Transcript Highlights:

• So the other major impact is media.
• We're kind of in that sweet spot where we're big enough that we have all forms of media with all networks
• And then once a week, we were taking our information and putting it in a PDF for the media to read and
• So, oh, sorry, I got the media, okay. Oh, okay, thank you.
• And then once a week, we were taking our information and putting it in a PDF for the media to read and

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• purposes, for us to kind of highlight one week of the year where we can likely get interviews with media
• uh uh can can likely get uh interviews uh uh can can likely get uh interviews with<00:28:58.880><c> media
• </c> with media folks that have an interest. with media folks that have an interest.
• Anytime we have any kind of media<00:29:12.320><c> exposure</c><00:29:12.799><c> on</c><00:29:13.039>
• <c> unclaimed</c><00:29:13.600><c> property,</c><00:29:14.240><c> we</c> media exposure on unclaimed

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: Consideration of HB 10 -- 00:03:22 Consideration of HB 456 -- 00:20:47 Consideration of HB 480 -- 00:31:24, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a graduate of Princeton High School and Rutgers University, Richard McGrath began his career as a media
• McGrath began his career as a media analyst with Young and Rubicam in New York City before entering the
• S. 3412 by Senator McGuckin requires a social media research center to research and make recommendations
• concerning addictive social media behaviors.
• But so much of our communication is now about video, it's about photography, it's about social media,

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of radio and television outreach, social media outreach.
• And then you mentioned social media. What's the social media site that you put stuff out on?
• I can... ...and then you mentioned social media.
• What's the social media site that you put stuff out on? So we were using, oh, I'm sorry?
• connections that we have in communities throughout the state to spread the word, and posting on social media

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When the law fails to protect you and the media fails to see you, the message is loud and it is clear
• And the media is part of that, as has been seen.
• Taken seriously, and the media is part of that, as has been said.
• In 2026, children and teenagers are increasingly turning to the internet, social media, strangers online
• hard for all of us, and it's so much harder today than it was when we were growing up, with social media

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consent from Donald Trump in order to be reshared on Twitter, X, Instagram, or whatever other social media
• It would set up a near-impossible framework that media companies and commercial entities would have to
• sexual material that it would have the effect of creating a verification system that virtually no media
• company would be able to comply with. ...certification system that virtually no media company would
• requiring completely impractical And we are talking about requiring completely impractical hoops that media

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced guests, including Dr. Stephen Brown as doctor of the day, Arizona State Troopers Day participants, the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the Arizona delegation of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The Senate also adopted a proclamation recognizing the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association for its work serving people with communication disorders. The Committee of the Whole considered several House bills. HB 2133, dealing with sexual material and synthetic depictions, was amended on the floor and advanced despite objections that it was overbroad and raised First Amendment concerns. HB 2167, relating to the Attorney General, HB 2600, relating to public school clubs and parental consent, and HB 2811, relating to obstruction of public administration, were also advanced. In a second Committee of the Whole, HB 255 on brackish groundwater recovery, HB 2787 on limiting local cooperation with Mexican wolf reintroduction, HB 2795 on county zoning for small modular reactors, and HB 2985 on state land water allocations were considered; HB 2787, HB 2795, and HB 2985 advanced, while HB 2795 later failed on third reading. HB 2003, concerning driver licenses and instruction permits, was also amended to add a delayed effective date and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2013, HB 2031, HB 2102, HB 2103, HB 2117, HB 2226, HB 2262, HB 2278, HB 2378, HB 2584, HB 2693, HB 2270, HB 2370, HB 2665, HB 2666, HB 2876, HB 487, HB 2003, HB 255, HB 2133, HB 2167, HB 2600, HB 2787, HB 2811, and HB 2985, with several members explaining no votes over water policy, local control, public safety, and free speech concerns. HB 2795 failed by a 15-13 vote. The Senate also agreed to a free conference committee on HB 2874 and appointed Senators Finchem, Bolick, and Ortiz to it. Bills passed in open session were ordered transmitted to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• web-based location with links to recommended practices and resources to support digital citizenship, media
• location at OSPI that includes links to recommended practices and resources for digital citizenship, media
• web-based location with links to recommended practices and resources to support digital citizenship, media
• and exploration and is filled with challenges, and adding cell phones to the issues around social media
• growth exploration and is filled with the challenges and adding cell phones to the issues around social media

