Ethics and Elections — Closed Captions

>> Chair: THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND ELECTIONS WILL PLEASE COME TO ORDER. ONCE SENATOR POLSKY'S FOOT HITS THAT AND NOW SHE IS HERE OFFICIALLY. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> SENATOR GAETZ. >> Senator Gaetz: HERE. >> VICE CHAIR BERNARD. >> Senator Bernard: HERE. >> SENATOR AVILA. >> Senator Avila: HERE. >> SENATOR BRADLEY. >> Senator Bradley: HERE. >> SENATOR GARCIA. >> Senator Garcia: HERE. >> SENATOR POLSKY. >> Senator Polsky: HERE. >> SENATOR ROUSON. >> Senator Rouson: HERE. >> A QUORUM IS PRESENT. >> Chair: A QUORUM BEING PRESENT PLEASE COME TO ORDER COMMITTEE. IF YOU HAVE ELECTRONIC DEVICES PLEASE SILENCE THEM. IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON A MATTER WE WILL VOTE ON FILL OUT A CARD AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE A MEMBER OF THE SERGEANTS OFFICE IN THE BACK WILL BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY YOU WITH A CARD AND BRING IT UP TO THE FRONT. THE SERGEANTS OFFICE WILL BRING IT TO THE FRONT AND WE ARE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU TIME PERMITTING. LET US BEGIN WITH SENATOR ARRINGTON'S BILL TAB THREE PLEASE. WILL HAVE TO MOVE TO OTHER COMMITTEE YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Arrington: THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING CHAIR GAETZ AND VICE CHAIR BERNARD AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. CS FOR SB 1180 WAS ESTABLISHED AS A RECALL FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS, WHICH IS SIMILAR TO WHAT ALREADY EXISTS IN STATUTE IF YOU RECALL. UNDER THE CURRENT STATUTE RESIDENTS HAD A LIMITED OPTION TO HOLD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ACCOUNTABLE IN PRACTICE. REMOVAL TYPICALLY OCCURS AFTER LAW ENFORCEMENT BECOMES INVOLVED AND A LENGTHY INVESTIGATIVE OR LEGAL PROCESS UNFOLDS. DURING THAT TIME INDIVIDUALS ACCUSED OF MISCONDUCT MAY REMAIN IN OFFICE CONTINUING TO MAKE FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND RETAIN CONTROL OVER THE COMMUNITIES FUND. OF THAT IS THE CURRENT CASE FOR CDD I REPRESENT CONCORDE STATE IN MY DISTRICT. CONCORDE STATE WAS IN NOVEMBER AFTER GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND FRAUD IN THE AMOUNT OF $2 MILLION ALLEGED. THE BILL ALSO INCLUDES UPDATED PROVISIONS AFFECTING CDD THAT ADDRESS SYNTHETIC TURF REGULATIONS AND EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR COMPACT URBAN MIXED USE DISTRICTS. THIS ENSURES CDD CAN CONTINUE ENFORCING DEED RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO SYNTHETIC TURF CONSISTENT WITH HOW PLANNED COMMUNITIES OPERATE. THE BILL IS ABOUT PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS, STRENGTHENING TRANSPARENCY, AND ENSURING COMMUNITY FUNDS ARE MANAGED RESPONSIBLY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF RESIDENTS. THAT IS THE BILL MR. CHAIR THANK YOU FOR ADDING IT TO TODAY'S AGENDA. >> President: QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? QUESTIONS FOR SENATOR ARRINGTON? MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE BILL? DEBATE ON THE BILL? SENATOR, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >> Senator Arrington: I APPRECIATE YOU ADDING THIS TO TODAY'S AGENDA. AS MUCH AS IT IS AN ISSUE AND THE COMMUNITY IT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR MY DISTRICT AND MY CONSTITUENTS. THEY ARE EXCITED THAT THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RELIEF AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> Chair: PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR SENATE BILL 1180. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> Chair: SHOW THIS BILL REPORTS FAVORABLY. THANK YOU SENATOR. NOW, SENATORS PLEASE GO TO TAB NUMBER ONE. AND WE WILL TAKE UP SENATOR POLSKY BILL FOR 67 YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Polsky: THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO HEAR THIS IMPORTANT BILL. THIS BILL ADDRESSES THE CURRENT INCONSISTENCIES OF HOW SPECIAL ELECTIONS ARE CALLED BY THE GOVERNOR ENSURING THAT IN ALL VACANCIES FOR OFFICE ARE FILED IN A TIMELY MANNER PROVIDING ALL FLORIDIANS WITH EQUAL REPRESENTATION IN OUR GOVERNMENT. CURRENTLY FOR VACANCIES IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FLORIDA SENATE OR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH A SPECIAL ELECTION REQUIRED THE GOVERNOR IS REQUIRED TO CALL AND SCHEDULE FIXED DATES FOR SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION A SPECIAL ELECTION HOWEVER THERE IS NO SET TIMELINE TO DO SO. MY BILL EXCUSE ME, WITHOUT A SET TIMELINE FOR CALLING SPECIAL ELECTIONS DRAMATIC INCONSISTENCIES FOR SCHEDULING SPECIAL ELECTIONS CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN AN EQUAL REPRESENTATION FOR FLORIDIANS. MY BILL ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM BY REQUIRING THE GOVERNOR TO SET SPECIAL ELECTION DATES WITHIN 14 DAYS OF A VACANCY. SPECIAL ELECTIONS MUST BE HELD WITHIN 126 DAYS OF THE VACANCY OR 175 DAYS IF THE ELECTION CONFLICT WITH AN EXISTING ELECTION. PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION ALSO REQUIRED TO BE SCHEDULED AT LEAST EIGHT WEEKS APART. MY BILL HAS ADJUSTED TIMELINES TO BE CLOSE TO LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND AUTHORIZES ELECTORATES TO FILE PETITIONS SEEKING JUDICIAL DETERMINATION OF A SPECIAL ELECTION DATE AT THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT APPLY OF THE DEADLINES FOR ORDERING THE SPECIAL ELECTION AND PROVIDES OTHER ELECTION QUALIFYING CONDITIONS. THIS IS A PRO VOTER PRO DEMOCRACY REFORM AND IT ENSURES TIMELY FAIR SECURE ELECTIONS AND GUARANTEES KNOW COMMUNITY IS LEFT WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. DELAYED SPECIAL ELECTIONS IT REPRESENTATION. WHEN SEATS SIT VACANT CONSTITUENTS HAVE NO ELECTED VOICES DURING ACTIVE LAW MAKING. SOMETIMES FOR MONTHS WE GETTING VOTES FOR THEIR INFLUENCE AND CONFIDENCE AND DEMOCRACY. THIS BILL RESTORES ACCOUNTABILITY AND ESTABLISHES CLEAR ENFORCEABLE TIMELINES THAT PREVENT BOTH INTENTIONAL NEGLECT. I WANT TO ADD THAT WE HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION GOING ON IN PALM BEACH COUNTY NOW. AND THE PROJECTED COST FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION IS $1.3 MILLION. THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INCURRED BECAUSE THE TIMING OF THAT PARTICULAR ELECTION COULD HAVE BEEN DURING THE REGULAR ELECTION CYCLE LAST NOVEMBER. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HEARING ABOUT THIS BILL AND I HOPE TO GAIN YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> Chair: QUESTIONS ON THIS BILL? QUESTIONS? SENATOR, I HAVE A QUESTION. AND I DO UNDERSTAND THE DEADLINES THAT ARE IN THE BILL AND THE REASON WHY THE DEADLINES ARE IMPORTANT. BUT FLORIDA IS A PLACE WHERE THINGS HAPPEN. WE HAVE HURRICANES, PEOPLE DIE, YOU KNOW THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME AND HOW DOES YOUR BILL ACCOUNT FOR THAT? >> I BELIEVE IN THE BILL BECAUSE IT IS WORKING WITH THE SUPERVISOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE THAT THEY CAN COME UP WITH A REASONABLE TIME FRAME IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT OCCURS. THAT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BILL. WE GIVE DATES BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR LEGISLATE OF SESSION IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. IF YOU THINK IT IS NOT CLEAR AND WE COULD MAKE IT MORE CLEAR THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE FLEXIBILITY, I AM OKAY WITH THAT. BUT I DO IMAGINE THAT WITH A HURRICANE YOU KNOW THE DATE WOULD BE SET AND THEN THE NATURAL DISASTER HAPPENS AND I'M NOT SURE HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT CHANGING THAT, JUST LIKE WITH A REGULAR SCHEDULE ELECTION. BUT I THINK THE DELAY THAT IS HAPPENING FOR NO APPARENT REASON RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION THAT HAS NOT BEEN SET FOR A HOUSE SEAT FOR REPRESENTATIVE LOPEZ AND IT HAS BEEN JUST SITTING THERE. NO ONE HAS ANY IDEA WHEN THE SPECIAL ELECTION IS AND I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I KNOW THE SEAT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE