House in Session

>> Members and visitors in the gallery, please rise for the prayer. We are pleased to have with us today Miss Natalia Wong from Vu Church and Florida Christian School in Miami at the invitation of Representative Busaa. Miss Wang, please approach Joe. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let's pray. God, thank you for another day of life, another day that we can choose to live filled with faith and purpose, and just another opportunity to serve others with the gifts and responsibilities that you have entrusted to us. Today, I especially want to thank you for every elected official and employee of the House of Representatives, men and women who have stepped forward to serve and lead our state. We also lift up their families to you, Lord. Strengthen them during this final stretch of the session when the days apart from their wives, husbands, and parents may feel long. May they feel your presence and your peace surrounding them. Lord, I'm sure that everyone in this room has 100 thoughts running through their minds right now and so many responsibilities waiting for them today. But in this moment, please help us to pause. Help us to quiet our minds, our hearts, our souls. Help us to take the next few minutes to connect with you and seek your divine wisdom. We invite you into this place, God. We ask for your guidance as decisions are made in the chamber today. May every conversation, every debate, and every vote bring you honor and your glory, God. Grant the leaders in this room discernment and clarity so that the choices made today would be in the best interests of the people they represent and for the future of our Florida that we are so blessed to call home. Above all, Lord, we thank you for the cross and for the salvation. And we pray that your will be done in this place today. In your name, we pray. Amen. >> And thank you, Nadaia. The clerk will unlock the machine and the member record their presence. Have all members recorded their presence? The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum. >> One hundred and eleven members voting on quorum's present, Mr Speaker. >> Members and visitors in the gallery, please rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Allison Lbfried from Ocala at the invitation of Representative Chamberlain, Carter Nixon from Tallahassee at the invitation of Representative Duggan, Lola Grace Potter from Tampa at the invitation of Representative Valdez, Dalia Walker from Jacksonville at the invitation of Representative Nixon, Noah Wong from Miami at the invitation of Representative Busaa. >> I pledge my allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We are honored today to be joined by law enforcement officer of the day, Sheriff AJ Smith with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at the invitation of Representative Shoaf. Sheriff Smith, thank you for your service and welcome to the Florida House. [APPLAUSE] Are there corrections to the journal? Hearing none, show the journal approved. Are there reports of standing committees and subcommittees? >> On the desk, Mr Speaker. Read the report. The Honor Daniel Perez, Speaker, House of Representatives. Dear Mr Speaker, your Rules and Ethics Committee herewith submits the special order for Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Senate bills on special order shall be considered in lieu of the House Companion Measures on House calendar. Reading of the report, Mr Speaker. >> Representative Garrison, you are recognized on the report. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. The report sets a special order calendar and allocation of times for questions and debate; McClure and I move the adoption of the special order for today, March 11, 2026. >> Are there questions? Is there debate? All in favor say yay? Opposed, no. Show the special order report adopted. Are there other reports? >> None the rest, Mr Speaker. Are there motions relating to committee and subcommittee references? Are there matters on reconsideration? Are there bills or joint resolutions on third reading? >> None of the rest, Mr Speaker. >> Are there bills on the special order calendar? >> On the s, Mr Speaker. >> Read the first bill. >> By Appropriations Committee on criminal and civil justice and Senator Leek CS for Senate Bill 156, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to criminal offenses against law enforcement officers and other personnel. >> Representative Baker, you're recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Members, the story of Officer Jason Raynor- his life, his service, and the tragic moment that took him from his family and the community he served is what this legislation is about. Many of you have heard this story before. We have talked about it together now for three years. And every time we do, we are reminded why this legislation matters. This is now the third session I have worked on the Officer Jason Raynor Act. The first year I filed it, it passed the House floor, but it did not make it in the Senate. And last year, after continued work and discussion in this chamber, the House again passed it, and this time, unanimously, we passed it off this floor, but we were unable to ultimately pass the bill. The bill before you today is the exact language this chamber passed unanimously last year off the House floor, and I'm grateful for the collaboration between the chambers and across the aisle that has allowed us to finally bring this bill across the finish line. I appreciate also the hard work and the collaboration of the Senate sponsor. This is not about process or headlines. It is about ensuring that Florida law reflects the seriousness of violence against law enforcement officers and honoring the life and sacrifice of Officer Jason Raynor. So briefly, members, what does this bill do? The bill clarifies that the determination of fault during a police interaction belongs fully in the courtroom. It makes clear that a person cannot resist an officer with violence or the threat of violence when an officer is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties. The bill retains the good faith language and defines good faith as it relates to officers performing their duties. And finally, the legislation adds manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer to the list of offenses that requires a life sentence when reclassified under 782.065. And members, that is the Bill. >> Questions of the sponsor, Representative Hardeman. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Representative, I, too, would fully support all of our officers. But for me, this really blurs the line. If a person who recklessly texts, hits, and kills an officer on the side of the road gets the same as someone who plots to ambush and kill an officer, is that what this bill would do? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. And Representative, if that's your reason for not supporting the bill, I believe you can support the bill today because the manslaughter that is added to the reclassification does not include DUI manslaughter. That's a different chapter, and it does not include vehicular homicide. That's a different section of 782. We're adding 782.07 to the reclassification statute. >> Representative Hart-Lowman. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. So, Representative, if an officer and an individual got into something, and he actually he or she accidentally throws an officer down and he dies. So you're telling me then that, and it's an accident, purely an accident. That person gets an automatic life sentence minus the things that are excluded this time in the bill. >> Representative Baker? >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. No, an accident is not manslaughter. >> Representative Rael. >> Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. And, Representative, the bill as written, does this bill make every manslaughter of an officer punishable by life without parole, even punishable by life, even if there was no intention to kill. >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. So no, actually, it's up to the state on whether to reclassify the manslaughter under 782.065. The state would file the manslaughter charge under the regular manslaughter statute, that's 782.07, and then they would have the option to reclassify it and ask for the life sentence, or they could continue with the regular manslaughter and ask for the 15 years. There's always enhancements with a mask or with a weapon that could be there. But no, so no, it is not an automatic life sentence. >> Representative Brainer. >> Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. And so, and thank you for that answer. The bill as written, is it correct that there will be no difference in a sentence between a pre-planned murder of an officer and an undetended manslaughter of an officer? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Under the reclassification statute, you already have first degree murder, second degree murder, felony murder, attempted first, attempted second, and we're adding manslaughter. So any of those can be life sentence if it's a law enforcement officer who was killed. >> Representative Gant. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does the bill leave any discretion for a judge to consider the facts, intent or mitigating circumstances after a manslaughter conviction? >> Representative Baker? >> No, I believe if the state is seeking to reclassify for a life sentence, it would be a life sentence if convicted. >> Representative Nixon. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rep, is there a difference in regards to voluntary and involuntary manslaughter if whether or not that person will be in jail forever, receive a life sentence. >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think you're asking what the definition of manslaughter is. So it is above negligence. It is above recklessness. It's below premeditated, but it's willful. It's wanton. It is so grossly negligent. I mean, in the most basic description I could give you, it's a behavior that is so bad that you are not surprised that someone died. >> Representative Nixon. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rep, I so I am not a lawyer like these other two. But if someone is concerned that they are going to be killed, I don't know, like, by a cop or whatever, and they're just trying to get away. If they feel as though they are entirely in the right, and that leads to the law enforcement officer actually being harmed. And then, like, will they be charged with manslaughter based on your and then receive this life sentence based on your bill? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. They can raise a self-defence claim in court. >> Rose Raynor. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Representative, with your bill changing 776.051 Subsection 1, it tells citizens when they can't use force against an officer. Looks like subsection two tells an officer when they can't use force against us. Then, I believe on lines 42-46, why does it delete the officer accountability section? Especially in this instant case, there was no allegations of unlawful force by Officer Raynor. >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. I disagree with the premise of your argument. So we are removing the Section 2, but that is part of the confusion to the jury. And what the bill is doing is we're replacing it with a consistent standard in the first paragraph, and removing those lines in Section 2 does not allow a law enforcement officer to use excessive force. It does not preclude someone to defend themselves. So it's just part of the confusing language, but it's included in Section 1 in a new consistent standard. >> Representative Raynor. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. And Representative , along those same lines, would keeping section to interfere in any way with prosecuting someone who is who harms or kills an officer who is acting lawfully in good faith. >> Representative Baker? >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. I believe the answer is no, if I'm following correctly. >> Resentative Gan. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am looking for it, but are federal officers or federal agents included in the definition of officer in this bill? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. I don't have that in front of me. I'd have to look up the section of the definition. >> Representative Gatt? >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. What is the rationale for striking the language on line 29 that specifically says making an arrest and the execution of a legal duty pertaining, or what is the rationale for adding that or striking that language? That's it. What's the rationale? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. So that's part of the confusing language. And what I'm doing is I'm removing that language. Jurors get really confused by what is the lawful execution of a legal duty. So I'm replacing it with what the court has held it to mean in layman's terms. >> Are there amendments? >> None of the dew speaker. I'm sorry. You have another question? Okay. Represent Gant. A questions. >> Thank you. And for clarification, is Good faith still included in the definition? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Yes. >> Further questions. Representative Nixon. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rep, Baker, I know it's not necessarily I mean, it is a little bit a part of your bill. You just talked about in layman's terms. Can you tell me what, in layman's terms, it is going to be now since you removed a piece? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Yes. So lawful execution of a legal duty has been held by the court to mean within the official engaged in the official duties of his or her performance. >> I'll have to look at [LAUGHTER] engaged in the performance of his or her official duties is what the court has held that to mean. >> Representative Nixon. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. So if it is, I hate using this case, but say, for instance, like the George Floyd situation. So the officer was later found guilty. But if something would have happened and the officer may have been killed or whatever. And that person who killed him was charged with manslaughter. If it later came out that the officer was wrong and what the apprehension and everything of the victim, another victim, like, would that person who now has been in jail for manslaughter or whatever, would they be able to get off after based on the findings? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think that would be a question of fact for the jury, but an officer cannot use excessive force. A person is still allowed to defend themselves against excessive force. >> Representative Hartman. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. Representative, I just have one question. Do we have any idea why the prosecutor, he was unclear. Why did he not use an enhancement as opposed to us instead imposing automatic life sentences on every future manslaughter? >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. If you're asking about the case in question that this stems from, they did use an enhancement. The defendant was sentenced to 30 years. >> Representative Bartleman. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr Speaker. He was not sentenced to a life sentence because he got an enhancement for some other charges or something that he'd already been involved in. >> Representative Baker. >> Thank you, Mr Speaker. He was convicted of manslaughter with an enhancement. >> Are there amendments? >> None of that, Mr. Speaker. >> Show the bill rolled over for third reading. Representative Baker, you're recognized for a motion. >> Mr. Speaker, I move that the rules be waived and CS for SB 156, be read a third time by title and placed on final passage. >> Representative Baker moves that the rules be waived and that CS for SB 156 be read a third time by title and placed on final passage. All in favor say yea. >> Yea. >> Opposed no. Show the motion adopted. Read the bill a third time by title. >> By Appropriations Committee on criminal and civil Justice and Senator Leek CS for Senate Bill 156, a bill to be entitled Actulating criminal offenses against law enforcement officers and other personnel. >> Are there any amendments? >> None of that, Mr. Speaker. >> Is there any debate, Representative Nixon in debate? >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Rep Baker, I am going to be down on this bill, especially considering the fact that it also encompasses ICE agents, and there have been times where there are folks who have acted as though they were ICE agents and kidnapped people and assaulted folks. And so there are a lot of ICE agents that are not identifying themselves. And I just don't want to enhance penalties on someone who potentially could have thought that they were being assaulted and kidnapped by someone just trying to do them harm, even if it was law enforcement and a law enforcement officer that did not actually identify themselves. And for that reason alone, I'm voting down. >> Representative Tremont. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Real briefly. Representative Baker, thank you for carrying this bill. I was in the hospital the next day after with 100 other pastors and community leaders praying for Officer Raynor. And it's been a trying time for our law enforcement community, as well as the family. So this bill brings a little bit of justice to that family, and I know that the work that you put in this has been tremendous. So publicly thank you for all the work on this. >> Representative Bartleman. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We should not rewrite sentencing laws and take discretion away from judges because of one prosecutor's missed opportunity. Like HB 445 misses law, this is another example of responding to a case specific failure by imposing a broad rule on all future cases. If the problem was how one case was charged, fix that problem. Don't change the law for every future unintended death in Florida. This bill is half for Officer Raynor. And have for the state attorney to cover up his mistakes, we can pass the parts to honor Officer Raynor without stripping discretion from the people in the courtroom who know the facts. Rep, my heart bleeds for that family. I can only imagine the pain that they are enduring. However, we cannot go in to fix mistakes that our state attorneys make and impose it upon the entire state of Florida. Prosecutors need to be held accountable when they do not do the right thing. And I personally don't like the fact that we take discretion away from our judges. They're there listening to the cases. So for that reason, I cannot support the bill. >> Representive Rader. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. And I have heartburn and concern and Representative Baker, you and I feel like we've talked about this bill at nauseum. And I have concern and heartburn about this. While I understand what we're trying to do, I don't like the vehicle, much like Representative Hart-Lowman said, I don't like the vehicle, that this is this year, the second time we've been on this floor, that we are fixing a problem that the state fail to get right. Secondly, the nexus between what happened in this devastating case with Officer Raynor is not based on a flaw in the law. It's based on the prosecutor who tried the case did not do what he was supposed to do. My concern is legally the murder and manslaughter are very different because of the intention and the intent matters. A mandatory life sentence obviously will inevitably reach future cases with facts that no one can imagine today, and it's tying the hands of our judges to have the discretion. It is tying the hands of our judges for them to do their job, to be a judge and to be able to make decisions on a case by case basis as far as punishment if there's a plea or a conviction. And so my concern again is, I do not want us to confuse what has happened to Officer Raynor, but also then passed this bill that will once again tie us and bind the legal system. And so once again with great heartburn, I am not going to be able to support this bill today, but I just wanted to make sure I got those points out. >> Time for debate has expired. Representative Baker, you're recognized to close. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, before I close on the bill, I want to take a moment to thank many people who helped bring the Officer Jason Raynor Act to this point over the last three years. So I want to thank colleagues on both sides of the aisle who worked on this legislation, engaged in thoughtful dialogue along the way. I want to thank our House staff, specifically Whitney Trina, Spencer, who have worked diligently on this bill across multiple sessions. Thank you so much. And most importantly, I want to thank the Raynor family for their patience and their grace throughout this process. Members, this legislation honors the life and sacrifice of Officer Jason Raynor. And I respectfully ask for your support. With that, I close. >> The question now occurs on final passage of CS for SB 156. The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 100 Yea, 8 nays, Mr. Speaker. >> Show the bill passes. [APPLAUSE] Members, we're going to pause for a recognition. Representative Abbott, you are recognized for recognition. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members in the East Gallery, I would like to recognize and welcome my wonderful wife, Holly and son, Nate, and a very, very special guest who happened to also volunteer for Representative Trabulsy and Representative Overdorf but my mom. [APPLAUSE]. >> Welcome to the Florida House. Read the next bill. >> By Fiscal Policy and Senator Rodriguez, CSR Senate Bill 688, a bill to be entitled Act lating Naturopathic Medicine. >> Representative Smith, you're recognized to explain the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a medical freedom bill. It is also a Healthcare Consumer Protection bill. But let me start off with telling you what the bill is not. The bill does not create natropathic positions in the State of Florida. Natropathic doctors have existed in statute in Florida for over 100 years. What SB 688 does is create a regulatory structure over Naturopathic physicians, just like we have today for podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists. It's a regulatory structure that does three things, defines the scope of practice for a Naturopathic physician. Also makes it clear, not only does it define what they can do, it defines what they can't do, prescribe medications, do any surgery, use any anesthesia so it's very clear not to encroach on medical doctors, which naturpaths are not medical doctors. Let's make that clear. The other thing that the bill does is creates the licensure criteria. Let's start with graduate from a Department of Education approved Naturopathic Medical College. Sit for a two part national exam. That you must pass both parts. And the third part that it does is create under the Department of Health in the State of Florida a Naturopathic board of physicians, which not only has naturpaths on, also includes two medical doctors to oversee that industry. And that is the Bill, Mr. Speaker. >> Questions to the sponsor. >> Representative Robinson F. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to understand is there a difference between the Senate version and the House version, and if so, what are the differences? >> Jim Smith. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We're picking up the Senate version. The Senate version cleaned up a piece. In the House bill, we said that the governor would appoint two Naturopathic physicians onto the board. Well, until we pass the bill and create a Naturopathic physician licensure, he couldn't do that. So the Senate version clearly defines what the requirements to be a Naturopathic physician. It's a wordsmithing error. No error, but difference. >> Further questions. Are there amendments? >> None of that, Mr. Speaker. >> Share the bill rolled over for third reading. Representative Smith, you're recognized for a motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to CS for SB 688 read a third time by title and placed on final passage. >> Representative Smith moves that the rules be waived and that CS for SB 688 be read a third time by title and placed on final passage. All in favor say yea. >> Yea. >> Opposed no. Share that motion adopted? Read the bill a third time by title. >> By fiscal policy and Senator Rodriguez, CS for Senate Bill 688, a bill to be entitled and actual leading to naturopathic medicine. >> Are there any amendments? >> None of that, Mr. Speaker. >> Members, we're going into structure debate on CS for SB 688. Debate will be limited to five minutes per side and five minute increments. Total debate time not to exceed 10 minutes. Representative Gottlieb, you are recognized to begin in debate, and the clerk will start the debate clock. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the floor to Representative Skidmore. >> Adam Skidmore, you recognize. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is a scope bill. This is an expansion of scope. If naturopathic physicians are already in statute, why are we putting them in statute? We are putting them in statute, and we are giving them a pathway that expands their scope of practice. You merely have to be 21 years of age, have a bachelor's degree and pass a test to be a doctor. That is not how doctors are made. This is not how we should be licensing healthcare. Physicians, we are talking about physicians. We are talking about the highest level. If they're already in statute, why do we need this bill? And why, members, is the violation of this section, pretending to be a naturopathic physician, pretending you have the licensure, which is barely a physician's license, is a second degree misdemeanor. 60 days in jail, maybe a $500 fine. You don't lose your license for it. You come out 60 days later. If you are faking it, you can still go and get a license. It doesn't make any sense that as of today, if you damage an autonomous vehicle, the penalty is five years. But if you pretend to be a doctor, it's 60 days. This is an expansion of scope. It may be in sheep's clothing, but this is a wolf to the medical profession. And I urge you to vote against this relentless assault on our physicians in the State of Florida. If you want to have physicians available to you when you need them, stop giving things away to people who are not qualified to do them. This is one of those bills, members. Please stop the madness. Stop it. Stop the madness, Rep Nixon. Vote against this bad bill. >> Representative Gantt in Debate. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We yield back the remaining time. >> Okay, thank you, members. We're going to pause here for a farewell address, while we're waiting for the speaker. Representative Hart-Lowman, you are recognized for your recognition. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the West Gallery, Miss Black Florida USA Incorporated is a scholarship based Paget organization that celebrates the beauty, intelligence, leadership, and achievements of Black women and girls across Florida, really. The program provides contestants with a platform to develop confidence, leadership skills, and community impact while competing for scholarships and the opportunity to represent Florida at the National Miss Black USA pageant. The organization emphasizes empowerment, sisterhood, and service, inspiring participants to use their voices and platform to create positive change in their community. Zula Oliveira Miss Black Florida USA is a fourth year political science scholar on the pre law track at Florida A&M University. She is passionate about civic engagement and serving the unhoused population. Tisa Tolson, Miss Black Florida USA, is a dedicated advocate for youth mentorship and community empowerment. She serves as assistant director of House of Timothy, a Central Florida mentorship and residential program, guiding at risk youth toward leadership and life success. She is also the founder of Generation Shine, a not for profit dedicated to empowering and strengthening underprivileged communities. Through education and world exposure. Thank you, ladies. [APPLAUSE] >> Welcome to the Florida House. All right, members, we're going to get to our first farewell remark from Leader Driscoll. It is your turn and your time to shine. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I first stepped on the floor as a newly elected member of the Florida House, it was actually a full circle moment for me. At 17, I came to Tallahassee as a wide eyed young woman in the Florida Girl State program. Before that summer, I thought I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my good friend Lawrence Cole, who was going to go to FAMU, be a drum major and be an engineer. It was a failed plan from the beginnings members, as I play no instruments. But then my AP American government and economics teacher Chris Taylor, changed my life. He poured into me and encouraged me to apply to Girl State, where I got to serve as governor. We learned so much about our system of government, inspired and imperfect, but also capable of improvement. The American democracy, not an ancient unalterable artifact, but a living, evolving reflection of us all. I was hooked. I decided that I would major in government and college, and I decided that maybe someday, I would try to represent my community, and use policy as a tool for good. When I finally ran in 2018, it was out of inspiration. When I was a very little girl, I told my mom that I wanted to be a teacher like her. Trust me, I wanted to be many things when I was a kid. I wanted to be an engineer, like a pilot, a teacher, like, a comedian. My caucus knows. But I remember very clearly her turning to tell me, "No, baby, I want you to be in a position