Transcript Highlights:

• It can be considered and debated and voted on separately.
• Is there debate or discussion? If not, call the roll, please. Senator Avila, Senator Bradley: Yes.
• Is there any debate or discussion among members? Any debate or discussion among members?
• Any debate or discussion among members with regard to this nomination?
• Is there a debate or discussion? If not, call the roll. Call the roll. Senator Avila?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Florida Commission on Ethics on several proposed legislative changes. The commission asked for changes to the Whistleblower Act to better cover ethics complaints, a public records exemption for commissioners’ and staff members’ sensitive personal information, an expanded gift-disclosure family definition to include foster relationships, and a first-time waiver of fines for late financial disclosure filers. Staff also requested technical fixes, including treating a timely postmarked appeal as filed on time, clarifying Form 6 filing requirements for appointees to elected seats, extending ethics-training requirements to municipal appointees filling unexpired terms, and clarifying where Form 10 gift disclosures are filed. Commission staff reported high electronic filing compliance rates, the rollout of automated fines, and an average of 92 days for completed preliminary investigations in 2025. They also updated the committee on two federal court challenges involving the in-office lobbying ban and the Form 6 requirement for elected municipal officers. The committee then heard from Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who outlined preparations for the 2026 election cycle and several policy proposals. He discussed work with new supervisors of elections, ongoing election-crimes enforcement, cooperation with federal agencies on citizenship verification, and data-sharing agreements with other states. Byrd also proposed a statewide pre-certification audit system with grants for smaller counties, a more streamlined process for checking voter citizenship status after registration, and a modernization fix for voter records affected by randomized driver’s license numbers. Members asked about special elections, election-crimes investigations, returning-citizen voting determinations, chain-of-custody procedures, and interstate data-sharing agreements. Byrd said special election timing is controlled by the governor, the elections-crimes office investigates but does not arrest, returning-citizen applications are resolved within 90 days, and he is confident in current chain-of-custody practices. The committee also considered gubernatorial nominations. By unanimous vote, members approved a block of nominees, then separately took up Joshua Kellum’s nomination to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The committee heard sworn public testimony from Robin Blevins, who urged rejection of Kellum’s appointment and criticized his background and past involvement in FWC-related advocacy. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve Kellum’s nomination as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd just like to refer to Mason's page 47 through 48, 56, 1 through 4, regarding the right to debate.
• If he doesn't understand, I think he has the right to continue to debate.
• And we've referred to the federal changes anyway, that are being debated as COVID era policy.
• Because the references, Madam Chair, the references that are being made are to... the federal debate
• It's all contingent upon what happens in this federal government debate. Is that correct?

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm so proud of, even though they both asked me not to bring them into the debate on the floor, of
• President, for now, because I expect that the content of my debate on Amendment 9 could shift based on
• President, I want to address a question that's often raised in debates like this, which is the impact
• We look forward to the discussion and the debate, and we look forward to working to produce the best.
• .. ...discussion and the debate, and we look forward to working to produce the best possible bill of

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout, and then passed two local/private bills to enactment: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure waiving the Boston Police Department’s maximum age requirement for Luis Cabral. The chamber also received and journalized a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while away on Navy training. The Senate then took up several committee rule-suspension and extension orders. It approved extensions for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on two late-filed matters until July 31, 2026, and approved two Health Care Financing extension orders, one extending 15 bills to March 31, 2026 and another extending six bills to May 1, 2026. Senators explained the delays as needed for hearings, stakeholder input, and mandated benefit reviews. The chamber also advanced local bills for Rutland recall elections, Boxford liquor licenses, Boston police age waivers, and Milton school construction timing, and adopted a resolution recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month. A major portion of the session was devoted to H. 3014, the omnibus “Pets Act,” which combined provisions on animal welfare, pet shop sales, housing, insurance, and enforcement. Senators supporting the bill described it as banning the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, strengthening anti-cruelty enforcement, expanding access for animal control officers, limiting breed discrimination in housing and insurance, and protecting pet ownership in subsidized housing. Several amendments were debated: some were withdrawn or rejected, including proposals on renters’ insurance, nuisance barking, and property damage; others were adopted, including a compromise expanding protections for domestic animals, standards on animal welfare, and reporting/adoption requirements for research animals. The Ways and Means amendment was adopted as amended, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by roll call, with 38 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the last year, Melissa and I worked hard to show that you can fiercely debate policy and process
• while still respecting the person on the other side of that debate.
• :17:46.960> fiercely hard to show that you can fiercely hard to show that you can fiercely debate
• <00:17:48.480> policy debate policy debate policy and<00:17:50.640> process<00:17:51.520
• person on the other side of that debate. person on the other side of that debate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, there might be some debate about that. Let's not go there.
• We debated and we went ahead and gave deference to the Interstate Medical Commission.
• Stood together, and I appreciate the debate that Senator Bison and I had on the floor.
• Congratulations on the course and debate of discussion.
• This important detail is being debated and discussed.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• We get in trouble with the public because we talk so much and we debate so much, but it's important,
• If we keep the debate and discussions lively, I don't worry too much about it, but I'll use the gavel
• Yeah, there might be some debate about that. Let's not, let's not go there.
• Congratulations in the course and debate of discussion.
• This important detail is being debated and discussed.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Macedo, do you wish to close?
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Stephanie, do you wish to close?
• All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co-authors.
• All debate having ceased.
• All debate having ceased, Clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co-authors.