FILLED FOR THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATE OF SESSION BUT IT SHOULD BE FILLED AS SOON AS PRACTICAL. AND IT'S NOT. IT'S JUST SITTING THERE. AND SOMETIMES THE PEOPLE WONDER IS IT FOR POLITICAL REASONS? ESPECIALLY THE SEAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE CARUSO AND CURRENT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLLINS THOSE WERE UP IN AUGUST. THE PEOPLE RESIGNED IN AUGUST AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE ELECTIONS THEY HAPPENED IN MARCH AFTER SESSION. I THINK WE COULD DO BETTER AND MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE A REPRESENTED. I KNOW FOR ME WHEN THE ALLISON HASTINGS SEAT OPENED HARD BROW NOT TO THE AREA HE REPRESENTED BUT WE HAD A REPRESENTATIVE RESIGN SO HE COULD RUN. WE HAD A SENATOR RESIGNED WE COULD RUN. AND THERE WAS NO ONE REPRESENTING THE POMPANO DEERFIELD AREA SO I TOOK OVER APPROPRIATIONS FOR THEM EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NOT MY DISTRICT AT THE TIME AND I JUST THINK IT IS NOT FAIR TO PEOPLE WHO REALLY HAVE NO REPRESENTATION EITHER IN THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE. AND IF WE SET THE SPECIAL ELECTION IN A REASONABLE TIME THEN THEY WOULD HAVE HAD REPRESENTATION. THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO CREATE WITH UNIFORMITY AND I HOPE GOING FORWARD IT'S NOT SUBJECT ANY KIND OF POLITICAL WHIMS OR OTHERWISE AND EVERYONE KNOWS THERE IS A SPECIAL ELECTION WITHIN A SET TIME AND ANNOUNCING IT WITHIN 14 DAYS BUT THE TIME OF THE ELECTION IS FLEXIBLE AND WORK WITH CURRENT TO DATES AND DOES NOT CAUSE THE KIND OF EXPENSE THAT PALM BEACH COUNTY IS UNDERGOING NOW AND THE TAMPA AREA FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH. >> Chair: I TAKE YOUR POINT BUT AS I READ THE BILL AND JUST AMUSE ME IF I READ IT WRONG BUT AS I READ THE BILL THERE IS NO PARTICULAR PROVISION IN THE BILL AND IF THERE IS A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR WHATEVER REASON THAT A SPECIAL ELECTION COULD BE PROTRACTED BECAUSE OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY OR BECAUSE OF GOD FOR BID THE DEATH OF A CANDIDATE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WOULD YOU BE WILLING IF THIS BILL PASSES IN THIS COMMITTEE, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO LOOK AT AMENDING THE BILL TO PROVIDE FOR CIRCUMSTANCES THAT REALLY INVOLVE SPECIAL EMERGENCIES OR DECLARED EMERGENCIES? >> OF COURSE. I WANT TO MAKE IT WORK AND OF THAT MAKE SENSE I'M HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR SUGGESTIONS. >> Chair: THANK YOU. ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THE BILL. WE HAVE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS TODAY. AND WE WANT TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE. WHOEVER IS THE LAST PERSON WHO SIGNED UP OF AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT PERSON. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PERSON GETS A CHANCE TO SPEAK. WHAT WE WILL DO IS HOLD EVERYBODY TO THREE MINUTES. AND OF THREE MINUTES BEGINS TO ELONGATE INTO FOUR MINUTES THEN WE WILL HOLD YOU TO TWO MINUTES. BUT WE WILL START WITH THREE MINUTES AND WE HAVE BRAD ASHWELL PLEASE. MR. ASHWELL WAIVES IN SUPPORT. I LOVE IT. OKAY ELOQUENT TESTIMONY. [LAUGHTER]. AMY IS THAT KEITH? WAIVE IN SUPPORT. I LOVE IT. AND JESSICA I'M SORRY JESSICA. LW SOMETHING MINOR. WAIVING IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE ANY OTHER TESTIMONY? IF NOT THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS. IS THERE DEBATE ON THIS BILL? YES SIR. VICE CHAIR. >> Vice Chair: THANK YOU. I DO SUPPORT THIS. YOU KNOW I'M A SENATOR FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THEY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY DISTRICT 87 RACE IN PALM BEACH COUNTY WHERE DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE DON'T HAVE A STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHICH IS IMPACTING LEGISLATION FOR THE DISTRICT 87 RESIDENCE AND ALSO APPROPRIATIONS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND WE COULD HAVE HAD A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE DISTRICT 87 THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IN TALLAHASSEE. THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. >> Chair: ANYMORE DEBATE ON THE BILL? SENATOR BRADLEY. >> Senator Bradley: THANK YOU. SO, FLORIDA HAS BEEN A LEADER IN ELECTIONS. WE GO TO EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF INTEGRITY IN OUR ELECTIONS AND PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE AND I SEE THIS A BILL AS BUILDING ON THAT AND BUILDING IN A CERTAINTY THAT WHEN THERE ARE VACANCIES THERE IS PREDICT ABILITY IN THE PROCESS OF WHEN IT UNFOLDS. I THINK THIS BILL PROBABLY NEEDS MORE CLARIFICATION AND SOME ADDITIONAL WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT BINDING HANDS AT TIMES WHERE IT MIGHT NOT BE APPROPRIATE. BUT I THINK IS A GOAL OF MAKING SURE THAT THE SEATS ARE CALLED AND ELECTIONS ARE HAD IN THE MOST ECONOMICALLY EFFICIENT WAYS AS WELL AS WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING SURE THAT LEGISLATORS ARE SAT AND HAVE ELECTIONS FOR THE SEAT SO I WILL SUPPORT THIS TODAY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU WILL STAY TRUE TO YOUR WORD TO CONTINUE TO REVISE AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OTHER THAN THE GOAL OF MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE PREDICTABILITY IN FLORIDA IS A GOOD ELECTIONS. >> Chair: THANK YOU. ANY MORE DEBATE ON THIS BILL? IF NOT SENATOR POLSKY YOUR RECKON I SHOULD CLOSE. >> Senator Polsky: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND OF COURSE I KNOW THIS IS A LITTLE TRICKY AND SO I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO CLARIFY THE BILL. I WILL NOTE THAT I HAVE A BILL ALSO ON ELECTIONS DURING DISASTER TIME. SO MAYBE WE CAN ENTER THAT AND WE CAN COMBINE THE BILLS IN SOME WAY. BUT I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU HEARING THIS. AND I THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR EFFICIENCY AND CONFORMITY AND WHOEVER COMES NEXT TO THE OFFICE. I APPRECIATE YOUR FAVORABLE SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> President: HAVE HAVING CLOSED ON THE BILL PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON SENATE BILL 460. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> Chair: YES BY YOUR ACTIONS THIS BILL IS FAVORABLY REPORTED. THANK YOU SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR BRACY DAVIS ARE YOU PREPARED? YOU ARE RECOGNIZED MA'AM ON TAB NUMBER TWO WHICH IS SENATE BILL 748. >> Senator Bracy Davis: THANK YOU. CHAIR GAETZ, VICE CHAIR BERNARD, MEMBERS. I AM DELIGHTED. ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED TO PRESENT SENATE BILL 748 RELATING TO THE NOTICE OF RESTORATION OF VOTING WITH SCORE SHEETS. SB 748 IS A VERY SIMPLE TRANSPARENCY CLARITY BILL. IT DOES NOT CHANGE ELIGIBILITY, IT DOES NOT RESTRICT RIGHTS AND IT DOES NOT REOPEN THE POLICY AROUND AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR. WHAT THE BILL DOES IS ADD EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL LANGUAGE REGARDING FELONY VOTING EXCLUSIONS AND RESTORATION TO A DOCUMENT THAT ALL FELONY DEFENDANTS ARE ALREADY REQUIRED TO RECEIVE AT SENTENCING. SCORESHEET. