and financial assistance for qualifying occupational illnesses. He said the program can provide up to $20,000 in payments depending on the condition, offers up to five free counseling sessions per year, and has paid out about $5.7 million to fewer than 600 firefighters. He also said the program is funded by a $4 million annual appropriation and a separate insurance policy, and that it is managed through the Department of Public Safety and MinFIRE.
The senator addressed a 2023 Legislative Auditor report that found management problems in the program, saying he contacted MinFIRE immediately and that the issues were largely a communication disconnect and a double payment of about $2,300, which was corrected. He said the auditor later confirmed the problems had been fixed. He noted that the latest bill received unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers, which he attributed to broad recognition of the program’s value for retention, recruitment, and support for firefighters and their families. He also said he would like to explore extending similar support to retired firefighters and possibly peace officers. The interview ended with him reflecting on his public service career and saying he plans to retire after 14 years in the Senate to spend more time with family and travel.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/17/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:27:10.000>
at and um teacher teacher prep programs at and um teacher teacher prep programs - volunteer educational surrogate parents. volunteer educational surrogate parents.
- volunteers is is really important. volunteers is is really important.
- their program that is a thousand hours. their program that is a thousand hours.
- introduction to cosmetology programs introduction to cosmetology programs that<03:14:55.680>
Summary:
The committee heard Senate Bill 254, which Senator David Roford described as a technical correction to controlled substance inventory law for pharmacies. He said the bill would remove outdated language requiring inventories to be done in an odd-numbered year, while keeping the existing requirement that pharmacies conduct a full controlled substance inventory every two years in line with federal law. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether the requirement is pharmacy-by-pharmacy, whether new pharmacies would be affected, and whether the change would alter scope or compliance; the sponsor and a representative of the New Hampshire Pharmacist Association said it would not, and that it mainly provides clarity for pharmacies and inspectors. The public hearing on SB 254 was then closed, and the committee also heard support from a representative of the pharmacist community, who said the association supports the bill.
The committee then discussed a non-germane amendment to SB 254 dealing with FBI background checks for educational surrogate parents under the Department of Education. Representative Leyon explained that the amendment was requested by the Department of Education after the FBI rejected prior statutory language, and that the goal was to allow people serving as educational surrogate parents to complete FBI fingerprint-based background checks so they can perform their duties. Department of Education and Department of Safety staff testified that the amendment mirrors language that has worked in other education-related background check statutes, including provisions with specific disqualifying offenses tied to child safety, and that the FBI requires precise statutory language and direct transmission of records through the Department of Safety. Members questioned why the FBI’s approval was needed, whether individuals could simply provide their own records, and whether changing federal leadership could require future changes; witnesses said the state needs both state and national records, that records must come directly from the FBI through the Department of Safety, and that the language is intended to satisfy current federal requirements.
During the discussion, some members expressed skepticism about the need for the amendment and about placing it on a bill about controlled substance inventories, but no vote was taken during the portion of the transcript provided. The committee also briefly discussed a separate bill on physician assistants/physician associates, with members noting that the proposed name change would not alter scope of practice and that some outside groups had raised concerns about transparency, but that discussion was interrupted and not concluded in the excerpt.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on the Census Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:30 am
Senate Committee on the Census
Transcript Highlights:
- , jobs programs, or youth jobs programs.
- That's how we get programs, that we have funding for so many important programs.
- We'd give them a stipend and they were volunteers.
- Tomorrow, probably because of the SNAP program, it's November 1st.
- This was a... ...and Isaac for getting together this great program.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on the Census held an early planning hearing on how Massachusetts can maximize participation in the 2030 census, with Chair Will Brownsberger and Vice Chair Rebecca Rausch emphasizing the need to start well in advance. The first panel, made up of leaders from the Massachusetts Voter Table, MassVOTE, MIRA, and MESA, stressed that grassroots community organizations are trusted messengers and should be funded early to do multilingual outreach, training, and direct assistance in hard-to-count communities. They described lessons from 2020, including the shift to internet response, reduced federal census infrastructure, the importance of coordinated statewide networks, and the need to begin messaging several years before Census Day because building trust and staffing outreach takes time.
Panelists repeatedly warned that immigrant communities are facing heightened fear because of federal immigration enforcement and the possibility of a citizenship question or other federal changes, making census participation more difficult. They said 2020 funding arrived too late to fully staff and train outreach teams before the pandemic, and argued that future resources should be deployed earlier and more flexibly. In response to committee questions, they estimated Massachusetts should invest roughly $8 million to $10 million or more in state census outreach, with one proposed model of about $3 million to $5 million at the start, additional funding in the middle years, and a larger final push closer to 2030. They also suggested that funding should support communications infrastructure, translation, social media and ethnic media outreach, and possibly a permanent complete count structure or trust fund to preserve institutional knowledge.
A second panel from Common Cause Massachusetts and the ACLU of Massachusetts echoed the call for stronger, earlier investment and stronger privacy protections. They urged the legislature to expand existing census line items, consider a trust fund or other dedicated funding stream, and coordinate census outreach with other state programs that already work through trusted community messengers. The ACLU testimony focused on racial inequities in census counts and warned that federal efforts to exclude non-citizens or add a citizenship question would deepen distrust and undercount immigrant communities. Committee members asked about the 2020 overcount/undercount results, funding levels, timing of grant distribution, and whether census outreach should be routed through the Secretary of the Commonwealth or other state mechanisms; no votes were taken, and the hearing moved on to a later panel on immigrant-community outreach.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Happy to answer any questions. ...commend the Court-Appointed Special Advocate programs.
