Tracie Davis — Senator Tracie Davis was called during a series of roll call votes, including SJR 1104, CS for SB 1738, CS for SB 824, and the confirmation recommendation.
Tracie Davis — Called during the roll call vote.
Tracie Davis — Called during the roll call on C.S. for SB 1170.
Don Gaetz — Don Gaetz was called during roll call, then recognized to question the sponsor about whether the staff-prepared bill summary accurately reflected the sponsor’s intent. He raised concerns about language that seemed to imply prayer-related provisions might be required, and the discussion continued with clarification that the bill would allow such activity rather than mandate it.
Don Gaetz — Don Gaetz is referenced in several roll-call votes and then speaks at length on a textbook policy issue, questioning whether the state should become a textbook publisher. He notes the existing textbook evaluation process, asks what third-party evaluation would ensure rigor, accuracy, availability, and cost-effectiveness, and argues that there should be an evidence-based justification before the state enters the publishing business.
Don Gaetz — Asked a question about nondisclosure agreements and government institutions.
Don Gaetz — Don Gaetz speaks in support of the bill he co-sponsored with Senator Leake, explaining that it is intended to help school board members—especially minority members—obtain information and govern effectively without interfering with the superintendent’s authority. He argues the bill does not permit access to protected health information, does not violate the Sunshine Law, and is not aimed at any one county. Drawing on his own experience as a school board member and superintendent, he says the measure would help board members who are frozen out or lack resources, compares it to a kind of bill of rights for school board members, and strongly urges passage.
Don Gaetz — Senator Don Gaetz is first called during the roll call on C.S. for SB 1170, then shortly afterward he moves to adjourn the committee, concluding the meeting.
Rosalind Osgood — Called during the roll, but no response was recorded in this section.
Rosalind Osgood — Says she is wrestling with the bill after nine and a half years on the school board and asks for clarification in closing.
Rosalind Osgood — Says she will vote no because putting the issue on the ballot heightens a tense climate and religion is under attack.
Rosalind Osgood — Says schools are already doing this and distinguishes herself as a Christian, not a Christian nationalist.
Rosalind Osgood — Called during the roll call vote on SJR 1104.
Rosalind Osgood — Called during the roll call vote on CS for SB 1738.
Rosalind Osgood — Called in the roll vote on CS for SB 824.
Rosalind Osgood — Called in the roll vote on the confirmation recommendation.
Rosalind Osgood — Begins questioning the sponsor about possible district costs for transitioning to department-developed materials.
Rosalind Osgood — Asks about district costs and training needs if districts transition to department-developed materials.
Rosalind Osgood — Asks whether any data shows improved student outcomes from department-developed instructional materials.
Rosalind Osgood — Continues the line of questioning about outcomes and intent.
Rosalind Osgood — Asks for clarification about the attorney provisions in the bill, drawing on her school board experience.
Rosalind Osgood — Responds that board members should be able to talk to staff, but raises concern about the authority balance.
Rosalind Osgood — Recognized for a question to the witness about closed-door sessions and board access.
Rosalind Osgood — Senator Rosalind Osgood argued against the bill, saying that while it may be intended to help Volusia County, it could unintentionally harm other school districts like hers. She warned that the proposal is ambiguous and could open the door for school board members to direct staff, interfere with day-to-day school operations, and pressure employees between board members and superintendents. She also raised sunshine-law and accountability concerns, saying the bill could muddy reporting lines, unfairly burden superintendents, and create chaos or corruption in other districts.
Rosalind Osgood — Senator Rosalind Osgood was directly addressed during discussion of the bill, with the sponsor saying he would continue working on it, and she was then referenced again during the roll call vote.
Rosalind Osgood — Called during the roll call on C.S. for SB 1170.
Clay Yarborough — Called during the roll, but no response was recorded in this section.
Clay Yarborough — Called during the roll call vote on SJR 1104.
Clay Yarborough — Introduces and explains SB 1738.
Clay Yarborough — Explains the amendment to SB 1738.
Clay Yarborough — The chair recognizes him to close on the amendment.
Clay Yarborough — Closes on the bill as amended and references prior discussions and a Duval County high school situation.
Clay Yarborough — Called during the roll call vote on CS for SB 1738.
Clay Yarborough — The amendment is being explained in response to the chair's recognition; the text refers to Senator Truenow, which appears to be a mis-transcription of Senator Yarborough/Truenow from the prior context.
Clay Yarborough — Senator Truenow is thanked and recognized; the transcript likely refers to the bill sponsor from the prior context.
Clay Yarborough — Senator Truenow is recognized to close on the bill as amended; likely the sponsor from prior context.
Clay Yarborough — Called in the roll vote on CS for SB 824.
Clay Yarborough — Moves to recommend confirmation for all appointees on Tabs 7 and 8.
Clay Yarborough — Called in the roll vote on the confirmation recommendation.
Clay Yarborough — Senator Clay Yarborough is addressed, with the transcript briefly misrecognizing his name, and then he moves that SPB 7036 be submitted as a committee bill.
Clay Yarborough — Called during the roll call vote; transcript renders surname as 'Yarborough/Yabara'.
Clay Yarborough — Senator Clay Yarborough was called during the roll call vote on C.S. for SB 1170.
Melissa Wilson — Melissa Wilson appears as a member of the public and Florida Bar-licensed attorney speaking in support of the bill. She says she is for the bill and adds that religious freedoms should be treated consistently with secular principles, stating she does not believe the bill would violate separation of church and state.
Melissa Wilson — Melissa Wilson testified in support of the amendment and bill. She identified herself as a mother of an autistic child and an attorney, said she supports self-contained classrooms, and explained that her support is based on personal experiences with discrimination involving autistic and behavioral concerns. She also emphasized concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability for children with special needs.
Melissa Wilson — Identified as speaking for the bill, but no substantive testimony appears in this excerpt.
Devin Graham — Devin Graham testifies against the bill on behalf of American Atheists, saying the organization opposes it because the protections are already in statute and covered by the U.S. Constitution. He argues the bill is unnecessary and driven by Christian nationalism, then cites examples of how the state has treated minority religious groups and says that when he joined an interfaith group opposing the bill, members were wrongly described as enemies of faith.
Aaron D. Pietro — Aaron D. Pietro of Florida Family Voice expresses strong support for Joint Resolution 1104 and explains that it would align with existing statute. He clarifies that the school personnel prayer provision would apply to activities occurring before or after the school day and outside the classroom.
Chris Peggle — Listed as waving against the bill.
Chris Peggle — Submitted an appearance form waiving against the bill as amended.
Bill Bunkley — Listed as waving in support of the bill.