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW THE SENTENCING SCORESHEET IS THE ONLY UNIFORM DOCUMENT THAT THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL SYSTEM, EVERY CIRCUIT USES. EVERY FELONY DEFENDANT RECEIVES IT AND EVERY JUDGE RELIES UPON IT. A PLACE IN CONSTITUTIONAL LANGUAGE ON THIS UNIFORM DOCUMENT WE ENSURE THAT THAT DEFENDANTS ACROSS ALL JUDICIAL CIRCUITS ARE RECEIVING THE EXACT SAME INFORMATION AT REGARDLESS OF COUNTY, PROSECUTOR, OR DEFENSE COUNSEL. THE PURPOSE IS SIMPLE. CLARITY. RIGHT NOW INDIVIDUALS OFTEN LEAVE THE COURTROOM ON SURE OF HOW THEIR CONVICTION AFFECTS THEIR VOTER ELIGIBILITY. THE CONFUSION CAN LEAD TO UNINTENTIONAL VIOLATIONS OR LATER MISUNDERSTANDING ESPECIALLY AFTER AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR. SB 748 SIMPLY PROVIDES NOTICE AT THE MOMENT OF SENTENCING SO THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES REGARDING RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS. THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE OF THE LAW. THERE IS NO DUE PROCESS AND NO BUREAUCRACY AND NO FISCAL IMPACT. THE SCORESHEET IS ALREADY ELECTRONIC AND ALREADY REVIEWED BY COUNSEL AND ALREADY PROVIDED TO THE DEFENDANT. WE ARE SIMPLY ADDING LANGUAGE FROM THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION TO THE DOCUMENT THAT ALREADY EXISTS. THAT IS THE BILL MR. CHAIR. >> Chair: QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? PUBLIC TESTIMONY? WE HAVE JESSICA MINER PLEASE. AND WE HAVE AMY KEITH. I THINK IT'S LETICIA HARMON. AND BRAD ASHWELL. A LOT OF ELOQUENT TESTIMONY TODAY. IS THERE DEBATE ON THE BILL? SENATOR ROUSON PLEASE. >> Senator Rouson: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS GOOD BILL YOU EXPLAINED IT SO RIGHT. AT THE TIME OF A PLEA THERE IS A LOT OF STRESS GOING ON WITH THE DEFENDANTS MIND AND HEART AND THEY DON'T KNOW NOW THE FULL IMPACT OF THEIR SENTENCE ON THEIR ABILITY TO VOTE ON THEIR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS WILL MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT. THROUGH UNIFIED COUNSEL AND REVIEWED BY THE JUDGE AND REVIEWED BY THE DEFENDANT SO WHY NOT ADD ONE MORE PIECE OF INFORMATION THAT COULD BE VERY KEY TO THEIR RETURNING TO A PARTICIPATORY SOCIETY. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS GOOD BILL FORWARD. I WILL SUPPORT THIS. >> Chair: ANY FURTHER DEBATE ON THE BILL? IF NOT SENATOR BRACY DAVIS YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >> Senator Bracy Davis: MEMBERS, THANK YOU MR. CHAIR THIS IS A STRAIGHTFORWARD TRANSPARENCY BILL AND I APPRECIATE YOUR FAVORABLE SUPPORT. >> President: HAVING CLOSED CALL THE ROLL ON SENATE BILL 748. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> Chair: THIS IS FAVORABLY REPORTED. THANK YOU SENATOR. WE WILL GO OUT OF ORDER HERE SENATOR GRALL WHO HAS THE ELECTION BILLS IS HELD UP ANOTHER COMMITTEE. SO IF YOU WOULD INDULGE ME AND GO TO TAB FIVE THROUGH 12 WE WILL TAKE OF CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AND AS IS OUR CUSTOM UNLESS A SENATOR REQUEST A SEPARATE VOTE ON AN INDIVIDUAL POINT WE WILL TAKE ONE VOTE ON APPOINTEES LISTED UNDER TABS FIVE THROUGH TEN AND TAB 12. AT THE REQUEST OF SENATOR ROUSON TWO APPOINTEES FROM THE DUVAL COUNTY BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY ARE INVITED TO TODAY'S MEETING AND FIRST WE HAVE MR. JIM MULLIGAN. MR. MILLIKEN. >> GOOD MORNING MR. CHAIR. >> Chair: HANG ON JUST A SECOND. PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND BE SWORN IN AS A WITNESS. DO YOU SWEAR THE EVIDENCE YOU ABOUT TO GIVE WILL BE THE TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? >> I DO. >> President: YOU ARE SWORN. THANK YOU AND WERE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY STATEMENT THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE AND THEN I THINK SENATOR ROUSON HAS SOME QUESTIONS. >> IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. >> Chair: IN THAT CASE SENATOR ROUSON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Rouson: THANK YOU. WHAT HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED ON THIS BOARD SO FAR? >> GREAT PROGRAMS THAT WE PUT SUCH AS NAVY SAFETY THAT HAS GONE STATEWIDE. WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT NOW OTHER SOURCES ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE USING. >> Chair: SENATOR ROUSON? >> Senator Rouson: WHAT IF CONFIRMED TODAY DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH? >> Chair: MR. MULLIGAN. >> MY ACCOMPLISHMENT IS TO CONTINUE DOING SERVICE SUCH AS THIS. WE'RE IN PINELLAS COUNTY AND SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE SUCCESSFUL TO GO STATEWIDE THAT'S OUR GOAL. WE WANT TO SEE THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA HAVE WHAT WE HAVE IN PINELLAS COUNTY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES ARE FED AND THEY HAVE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IN PINELLAS COUNTY. >> Chair: FURTHER IN QUESTIONS SENATOR ROUSON. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THIS NOMINEE? SENATOR POLSKY. APPEARANCE FORMS ON THE NOMINATION? THEN WE WILL TAKE A SEPARATE VOTE ON THIS NOMINEE AND THIS NOMINEE IS RECOMMENDED FOR THE JUVENILE JUSTICE BOARD IN PINELLAS COUNTY. JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD IN PINELLAS COUNTY. AN ORDER TO APPROVE THIS NOMINATION. THIS IS MOVED BY SENATOR POLSKY. IS THERE A SECOND? THIS IS SECONDED BY SENATOR BRADLEY. THOSE IN FAVOR? OKAY LET'S DO THE ROLL CALL VOTE. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> Chair: YES THIS NOMINATION WILL BE FAVORABLY REPORTED TO THE SENATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT WE WILL HAVE MS. ALICIA SHEEDY WHO ALSO IS A NOMINEE FOR THE JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY. YOU ARE WELCOME TO THE FLORIDA SENATE. PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND TAKE THE OATH AS A WITNESS. DO YOU SWEAR AND AFFIRM THE EVIDENCE YOU ARE ABOUT TO GIVE WILL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? >> I DO. >> Chair: YOU ARE SWORN. WE WELCOME A STATEMENT FROM YOU AND THEN MEMBERS MAY ASK QUESTIONS. >> MR. CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE GOOD MORNING THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY. I AM ALICIA AND I AM AN HONOR TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT FOR THE JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY. I'M GRATEFUL TO THE GOVERNOR FOR THIS APPOINTMENT AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. I APPROACH THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH HUMILITY, RESPECT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, AND STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TAXPAYERS AND FAMILIES OF PINELLAS COUNTY. MY CONNECTION TO THE JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD'S MISSION BEGAN MORE THAN A DECADE AGO FOR MY ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT TO JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ST. PETERSBURG. THROUGH THAT SERVICE I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT STRENGTHEN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHILE LEARNING THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THOUGHTFUL STEWARDSHIP OF COMMITTEE RESOURCES. THE JUNIOR LEAGUE ALSO HAS A LONG STANDING HISTORICAL CONNECTION TO THE JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD. ONE OF ITS FOUNDERS MAY LINDA BARTON WAS ONE OF THREE INDIVIDUALS AND THE ONLY WOMAN WHO HELPED DRAFT IN 1946 LEGISLATIVE THAT CREATED THE BOARD AND SHE LATER SERVED AS THE FIRST CHAIR. THE HISTORY REFLECTS PINELLAS COUNTY'S EARLY ENDURING COMMITMENT TO THE BEST THING AND THE WELL BEING OF HIS CHILDREN IF CONFIRMED I WANT TO FOCUS ON TWO PRIMARY AREAS, FOR STUDENT AND SCHOOL SUCCESS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON LITERACY. LITERACY IS FOUNDATIONAL TO EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND LONG TERM OPPORTUNITY. I BELIEVE THE JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SUPPORTING EFFORTS THAT HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP STRONG READING AND ANALYTICAL SKILLS THAT PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. SECOND, TRANSPARENCY AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE BOARD IS ENTRUSTED WITH PUBLIC DOLLARS AND I BELIEVE THAT TRUST REQUIRES CAREFUL OVERSIGHT, SOUND DECISION MAKING, AND CLEAR FOCUS OF OUTCOMES. IT CONFIRMED I WOULD BE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT RESOURCES ARE USED RESPONSIBLY THE END DECISIONS ARE MADE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AND THE BOARD OPERATES WITH INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. I RESPECT THE SENATE'S CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE AND CONFIRMATION PROCESS AND APPRECIATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE RESPONSIBILITY. IT CONFIRMED I AM PREPARED TO SERVE WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AND UPHOLD PUBLIC TRUST. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> Chair: THANK YOU. I APOLOGIZE IF I MISPRONOUNCED YOUR LAST NAME. HOW IS IT PRONOUNCED? >> MCSHEA. >> Chair: I MISPRONOUNCED IT. OTHER QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> Senator Rouson: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. YOU HAVE ANSWERED WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT PRIOR TO YOUR APPEARANCE HERE TODAY AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> THANK YOU. >> Chair: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THIS NOMINEE? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, A MOTION WOULD BE IN ORDER TO RECOMMEND THE CONFIRMATION OF MISS MCSHEA TO THE JUVENILE WELFARE BOARD OF PINELLAS COUNTY. IS THERE SUCH A MOTION? MOTION BY SENATOR AVILA. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY SENATOR ROUSON. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> Senator Gaetz: BY YOUR ACTION, THE NOMINATION IS FAVORABLY REPORTED TO THE SENATE. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY. >> THANK YOU. >> Chair: EXCUSE ME. NEXT WE WANT TO INVITE MR. BOB STRAHL DIRECTOR OF THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME TO THE ROSTER AND PLEASE. DIRECTOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND BE SWORN. DO YOU SWEAR AND AFFIRM THE EVIDENCE YOU ARE ABOUT TO GIVE WILL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? >> I DO. >> Chair: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE WELCOME A STATEMENT AND THE MEMBERS MAY HAVE QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. I HAD SOME PREPARED REMARKS THAT WITH YOUR INDULGENCE IS LIKE TO SPEAK FROM THE HEART. >> Chair: PLEASE DO. >> I WORKED WITH MANY OF YOU WHEN I WAS THE CHIEF LOBBYIST FOR FLORIDA HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION AND IT WAS A FANTASTIC JOB AND I RETIRED AND I FELT LIKE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS HAD GIVEN ME SO MUCH I WANTED TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK. AND WITH THE GOVERNOR SUPPORT GENERAL HARTSELL BROUGHT ME ON AS THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT VA AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT A FANTASTIC JOB PROVIDING THE BEST LONG TERM CARE SERVICES TO OUR VETERAN HEROES. AND THE GOVERNOR HAD CONFIDENCE IN ME AND SO WHEN THE GOVERNOR SENT OUT THE PRESS RELEASE MY PHONE WAS RINGING AND IT STARTED RINGING AND I PICKED IT UP AND IT WAS A STAFFER WHO WORKED HERE AND SHE SAID TO ME BOB WHAT WERE YOU THINKING. AND I WANT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. WHY AM I HERE AND WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES FOR THE AGENCY? I AM HERE BECAUSE LIKE YOU I SPENT A LOT OF MY TIME AND FAMILY MEMBERS AND OUR PROVIDERS. AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT EVERY TIME I TALK TO ONE OF OUR CLIENTS I LEARNED SOMETHING. I KNOW THAT IF WE CAN GIVE THEM MEANINGFUL FULL LIVES WE WHO DO NOT HAVE DISABILITIES WILL LEARN SO MUCH FROM THEM AND IT WILL ADD SO MUCH OUR SOCIETY. WHEN I TALK TO FAMILY MEMBERS I USUALLY GET ONE OF TWO THINGS. EITHER THEY DON'T HAVE SERVICES, AND THEY ARE IN PAIN BUT AS IT SO HARD TO TAKE CARE OF A LOVED ONE WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, OR THEY HUG ME AND THEY TELL ME YOU SAVED MY FAMILY. YOU SAVED OUR LIVES. YOU HAVE GIVEN OUR LOVED ONE A MEANINGFUL LIFE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOW GETTING SERVICES. SO I DO UNDERSTAND THE VALUE IN TO ME IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AGENCIES THAT WE HAVE. WHAT ARE MY PRINCIPLES? I HAVE THREE. THE FIRST IS THE PREENROLLMENT LIST. WE NEED TO MOVE AS MANY FAMILIES AS WE CAN AND AS MANY CLIENTS AS WE CAN OFF THAT LIST. WE ARE DOING IT. SINCE I BEGAN WE OR PREENROLLMENT LIST 20 PERCENT. IT WAS OVER 21,000 NOW IT IS 16,600 PEOPLE IN THE LIST AND EVERY DAY WE MOVE PEOPLE OFF AND INTO SERVICES. THE SECOND THING IS TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESSES. WE WANT OUR PROCESSES TO BE EFFICIENT AND SO FAMILIES CAN UNDERSTAND THAT WE WANT TO EMPOWER FAMILIES WITH KNOWLEDGE AND THEN WE WANT TO IMPROVE OUR SYSTEMS TO MAKE IT EASIER IF POSSIBLE. AND THE THIRD IS CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE WILL NOT BE FACELESS BUREAUCRATS. WE ARE IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE BUSINESS AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GUIDE FAMILIES THROUGH THE PROCESS AND TO GUIDE CLIENTS THROUGH THE PROCESS. SO, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, THAT IS WHY I'M HERE. I APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S FAITH IN ME AND I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE FOR CONFIRMATION. >> Chair: OTHER QUESTIONS? I HAVE A COUPLE. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR MANY YEARS AND I HAVE SEEN HIM PERFORM IN AN EXEMPLARY FASHION IN EVERY ROLE THAT HE IS HEAD AND ANY ROLE THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN FAMILIAR WITH HIM AND MOST RECENTLY BEFORE THIS POSITION HE HAD UP THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DID SO WITH GREAT I KNOW THAT I SERVED MANY MANY VETERANS IN MY DISTRICT AND HE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT EXTRAORDINARILY HELPFUL. INSTEAD OF MAKING A PHONE CALL OR SENDING A TEXT MESSAGE HE GETS IN THE CAR AND COMES TO SEO. AND THAT HELPS. ESPECIALLY TO A VETERAN AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMBER OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISABLED AND WHO NEEDS HELP. SO I HAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY. AND I THINK OUR CITY IS FORTUNATE THAT WE CAN HAVE SOMEONE OF HIS CAPABLE AND COMPETENCE AND CAPABILITIES TAKE A POSITION IN STATE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD HE COULD MAKE MORE MONEY AND MAYBE HAVE FEWER LATE NIGHT PHONE CALLS. BOB, I DO APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THIS JOB AND I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO AN AGENCY THAT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO MY HEART. ARE THERE OTHER QUESTIONS? OR OTHER COMMENTS? IF NOT A MOTION WOULD BE IN ORDER TO CONFIRM I'M SORRY, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. OKAY DIRECTOR PLEASE TAKE A SEAT. WE HAVE MEMBERS EITHER OF YOUR FAN CLUB OR THE SOCIETY WHO IS HERE AND I APOLOGIZE. THE FIRST IS MELISSA M A Z D A. DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK? THANK YOU MA'AM. AND JAY REED OKAY THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE TYLER SWINDLE. OKAY. ARE YOU THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE UP IN NEW ENGLAND. YOU WERE. OKAY. SUMMER CIPHER. IS THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC TESTIMONY? IF NOT A MOTION IS IN ORDER TO RECOMMEND IT TO THE FULL SENATE THE NOMINATION AS DIRECTOR OF THE AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. IS THERE SUCH A MOTION? THIS IS MOVED BY VICE CHAIR BERNARD. IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY SENATOR BRADLEY. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR GROLL. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> President: YES. BY YOUR ACTION MR. DIRECTOR YOU ARE RECOMMENDED TO THE FULL SENATE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. NOW WE HAVE THE REMAINDER OF THE NOMINEES WHO WERE LISTED UNDER TABS FIVE THROUGH TEN AND TAB 12. DOES ANY SENATOR WISH TO HAVE A SEPARATE VOTE ON ANY OF THESE NOMINEES? THERE IS A REQUEST FOR PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND SO WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND WE ASK IF YOU WILL BE SPECIFIC AS TO WHICH NOMINEE YOU ARE SPEAKING OF. WE HAVE TYLER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE EMMETT READ. OKAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC TESTIMONY? IF NOT AN ORDER TO RECOMMEND THE SENATE CONFIRMATION FOR THE APPOINTEES LISTED UNDER TABS FIVE, 12, AND TEN. IS THERE A MOTION? MOVED BY VICE CHAIR BERNARD. IS THERE A SECOND. SECOND BY SENATOR AVILA. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> SENATOR AVILA. >> YES. >> SENATOR BRADLEY. >> YES. >> SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> Chair: BY YOUR ACTION, THIS REPORTS FAVORABLY TO THE SENATE. SENATOR GRALL, YOUR TIMING IS IMPECCABLE. ARE YOU PREPARED? >> Senator Grall: OF COURSE I AM. >> Chair: YOU ARE ALWAYS PREPARED TO WIN EVERY DEBATE IN THE LIBRARY. I KNOW THAT. SENATORS PLEASE TAKE UP TAB NUMBER FOUR SENATE BILL 1334 ON ELECTIONS BY SENATOR GRALL AND SENATOR GRALL YOU HAVE A STRIKE ALL. SO IF YOU PREFER WE CAN START THE STRIKE ALL ON THE BILL. AMENDMENT BAR CODE 747052. >> Senator Grall: REPRESENTATIVE GRALL YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Rep. Grall: TWO MAIN THEMES EFFECTIVE JULY 1st, 2026, UPDATING STATUTORY PROVISIONS RELATED TO CITIZENSHIP AND VOTING TO BETTER WORK WITH THE SYSTEMS AND TOOLS AVAILABLE TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO VERIFY CITIZENSHIP ID IN THE DATABASE WITH LEGAL STATUS IS UNCERTAIN. UPDATING TERMS AND DEFINITIONS TO CLARIFY THAT THE PRIMARY METHOD FOR VOTING IN FLORIDA IS MY PEN AND PAPER. THE AMENDMENT MAKES SEVERAL OTHER CHANGES INCLUDING PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS TO ENSURE PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THEIR PARTY AND NOT JUST CLAIM TO FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR PRIOR TO QUALIFYING PROHIBITING A PERSON FROM QUALIFYING AS A CANDIDATE IF HE OR SHE UNDER STATUTORY PROVISION DURING THE ONE YEAR TIMEFRAME PRIOR TO QUALIFYING. DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONS OR CHANGE THEIR NAME TO MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, OR ADOPTION CLARIFY THE TIME FRAMES FOR THE ELECTIONS CANVASSING COMMISSIONING THIS COMMISSION TO MEET AND FOR SUPERVISORS TO UPLOAD ELECTION RESULTS PROVIDING FIVE YEAR YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATION FOR FELONY ELECTION VIOLATIONS AND FOR DRIVERS LICENSE AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS CARD HOLDERS THAT ARE U.S. CITIZENS REQUIRING CARDS TO INDICATE SUCH BY JULY 1st 2027 AND PROVIDING THAT SUCH A CARD MUST BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO A PERSON WHO BECOMES A U.S. CITIZEN AND UPDATES HIS OR HER STATUS ACCORDINGLY. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: YOU HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. SO LET'S TAKE IT UP NOW THAT'S BARCODE 221106 BY SENATOR GARCIA YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Garcia: GOOD MORNING. AMENDMENT 221160 IS THE SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS ONLY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS THAT HAVE A SPECIFIC ENUMERATED REQUIREMENT FOR OFFICE HOURS AND STATUTE. OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE IN THEIR OFFICES WHEN THERE ARE STATE OR COUNTY WIDE CLOSURES. THIS AMENDMENT GIVES THE OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OPTION TO OBSERVE LEGAL HOLIDAYS AND OTHER FEDERAL STATE OR COUNTY APPROVED HOLIDAYS IF THE OFFICE IS NOT OTHERWISE REQUIRED TO BE OPEN TO FULFILL OFFICIAL DUTIES UNDER THE FLORIDA ELECTION CODE. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT THE AMENDMENT? SENATOR GRALL DO YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS AMENDMENT? >> Rep. Grall: I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: WE DO HAVE AN APPEARANCE FORM ON THE AMENDMENT. ALINA GARCIA MIAMI DADE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. ALINA WAIVING IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU MA'AM. DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT? IF NOT IS THERE OBJECTION? SHOW THIS ADOPTED. SENATOR GARCIA YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. I'M SORRY CLOSE ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT AND THEN WE ADOPTED. >> Senator Grall: THIS ALIGNS THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS OFFICE WITH THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND COUNTY SCHEDULES AND WITH THAT I CLOSE. >> Chair: HAVING CLOSED LET'S CALL THE ROLL ON THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT. >> Chair: SENATOR AVILA. SENATOR BRADLEY. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR ROUSON. VICE CHAIR BERNARD. CHAIR GAETZ. >> President: YES THIS IS ADOPTED. WE ARE NOW BACK ON THE STRIKE ALL SENATOR GRALL. OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE STRIKE ALL AS AMENDED? QUESTIONS ON THE STRIKE ALL? YES SENATOR BERNARD. >> Senator Bernard: THANK YOU. SENATOR GRALL I WILL GO TO LINE 63. I THINK THIS IS AN EXPRESS VOTE. AND I SAYS ALL VOTING MUST BE OFFICIAL BALLOT USING A PIN COMPATIBLE WITH RECOMMENDED FOR USE WITH THE VOTING SYSTEM UNLESS OF VOTER REQUESTS TO CHOOSE WHY DID YOU USE REQUEST VERSUS CHOOSES ON THIS IS IT VALID? >> Chair: SENATOR GRALL. >> Senator Grall: ARE YOU ON THE STRIKE ALL? >> YES I THINK I'M ON LINE 63. >> I HAVE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION AT THAT NUMBER. THAT IS WHY I AM JUST CHECKING. I THINK THIS IS ABOUT REQUESTING WHEN THEY COME IN TO I BELIEVE THAT IT IS IF THEY HAVE ANY NEED THAT WAY THEY CAN REQUEST A DIFFERENT FORM OF VOTING IS WHAT I HAVE HERE. >> Chair: SENATOR BERNARD. >> Senator Bernard: OKAY. I CAN COME BACK TO IT. I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS. >> Chair: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> SENATOR GRALL, THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM THIS STATUS DETERMINATION PROCESS CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM WILL VERIFY THAT AN INDIVIDUAL HAS PROVIDED DOCUMENTS ACCEPTABLE AS EVIDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP? >> Chair: SENATOR GRALL. >> Senator Grall: THE SYSTEMS OF DHS AND V WILL HAVE TO INTERACT WITH END THIS IS ABOUT HOW IT IS INTERACTING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNDER SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS. SO IF THAT, IF SOMEONE HAS A FLORIDA DRIVER'S LICENSE IS REAL ID COMPLIANT AND THEY HAVE CITIZENSHIP KNOWN THROUGH THAT SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE REAL ID SYSTEM ALLOWS US TO DO. IT ALLOWS US TO ON THE BACKEND HAVE WHETHER OR NOT CITIZENSHIP HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BEFORE OR WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS NOT A CITIZEN THEN THE DHS WILL BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND VERIFY IT AT THE TIME. >> Senator Bernard: I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. >> Chair: PLEASE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A SERIES. >> Senator Bernard: DO THEY HAVE THE DOCUMENTS ALREADY? >> Senator Grall: IF SOMEONE’S REAL ID IS COMPLIANT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THOSE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED IN ORDER TO HAVE DESIGNATION WITHIN THE DS H MD. WITHIN THE SYSTEM. SO, YES, I THINK THEY DO HAVE IT ALREADY AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS PRESENTED AS PEOPLE ARE BECOMING REAL ID COMPLIANT. >> Senator Bernard: DO THEY HAVE A FIELD ALREADY THAT SAYS THIS PERSON IS A U.S. CITIZEN? OR DO THEY HAVE A FIELD THAT SAYS YOU ARE A U.S. CITIZEN IN THE DATABASE TO THEY KNOW. >> Senator Grall: THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS A KNOWN FIELD WITHIN THE DATABASE. >> Senator Bernard: HOW DOES IT INTERACT WITH THE FLORIDA VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM BETWEEN THE DHS MV AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND IN THE SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS? >> Senator Grall: WITHOUT KNOWING ALL THIS TECHNOLOGY, I'VE NEVER ENTERED THIS INFORMATION BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS A RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THOSE SYSTEMS AND THERE IS THE ABILITY TO RECONCILE BETWEEN THOSE SYSTEMS AND THE INTENT OF THE LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL IS TO MAKE THAT IS SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE SO WE ARE FOR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION IS NOT DUPED IT IS NOT DUPLICATING EFFORTS OF THE OF STATE IS NOT DUPLICATING THE EFFORTS. IF IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE INDIVIDUAL OR NOT HAPPY TO DUPLICATE IT IF THEY'VE ALREADY GONE TO THE EFFORT TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP WHEN THEY HAVE GONE THERE DRIVER'S LICENSE THROUGH THE FLORIDA IDENTIFICATION. >> Senator Bernard: WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DON'T HAVE A FROM THE FLORIDA DHS HOW DO THEY GET IT? WHAT IS THE PROCESS? >> Rep. Grall: THEY PRESENT THE INFORMATION THAT IS OUTLINED CLEARLY IN THE BILL AND SOME OF IT IS IN STATUTE. WE TRY TO CLARIFY IT AND WE PRESENT THIS INFORMATION TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. >> Senator Bernard: WITH THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS KEEP INFORMATION OR TRANSMIT IT TO DHSMV? >> Senator Grall: THE BILL SAYS THEY WOULD JUST HAVE TO NOTATE THE TYPE OF IDENTIFICATION GIVEN NOT SCAN OR RETAIN. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT ITERATIONS WHERE THEY CAN KEEP THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR KEEP DIFFERENT DOCUMENTATION BUT THE BILL DOES NOT CONTEMPLATE THAT THAT THEY WOULD VERIFY WHAT DOCUMENTS AND THEY WOULD NOTATE THE TIP OF DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN ORDER TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP IF SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE A REAL ID LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD. SOME SUPERVISORS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THEY HAVE OVER 90 PERCENT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REAL ID COMPLIANT CURRENTLY. I DO NOT HAVE THOSE NUMBERS ACROSS THE STATE. >> Senator Bernard: I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE, IF THE SLE COLLECTS THE INFORMATION HOW DO WE GET IT INTO THE DHS MV SO THAT WAY THEY CAN UPDATE THAT INFORMATION. >> Senator Grall: I DON'T THINK I'M WRONG BUT I DON'T THINK HE NECESSARILY SEND INFORMATION TO DHS MV BUT I THINK IT'S OTHER WAY AROUND WHERE THE DHS MV WILL SEND THIS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO CROSS CHECK IT AGAINST THOSE INDIVIDUALS ONLY THAT HAVE NOT ALREADY HAD THEIR CITIZENSHIP DESIGNATED TO THE DHS MV SYSTEM. SO IT WOULD BE A ONE WAY INFORMATION FROM DHS MV TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE CROSS CHECK AND THEY WORK WITH THE SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS IF THERE'S A QUESTIONS ABOUT SOMEONE'S ELIGIBILITY. >> Senator Bernard: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY SEND COMPLIANCE INFORMATION TO THE SLE BUT IT'S NOT CROSS CHECKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE THAN THEY STILL AN ELIGIBLE. >> Senator Grall: IT'S CROSS CHECKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RUN THROUGH SAFE THE DATABASE. NOW THE ORDER IN WHICH THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING I COULD NEED MORE CLARIFICATION ON BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTION CONVERSATION AT THAT POINT AND THERE IS A DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY USING OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE. WHETHER THEY ARE FEDERAL RECORDS WHICH THE BILL SETS OUT THAT THEY CAN USE FEDERAL RECORDS, THEY COULD USE THE SAME DATABASE AND THAT IS AWARE THAT DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY WILL BE MADE. >> Senator Bernard: WHO MAKES A FINAL DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHO MAKES THE DETERMINATION? >> Senator Grall: IF THERE IS A QUESTION AND IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS MY UNDERSTANDING IT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. >> Senator Bernard: NOT DHSMV. >> Rep. Grall: NOT DHSMV THAT IS CORRECT. BUT I MEAN DHS AS WAS INVOLVED WITH THE ORIGINAL CITIZENSHIP DETERMINATION FOR THE REAL ID COMPLIANT IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND DRIVER'S LICENSE. SO THERE IS A RELIANCE ON THAT. THERE WILL BE A RELIANCE ON THAT BUT THE SYSTEM THAT IS CORRECT. >> Senator Bernard: OKAY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THE VOTER DOES NOT HAVE AN ID OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND WE PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THE SLE WILL IT EVENTUALLY GET INTO THE DHSMV DATABASE AT ALL? OR WILL JUST BE PROVIDED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE? >> Senator Grall: I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS GOES THAT WAY TO THE DHSMV DATABASE BUT I WILL CONFIRM THAT FOR YOU. >> President: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS SENATOR BERNARD? SENATOR POLSKY. >> Senator Polsky: FOR A SERIES PLEASE. >> Chair: YES MA'AM. >> Senator Polsky: GOING BACK TO SENATOR BERNARD FIRST QUESTION ABOUT WE ARE GOING TO LINE 620 IN THE STRIKE ALL AND IT WAS ALERTED TO ME THAT MY COUNTY AND DUVAL AND LEE HAVE EXPRESS VOTING SO THAT IS A MACHINE THAT YOU PRESS YOUR CHOICES AND YOU GET TO EXAMINE IT AND THEN YOU HAND IT TO A PERSON THE PAPER BALLOT PRINTS OUT AND IT GOES TO A TABULATOR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING RIGHT NOW A PERSON PERHAPS WHO HAS A DISABILITY CAN OR ANYONE CAN REQUEST AN ACTUAL PAPER BALLOT INSTEAD OF USING THE MACHINE. THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT THE LANGUAGE IN THAT SECTION MAKES IT SOUND AS IF YOU HAVE TO AFFIRM YOUR REQUEST TO USE THE EXPRESS BALLOT RATHER THAN OTHERWISE IF YOU DON'T SAY ANYTHING YOU WILL BE HANDED A PAPER BALLOT. IS THAT YOUR INTENTION WITH THE SECTION? >> Senator Grall: YES THAT IS THE INTENTION THAT VOTING SHOULD BE CONDUCTED BY PAPER BALLOT THIS PAPER BALLOT UNLESS THEY REQUEST THE DEVICE SO THE VOTER INTERFACE DEVICES ARE NOT THE DEFAULT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS AND IT IS THE PAPER BALLOT. >> Senator Polsky: WITH THE VOTER CAN REQUEST TO USE THE MACHINES? >> Rep. Grall: YES SO THERE HAS TO BE ONE AT LEAST ONE OR WHATEVER THE SO DETERMINES IF IT IS NECESSARY. THERE HAS TO BE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE DEVICE. >> Senator Polsky: THE THREE COUNTIES I MENTION DO YOU KNOW THAT THEY HAVE AN ENORMOUS NUMBER OF THESE MACHINES BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE VOTE IN THOSE COUNTIES AND, SO, NOW THEY WILL HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR EQUIPMENT TO HAVE MUCH MORE OF THE PRINTING MACHINES AVAILABLE THE TONER, THE COST, EVERYTHING INVOLVED IN THAT. AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO WITH ALL THE EXPRESS VOTING MACHINES THAT THEY HAVE. >> Senator Grall: I AM AWARE THAT THERE ARE SOME COUNTIES THAT HAVE MORE THAN OTHERS. TO THE EXTENT IN TERMS OF INVENTORY NOT THE REASON THAT THIS IS HERE TO CLARIFY THAT THE PAPER BALLOT IS THE PREFERRED METHOD SO THAT WE DON'T GET TO A PLACE WHERE EVERY COUNTY ONLY HAS VOTING MACHINES AND BEFORE THAT PROLIFERATION HAS GONE TOO FAR. >> Senator Polsky: WHEN WE DO THE EXPRESSIVE VOTE AND IT PRINTS OUT A PIECE OF PAPER WE PUT IN A FOLDER AND THEN WE HAND IT TO THE PERSON AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE BALLOT AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MACHINE TO DOUBLE CHECK YOUR WORK THEN YOU LITERALLY HAVE A PAPER BALLOT IN FRONT OF YOU IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE FILLED OUT BY A MACHINE. SO IF THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT YOU CAN REDO IT SO WHY IS THAT NOT CONSIDERED A PAPER BALLOT AND WHY IS THERE SOME SUSPICION ABOUT IT? >> Rep. Grall: IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SCENARIOS AND I DO NOT KNOW IN TERMS OF WHICH ELECTION IN WHICH THEY DID NOT ALWAYS PRINT THE ACTUAL BALLOT OF PEOPLE THAT YOU VOTED FOR SO YOU COULD CHECK AGAINST NAMES. SO THERE WAS CONCERN WITH THAT THAT YES YOU CAN SEE ON THE SCREEN WHO YOU VOTED FOR BUT THEN A KIND OF ENCRYPTED PAPER WAS PRINTED FOR YOU TO GO AND TURN IN THAT ENCRYPTED PAPER WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY COULD CHECK. I THINK IT HAS BEEN CHANGED IN A NUMBER OF PLACES BUT I DON'T KNOW TO THE EXTENT THAT IT HAS BEEN CHANGED AND ALL OF THEM. THIS IS DECLARED IN AS MANY PLACES AS POSSIBLE HAVING THAT PAPER BALLOT FOR ALL THE PURPOSE IS NECESSARY WHEN IT COMES TO ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS IS THE PREFERENCE AND THAT HAS BEEN CONSISTENT WITH OUR LAWS. IT IS JUST THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN CLARITY ABOUT HOW MUCH THESE MACHINES CAN BE USED SO THIS IS TO PROVIDE MORE CLARITY. >> Senator Polsky: SO I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT WHERE IT IS NOT LEGIBLE TO THE VOTER WHO YOU VOTED FOR BEFORE YOU HAND IT OVER TO THE PERSON TO PUT