where you can help teachers like me." I didn't know what that meant then, but over time, it came to me in advocacy. My second source of inspiration came while volunteering for election protection in 2016. It was an effort that my law partner, Blaise Gamba helped to organize. She and I left the office on election night feeling so good about the role that we'd played helping Floridians to cast their votes lawfully. By that Saturday, Blaise's mom called to tell me that my friend had been in a horrible voting accident. And less than a week after the 2016 election, my dear friend passed away. That changed me. Blaise was an amazing human being. She dedicated so much of her young life to service, particularly through pro bono service for folks who couldn't afford legal representation. Life, we all know, is far too short. I had to face the question that Mary Oliver so urgently poses in her poem, The Summer Day, "What will you do with your one wild and precious life?" That tragedy brought me back to my 17-year-old self and the dreams that she had. Blaise's example of service and my mom's words all those years earlier inspired me to run for the Florida House. I could not have known then what I know now that this would be one of the greatest honors of my life, and that I would be so blessed to call so many of you my friends. Not long ago I was walking on the campus of Florida State, and I saw a sign that said, "Who will you become while you're here?" Members, I think that this is one of the most important questions that we can ask ourselves in this process. When suddenly your jokes are the funniest, the sergeants hold the door for you, and everywhere you go, you have a title in front of your name, who will you become? Will this process bring out the best in you? Will it keep you true to your roots, or will you forget where you came from? Who sent you here, and who elected you to serve? I am so grateful for the ways that this process has shaped me. Working with Speaker Sprouts, the Democratic caucus, and the Black caucus to get a police reform bill passed unanimously will always be one of my most cherished moments in this chamber, not because it was easy, but because it was hard. It brought out the best in us as a body. And from working on expanding access to health care for sickle cell disease patients, to protecting and preserving abandoned African American cemeteries, to curtailing the number of our kids who get tried as adults, I am proud of the legacy that I leave behind here. I truly want to thank God for His goodness and His grace, and the way His hand has guided my life. To the people of District 67, thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you for eight years. To my parents, Joel and Terri, who are here today, thank you. [APPLAUSE] They are products of the Civil Rights Movement, my greatest champions, amazing campaign volunteers, and the best parents that a girl could ever have. Thank you for always believing in my sisters and me and for supporting our dreams. And to my sister Sherida Ariel and Shannon, thank you for being the best built in best friends that a girl could hope for. To my entire family, Willie and Jason, the Hygoods, Driscoll, Greens, Mosley, McKinneys, Donnells, and Earls, all of my aunts, uncles and cousins, I love you all. To my nieces and my nephew, Kalia, Hamer, Riel, Aspen, Rihanna, Jordan, and Joel, you are my why. You are the reason why I fight so hard to make our state a better place. I want you to feel safe in it, to be able to be your full selves in it, and to attain your potential here. Aunty will always fight for the world to be a better place for you. To Kobe, I know that it's not easy having a partner who spends as much time away from home as this work requires me to do. Thank you for being a light and source of support in my life. To my forever leader, Bobby DeVos, thank you for being my brother, my mentor, and my friend. And to see so many friends in the gallery smiling down, thank you for your friendship in this process. To Senator Arthenia Joyner, getting to know you and learning from you has been the honor of a lifetime. Every Black woman in the state and every Black woman in the House and the Senate stand on your shoulders. Thank you for not just being an example, but for being the example. To Dale, Angela Shan and the entire team at my law firm Swope, Rodante and to the team at Vanguard, thank you for supporting me in this process. I couldn't do it without you. To my Harvard crew, my block mates, my Georgetown Law friends, my privy counsel, Otis Kenya, Jaqueline and Gin, my Line sisters, my soarers of Delta Sigma Thetis have already incorporated. My Link sisters, my Athena sisters, E Nain, Kama Brown, Larry Rowntree, and too many friends to name who are watching online, thank you for always being in my corner and daring me to do great things. Ducat Margo, Kristen Hardin, Drew Shannon, Neil Spencer, Beth Matuga and the team we built at the FHDCC, thank you for standing alongside me throughout some of the most intense battles this caucus and I would ever face. There is a line from Wonder Woman that I love when Diana says to her fellow warriors, "I am shield and blade to you. As long as I live, your cause is mine." Everything that you have done for the people of our state, everything that you've done for me personally is a debt that can never be repaid. But for as long as there is breath in my lungs, I will have your back as you have had mine. To my legislative aide Zach and my district aide Paola, you represent a legacy of outstanding staff that I have had the pleasure of working with during my eight years. You have taken that legacy, built upon it, and made it your own. Thank you all. Thank you for all that you do for our constituents, our interns, hi Lorlai, and for me. Thank you also to my past legislative staffers. I couldn't have gotten to this point without you. To the most brilliant, baddest, hardest working team in the land, our House Democratic office staff, who's in the East Gallery, past and present. [APPLAUSE] You help our caucus shine brighter. You come in early, you stay late, you spend time away from your loved ones during session, and you never complain. From legends like Miss Judy and Miss Ann, who kept us smiling and prayed up, to our newest staffers who are experiencing their first session as we speak, thank you for all that you do to keep us ready for battle. Marcel Proust once said, "Let us be grateful for people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." For me, two of those gardeners have been my staff director David Grimes, and my communications director Jackson Peel, [APPLAUSE] you both started as my staffers, ensuring every detail was handled and every goal was met. But when I stepped up to the position early, you helped teach me how to be leader. Along the way, something more profound happened, though. Through the long hours and the shared challenges, you transition from being colleagues to being two of my dearest friends. I tell you this privately often, but let me say it today so that the whole house can hear, thank you for being so good at your jobs. Thank you for the care and concern you share for the people of Florida. You truly are the silent heroes of our caucus and our institutional memory. I am a better leader and a better human because of you.Thank you. [APPLAUSE] To you, Mr. Speaker, bro, I can remember when we were just eager freshmen, dreaming of when we would be seniors and our class would be in charge. You have exhibited such class and courage in