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved procedural motions, and then moved through guest introductions and floor items. Members welcomed students from Futures High School’s Hydrogen Car Grand Prix team, family members and visitors from their districts, and former legislator George Runner. The chamber also took up several ceremonial resolutions recognizing Portuguese Heritage Month, Italian American Heritage Month, congenital cytomegalovirus awareness month, and World No Tobacco Day. ACR 185 by Assembly Member Macedo was adopted by voice vote after 51 co-authors were added, honoring Portuguese Heritage Month and the contributions of Portuguese Californians. ACR 197 by Assembly Member Stephanie was also adopted after 54 co-authors were added, recognizing Italian American Heritage Month and Italian American contributions to California. ACR 205 by Assembly Member Lackey was adopted after 55 co-authors were added, designating June as CMV Awareness Month, and SCR 177 by Assembly Member Connolly was adopted after 49 co-authors were added, proclaiming May 31, 2026, as World No Tobacco Day and reaffirming California’s anti-tobacco efforts. The session also included adjournments in memory for John Wesley Finney, Jr., a longtime educator and public servant, and Deputy Levi Vargas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Assembly observed a moment of silence for Finney. The body then announced upcoming committee and floor schedules and adjourned until Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Macedo, do you wish to close?
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Stephanie, do you wish to close?
• All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co-authors.
• All debate having ceased.
• All debate having ceased, clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co-authors.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled routine procedural business including approval of the previous day’s journal, several consent motions, and re-referral or removal actions on a few bills. Members also introduced guests, including a high school hydrogen car team, family visitors, and former legislator George Runner. The main floor action focused on several heritage and awareness resolutions. ACR 185 recognized June as Portuguese Heritage Month; members spoke about the contributions of Portuguese Californians, and the resolution was adopted with 51 coauthors. ACR 197 declared October as Italian American Heritage Month and was adopted with 54 coauthors. ACR 205 designated June as Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month and was adopted with 55 coauthors. SCR 177 proclaimed May 31, 2026 as World No Tobacco Day, highlighting tobacco-related harms and California’s flavored tobacco restrictions; it was adopted with 49 coauthors. The Assembly also heard adjournments in memory for John Wesley Finney, Jr., a longtime educator and community leader, and Deputy Levi Vargas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, with brief tributes from members and a moment of silence for Finney. The session concluded with announcements of upcoming committee and floor schedules and adjournment until Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there would be opportunity at that time to discuss and debate the vote on that item.
• And then there would be opportunity at that time to discuss and debate the vote on that item. "Yes.
• And I would love to be able to discuss that in debate.
• "And I would love to be able to discuss that in debate."
• Right now, we're just debating, hey, are we going to pull this out for a separate vote or not?

Summary: The committee met to consider a long caption of House and Senate bills, first announcing a list of measures ready to be passed out and then taking up a special language subcommittee report. The report covered several bills, including SB 63, SB 67, SB 73, HB 1089, HB 1090, and HB 1093, along with amendments to a larger group of bills. A motion was made to pull HB 107 out separately, but after discussion about the amendment’s impact on school districts and the process for further debate, the substitute motion failed and the special language report was adopted. The committee then considered the revenue stabilization law and schedule. Staff explained that the main changes from the governor’s balanced budget proposal were moving county operations and higher education allocations from category B to category A, and described several fund transfers, including $100 million to Medicaid sustainability, $70 million to the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom account, $43.7 million to discretionary set-asides, $5 million to the motor vehicle set-aside, and two $150 million transfers related to the Quick Action Closing Fund and highway improvements. After questions about the schedule’s funding changes, the committee adopted the amendment and then passed House Bill 1100 and Senate Bill 75 as amended. Representative McClendon then presented a bill to support expansion of the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor, requesting $400,000, but withdrew the bill, saying he would seek alternate funding. The committee then moved through the remaining captioned House and Senate bills, including HB 105, HB 107, HB 1008, HB 1022, HB 1035, HB 1036, HB 1037, HB 1051, HB 1052, HB 1064, HB 1066, HB 1068, HB 1089, HB 1090, HB 1093, and Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31, 36, 41, 43, 58, 63, 67, 73, and 77, approving them with or without amendments as noted. The chair also announced that all prior holds had been released and said the next meeting would be a Joint Budget Committee meeting focused only on peer issues before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's sort of a, if you will, a vessel of a DECA, and um it just seems to us now there has been some debate
• it's sort of a, if you will, a vessel of a DECA, and um it just seems to us now there has been some debate
• there has been just it seems to us now there has been some<00:11:47.360> dis<00:11:47.920> debate
• about<00:11:48.560> whether<00:11:48.800> we<00:11:48.959> should some dis debate
• about whether we should some dis debate about whether we should include<00:11:50.000> defense

