Senate in Session

>> All unauthorized persons will please leave the chamber. All senators and guests in the gallery, please silence all electronic devices. All senators, indicate your presence, please. A quorum is present, Mr. President. >> The Senate will be in order. Good morning, everyone. The senators and guests in the gallery, please rise for the opening prayer to be given today by Major Ethan Frizzell of the Salvation Army in Fort Myers. Major Frizzell, sponsored by the Senator of the 28th District, Rules Care Pasademo. >> Let us pray. Almighty God, our Father and divine author of creation, we, the people of the State of Florida, are grateful to you for our constitutional liberty. As we begin this day in the Florida Senate, we humbly seek you to secure its benefits, and perfect our government. Today, this session and for our shared future, ensure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all. Lord, we ask your presence, not only in this chamber, but throughout our state, from the Perdido River to the Chattahoochee and the Flint down the St. Mary's to the Atlantic, along the Gulf Stream and back again. With all, we behold the work of your hands, we give thanks for the Everglades and the living waters for the fields and farms, for neighborhoods and schools, for families and faith communities. Make us faithful stewards of this land that its beauty and bounty may bless generations to come and grant rest to all who find refuge beneath your sunshine and beside your seas. Remember those who are in harm's way today. Watch them both away and at home. Bless our military and our veterans, bless our first responders, police, firemen, and EMS, and all who labor in city and county government, give them courage, compassion, and sound judgment. Now, Lord, we ask that you work among us as a body and within each of us individually. Bless the president of the Senate, the members of this chamber, and every staff member who supports this work. Give us clear minds and humble hearts. Let truth guide our words and let love of our neighbor guide our decisions, where there is discord, so unity, where there's weariness, renew strength, where there is fear, give peace. We lift before you the needs of our neighbors who struggle, especially the elderly and the vulnerable, those who need help, hope, and a home. As we address health, housing, family, and youth development in the care of the vulnerable, grant us wisdom to choose what makes for peace and courage to do what is right. Teach us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, from the islands of South Florida to the Perdido River in the Northwest. Bless the state we serve. Grateful to Almighty God, we open this day of legislative service. We acknowledge, welcome, and appreciate your presence. Amen. >> Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance led by Senator Pages, Hudson McCoy of Inlet Beach, sponsored by Senator Trumbull, Morgan McKinney of St. Petersburg, sponsored by Senator Rouson, and Bianca Ray of Tallahassee, sponsored by Senator Simon. >> [inaudible]. >> Our Doctor of the Day is Dr. Michael Allison of Clearwater, sponsored by the Senator of the 21st, Senator Hooper. Dr. Allison specializes in family medicine. Senators, are there any introductions? Senator Rouson for an introduction. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senators visiting with us today from the Great City of Tampa is Jonathan Fielder with IBEW and AFL CIO, and some of his colleagues also joining him. Welcome to the Florida Senate. [APPLAUSE] >> Welcome to the Florida Senate. Further introductions. Senator Burgess, for an introduction? >> Mr. President, thank you so much. If you would indulge me, sir, I just wanted to ask the Senate rise in a moment of silence and out of respect for the six service members that have been lost with the conflict in Iran. One of those service members, and thank you, Senator Pizzo, for the information. One of those service members was actually Captain Cody Cork, who is a Florida native from Winter Haven. Captain Cork enlisted as a field artillery fire control specialist in the National Guard in 2009 and later commissioned as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. During his service, he deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo in 2021, and Poland in '24. Hearts remain with Cody's family during this challenging time. We thank him and for all the service members who lost their lives for their service, their sacrifice. This is going to be an ongoing conflict, and we remain with them throughout the duration. Ask for a moment of silence. >> Please stand in a moment of silence to remember our lost soldiers. Thank you. Senator Burton? >> Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Senator Burgess. What Senator Burgess did not mention was that Captain Cork was actually from my town, from my district. And he and all those who have lost their lives already deserve a moment of silence. But I would ask if we could take it one step further. Can we stand and in silence, pray individually for the safety of every single service member who continues. Some of us who continues in this fight and who continues to put their lives in danger. Many of us have family members, we have colleagues, and this is personal. And sadly, there will be others who lose their lives. More will be from Florida. More will be from our districts, and we're not going to be able to stand enough. So we could add just another moment of silent prayer individually, praying for the safety of every American who is willing to put their life on the line for each and every one of us and every citizen of this great United States. I'd appreciate that. >> Yes, ma'am. Also, please pray with me. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessing of having men and women that are willing to stand in harm's way on our behalf and for the behalf of our families. We ask, Lord, that you bless them with safety, security, but we ask you just take care of them. God, we understand a world with turmoil. It's likely America becomes a part of that, and necessarily so. We ask, Lord, of all the service members that are either deployed today or will be deployed in the future, that you put your hand of comfort and protection on them, Father, every day. We ask you to encourage your spirit and those around them, to make sure that they're clear, regardless of the circumstances they are in, that they are loved here at home, they are supported here at home, and that we are thankful for their service every minute of every day. Thank you, God, that we can come to you. Thank you, Lord, for loving us. And especially, thank you, Lord, for your grace. We pray all those things in Christ's name. Amen. So let's continue with the regular order of business. Are there reports of committees? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there motions related to committee reference? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. Are there messages from the governor or other executive communications? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. Are there messages from the House of Representatives? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there matters on reconsideration? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Take up a special order calendar and read the first bill. >> Committee substitute for Committee subsite for Senate Bill 1062, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to speech and debate education. >> Senator Brodeur, you recognize to explain the bill? >> Thank you, Mr. President. I believe there is a delete all that I would like to go to if I could. >> Take out the First Amendment? >> Late-filed Amendment Bar code 634444 by Senator Brodeur, delete everything after the enacting clause and insert amendment. >> Please explain the amendment. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Members, I'm going to go a little bit out of order this morning to set the tone for this debate bill. This is just the adoption of the Delete all Amendment, but it's a substance of the whole bill. It was one we originally started with, and through negotiation with the Department of Education, added some safeguards in there for them as well. Members, we know that debate is civilization's alternative to violence. At times when people lack the ability or the willingness to resolve disagreements through dialogue, they often turn to force. And I know in this chamber, occasionally, we come in here, and we determine who gets to prescribe, what medication, and who gets to hold what investment and who gets to sell alcohol, but occasionally, we get the opportunity to do something that will transform Florida's children's future, really transform it. I submit to you that there are few issues more pristine in this regard than speech and debate. Many of us, my colleagues here in the chamber, entered the legislature in 2010 or we're here. And at that time, we were doing something that is unheard of by today's standards. We were in an economic recession, and we were actually cutting the FEFP. Imagine going home and telling your chamber of commerce or your rotary that it's not that the increase was smaller this year for K through 12. It's that we're cutting. It's going away. And so you had all of these school districts and all of these parents who were worried about the programming for their kids. You had the parents of neurodivergent children wondering about programming. We were talking about canceling Friday night football. You guys remember that. And so, not surprisingly, during that time, one of the things that got cut was debate. You can understand why. Speech and debate is not cheap. It involves traveling to tournaments. It involves getting kids into suits on a Saturday. And these kids, instead of going and sitting on the couch and playing Xbox with their friends, were deciding that they were going to go to a faraway place and debate against Uyghur Muslim rights, complex international tax policy. And at a time when we are cutting all of these other things, these are the very children that we should be supporting. If you've ever in your life heard someone say they need a safe space and rolled your eyes, that's precisely the point I make in debate is that if you learn how to debate and you learn these ideas, and you don't run from them, the safe space that you have is in your own head and always will be. This is a real skill for kids. And so the idea that we let this capacity lapse means we fall down on a generation, I think. And I think what the DeSantis administration has done to repair that failing has been tremendous. And what we are doing here today in this bill is making those changes permanent. Because there is a reality in education, and it's a two-tiered reality. If you go to a private school, you likely have access to all these programs. You likely have access to the travel. You can go to the tournaments that you want. But if you went to a public high school, like I did, or maybe you did, these are the programs that go away, and you probably don't have access to after the economic downturn. Many of these programs across the state were canceled. And so this is where the story actually turns good. One of our three-time national champions from the state of Florida returned home a few years ago to find that her program had been shuttered. And she decided on her own that she would, with her own local resources, try and resurrect the speech and debate program. It's important for kids. And it just so happened at the time, new Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and asked what she was doing. She told him, and he started to support it. And he started to grow this program in a way that meant something for our kids in the state of Florida. And so we resurrected that, and as luck would have it, when Commissioner Corcoran got involved, it grew to a place where Commissioner Diaz has loved it, and Commissioner Camus has let it thrive. And with the cooperation of Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida has promoted speech and debate to become a national model. I would tell you that a lot of that leadership was done through a board member by the name of President Gaetz, who had sat on Florida Debate and Initiative. And as we all know, nobody in the Gaetz family knows how to debate. So thank you for your leadership. But when this debate champion, Ms. Tara Tedrow, who would be in the gallery today, but she just had a baby, so we wish her and her family well, when she first met with Commissioner Corcoran, we only had ten counties that had programs. Today, all 67 counties do. Debate is a universal good. I will tell you there's probably no downside to it. Learning to discuss things helps you on your SATs, helps you in life. Remember what I said earlier, just a few years ago, access to speech and debate was really a feature of private education. But because of the work of the Florida Debate Initiative, because of the work of our commissioners, because of the work of Governor DeSantis, that's no longer the case. And so I want to take a moment to thank them, as well. This has been a real focus of this administration. And I'll tell you, I don't know who's going to be the next governor of the state of Florida, but I hope whoever they are, that they care for speech and debate as much as this administration has. When this administration's history is judged, I believe this will be one of the brightest spots of the entire legacy. And so we have no guarantees that the next governor will support it that much, but that's why we're doing this bill today, because by installing all of this permanently, we will make sure this becomes the premier program in the country. So let me talk about the bill itself, the amendment, why you originally recognized me. This amendment creates the Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, first and foremost. One of the United States Supreme Court Justices right now is an alumni of Florida High School Speech and Debate. Justice Ketanji Jackson from Senator Garcia's District, Miami Palmetto. I don't know who's going to curate the Debate Hall of Fame, but she would be a good candidate for us to consider. Second, I really want everyone to take a moment to hear this is that all these private travel teams are very expensive, and the price of admission is enormous. And so the state of Florida can't send everyone to these tournaments, but what this amendment does is create programs where outstanding students who are committed to this discipline, through public-private partnerships, can access those same opportunities. And so this will open the door to tournaments, to experiences, to having folks compete throughout the country. Third, it creates a curriculum for debate coaches. I don't know how to coach debate, do you? This is new. Maybe Senator Barman does. But this is a skill no different than teaching someone to dissect a frog or coach football, or you name it. And so this will actually create a curriculum for that moving forward. And lastly, I would note that the biggest organization in this space, National Speech and Debate Association, has been supportive of this throughout. And so I want to thank you. And finally, this bill makes clear the Florida Debate Initiative brought forward by Ms. Tedrow originally is now charged with keeping us there. And so that is the amendment, Mr. President. >> Questions on the amendment? Okay. Debate on the amendment. There were no questions. Would you like to ask a question? We're on the amendment. I got you. What I'm supposed to do is keep order. Do we have debate on the amendment, which is the bill? Senator Gaetz. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, President Pro Tempore Brodeur, for always being the champion for debate, and not just this year, but in the past years, we wouldn't be here today, and debate wouldn't be where it is in the state of Florida, but for you. The point I wanted to add to your eloquent remarks is that debate is not for people who make a lot of money. It's not for people, as you said, who just go to private schools. The great thing about the Florida Debate Initiative is that we have gone to every single one of the counties in the State of Florida, we have gone to hundreds of high schools, especially Title I schools, especially schools in neighborhoods that are usually viewed as disadvantaged neighborhoods. And we've gone there, and I don't say me. I'm saying, Tara Tedrow and those who really created all of this, Senator Brodeur, and recruited teachers and taught them how to teach and coach debate and then recruited students to become debaters and then created debate venues so that they could debate issues that mattered to them. And so that now when you go to high school debate tournaments in the State of Florida, you have a whole most of the kids who are there are not kids who come from upper-class families, but they're kids who come from middle class and lower class, if you want to use those pejorative terms, families, and the suits that they're wearing are suits that were donated. Or that somebody bought for them. And the travel costs and the bus rides were cobbled together by people in the community, as well as by the good work of Senator Brodeur. And the tremendous amounts of research and thousands of pieces of research that go into preparing for an interscholastic debate were made possible because availability for research over the Internet and the library and everywhere else was made possible because people in the State of Florida, educators in the State of Florida, Senator Brodeur, Tara Tedrow and others made sure that that happened. And as a result of that, we have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of students. From communities and from schools that ordinarily would never, ever see any activity like this participating in interscholastic debate. And it is extraordinarily inspiring to go to their tournaments and to see them debate and to see them settle issues and discuss critical points of view without having to resort to invective or violence. It's the right way to prepare the next generation, and I think that while this will be a mark of progress for the DeSantis administration, it also will be among the very top accomplishments of Senator Brodeur as he continues to serve in this body and continues to serve the people of Florida. So, Senator Brodeur, this one's for you, pal. >> Thank you so much, Mr. President, thank you, Senator Brodeur, for this fine bill. Colleagues, we had an opportunity this summer, even before I was elected, to sit down and talk, and I talked to Senator Brodeur about my passion for youth conflict resolution and perhaps the appropriation that I filed that is in the budget. Hopefully, it stays there. But that's not the point of this. We both talked about our desire for children to be able to resolve conflict. And he told me about this amazing debate bill, which I do believe will help keep children safe and will help teach children how to communicate, which is a lost art right now. Children don't know how to resolve conflict right now. I've talked to so many principals and so many paraprofessionals and teachers that are saying that children don't know how to talk it out. And so this is another tool in the toolbox, and I'm really grateful for this, especially you mentioned Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. In my head, I'm president of her Fan Club. So this just automatically tells me that this is wonderful, and I would have the Black Caucus know that I have tasked Senator Brodeur in watching the movie, The Great Debater starring Denzel Washington. He promised me that he would do it. And so we can check back in a couple of weeks to see if he did. But great bill. Thank you so much. >> Hello debate. Senator Rouson debate. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. And, Senator Brodeur, thank you for this very good bill. See, I always wanted to be like Michael Jordan. Always wanted to be like Emmett Smith and Bill Russell and some of the greats of the NFL and NBA. But the NFL I was to join was called the National Forensic League. I was in the seventh grade when Dr. King was assassinated. But when I got to the ninth grade, I joined the NFL, the National Forensic League and learned how to do extemporaneous speaking, oratorical interpretation. And I memorized the I Have a Dream speech and went all over Tampa Bay and Central Florida competing in the National Forensic League. It gave me a sense of worth, a sense of value. It let me know that I could compete with my counterparts, and I think that this bill will go a long way towards those same aims and mission and objectives. How long will prejudice blind the visions of man, darken his understanding and drive bright-eyed wisdom from her sacred throne? When will wounded justice lying prostrate on the streets of our cities, be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme amongst the children of men? Yes, when will the radiant star of hope be plunged against the nocturnal bosom of this lonely life and plucked from weary souls the manacles of death and the chains of fear and truth bear it, how long must this continue? I can only answer today. Not long with this bill. >> Senator Rouson, I just want to call to your attention something between you and I yet further example of what I said to you yesterday in that moment. Thank you for that. Senator Harold, you'd like to provide debate. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President, and I don't know how you followed that, but having been here in 2010, and thank you, Senator Brodeur, for this, I remember when we did that, and that was to me very distressing. I, too, go back to the days of the National Forensic League. And I remember at Riverview High School, going all the way to Arcadia to a one room schoolhouse, basically to debate. It's part of the National Forensic League. And for me, what it really taught me was number 1, critical thinking skills. That is what debate first does. You must have critical thinking skills. You must be able to communicate. It teaches communication so that you can express those ideas. It also teaches you how to collaborate because you're there with a team and you don't know whether you're going to be on the positive or the negative side of that debate in the National Forensic League. You draw straw. That's what we did, and you are either positive or negative. So you had to collaborate with your other members of the National Forensic League. But most importantly, it taught you to be a little creative. And how you adjust your thinking and be able to really communicate, use creative thinking, collaborate, but really convince someone about an idea. The skills you learn in debate are absolutely key to being able to express your view on one side or the other. And what I love about it is that you have to look at it from both sides, and you have to be able to use those skills to, say, the positive and the negative. And I think this is a wonderful initiative. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this back to Florida. >> Senator Burgess in debate. >> Senators, I rise in frustration. I sit here quietly. I don't ask a lot of questions, except for lately. I don't debate on a lot of bills, except for lately. And I file one floor amendment my entire career. And at 8:40 AM, Senator Brodeur files a strike all and renders my amendment out of order. That amendment, senators, is something you all would have cosponsored. It simply said it was a multi-event competition, which must be judged by a state senator who sponsored this very act. Now, that being said, I still have the House. I could walk over there right now. And in your clothes, sir, would you please explain to us all, with a masterful debate, would you please explain to us all why we should not, why I should not, walk over there and have the House adopt this very amendment. That will be my ask of you, sir. And next year, I'm filing a process and procedure bill called the Brodeur Act. >> I dare ask. Any other debate? Yes. Leader Berman. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And I, too, was a member of the NFL, and I can't believe how many members of this chamber we have who were actually NFL players in Florida. So I went to high school in Broward County, and I did extemporaneous, and I agree with all the positive things that we heard today. But I will tell you, in January of this year, my husband forced my hand and made me go back to my high school and give a speech to the children who are there now. And it included they brought in certain classes to hear from me. And it was the debate team in Broward County, public school, Nova High School, as well as some other kids. And I have such hope for the future having talked to these kids. And as what Senator Gaetz said, it was a representation of every part of our society. And these children are ready to lead, and being in these classes like debate are really helping shape the future. So I know that this bill will be so positive because we have these students who are ready, and debate really does prepare you for this legislature. So maybe some of them will be up here with us soon. Thank you. >> Senator Osgood in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Senator Brodeur, as we continue to have the debate discussion. I think about when this funding went away and the impact that it had on schools and poor neighborhoods. I want to start off by thanking the Senate for this investment and going through a process as a school board member, where we started in 2012 with a smaller debate initiative of 15 schools participating and then having school board member Lori Levison take this under her wing and begin to spread it across the district to all the high schools, all the middle schools, and many of the elementary schools. And I remember this defining moment. I was in a district where I had a lot of low performing schools, and it wasn't the initial thought that we should have debate there, but Laurie and I are sisters from different mothers. So we came up with the way and we put debate in those low performing schools. And then we watch debate be a part of the process to move those school grades. With a debate program, it's where we provide equity. It's our example of diversity and inclusion. It includes everybody, regardless of the ZIP code in the neighborhood. I am so excited about this initiative, and I think it's so critically needed at a time like this when our national stages and many of our government bodies are so increasingly polarized. I'm glad I'm in the Florida Senate, and that's not the case. But as we think about this program, we think about leading in Florida, I thank you for this start. I'm hoping we'll come back next year and we'll have funding and legislation where we would implement debate. I remember one debate initiative. There is a lunch in my district that Senator George LeMieux and Attorney Eugene Pettis. If you don't know Eugene Pettis, he was the first African American president of Florida bar, somebody that you'd never want to get into a debate with. They do an annual luncheon where they raise money for clothing and different things. And one particular year they included young people that were in a substance abuse recovery program. And it was phenomenal. So I'm hoping we would think about including this in our correctional facilities and programs where people that may have not had the opportunity in school. You could have never got me into a debate program in school. I wasn't talking to anybody, didn't want to be seen. I was very shy, but God did some other stuff. So here I am. But I want to stand to thank the Florida Senate on behalf of all the poor communities, the schools where there's not a lot of resources. This investment in debate is going to be major for those schools, major for those communities. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart because I represent a very minority majority community, and we appreciate these types of investments. Thank you. >> Further debate. Seeing none, then you would be recognized close. Going to waive close. All in favor of the adoption of the amendment, say yay. >> Yay. >> All opposed, say nay. So the amendment adopted. Back on the bill. Let's see. I'm sure there are no questions. Are there questions on the bill as amended? Senator Brodeur moves the bill be read a third time. All in favor of the motion to read the bill a third time, say yay. >> Yay. All opposed, say nay. Read the bill a third time. >> Committee substitute for committee substitute for Senate Bill 1062, a bill to be entitled an act relating to speech and debate education. >> Any debate on the bill as amended? Senator Sharief. Ladies first. You're recognized. >> So I just wanted to say that speech and debate is something that all of us. I think every single one of us here has had to learn to master over a period of time. And the fact that Senator Brodeur has brought this bill forward just reminded me how I had to overcome so much of my shyness and so much of that inability to speak publicly, especially when people are looking at me that I really respect a lot. Passidomo. Boy. But I wanted to just say that as I progressed through high school and through the speech and debate, and as I went into college and I had to debate some more, I learned how to get my bearings and how to express myself without losing it from my nerves. And I think that that's what this program does for the kids that are coming through it. It makes them better able to handle themselves in situations like this. And so I just wanted to say thank you for bringing this forward. There's so many kids out there that are going to appreciate this. And on behalf of the debate champions from North Miami Senior High School class of 1989, I want to just say thank you. [LAUGHTER] >> Wow. Any other debate? Senator Burgess in debate. >> Mr. President, thank you so much. I'll be serious. I just wanted to take a moment and say, that the