Bills: SB6278

Committee: House Education

Keywords: teacher preparation, principal preparation, educator preparation, alternative route certification, teacher certification, principal certification, Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, PESB, field placement, student teacher, residency, mentoring, school district partnerships, K-12 education, preK-12, high-need schools, Title I, special education, English language learner, rural schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Last summer, of course, when we started seeing a lot of the reports in news media regarding federal law
• And this also made the local media as well.
• putting these officers, whether they are state or federal, in danger by putting their faces on the media
• , social media, so that people look them up, dox them, go after their families.”
• down is I started interacting with a labor union rep for the Pierce County Fire Department on social media

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• feel that if they see people peacefully protesting and then they perceive, probably because of social media
• feel that if they see people peacefully protesting and then they perceive, probably because of social media
• feel that if they see people peacefully protesting and then they perceive, probably because of social media
• feel that if they see people peacefully protesting and then they perceive, probably because of social media
• feel that if they see people peacefully protesting and then they perceive, probably because of social media

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Businesses see evidence of what's occurred in the media or maybe a youth directly did something in that
• Businesses see evidence of what's occurred in the media or maybe a youth directly did something in that
• And then the media impacts.
• But those media impacts do impact staffing.
• You mentioned the impact of media on, you know, the agency and staff.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1544, which would require DCYF to study and improve the risk assessment tool used in child abuse and neglect investigations, including better identifying family strengths and needs, substance use-related risk, and service needs, and to certify the tool every three years. Staff explained the bill and noted it had passed the committee unanimously in substitute form last year. The prime sponsor, Representative Rule, said the tool would help reduce bias and support better decisions about child safety. Members raised questions about whether the bill would require new data systems or create a fiscal impact, and DCYF testified that the recertification process would focus on evidence-based literature and fidelity to the tool, though the agency acknowledged limitations in its data system. Support testimony from Partners for Our Children and DCYF emphasized that the current tool is not evidence-based and that the department is piloting the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale. The hearing on HB 1544 was then closed. The committee then received a lengthy work session from DCYF on juvenile rehabilitation. Juvenile Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redman and security classification administrator Jeff Endermark described a growing JR population that is older, serving more adult-sentence youth, and projected to rise to about 481 by 2031. They said Green Hill School remains crowded, Harbor Heights is being brought online as a short-term option, and Echo Glen is near safe operational capacity. They explained JR’s classification system, behavior management process, and the role of multidisciplinary teams in placement decisions, as well as the expansion of community transition services (CTS), which uses electronic home monitoring for eligible youth. Staff described CTS eligibility, supervision expectations, and examples of successful placements, but also said the program needs more after-hours staffing and community supports. Members questioned the validity and equity of the risk tools, the availability of community resources, the impact of behavior policies and escapes, the use of single bunking, and broader concerns about lawsuits and sexual abuse in the system. JR reported an escape rate increase from 1.78 per 100 youth in 2001 to 3.92 in 2025 and said additional capacity and staffing are still needed. The committee then heard House Bill 2219, which would allow child care centers more flexibility in mixed-age grouping during parts of the day and waive repeated DCYF pre-service orientation for people who have already completed it. The prime sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is meant to ease burdens on small providers. Testifiers from SEIU 925, a family child care provider, the Washington Child Care Centers Association, a child care center director, and the Children’s Campaign Fund supported the bill as a practical way to improve staffing flexibility and reduce duplicative licensing requirements, though one association asked that the bill’s daily time caps on mixed-age grouping be revised or removed. The committee then heard House Bill 2253, an agency-request technical corrections bill for DCYF licensing. Staff said it would allow child-specific licenses for certain relatives under interstate placements, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, remove licensing exemptions for physicians and lawyers, allow termination of inactive licenses, revise crisis residential center staffing ratios, and eliminate state monitoring requirements for the Washington School for the Deaf residential program. Members asked about how inactivity would be defined and whether the School for the Deaf inspections had historically produced savings. DCYF said the bill would help right-size licensing workloads after budget cuts and would let the agency work with stakeholders to define inactivity in rule. Testimony from DCYF, Community Youth Services, and Partners for Our Children supported the bill, especially the staffing ratio fix for crisis residential centers and the child-specific licensing changes for relatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this includes earned media, social media, paid media, our website, targeted mailers, and emails.
• So this includes earned media, social media, paid media, our website, targeted mailers, and emails.