Bills: HB66, HB110, HB114, SB210, SB228, SB231, HB66, HB110, HB114, SB210, SB228, SB231

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, HB110, sunset bill, Alabama Sunset Law, State Board of Medical Examiners, Medical Licensure Commission, medical licensing, physician regulation, healthcare regulation, professional licensing, ethics law, state ethics code, public servants, board members, agency continuation, sunset review

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no appearance forms, is there debate? Members, is there debate? Seeing no debate.
• Is there debate? Members, seeing no debate. Senator Berman, you're recognized to close on the bill?

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism convened with several members present and Senators DiCeglie and McClain excused. The committee first heard a presentation from Greg Britton, State Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, who described the network’s statewide small-business assistance, including startup support, export and contracting help, disaster recovery, and rural outreach. He highlighted reported 2023 impacts such as $3.9 billion in sales generated, $575.9 million in government contracts, $346.2 million in capital, and support for 2,009 new businesses, including 130 manufacturing firms over the past two years. Members asked about comparisons with SCORE and about measuring rural success, with the chair suggesting jobs and wages in rural areas would be useful metrics; Britton said he could provide job data but was unsure about wage information. The committee then took up SB 320 by Senator Gates, which creates a five-year demonstration project for an alternative licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers. The bill would allow a “first-step” probationary license based on industry certification, apprenticeship, recommendation from a licensed Florida surveyor, and passage of the Department of Agriculture exam within the five-year period, without requiring a four-year degree. Senators asked about the labor shortage, education requirements, foreign workers, and moral character standards. Gates said the shortage is chronic and worsening, the bill has no degree requirement, and anyone meeting the qualifications could proceed regardless of visa status. The committee voted to report SB 320 favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 316 by Senator Berman, which authorizes series limited liability companies in Florida and sets rules for how Florida and foreign series LLCs may operate and transact business in the state. Berman explained that the bill is intended to let businesses isolate liabilities across separate series while providing clearer rules for Florida citizens and businesses dealing with such entities. There were no substantive questions, one appearance form in support, and the committee voted to report SB 316 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to debate a bill or ask questions about a bill, please feel free to do so, keeping in mind
• I think, in part, that was part of the problem. was we had a lot of public comment and it limited debate
• The minority will still want to debate issues, and as long as we have time to be able. to debate.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• days, may we listen for your inimitable counsel, silence the noise of argument, reveal the truth in debate
• reveal<00:03:53.360> the<00:03:53.599> truth<00:03:53.920> in<00:03:54.159> debate
• ,<00:03:55.599> humble<00:03:56.000> the reveal the truth in debate, humble the reveal
• the truth in debate, humble the proud,<00:03:57.360> and<00:03:57.519> give<00:03:57.760

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Clause 13 of Rule 1, the House stands adjourned until noon on Monday for morning-hour debate
• 00:07:51.400> next<00:07:51.639> morning<00:07:52.039> hour<00:07:52.400> debate
• <00:07:52.720> at<00:07:52.879> 2 Monday for next morning hour debate at 2 Monday for
• next morning hour debate at 2 p.m<00:07:53.680> for<00:07:53.879> legislative business

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please close the machine. 14, I move that debate on House Bill 14, I move that debate on House Bill 1276
• <02:29:46.399> this opposition more time to debate this opposition more time to debate this
• not interested in a theological debate. not interested in a theological debate.
• debate it. debate it.
• So, I be able to debate this? No.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from April 23, and then moved through announcements and recognitions before taking up third-reading business. Members recognized a guest connected to the Mason Museum and Learning Center in Aurora, honored the family of a bicyclist killed in a 2021 hit-and-run, and heard reminders about open enrollment and an upcoming Auctioneer Day fundraiser for nonpartisan staff. The chamber also welcomed guests from Concerned Women for America and celebrated a pair of birthdays with the capital choir. On legislation, Senate Bill 95, concerning measures to support victim survivors of certain crimes without changing substantive criminal offenses, passed third reading 58-0 with five excused. House Bill 1132, which would increase pollinator habitats through conservation of native plant materials on state lands, passed 43-18 with four excused. House Bill 1130, requiring baby diaper changing stations in public restrooms, drew extensive debate: supporters said it would improve accessibility for parents and that small businesses were exempted or given flexibility, while opponents argued it was an unfunded mandate that would burden small businesses, raise installation and liability costs, and create safety and maintenance concerns. The bill ultimately passed 35-28 with two excused. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 136, requiring reporting of missing livestock to the Department of Agriculture, by a vote of 63-0 with two excused, and House Bill 1287, continuing certain Division of Real Estate regulatory functions under the sunset process, by a vote of 49-14 with two excused. Senate Bill 43 was laid over until Monday. At the end of the excerpt, the House began receiving committee reports from Appropriations, listing several bills recommended for referral onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• But litigation, as I've said, like a thousand times during the course of the debates, that there's always
• Do you debate me on the fact that District 2 is a racially gerrymandered district? Absolutely not.
• I watched a lot of the debate.
• And it was clear to me from watching what I was able to watch... ...the floor debate, and it was clear
• I appreciate the questions and the debate, and it's been a long time.