this role from always asking about my nephew's football career to surprising my family with champagne at a party to giving me the best session gift of all time. It has been an honor serving as your counterpoint in the minority caucus. Thank you for your leadership, your vision, but most of all, your friendship. [APPLAUSE] To my caucus, it is a great day to be a Democrat. Never forget it. Even on the days when it doesn't feel like it. You fight the good fight. You speak truth. You speak to your communities back home, and you do it with passion, honesty, and with the goal of helping to build a better Florida. It has been my honor to be your leader. To my leadership team, past and present, thank you for being on this journey with me. To my deputy whips and deputy Florida's, I know it's impossible to thank you enough for how hard you work, but I see you and I appreciate you. To leader Designate Hunschofsky, I leave the caucus in your capable hands. Keep defying gravity. I cannot wait to see everything that you will do. To Rep Woodson, thank you for being the conscience of our caucus. Continue to call us towards being our best selves. We need it, and we appreciate you. Policy Chair Skidmore, I could not have asked for a better policy chief and friend than you. You work so hard for this caucus. Nobody truly knows, but I see it, and I love you. And to Rep Gottlieb, I am so grateful to God that He set us side by side on the floor all those years ago. We could not have foreseen all the ways that structured debate would impact our caucus. You protect us, you advocate for us. I know how busy you are, but you have never once denied me when I have called upon you to serve, and I thank you. You are my brother and my friend, and I love you. To Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman and Leader Designate Tracy Davis, thank you for your partnership. Because of your leadership, our caucuses are working together better than they ever have. To Senator Rouson, Representative Robinson, and the entire Legislative Black caucus, thank you all for being family. Dysfunctional sometimes, but we are family, aren't we? To the best roommates a girl could have asked for Tina Polsky and Julian Holt, I love you. To former members, Leader Evan Jenne, Javier Rodriguez, Margaret Good, Jayer Williamson, Chris Latvala, Loranne Ausley and our beloved Joe Casello who we all miss, thank you for your friendship over the years. To the sergeants, to Miss Gloria, Mary, Nita, and the entire culinary team, to our clerk, Jeff Takis, to committee staff, and everyone who helps make this place work, thank you for being the steady hands that keep things running so smoothly. [APPLAUSE] To the press corps, thank you for telling the stories of what we do here and the lives that are impacted back home. I know your jobs are hard, but keep doing what you're doing. You are the fourth branch of government and our democracy needs you. To our partners in the movement, those of you who stand up for our marginalized communities for freedom of speech and for our civil liberties, I thank you. And to our unions, I grew up in a union household. My mom was a member of her teachers union her entire career. I will always stand with you and stand up for you. The American worker is what has made this country great, and the American worker is the hero of the story, and we must remember that. [APPLAUSE] >> And I'll head into my final thoughts. Members, it's not lost on me, just how unlikely it is for me to be here. My grandmother, Ella May, cleaned homes for white families and helped raise their kids. My grandfather James Driscoll, worked in the phosphate mines of Polk County. My grandmother, Helen, worked in the textile mills of North Carolina. And my grandfather, James Earl, was a valet who parked cars for white families. I told you that my nieces and nephew are my why, but my grandparents are my because. Because of them, I am. I believe that my life is an expression of prayers that they maybe knew they would never live to see the answers to. And while none of them live to see me elected to office, I carry their grit, their resilience, determination, and faith with me everywhere I go. My favorite psalm is psalm 37, 3 and 4. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. When I was younger, I actually thought that verse meant that God was like Santa Claus and that he'd just give you whatever you wanted, whatever you desired. But now that I've lived a little bit, I view it differently. I choose to view it instead as saying that God will place on your heart those things that you will have a desire to do. I am so grateful that he has given me the desire to serve. It has been a dream come true. I pray that He gives you all the desires of your heart, too. For me, it has truly been the greatest honor of my life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [APPLAUSE] >> Leader Driscoll, we had a strong and constructive relationship in each of our roles, and it goes far beyond what people see on the floor. Much of it had to do in the speaker's office, you advocating on behalf of the Democratic Caucus, which you did a phenomenal job of making sure that their priorities were taken care of to the best of your ability, and you deserve a lot of credit for that. You were a great partner, and I wish you the best in your future. [APPLAUSE] >> Members, quorum call. Have all members recorded their presence? Great. All members recorded their presence. The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum. >> One hundred and thirteen members voting, a quorum is present, Mr. Speaker. >> We're rolling. Leader Saroy. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker Good morning, members. Right off the bat, I need to take care of a bit of housekeeping business. The other night at dinner, Dan Daly asked me to mention him in a prominent location in my speech. Dan, you're welcome. [APPLAUSE] Now that the housekeeping is behind us, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We always begin our remarks on the floor with that phrase, and it's our custom to say that as an expression of courtesy. But today, Mr. Speaker, they're spoken with a full and grateful heart. Thank you for every thank you. Because of you, we have delivered on a simple but powerful promise. The House of Representatives is back. [APPLAUSE] >> Mr. Speaker, in 2019, I tried to derail your speaker's race. [LAUGHTER] I don't think I ever apologize to you for that, but I want you to know [LAUGHTER] that I regret it. [APPLAUSE] If you had asked me, eight years ago, if I thought I'd be majority leader today, I would have said, absolutely not. That's because some of your team promised me I'd be judiciary chairman. [LAUGHTER] The speakers race is a strange but necessary experience. It brings together unlikely companions. I remember one night early on for some reason, my race, my bitter terrible primary was ignored. And Mr. Speaker, if he had come to Brevard during that primary and met me, [LAUGHTER] maybe things would have turned out different. But when I got to town, I didn't know anybody. I didn't know either two teams out there emerged. I didn't know anybody. So I put together a dinner at Mission Barbecue, just to put names with faces. And since that time, I've heard from both teams. Now we're one team, of course, but both teams thought, Well, gosh Tyler's put together his dinner. Maybe he's running for speaker, too. You'll never know. [LAUGHTER] But it does bring together unlikely companions during a speaker's race, you go out and you try to build bridges and you try to meet people, and you're jockeying for position. And I remember one day James Buchanan called me and said, Do you want to go for a bike ride? And I said, Sure. Where do you want to go? And he says, Let's go down the St. Mark's Trail for a bike ride. And I don't know. Maybe James was going to ask me to be speaker. [LAUGHTER] But I ended up going on the bike ride with him. Now, St. Mark's Trail is 16 miles long. Lawrence, it probably doesn't surprise you when I say that I'm not exactly Lance Armstrong on a bicycle. [LAUGHTER] Drugs or no drugs. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] I think Now, I think at exactly the halfway point, we're booking it down this trail. I think at the 8 mile mark, I broke a pedal off my bicycle. And I was hot and mad, and we stopped, and I picked up that pedal and I threw it into the woods. And James looked at me and said, I have the tools. I could have fixed that. [LAUGHTER] I have some very special people here today that I want to thank. I'll start with the good people of Brevard County who entrusted me with their representation. The motto of my hometown is where dreams are launched. While our time here has been focused on policies to support others in achieving their dreams, the residents of Brevard County certainly fulfilled mine when they sent me here to join you. I'm thankful for my team and Ryan Smith and Ashley Ross up in the gallery today. Thank you both for your good advice and good counsel over these many years. Dear friend Rob Feltner is here today. Rob was the architect of my first campaign. He's now one of our county commissioners, and there's no one I'd rather be in the trenches with. Thank you, friend. We did some good. Former Speaker Steve Cristofo is here today, Steve, thank you for being such a wonderful sounding board and helping me stay in touch with the people back home. I'm really glad that my friend Ashley Wood is here today. Ashley knows the ins and outs of Tallahassee. Thank you for letting me vent to you from time to time. And my dear friend Marianne Reynolds, who helped me balance all of my obligations while campaigning for this office. You made it possible for me to be here. And I simply wouldn't be here without the advice, friendship, and support of my dear friend Phil Archer, a man who truly has a servant's heart. Phil watching from home, I want you to know that you changed your trajectory of my life, and I wouldn't be here without you. Lila, Susan, and Bica, all dear friends, Lester and Shirley, thank you so much for being here today. It means the world to me. You're always there when I need a friend to call. And I also want to thank Guy and Dolores Spearman, who could not be here today. Guy is watching from home. Like in all of our communities, you have this boss type figure that you talk to from time to time and you run ideas by. Guy started as a legislative assistant to Governor Ruben Askew, and became one of Florida's most storied lobbyists. Now in his 80s, he's in the office each day before most of us wake up. Guy and I speak every day. He's one of my best friends. And he pushes me to work harder, and I wouldn't be here without him. He had to stay home today [LAUGHTER] for a doctor's appointment. Guy, if you're watching, I hope things went well at the urologist. [LAUGHTER] I look forward to spending more time with all of you when I get home. Our success here would not have been possible without Kelsey Chase, my legislative assistant. [APPLAUSE] Kelsey, thank you for your advice, your friendship, and for having me back over these many years. Well done. And Adam Oganoski is here today, one of my longtime legislative assistants, Adam, thank you for making the trip up. And, of course, my family, Aunt Gayle and Uncle Glenn watching from home. Katie's parents, John and Sue up in the gallery today. Thank you for letting me be your roommate for the past eight years. Thank you for being here. My grandpa Stan and Grandpa Lou, who had a profound impact on me. My grandpa Stan could fix or build just about anything. He kept me home from school to watch important events on TV. The TV was always on C span, History Channel or CNN. This was History Channel before all they had was porn stars on it. Because of him, I developed an interest in history and politics. My grandpa Lou was captured by the Japanese at the fall of Corregidor, and survived the Baton Death March. From him, I learned the meaning of patriotism, strength, and sacrifice. Now, representative is a great title. But nothing beats the title of Dad. [APPLAUSE] Children are indeed a gift from the good Lord. Jack and Emma Kate, I'm so proud of you. Katie, you're the glue that holds our family together. I wouldn't be here without you. Thank you, sweetheart. [APPLAUSE] Now, that very first term, that very first committee week of that session, I got home. I got home, I think, a Thursday afternoon and walked in the door. Katie looked at me and said, You were supposed to be gone 60 days. [LAUGHTER] Now, I don't have an older brother. But if I did, I wish he was Will Robinson. One day, I was on the phone with Will, and I told him I was out shopping that I was looking for a new pair of shoes. I don't know why we got on that subject matter. But he told me to go to a nearby store that his family owns. When I walked into the store, I looked at the clerk and said, Good afternoon. Maybe you can help me. And the clerk looked at me and said, Sir, the food court's down that way. [LAUGHTER] When I ran for office, I campaigned on less government and more freedom for our citizens. But we also talked a lot about the mental health of our children. And when I got here, I had this conviction. I knew that I wanted to do something about social media. In the interests of time, I yield myself another 10 minutes, by the way. [LAUGHTER] I knew that I wanted to do something about social media. I believe wholeheartedly, these companies are Pandora's box that we've unleased on our children. But that bill, which has changed, I think, the landscape of online protection for our children started in the lunch room with Tommy Gregory making fun of me for not being on Twitter or any of the others and said, you don't know what's going on in the world because you're not on social media. And I remember very vividly that day, Michelle Raynor came in and sat down and she said, What are you making fun of sorry about? And explained to her that we're not on social media and I think it's destroying this country. And from that moment, really sparked an idea that turned into legislation that is now being copied all over the world. It started right here in the Florida House, and it started because Tommy Gregory was making fun of me in the members' dining room. But really, the rubber met the road when I sat down with Representative Raynor and we started working on this legislation. And it got to a point in great technical detail, we had to bring in a technical expert, and that's when Representative McFarland joined the team. As we were on this floor, debating the merits of this bill, Internet trolls attacked the memory of your dead mother. I'll never forget that day. It happened right here in real time. Representative Raynor, you often refer to yourself as a simple country lawyer. To me, you'll always be the most courageous. [APPLAUSE] Representative McFarland, I think you're brilliant. There's nothing more that I can say. You helped us take that bill to the next level. And when I mean it, go look and see that your ideas are being copied