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:21:30.960><c> social</c> health therapist blogger and social health therapist blogger and social media
• media media influencer<00:21:33.840><c> so</c><00:21:34.159><c> how</c><00:21:34.320><c> is</c><00:21
• </c><00:21:56.799><c> and</c><00:21:57.039><c> my</c><00:21:57.320><c> social</c><00:21:57.640><c> media
• </c> my blogging and my social media my blogging and my social media he<00:22:00.200><c> very</c><00:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard a series of gubernatorial nominations and board appointments, mostly to health-related advisory councils and commissions. Nominees testified briefly about their backgrounds and reasons for serving, including Melanie Lao for the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee; Asana Saragosa Torres and Jessica Stevens for the State Council on Mental Health; several nominees for the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, including S. Brian, Jacob Pelo, Patrick Winfield Lougher, Dr. An Young, Marin Anka, and Kenneth Faria; Roxanne Row for the Hawaii County Health Planning Council; Lewis Johnson and Susie Schulberg for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Mariah Nicholls and Evan Nakatsuka for the State Rehabilitation Council; and Co Woly for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation board. Testimony in support came from the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, and other individuals and organizations, with several nominees emphasizing lived experience, rural health access, mental health advocacy, EMS experience, or community service. One nomination, GM 522 for Melanie Lao, drew favorable comments about her qualifications and written responses. GM 572, Roxanne Row’s nomination to the Hawaii County Health Planning Council, was the only item that raised concern because the committee had not received her questionnaire answers directly; after questioning, the chair deferred decision-making on that nomination until March 5 pending receipt of the answers. The committee also noted a title correction for GM 548, changing the reference from an advisory board to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to advise and consent on all nominations except GM 572, which was deferred. The adopted recommendations covered GM 522, 523, 525, 526, 540, 541, 548, 575, 576, 577, 579, 629, 630, 631, and 633. The meeting then adjourned after congratulating the nominees and inviting them to remain for a group photo.

Transcript Highlights:

• The mainstream media has fought to paint their own picture of Tulsi Gabbard.
• information and then found some things that he didn't like and then kept going, releasing them to the media
• Media, it's not a moment to propagate theories, conspiracy theories, or attacks on journalism in the
• He's posted on social media, even, indicating that Tulsi Gabbard should indicate that I harm national
• about former officials in the intelligence agencies, the United States press, the Journalists, the media

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We're asking your help to introduce interactive digital media to the exhibits.
• We're asking your help to introduce interactive digital media to the exhibits.
• Boy Creative Media Foundation not present. Aloha.
• </c> not present boy Creative Media not present boy Creative Media Foundation Foundation Foundation Aloha
• </c><03:27:13.199><c> education</c> one-of-a-kind digital media education one-of-a-kind digital media

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of just the public... ...if you stop and think in terms of just the public, the paper, the social media
• Then we start having the social media questions, the things are hard, who did what, where.
• It was a big media one. I haven't heard of any others since I've been in this point.
• any kind of an accusation, whether or not it's true and how far that would go with respect to social media
• or any other media.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from March 13, 2026, then took up House Resolution 27, a proposed change to House ethics rules. Representative Barbieri argued the changes would keep ethics complaints confidential until the committee determines there is a breach, remove attorneys from the process, allow the committee to choose its own chair, and reduce public spectacle and outside influence. Several members raised concerns about secrecy, transparency, due process, possible criminal implications, and the lack of counsel, while the Idaho Press Club testified in opposition, saying the public has a right to know about accusations against elected officials. After debate, a motion to send the resolution to the floor with no recommendation failed, a motion to hold it in committee also failed, and the original motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed 8-7. The committee then turned to Idaho State Police administrative rules tied to the governor’s zero-based regulation effort. Lieutenant Colonel Russ Wheatley presented several dockets, explaining that changes to civil asset forfeiture reporting, public safety and security information systems, state criminal history records, and the sex offender registry were largely non-substantive cleanups that removed duplicate language or updated procedures, with one sex offender registry change reflecting a new photo-transfer process after a DMV system change. The committee approved those rule dockets after brief questions about fiscal impact and whether forms or required information were being removed. Next, Nancy Woolley of the Sexual Offender Management Board presented a temporary rule and a pending rule reducing continuing education requirements for certified evaluators and treatment providers and removing duplicative language. The committee approved the temporary rule and then approved the pending rule with an early effective date of sine die. Finally, Brian Nichols of the Office of Administrative Hearings presented pending rules updating the Idaho Rules of Administrative Procedure, including new provisions addressing artificial intelligence use in contested cases, sanctions for misuse, and site visits by presiding officers. Members raised concerns about broad discretion, legislative intent, self-represented parties, and whether site visits should be allowed. The committee ultimately approved the pending rule but exempted sections 11, 12, and 515 from approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both have been publicly reported by actual media outlets, and I don’t think anyone has come forward to
• platforms for learning, organizing, and advocacy, and at the same time, advances in AI and digital media
• frequently use online platforms, and I've seen our community plagued by digital impersonation on social media
• Huskies. ...online platforms, and I've seen our community plagued by digital impersonation on social media
• Representative Farber. online platforms and I've seen our community plagued by digital impersonation on social media