- So I want to delineate that between the local Girls State event, which are their volunteers that volunteered
- We will volunteer. I will put in my own hours. I will phone call. I will do work.
- And so it may not always be the exact same person handling each program.
- And so it may not always be the exact same person handling each program.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- judge sentenced them to a substance abuse treatment program, or it was a pro-voted program.
- volunteer.
- Our agency has a robust inventory of programs, whether there be education or various programs to keep
- This is not about the reserve program.
- TxDOT oversees a massive construction program.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct - Part 1 - 05/05/25
Rules and Administration - Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct
Transcript Highlights:
- you should be encouraged to volunteer.
- you should be encouraged to volunteer.
- , that I live, um completely volunteer, that I live, um completely volunteer, but<01:22:38.000>
- An organization for which you volunteer may benefit from it.
- That's the reason I assume that you volunteer for this organization.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- If you’re going to implement this program and be able to do this program, every single school district
- And so this is a pilot program.
- or credential programs.
- This would have just offered the teacher credential programs for up to 40 programs, but programs that
- program to match that field.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a volunteer with Mom's Demand Action in support.
- In 2017, I was offered a diversion program, which The diversion program consisted of drug treatment,
- Yes, there are some good programs.
- And I think that we need programs like that.
- folks that are going through diversion programs.
Summary:
The committee first adopted a seven-bill consent calendar, then heard several public safety measures. AB 1127 by Assembly Member Gabriel would restrict sale of certain semi-automatic handguns that can be easily converted to automatic weapons with “switches”; supporters, including Everytown and Moms Demand Action, said it targets a specific Glock-style design flaw linked to mass shootings, while the NRA and gun-rights groups argued the bill duplicates existing federal law and effectively bans popular handguns. The bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Judiciary and remained on call. AB 468, also by Gabriel, would increase penalties and clarify offenses involving looting and impersonating emergency personnel in evacuation zones and during disasters; firefighters, district attorneys, and law enforcement supported it as a deterrent, while public defenders and justice advocates warned it was overbroad and could worsen racial profiling. The committee approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, also held on call.
The committee then heard AB 1187 by Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, which would require eight hours of firearm safety training, including live-fire instruction, before obtaining a firearm safety certificate and would add a requirement for new residents who import firearms. Supporters said California should require training comparable to other safety-sensitive activities and that the measure would reduce gun deaths; opponents argued the bill misunderstands the existing FSC process, would be hard to implement because of range and instructor limits, and would burden a constitutional right. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1424 by Rodriguez, which would require CDCR climate resiliency and heat-safety measures in prisons, including temperature monitoring, shade, showers, fans, and emergency planning. Prisoner-rights and labor groups strongly supported the bill, citing extreme heat, wildfire, and flooding risks, while one opponent said the monitoring mandate could be too costly; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Labor and Employment and held on call.
Finally, the committee began hearing AB 1258 by Assembly Member Kalra, which would extend the sunset of the Young Adult Deferred Entry Program through 2029 for selected counties. Kalra and Santa Clara County Judge Erica You described the program’s success in reducing recidivism and providing wraparound services for young adults with felony charges, including housing, counseling, and parenting support. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on AB 1258.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 18th, 2025
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so given that, would it not make sense if you believe that these programs are bad, as I think you
- Instead of banning DEI programs that help people thrive, we should focus on housing, health care, and
- And gutting our DEI programs could prove disastrous. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.
- SB 710 would strip funding from programs that train doctors to recognize these disparities.
- So would it, as an example, be a foreign exchange program with a university that boycotts Israel?
Summary:
The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service, with the motion adopted and the confirmation recommended favorably. Members then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded actuarial liability, and allows certain elected officers to elect a DROP accumulation; a technical title amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill.
The committee then heard extensive debate and public testimony on SB 1710, which would restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion-related policies, trainings, and activities in state agencies, state-funded contractors and grantees, and medical institutions of higher education. Sponsor Senator DiCeglie said the bill is intended to prevent state agencies and contractors from using state funds for DEI programs and to limit state agencies from adopting DEI-related official positions; he also said the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s breadth and how it would affect health-related grants, public universities, historically Black institutions, recruitment, and contractor training. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and inclusion; a few supporters said DEI is ideological, can undermine merit, and should not be used by state agencies or publicly funded institutions.
After debate, Senator Polsky argued the bill was confusing, overbroad, and harmful to serving diverse communities, while Senator Arrington said it was an overreach into private business and could have significant fiscal impacts. Chair Fine closed by saying DEI is political ideology and that the bill is meant to ensure government focuses on talent rather than identity. SB 1710 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote, with Senator Arrington voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, and heard the sponsor’s explanation of a delete-all amendment that would expand and clarify state restrictions on dealings with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, including certain nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, and grants; the amendment was adopted, and the sponsor and a witness began answering questions when the transcript cuts off.