Bills: SCR12, HB221, HB509, HCR58, HB75, HB1222, SB121, SB312, SB348, SB485, SCR9, SCR58, SB65, SB215, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR54, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR104, HCR32, HB944, HB17, HB41, HB73, HB223, HB244, HB410, HB750, HB759, HB906, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1086, HB1107, HB1112, HB1215, HB1242, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB149, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB382, SB441, SB449, HB134, HB210, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB784, HB1117

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received a prayer and pledge, adopted the journal, and heard messages from the House reporting final passage of several Senate bills and concurrence in SCR 86 and 87. The chamber also observed personal privileges honoring the lives of Edith K. Kirkpatrick and Susan Ann Traylor Bidick, with family members present and a moment of silence held for Bidick. The House later refused concurrence on Senate amendments to HB 42 and HB 159. The Senate then took up a series of resolutions, most of which were adopted without objection. These included studies on energy infrastructure and modernization (SR 174, amended to add an alternative energy industry representative and a consumer advocate), breast pump Medicaid reimbursement (SR 175), digital student IDs (SR 176), lethality assessment protocols in domestic violence cases (SR 177), problem gambling prevention (SR 178), community water system grading (SR 179), condolences for Sharon Courtney (SR 180), and expansion of the Louisiana Tumor Registry (SR 181). The chamber also adopted SCR 85 honoring the Sam Houston High School Broncos baseball team after a recorded vote of 36 yeas and 8 nays. On bills returned from the House, HB 1222 on grocery initiative grants failed on final passage by a vote of 18 yeas and 19 nays. SB 312 had House amendments rejected, SB 348 and SB 485 had House amendments concurred in, and SB 121 on congressional redistricting was the subject of extensive debate over racial gerrymandering, district configuration, and expected litigation before the Senate concurred in the House amendments by 28 yeas and 10 nays. The Senate also concurred in several House concurrent resolutions, including studies or reports on flooded corn and migratory waterfowl, deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, support for a Senator Kennedy letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service, boating safety reporting, and subsurface data review. Finally, HB 944 creating a Women’s Health Consortium within the Department of Health was amended to address funding concerns and convert it into a more task-force-like structure, then passed 37-0 with nine coauthors. The Senate then recessed until 1:30 p.m. to continue work, including conference committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, the House stands adjourned until noon on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, for morning hour debate
• <00:08:17.440> for<00:08:17.680> morning<00:08:18.080> hour<00:08:18.319> debate
• <00:08:18.720> and<00:08:18.960> 2 20th, 2026 for morning hour debate and 2 20th, 2026
• for morning hour debate and 2 p.m.<00:08:19.840> for<00:08:20.080> legislative<00:08:20.879

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Accordingly, the House stands adjourned until noon on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, for morning hour debate
• 2025 for until noon on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 for morning<00:09:13.200> hour<00:09:13.519> debate
• <00:09:15.519> for morning hour debate and 2:00 p.m. for morning hour debate and 2:00 p.m.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, May 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, it feels like this debate is framed as a transgender debate, and I really like those who
• This is also because, of course, trans people exist, so there is no debate there.
• I appreciate the debate and being a part of it. Thank you.
• I appreciate the debate and being a part of it. Thank you. The clerk will take the role.
• I appreciate the debate and being a part of it. Thank you. The clerk will take the roll.

Bills: HF1233

Keywords: women's athletics, gender, sports competition, Human Rights Act, biological sex, participation limits, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it’s the debate to end all debates, but this one shouldn’t be a debate at all.
• for us this subject that we're debating for us this subject that we're debating here<00:57:12.680
• Representative Angan said this shouldn't be a debate at all.
• <01:22:02.960> abortion all we are not debating abortion all we are not debating abortion
• This shouldn't even be up for debate.

Keywords: 1183, house