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. On SB 5906, the SAFE Act, staff and Sen. Hansen described protections limiting immigration enforcement access to non-public areas in schools, early learning settings, higher education, health care facilities, adult family homes, and ballot-processing areas, and restricting collection of immigration-status information. Supporters said the bill would clarify and strengthen existing Keep Washington Working policies, while some witnesses requested amendments to better define health care facilities, clarify adult family home and election-related provisions, and keep Section 6 on ballot security. Some members questioned the factual basis for reported ICE activity near schools and daycares and the distinction between judicial and administrative warrants. The committee also heard SB 5886 on personality rights and forged digital likenesses. Staff explained that the bill would add digitally created or modified likenesses to the Personality Rights Act, raise civil penalties, and allow recovery of actual and non-economic damages in forged-digital-likeness cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address AI deepfakes and identity misuse while preserving satire and fair use; student and advocacy witnesses supported the measure as a way to protect students and victims of digital impersonation. The committee then heard SB 5169, which expands child hearsay and closed-circuit testimony rules to older children and additional offenses. Prosecutors and forensic interviewers supported the bill as necessary in trafficking and child abuse cases, while defense advocates opposed it as an overbroad expansion that could raise confrontation-clause issues and create legal challenges. Additional hearings included SB 5865, which would move garnishment form updates from statute to the Washington Pattern Forms Committee; judges supported it as a way to fix a wage-withholding calculation error and allow future updates without legislation. SB 5912 would reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force to study statewide public defense delivery and recommend sustainable reforms; counties, the Office of Public Defense, and defense groups supported it. SB 6009 would make permanent the current process for direct review of administrative decisions by the Court of Appeals and retain land-use transfer provisions; a Court of Appeals judge supported the bill. SB 6087 would extend limited liability for donations of children’s items to religious organizations and add strollers and car seats, with support from Zero Waste Washington. The committee did not take final votes on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these requirements are not just targeted to large social media companies but again to all general
• c><00:14:43.680><c> to</c><00:14:43.839><c> large</c><00:14:44.160><c> social</c><00:14:44.480><c> media
• </c> just targeted to large social media just targeted to large social media companies<00:14:45.199><
• this isn't and should never replace parental involvement, whether it's in aspects related to social media

Bills: HB69 , HB114 , HB161 , HB69 , HB114 , HB161

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: firearms, possession, Class 1 municipalities, criminal penalties, federal law, stolen firearms, prohibited persons, HB114, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama, dental board, dental licensing, dentist regulation, professional licensing, occupational licensing, healthcare regulation, licensure board, state agency continuation, agency sunset review

Transcript Highlights:

• that I really like to talk about, again, two years ago, we had about 500,000 followers on our social media
• Today we have over 1.2 million followers on our social media.
• We also track consumer engagement, earned media, and paid media efficiencies on a weekly basis, giving
• We now have our helicopter attack helicopters, if you see on our social media, where we can go in and

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Media representatives will be authorized to be on the House floor. Did everybody get that?
• get that we're gonna reconvene at 12:42 where members of the House, temporary officers, and approved media
• At this time, only House members, temporary officers, and approved media representatives are authorized
• And despite what you might read in the paper or on social media, your vote today is yours alone.
• Unfortunately, some people have gotten the impression that being grassroots is about strutting on social media

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 932, Senator Harris, Consumer Protection Social Media Platforms Display of User Location.
• Senator Harris, Consumer<00:09:52.840><c> Protection</c><00:09:53.360><c> Social</c><00:09:53.680><c> Media
• </c> Consumer Protection Social Media Consumer Protection Social Media Platforms<00:09:54.480><c> Display

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all