all over the world. We still have a lot more work to do in that space, but it was a wonderful start. I remember when we had some back and forth with the governor's office and they had the bill signing ceremony, I think there were some scheduling issues. Neither one of you were able to go, but I promise you that I would bring you a pen back from that bill signing ceremony. When you get to your offices, you'll see that I've made good on that promise. So thank you all. That bill is what I came here to do. Being majority leader is part counselor, advisor, friend, enforcer, and when necessary bulldozer. Now, looking back on my time here, I voted no on a lot of bills. When you get to be majority leader, your days of voting no are over. [LAUGHTER] If no votes set you on a path to being majority leader, Cracker and Maggard are well on their way. [LAUGHTER] For those of you for who found the majority off as tough or intimidating or mean spirited or unapproachable, on behalf of Representative Maggard, I want to apologize. Randy, you're a good man, and working with you has been a blessing. Thank you very much. [APPLAUSE] Now, some members act a little strange around the majority leader. Representative Esposito is always a bit flustered in committee. Look at her now, members, like what you see now. [LAUGHTER] Always a little bit distracted. Fumbling her words. Some might say smitten. [LAUGHTER] Early in my first term, I was sitting up in my office on the 13th floor, and I got a call from Representative Tom Leech. Representative Leech was working on a tort reform bill. Do you remember the bill, Senator? And I had some questions. I had a few questions about that bill. And the good Representative Leech spent a few minutes with me talking through the bill, and at the end, he asked if he had my support. And I said, Well, representative, I got to talk with some folks about that. I know some lawyers want to come see me and talk about it. Let me get back to you on that. Representative Leech very politely said he thanked me for my time and said that he would let the majority office know. [LAUGHTER] About 5 minutes later, I got a call from Mike Grant asking me to come down to his office. [LAUGHTER] For those of you didn't know, that's representative Oliver's dad. So I went down and I sat across from Representative Grant. He had a whip up on the wall, and he had skull and crossbone socks on his feet, and he had a folder in front of him on the table. And when I walked in, I sat down and he opened the folder very slowly. And he said to me, I understand you have questions about Representative Leech's bill. And I said, Yes, sir, I do. And he said, Well, I have questions about that Indian River Lagoon back home. [LAUGHTER] He said, that baffle box sounds pretty important to the people back in Brevard, doesn't it? Needless to stay, I was up on that bill. [LAUGHTER] Now, a couple of years later, I was working on my own bill. And I called this freshman named John Snyder. He had some questions, I heard. I called Representative Snyder, and I asked him about my bill, and he said he had some concerns and he'd have to run it by a few people. Okey doke. [LAUGHTER] I'll let the Majority Office know. John, thank you for being up on my Good Bill. [LAUGHTER] And I hope that lift station project turned out okay. Now, I'm not sure that I got off on the right foot with Senator Leech or Representative Leech at the time, but that would all change with redistricting. Now on the advice of counsel, I won't get into too much detail. [LAUGHTER] But let me say this. Senator Leech, you're a good and honorable man , and you're a statesman. You had a profound impact on my time here, and I'm grateful. Thank you, sir. [APPLAUSE] Now, a few years ago, we started this new process of committee whips, and I had the good fortune to be assigned committee whip to Colleen Burton in healthcare. I was her healthcare Committee whip. Now Senator Burton and I got into a few scrapes along the way. And I remember one committee meaning it was getting a little dicey and we were worried about the audience. And Representative Robinson and I sat right in front of you at one of those two tiered committee room. And after the first bill was presented, you said, you guys got to move. I can't see anybody because we were right there to protect you. And as your whip, I always felt like that was my job from the get go. Senator Burton, you're a class act. And that experience for me, I think, was transformational for my time here. You're steady, clear eyed, and you run a great committee meeting, and for a young new representative, you're a wonderful teacher. Thank you very much. [APPLAUSE] >> So I've been blessed to work with some all stars during my time here. Randy Havlicek was my first boss when I was an OPS employee. You were the staff director of the State Infrastructure Council at the time. Laura Anstead in regulatory reform. Laura, thank you for being here today. It was wonderful to work with you. Leader Kelly was my staff director in redistricting, she's now with the majority office. I learned a tremendous amount from her as a first time committee chair. Adam Brink, my staff director in security and threat assessment, Faron Boggs and the majority office, really a wonderful group of people. And I wish Floridians should rest easy in knowing that we have a wonderful staff up here in Tallahassee. I also want to thank Sergeant Hosford. Where did he go? Well, if he was in here, I was going to tell him that, you know, we all sleep better knowing that he's here, that he's watching out for our safety. The sergeant staff do incredible things. Sergeant, I'm sorry to hear that this apparently is your last term with us. When you decide to open up that campaign account, though, let me know. [APPLAUSE] Jeff Takis. Jeff, it's been a pleasure getting to know you, and I share the delight and appreciation that you have for our history and our values here in the Florida House. It's just been a wonderful experience to you and your entire team, thank you. [APPLAUSE] I especially want to thank Meredith and Sarah, our photographers. They do such a wonderful job of capturing the things that are going on here, not just the historical moments to preserve, but the relationships and the friendships that we've built with one another. They do some very special work, and I know that I will treasure a lot of those photographs forever. Matt Ball, Where's Matt? Matt? I admire you so much as a strategist, your wit, your wisdom. I'm going to miss our time staring across the conference table at one another when these peculiar HR issues come up from time to time. But I've enjoyed so much getting to work with you. You're brilliant. Thank you so much. [APPLAUSE] As you all know, Representative Rizzo shares my love of Florida history and especially A Land Remembered. Alex, you're a kindred spirit of sorts, and I'm going to miss you. Thanks for helping me pull my wagon out of a ditch from time to time. When I became majority leader, I talked a lot about the themes of A Land Remembered my favorite book, and how we should respect the lessons of the past but not be restrained by them. The author of that book, Patrick Smith was a resident of Merritt Island, my district. If you're not familiar with the book, the MacIvey clan started out with its core members and grew over the years as newcomers cut their character and grit in the rough and tumble of the Florida frontier. They often gathered around a campfire to talk. Oftentimes, they would make big plans or dream a