hallmark of a free society is speech and debate. And it's easy to overlook the principles and the importance of something like this. Senator Brodeur has shined a spotlight on this in a pretty incredible way legislatively. Governor DeSantis and his team have made this a priority for years. Without civics, without speech, without debate, we are in America. And I am grateful for Senator Brodeur for his passion on it. You're a passionate individual by nature. I've never seen you more passionate than this. So you're more passionate about this than you are your bees. So I really want to say thank you. Thank you for bringing this to my attention earlier on. I was excited to hear this committee and excited to be a co sponsor. Thank you. >> Senator Pizzo in debate. >> Thank you. I actually got a text from Tara that said, this bill is so good. There's nothing to debate about, but for all the young debaters out there, I just want you to know one thing. If they ever tell you, you can only ask one more question. [LAUGHTER] Don't listen to them. Push forward. Do it in subsections. [LAUGHTER] Make it conditional and contingent upon a real answer, and call me if you need help. >> Yeah, it's incredible. >> Anything else? That seems like an appropriate close to debate. You're recognized to close on the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. President. And so this is the favor I want to do you. When you go home, I mentioned it, you're going to go to your chamber, and you're going to go to your rotary, and they're going to say, what did you do this session that you're proud of? And you're going to be able to say this. We passed a debate bill reflecting what our polarized society is right now. Social media rewards you with an algorithm for outrage. It says, you're temptation with your social media is to see your opponents as enemies, not just people with different ideas, but they're evil. Debate rejects that premise. And to be able to teach kids that is the way that we help them practice becoming a civil society. It's the way we stay a civil society. The framework is a foundation for peaceful self government. And so if we lose that ability, we lose that ability to coexist. Every debate round these kids practice that we practice is a demonstration in citizenship. It's a practice for leadership. living in a pluralistic society where people think differently. They behave differently, and they vote differently, and that's okay. When people feel heard, they are less likely to use force. When arguments are allowed, anger has an outlet. And when dialogue exists, violence becomes unnecessary. And so debate in and of itself is not just a competition. It's a civic virtue. Thank you for your support. >> Secretary, unlocked the board, senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? [BACKGROUND] Like the board, record the vote. >> Thirty-seven yays, zero nays, Mr. President. >> Show the bill passes. Excuse me. [BACKGROUND] Let's open the board for co-sponsorship. [BACKGROUND] >> They all want to co-sponsor. [BACKGROUND] >> Okay, lock the board. [BACKGROUND] So the co-sponsorships have been recorded. Thank you. Now, we will certainly show the bill passes. Yeah, read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 1072, a bill to be entitled an Act laing to the Anti Semitism Task Force. >> Senator Calatayud, you're recognized and explain the bill? >> Thank you, Mr. President. There were 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the United States the last year. Nationally, physical assaults increased 21%. Vandalism surged 20%, and campus antisemitism spiked 84%. In Florida, in June of 2024, we had a coordinated bomb threat incident on one day that 54 Jewish centers were targeted at the same time. In Florida, from the past two years over 2020, we've seen a 277% increase in antisemitic incidents. This legislation creates a task force within the Attorney General's Office of Civil Rights and the Department of Legal Affairs to conduct a comprehensive review of anti-semitism prevalence in Florida, strengthen community relations between state and local governments and our Jewish community, advise on law enforcement training for investigating and prosecuting hate crimes. Assess digital media literacy programs to combat online radicalization and identify best practices from other states. This legislation specifically does not criminalize criticism of Israel. It specifically criminalizes threats and intimidations, or rather, that is existing law across the state and is not contemplated within any of the statutes of this bill, but we're making sure that for future legislatures, there is continued engagement with the local community to ensure we have the best possible recommendations on next steps to continue making sure that Florida remains the second safest place in the world for the Jewish people. That is the Bill, Mr. President. >> Are there amendments? >> On the desk, Mr. President. Please read the First Amendment. >> Late filed Amendment Brode 856218 by Senator Calatayud between lines 104 and 105 insert amendment. >> Without objection, show the late-filed amendment introduced. Senator Calatayud, you are recognized to explain the amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. President. In collaboration with senators in this chamber, we have added to the bill language that's been included in previous legislation related to continued support of the security of Jewish people across the state, to make sure that detractors of legislation or efforts to shore up antisemitic incidents are dealt with appropriately understand that no part of this legislation restricts any criticism of Israel, which is similar to criticism of any other country and cannot be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected by the First Amendment. That is already the underlying bill, but we're adding additional language. That is the late-filed amendment, Mr. President. >> Are there questions for the sponsor? Is there a debate? Senator Polsky in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you so much for taking on this bill. I know it seems very straightforward, but it's not been easy, and I heard some of the testimony. And I really appreciate you listening. And even though, as you said, it's already in the bill, just making people feel more comfortable with the language. I think that this covers all the criticism. All the things I heard we can't criticize Israel. And so you've listened to the people, you've clarified the language. And so I really appreciate that. I think that should put everyone at ease and everyone who's listening. This is a great bill, and I really appreciate you carrying this forward. And thank you for the amendment. >> Additional debate. Senator Calatayud to close. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I think this is our continued effort to make sure that the Florida House, the Florida Senate, and the executive branch can have the best available recommendations to keep our neighbors safe and to make sure that security in Florida is for everybody. And ask for your favorable support. Thank you. >> All those in favor of the amendment, signify by saying yae. All those opposed, should the amendment be adopted? Please read the next amendment. >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Other questions on the bill. Senator 38, Senator Calatayud moves the bill be read a third time. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying, yae. >> Yay. >> All those opposed, show the motion is adopted. Please read the bill a third time. >> Senate Bill 1072, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to the anti Semitism Task Force. >> Is there a debate? Leader Berman in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you so much for bringing this great bill, Senator Calatayud. I didn't get to see it in committee at all, but I think it's you've all heard me stand up here so many times and talk about the rise of antisemitism in the United States and even in our state of Florida, unfortunately. So to have a group get together and make recommendations, and especially since I won't be here moving forward, so it makes me so proud. And I ask all of you to support this because anti semitism, as I told you all, is a harbinger of the ills of society, and we must make sure that we nip this in the bud before it gets any further. So thank you for bringing this bill. >> Senator Smith in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, want to stand up and applaud you, Senator Calatayud. We saw this anti semitism bill in Senate committee and I'm very, very grateful to see this addition to Senator Polsky's point to make sure folks understand that the definition or the term anti semitism in your bill does not include criticism of Israel, which is similar to criticism of any other country. That is so important in today's dialogue where healthy debate does include these types of criticisms that can too often be construed as anti semitism. So thank you for making that clarifying language. Anti semitism is such a terrible, terrible rising issue that we have to continue to tackle as a nation. And I'm very, very grateful for your amendment to the bill and for your leadership on this issue, Senator Calatayud. >> Additional debate. Senator Calatayud to close. >> We've closed. Thank you. >> Secretary will unlock the board, and senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? Lock the board and record the vote. >> Thirty-seven yays, zero nays, Mr. President. >> Show the bill passes, please read the next bill. >> Committee subsite for Committee subsite for Senate Bill 1230, a bill to be entitled enact relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. >> Well done. Senator 31st, Senator Harrell, you are recognized to explain a PFAS bill. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President, and I am glad it was well pronounced. This bill is really intended to protect firefighters. As you may know, we have what are called forever chemicals called pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are very dangerous and that they are everywhere, and they never, ever go away. These are some of the strongest chemicals that can cause cancer and a whole variety of diseases. So we want to make sure that we are doing everything to eliminate them as much as possible. And what this bill really does three major things. It addresses the environmental and health concerns of the PFAS that is found in firefighting foam. And this is a major issue, again, for firefighters. Aqueous film forming foam, I will call it AFFF to make it easier for everyone to understand. And it phases this out over a period of time for the use by firefighters. It also establishes a biosolid testing requirement for our waste waters. We had a major problem in the City of Stuart, where we had this AFFF foam going down into our aquifer and created a major problem and had to spend a significant amount of money to really dig the wells deeper, go down much, much deeper, and also put filtration systems in our water. So the impact is not just on people, but it is also eventually through our whole environment. And it establishes this biosolid testing requirement. It defines the various elements of it and establishes a phase-out period over three different time frames. As of July 2026, it prohibits AFFF in use of non-emergency testing, training, or instruction. It requires all entities to report AFFF inventories. So we know exactly what is out there. As of July 2027, it prohibits the sale, purchase, and distribution of AFFF. And then, pardon me, As of July 28, it has a full prohibition of the possession, and uses of this. So there's a time frame for this to come into place. We did make several exceptions. It may not be possible to do this in all environments, so we did make several exceptions. Federal aviation facilities will be required under federal rule. We're accepting them. They are under federal law. We're going to make an amendment to deal with that. Military applications where there's no approved alternative. There may be situations in military bases where we cannot do this. And also, there may be emergency firefighting situations where there's no other alternative. So we do allow for certain exceptions. We also are requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules for the containment, collection and disposal of AFFF. Maintain a registry of the AFFF alternatives. DEP will provide technical assistance, grants as money is available, and cost-sharing programs to transition for safer products. And we did put some penalties in this, civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violations. And also we would allow DEP to seek injunctive relief for the enforcement. One of the most important things is the biosolid reporting requirements so that we know where we're going in the future with this. And that is the bill. >> All ready? Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there questions on the bill? Senator, the Companion House Bill is here. Please explain the difference if you plan to substitute. Senator Harrell. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Yes, I do plan to substitute, and they are essentially the same. We are going to make one minor amendment to make it exactly the same. >> Senator 31st, Senator Harrell moves CS for CS for House Bill 1019 be substituted for CS for CS for Senate Bill 1230. Is there objection? Seeing none? Show that motion adopted. Please read the House Bill. >> Committee subsite for Committee subsite for House Bill 1019, a bill to be entitled Act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. >> Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Senator Harrell, you are recognized to explain the First Amendment. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. >> Oh, hang on just a second, Senator Harrell. On the desk. Please read the First Amendment. >> Amendment Barcode 719556 by Senator Harrell, delete lines 55-56 and insert amendment. >> There we go. Senator Harrell, you are recognized to explain that amendment. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. And this simply changes the definition in the airport section, to use the Florida statute definition of Florida Statute 330.27 instead of the federal definition. >> Are there questions to the sponsor? Is there a debate? Senator Harrell to close. >> Wave. >> All those in favor of the adoption of the amendment signify by saying ye. All those opposed, show the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment. >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Senator of 31st. >> I'm sorry. Are there questions of the bill? Senator Harrell moves the bill be read a third time. All those in favor signify by saying yay. All those opposed. Show the motion is adopted. Please read the bill a third time. >> Committee substitute for Committee substitute for House Bill 1019, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. >> Is there debate? Senator Berman in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair and Mr. President, as many of you know, this past year, unfortunately, our colleague in the House of Representatives, Joe Casello, who was a former firefighter, passed away. And this bill was one of his passions. He worked hard to limit all these forever chemicals. And I know in her closing, Senator Harrell will talk about it a little bit, but he is honored in this bill. And as many of you can see, many of the House members all co sponsored this bill in honor of Joe. And I thank you for bringing this bill and for honoring him with this bill. >> Additional debate? Senator Harrell will close. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. And this is a very important bill. Not only is it going to protect our firefighters, but the naming of it after Representative Joe Casello means so much to all of us in Palm Beach County. He was such an active member of our delegation. He was actually chair of the delegation when he passed. And this is a tribute to his dedication as a former firefighter. He understood the danger that they were facing. So I am delighted that this bill names it for him, and it will be forever there in honor of Joe Casello. This is a very important bill to our firefighters and also to our water supplies and to all of us as we address the healthcare issues of PFAS. So with that, I would ask for your favorable support. >> Secretary will unlock the board, and senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. >> Thirty-seven yays, zero nays, Mr. President. >> Show the bill passes. Please read the next bill. >> Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1706, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. >> The Senator of the 37th, Senator Pizzo, you are recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. President, 1706 folks, all know about the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program,1706 expands the program to remove the 15 mile inland requirement, but it constricts because we're going to narrow the program to those where 80% of the occupied units within a condominium are owned and occupied, and then to qualify financially that you are up to 80% of the area AMI. It's a requirement that DFS issue the program, and we have some mitigation devices as well in the bill. That is the bill. Are there amendments? >> No on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there questions from the sponsor? Senator Pizzo moves the bill be read a third time. All those in favor, signify by saying yay. >> Yay. >> All those opposed, show the motion as adopted. Please read the bill a third time. >> Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1706, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. >> Is there a debate? Senator Pizzo to close. >> Very briefly, Mr. President, folks, there is a provision in this bill that allows for a particular product to be used. Now, it doesn't get mitigation credits because even though wind driven rain is a huge property damage component and value, Insurance companies, on the most part, do not offer mitigation credits for it. A recurring, huge issue in my district has been an issue on the West Coast, as well. If you have a 20-storey condominium and you're on the 10th floor, you're not worried about floods, even though some of you required flood insurance a couple of years ago. You're not worried about floods. You're not worried about the roof leaking. What you're worried about is wind driven rain events that cause damage and go through your sliding doors. There is one particular vendor that I know, so I want to be very clear. I've never passed a bill that ever endured to my benefit. It's a former constituent who spent millions of dollars doing what you're supposed to do, going to the wind tunnel, getting it tested. Some of you, Senator Martin, showed up for the wind tunnel test. The CFO was there, did everything they were supposed to do to demonstrate the efficacy and proof of concept. The House refuses to take that part of my Bill language because they don't like that they think it's vendor driven. I don't know who said it. I don't know who made the accusation. But if you're willing to go ahead and say that the number one damage-property damage causing component of a storm, especially in my district, shouldn't be in a bill, the step forward and show your name. This is what's most important in my district. I will never forget. Senator Bradley and I walking out of a condominium with an 87-year-old woman putting her arm around Senator Bradley and saying, I just got a $107,000 assessment, and I'm on a fixed income. Where am I going to go? The number 1 property damage storm driven issue is going to be wind driven rain in my district for the most part in condominiums. And those that need it most, up to 80% of AMI of income, owner occupied. We are now tailing this language to Florida citizens, especially older ones, fixed income. Do not negotiate against the best interests of my constituents and allow a nameless person across the hall from taking it out. That is the bill. I appreciate your support. But Secretary will unlock the board, and senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. >> Thirty-seven yays, zero nays, Mr. President. >> Show the bill passes, please read the next bill. >> Committee substitute for Senate Bill 186, a bill to be entitled Act relating to Student Health and Safety. >> Senator of 36, Senator Garcia, you are recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, President. This bill, SB 186, Student Health and Safety is deeply personal to me. So many know, many don't. I suffered from seizures, diagnosed with epilepsy at the tender age of one. I'm also very grateful to say that I haven't had a seizure in over 30 years. So I know firsthand how critical it is for schools to be prepared for students in an emergency and to give parents peace of mind. In 2022, I passed legislation requiring schools to develop individualized seizure action plans signed by a doctor for students with epilepsy. That was an important first step for us with SB 186. We now build upon that progress. This bill expands seizure response training to all schools, the personnel who regularly interact with students, ensuring that they know what to do in case of an emergency. This would be probably as important as training for CPR. It literally saves a life. It also expands training requirements to charter schools, which are currently exempt, so that these students receive the same level of protection. Additionally, the bill requires schools to accept seizure action plans as submitted by physicians and mandates that seizure first aid posters be displayed prominently. Awareness is key. This initiative promotes awareness and readiness for emergencies, equipping schools with the tools to support their students with epilepsy effectively. It will also better, and it will also help in a more proactive approach to kill a little of the stigma that surrounds epilepsy that many people don't like to talk about. While we hope our emergencies never occur, ensuring staff are trained could save a student's life. Our responsibility is to care for our students, ensure that they feel safe, and provide the support that they deserve, and that is the bill. >> Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. Are there questions on the bill? Senator, the companion from the House is here. Please explain the differences if you intend to substitute. >> Bills are identical. >> Senator of 36th, Senator Garcia. Move CS for House Bill 1201 be substituted for CS for Senate Bill 186. Is there objection? Seeing none. Show that motion adopted. Please read the House Bill. >> Committee substitute for House Bill 1201, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to Student Health and Safety. Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there questions on the bill? Senator of 36, Senator Garcia move the bill be read a third time. All those in favor signify by saying yay. >> Yay. >> All those opposed, show the motion adopted. Please read the bill a third time. >> Committee substitute for House Bill 1201, a bill to be entitled in Natural Lane to Student Health safety. >> Is there a debate? Senator Garcia to close. >> Here, sir. This bill ensures that children are safe at school and that our staff are prepared for emergencies. Our students deserve nothing less than a safe, informed environment. And I ask for your favorable support. >> Secretary will unlock the board, and senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? Block the board and record the vote. >> Thirty-seven yays, zero nays, Mr. President. >> Show the bill passes. Please read the next bill. >> Committee substitute for Committee substitute for Senate Bill 598 a bill to be entitled in Act Lane to funeral cemetery and Consumer Services. >> Senator of the 13th, Senator Truenow, you are recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Members, Senate Bill 598 makes a few updates to Florida law governing licensed funeral and cemetery services providers. Key provisions in the bill include limiting exclusive contracts between funeral or cemetery licensees and certain service providers. The bill revises licensure requirements and producer for funeral directors, embalmers, direct disposers, cemetery establishments, including updates to endorsement and renewal criteria, we are trying to incentivize a pipeline for future professionals in this industry. Senate Bill 598 also updates the handling of unclaimed human remains, allowing licensed providers to dispose of remains after a specified period, if no legal authorized person provides direction. Overall, Senate Bill 598 aims to streamline regulation, modernize consumer protections, and improve administrative efficiencies within Florida's funeral and cemetery Service framework. That is the bill. >> Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there questions? Senator Truenow moves the bill be read a third time. All those in favor signify by saying yay. All those opposed? Show the motion squeakily passes. Please read the bill a third time. >> Committee substitute for committee substitute for Senate Bill 598 a bill to be entitled a natural to Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services. >> Is there a debate? Senator Truenow to close. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, members, for getting us to the end with this, and I appreciate your support today. >> Secretary will unlock the board, and senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? Secretary will lock the board and record the vote. >> Thirty-seven yays, zero nays, Mr. President. Show the bill passes. Please read the next bill. >> Committee substitute for Senate Bill 432, a bill to be entitled and natural link to intoxicating substances. >> Show that bill temporarily postpone. Please read the next bill. >> Committee substitute Committee substitute for Senate Bill 928, a bill to be entitled and natural linked to dangerous crimes. >> Show that bill temporarily postponed. Please read the next bill. >> Senate Bill 990, a bill to be entitled Act relating to Protected sell captive insurance companies. >> The Senator of the seventh, Senator Leek, you are recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 990 authorizes the creation of a specific type of captive insurance company in Florida, Protect or sell captive insurance companies. Captive Insurance companies is a specialized form of self insurance allowing a business to create its own insurance company to cover specific types of risk, an insurance company that's owned and controlled by the business itself. Members, this is an effort to add more capacity to the market and to try to drive premiums down. That is the bill. >> Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there questions? Senator, the House Companion Bill is here, please explain the differences if you wish to substitute. >> Thank you, Mr. President. They are identical. >> Senator Simon, Senator Leek move, CS for CS for House Bill 883 be substituted for Senate Bill 990. Is there objection? Seeing none. Show that motion adopted. Please read the House Bill. >> Committee substitute for Committee substitute for House Bill 883, a bill to be entitled Act relating to protect and sell captive insurance companies. >> Are there amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there questions of the bill? Senator Simon, Senator Leek, move the bill be read a third time. All those in favor of the motion signify by saying yay. All those opposed. Show the motion adopted. Please read the bill a third time. There we are. >> Committee substitute committee substitute for House Bill 883, a bill to be entitled Enact relating to protect and sell captive insurance companies. >> Is there a debate? Senator Leek you are recognized to close on the bill. Having waived close, the Secretary will unlock the board, and senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? Please lock the board and record the vote. >> Thirty-seven yays, zero nays, Mr. President. >> Show the bill passes. Please read the next bill. >> Committee substitute for Senate Bill 620, a bill to be entitled and natural to candidate qualifying. >> Show that bill temporarily postponed. Please read the next bill. >> Committee substitute for Senate Bill 554, a bill to be entitled and natural to nonprofit corporations. >> Senator 24th, Senator Bernard, you are recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 554, in 2019, the legislature adopted a long overdue, comprehensive update of Chapter 607 regarding for-profit corporations, and then twice fixed various glitches in the statute. Subsequently, the business law section of the Florida Bar has spent several years studying the nonprofit Corporation Act in order to make a similar update, which has not been done for over 15 years. The bill before you was drafted by a task force consisting of the members of the business law section and the real property probate and trust section of the Florida Bar after many years of analysis and deliberation. This proposal largely tracks the changes made to the for profit corporation statute and the Model Nonprofit Corporations Act, MNCA, and it is designed to clarify provisions recognize changes in corporate processes, codify case law, and otherwise harmonize with Chapter 607 of the corporation statutes. Mr. President, that's the bill. Are there any amendments? >> None on the desk, Mr. President. >> Are there any questions on the bill? Yes, you are recognized. Senator Berman. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Looks nice to see you up there. >> Thank you very much. >> Senator Bernard, is there any significance that this bill is presented on March 4? >> Senator Bernard, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, it is very significant that this bill is being presented on March 4, because it is the greatest day in the year, and it is my birthday. >> Happy birthday. >> Thank you. >> Any questions? Senator, is there a