IN THE TABULATOR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THAT WOULD GO AWAY BECAUSE ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH FILLING OUT A PAPER BALLOT EVEN IF THEY HAVE THE CORRECT PEN IS PEOPLE FOR SOME REASON ARE NOT SO GOOD ABOUT FILLING IN OVALS AND SO MANY OF THE CANVASSING ISSUES THAT WE HAVE AFTER ELECTION AREN'T DID THEY MEAN TO VOTE THIS OR DID THEY VOTE TWICE FOR SOMEONE IS A X INSTEAD OF FILLING IT OUT. SO DOESN'T THE MACHINE WHERE YOU CAN DOUBLE CHECK YOUR WORK BOTH ON THE MACHINE AND ON THE PHYSICAL PIECE OF PAPER DOESN'T THAT ELIMINATE BAD MARKINGS AND ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO SOLVE? >> Senator Grall: IT MAY TO SOME EXTENT. I THINK THIS IS ATTEMPTING TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE NOT DEPENDENT UPON MACHINES AND THAT WE ARE PREFERENCE IS FOR PAPER BALLOT VERSUS A MACHINE BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THOSE ISSUES ARE RESOLVED BY THE CANVASSING BOARD AND THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK IN A WAY THAT COULD CAUSE OR CREATE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH HOW THAT WOULD BE CORRECTED AT THAT POINT IN TIME AND A PAPER BALLOT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO DO IT. >> Senator Polsky: OKAY. I'M GOING BACK TO LINE 339. IT TALKS ABOUT LISTING THE FOLLOWING ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS OR EVIDENCE OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP. AND IT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THAT IS A BROAD STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP. IT WILL BE EASIER FOR THE SOA TO HAVE AN EXACT LIST OF WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE. IS IT SOMETHING THAT YOU COULD CONSIDER CLARIFYING IN THE FUTURE? >> Senator Grall: YES TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO. I THINK THAT WAS ADDED TO BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE BY TO LEAVE ADDITIONAL ROOM IF THERE IS SOME OTHER DOCUMENT THAT CAN IN FACT ASSIST IN PROVING U.S. CITIZENSHIP SO IF THEY CAN CLARIFY IT BUT IT DOESN'T ELIMINATE A POTENTIAL DOCUMENT THAT COULD BE USED. I CERTAINLY AM OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS. >> Senator Polsky: OKAY THANK YOU I THINK THE SLE COULD TALK TO ABOUT THAT. YOU KNOW THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THEY ARE NOT IMMIGRATION LAWYERS THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO OBTAIN A CITIZENSHIP AND THAT THE SOA HE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THESE DETERMINATIONS. I THANK YOU ANSWERED SENATOR BERNARD THAT MAY BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD MAKE FINAL DETERMINATIONS BUT COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THAT WOULD WORK IF THERE IS UNCERTAINTY THAT SOMEONE IS NATURALIZED OR DID IT COME IN TIME ET CETERA. THINGS THAT ARE MORE TRICKY. HOW IS THE SLE SUPPOSED TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION? >> Rep. Grall: I CANNOT SPEAK AT THIS MOMENT TO THAT EXACT CONVERSATION AND PROCESS BETWEEN SOT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND I DON'T WANT TO GIVE MISINFORMATION IF THERE IS SOMEONE HERE FROM THE PROMISED THAT HE WANTS TO SPEAK ON IT LET ME KNOW AND I WILL ALSO GET SPECIFICS ON HOW THAT LINE OF COMMUNICATION IS OPEN AND HOW IT IS CLOSED. IT IS WHY WE INHERENT MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION ONCE ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION IS RETROACTIVE TO THE DAY THAT YOU REGISTERED BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE BEEN DETERMINED ELIGIBLE IT SHOULD BE RETROACTIVE TO THE DAY THAT YOU APPLIED BUT WE KNOW THIS MAY JUST TAKE SOME TIME IN ORDER TO BE FINALLY DETERMINED. >> Senator Polsky: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LAST SECTION STATE ISSUED DRIVER'S LICENSE. I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT'S PART OF THE BILL ON ELECTIONS BUT BASICALLY IT WOULD SAY ON THE ID, WOULDN'T SAY NEXT TIME I GET INJURED DRIVER'S LICENSE THIS IS A U.S. CITIZEN. IS THAT YOUR INTENT THAT IT WOULD MARK ME AS A U.S. CITIZEN THE NEXT TIME AGAIN NEW LICENSE? >> Senator Grall: THIS DOES NOT SAY THAT HAS TO USE THE WORD U.S. CITIZEN. THERE WOULD BE SOME SORT OF IDENTIFYING FEATURE ON THE DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT WOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE DHSMV TO INDICATE THAT YOU ARE A U.S. CITIZEN. >> Senator Polsky: DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERN THAT IF A PERSON USES THEIR LICENSE AND THEY SHOW IT TO A POLICE OFFICER AND THEY PULLED HIM OVER CHECK INTO HOTEL OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT DESIGNATION WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME WERE EVERYONE ELSE HAS A DESIGNATION THAT THEY COULD BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN SOME FASHION OR TREATED POORLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THIS KIND OF SCARLET LETTER OR LACK THEREOF? >> Senator Grall: I DO NOT HAVE THAT CONCERN I THINK BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN OUR STATE THAT ARE HERE LAWFULLY AND ARE NOT CITIZENS AND CAN HAVE AN IDENTIFICATION CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE. SO THERE IS NOTHING FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT WOULD CLASSIFY SOMEONE INTO A CATEGORY UNDER WHICH THEY WOULD BE FACING THAT TYPE OF SCRUTINY. >> Senator Polsky: SO WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE AN INDICATION THAT SOMEONE IS A U.S. CITIZEN ON THE DRIVER'S LICENSE? >> Senator Grall: IT IS TO STREAMLINE AND MAKE THE REAL ID AND AUTHORITATIVE IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO THE SOT OFFICE, SHOWING UP TO VOTE, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. IT MAKES IT VERY SIMPLE TO KNOW THAT THIS PERSON IS A U.S. CITIZEN AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT IT IS NOT A NONCITIZEN BEING INVOLVED WITH OUR ELECTIONS. >> Senator Polsky: IF THE REAL ID THAT IS ISSUED DHS, I NEVER SAY IT RIGHT. THEY WERE ALL HAVING PEOPLE WHO TAKE THIS INFORMATION WHO ARE THE DECIDERS OF CITIZENSHIP IS THAT NOT CORRECT? >> Senator Grall: THERE IS A PROCESS ON THE DHSMV SIDE WHERE THAT HAS TO BE DONE. SO THERE IS. BUT WHAT THIS IS ATTEMPTING TO DO IS SAY MULTIPLE STATE AGENCIES DON'T NEED TO DO WE HAVE ONE THAT DOES. SO LET'S RELY ON THIS INFORMATION. DHSMV THEY HAVE USED THIS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THIS. >> Senator Polsky: AND THEY DO THAT NOW IF I MOVED TO FLORIDA AND I GO TO GET A LICENSE TO THE PROVE MY CITIZENSHIP AT THE DMV OFFICE IS THAT CORRECT? >> Senator Grall: THAT IS CORRECT. >> Senator Polsky: IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BILL YOU TALK ABOUT KINDS OF IDENTIFICATION THAT YOU CAN USE FOR YOUR CITIZENSHIP. CLEAR THAT YOU CANNOT USE AN EXPIRED PASSPORT. MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPIRED PASSPORTS AND THEY DO NOT CHOOSE TO SPEND THE MONEY OF THE TIME TO RENEW IT IF THEY DON'T INTEND ON TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. IN ORDER TO GET THE PASSPORT AT ONE POINT IN TIME YOU HAD TO PROVE THAT YOU WERE A CITIZEN. AND THAT CITIZENSHIP DOES NOT GO AWAY OVER TIME AND EIGHT YEARS OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOUR PASSPORT HAS AND SO WHY CAN YOU USE AN EXPIRED PASSPORT TO PROVE YOUR IDENTITY TO VOTE OR GET YOUR REAL ID? >> Senator Grall: MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT COULD GO AWAY IF YOU BECAME A CITIZEN OF ANOTHER COUNTRY OR GIVE UP YOUR CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES THERE IS ANY NUMBER OF CIRCUMSTANCES. SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RELIED UPON. THERE IS AN EXPIRATION FOR A REASON. THAT IS WHY IT IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL. >> Senator Polsky: OKAY YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE SAVE DATABASE AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT A SOURCE OF DETERMINATION OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE CITIZEN. ARE WE ABLE TO RELY ON THIS DATABASE. >> Senator Grall: THE DATABASE IN AND OF ITSELF IS NOT A DETERMINANT OF CITIZENSHIP. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS USED WHEN THERE IS A SUSPICION OF NON CITIZENSHIP. PEOPLE ALSO WILL HAVE NO REASON TO BE IN THE DATABASE. IT IS JUST ANOTHER TOOL THAT WE ARE ENSURING IS USED IN A CONSISTENT WAY WHEN CITIZENSHIP IS BEING DETERMINED. >> Senator Polsky: IN OTHER STATES, ARIZONA, TEXAS, KANSAS, THEY HAVE GONE TO THE STEP OF REQUIRING CITIZENSHIP FOR VOTING AND DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT HAS GONE IN THE OTHER STATES AS FAR AS CONSTITUTIONALITY OR EFFICACY IN THOSE STATES? >> Senator Grall: I DO NOT KNOW. I GUESS I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT THE QUESTION IN TERMS OF THEIR JUST BEING IF HAVE REQUIRED CITIZENSHIP. I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO CLARIFY HOW THAT IS DETERMINED. BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE CITIZENSHIP HAS ALWAYS BEEN A REQUIREMENT TO VOTE. >> Chair: SENATOR POLSKY WITH YOUR PERMISSION COULD WE SEE IF ANY OTHER MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS AND THEN COME BACK TO YOU MA'AM? DO OTHER MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS? SENATOR BERNARD. >> Senator Bernard: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. IN REGARD TO THE REAL ID SENATOR GRALL CURRENTLY DO WE USE THE REAL ID FOR TO DETERMINE THE CITIZENSHIP STATUS? OR FOR A LEGAL STATUS? >> Senator Grall: IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU COULD NOT GET A REAL ID UNLESS YOU ARE HERE LEGALLY. IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS AVAILABLE IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE UNITED STATES LEGALLY. AND THEN ON THE BACKEND IT IS BIFURCATED THAT YOU ARE A U.S. CITIZEN OR YOU ARE HERE LEGALLY. >> Senator Bernard: SO YOU DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEPARATE WHETHER YOU ARE A LEGAL RESIDENT OR CITIZEN? >> Senator Grall: YES. >> Senator Bernard: MY NEXT QUESTION IS IN REGARD TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE YOU HAVE IT AS JULY 1st OF 2026. SINCE WE HAVE ELECTIONS COMING UP PRETTY MUCH AUGUST AND NOVEMBER WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE FOR US TO MOVE THE EFFECTIVE DATE TO JANUARY 1st OF MAY 2027 TO GIVE SOME OF THESE SMALLER COUNTIES OR OTHER COUNTIES THE ABILITY TO GET SOME OF THE USE I DON'T KNOW, IS THEIR SOFTWARE IN PLACE FOR THESE CHANGES? >> Senator Grall: I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WITH THE CHANGES IN THE STRIKE ALL THERE IS A NEED TO DELAY THE EFFECTIVE DATE BUT I'M SURE THAT IT WILL HEAR FROM ALL OF THOSE AFFECTED AFTER THE BILL IS PRESENTED TODAY IN TERMS OF THE ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THESE CHANGES BY THAT DATE. I DO THINK THAT THE PRIOR ITERATION HAD VALIDATION AND A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SOFTWARE WE DID PUSH OUT THE EFFECTIVE DATE. BUT AS WE SIT HERE TODAY I BELIEVE THE SYSTEMS ARE ABLE TO SPEAK TO EACH OTHER AND IF THEY ARE NOT THEY COULD WITHIN THIS TIMEFRAME. >> Senator Bernard: LAST QUESTION MR. CHAIR, IF THEY DO SPEAK TO THIS REGARD HAVING ISSUES ARE YOU AMENABLE TO POTENTIALLY MOVE IT IF THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO YOU KNOW BE PREPARED FOR THIS ELECTION CYCLE? >> Senator Grall: I'M ALWAYS OPEN TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT THAT STATE LIMITATION. >> Chair: DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR GO BACK TO SENATOR POLSKY. IF NOT SENATOR POLSKY YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Polsky: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. ARE YOU AWARE THAT THE NATIONAL VOTERS LAW CANNOT REQUIRE CITIZENSHIP FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS? SO WHAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY DO IS IF SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION BUT THEY ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE AND THEY HAVE BEEN FLAGGED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN A BALLOT THAT JUST HAS FEDERAL ELECTIONS. SO THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO VOTE ON U.S. CONGRESS AND U.S. SENATE BUT NOT FOR GOVERNOR IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH HAVING MULTIPLE BALLOTS IN MULTIPLE WAYS? >> Senator Grall: I THINK CURRENTLY SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT BALLOTS AND MANY TIMES IF IT IS A PRECINCT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO AND THEY HAD TO PRINT A BALLOT FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU LIVE IN A DISTRICT FOR A CERTAIN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER YOU GET THAT BALLOT. IF YOU LIVE IN A DISTRICT FOR A DIFFERENT HOUSE MEMBER OR COUNTY COMMISSION OR AT LARGE VERSUS DISTRICT SPECIFIC SEAT I THINK THAT WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF ITERATIONS OF BALLOTS AND, SO, BASED ON THAT SCENARIO THAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED I DON'T SEE HOW IT WOULD BE AN ISSUE IF IT IS IN FACT SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET. >> Senator Polsky: SO THIS LAW WOULD NOT AFFECT THE ABILITY OF A POTENTIALLY IN A FEDERAL ELECTION IS THAT CORRECT? >> Senator Grall: IF YOUR STATEMENT IS ACCURATE AND HAS BEEN UPHELD IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA I CANNOT SPEAK TO THE LEGALITY OF THAT SPECIFIC SCENARIO RIGHT NOW SO I WOULD NEED TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THE ANSWER. >> Senator Polsky: THERE IS A CONCERN OF HAVING TO, WILL BASICALLY WHAT WE THINK WILL HAPPEN IS SOMEONE IS GOING TO SUBMIT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM FOR THE VOTE, A NEW VOTER ID AND WHEN THEY DO THAT THEY GET FLAGGED BECAUSE SOMETHING COULD HAVE GONE WRONG IN ANOTHER SYSTEM OR THEY FILLED OUT A FORM WRONG OR THEY WENT FOR JURY DUTY AND THEY SAID NONCITIZEN BY ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING SO PEOPLE COULD GET FLAGGED TO OUR U.S. CITIZENS. THEN THAT PERSON WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ALERTING THAT PERSON THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FLAGGED AND HOW DO THEY CURE IT ESPECIALLY IF IT'S CLOSE TO ELECTION TIME? >> Senator Grall: MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE DON'T CHANGE ANY OF THE WAYS IN WHICH A VOTER WOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT THEY NEED TO I THINK IT IS AND BE ABLE TO CURE THE INFORMATION. SO, 98.0757 IS THE PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING THE VOTER FROM THE ROLLS AND THE NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING THOSE TYPES OF THINGS SO WE ARE NOT CHANGING THE WAY IN WHICH THAT HAPPENS. >> Senator Polsky: ARE YOU COMFORTABLE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PERHAPS GET A REPLACEMENT BIRTH CERTIFICATE. HURRICANE SEASON IS LATE OCTOBER AND THE ELECTION IS COMING UP. SUDDENLY TO GET A NOTICE THAT THEY CAN NOT VOTE BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A FLAG AND THEY HAVE X NUMBER OF DAYS TO PRODUCE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND EVERYTHING IS GONE IN THE HURRICANE. WHAT IS THAT PERSON SUPPOSED TO DO? >> Senator Grall: I DO NOT THINK THEY WILL JUST GET A FLAG. I THINK THE INTENTION IS NOT TO I DON'T KNOW IS THERE A SPECIFIC SECTION OF THE BILL AND WHAT YOU THINK THEY WILL JUST GET FLAGGED AND THAT WILL OCCUR? THIS IS REALLY ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE USING AND SHARING INFORMATION. >> Senator Polsky: THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS IS THAT PEOPLE GET FLAGGED. YOU'RE TRYING TO CATCH PEOPLE WHO HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE WHO HAVE NOT PROVEN THEIR CITIZENSHIP. THAT IS THE POINT. IT IS TO CATCH. SO IF THEY GET CAUGHT AND PERHAPS IT IS ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE TIME TO CURE IT BUT TO CURATE THEY HAVE TO POTENTIALLY PROCURE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE. AND IF THEY HAVE AN EXPIRED PASSPORT NOT EVERYONE HAS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR OF A WOMAN HAS CHANGED HER NAME TO PROVE HER LEGAL PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS SHE CHANGED HER NAME THAT IS WHAT IS NEW ABOUT YOUR BILL CORRECT? >> Senator Grall: IT'S NOT TO CATCH. IT'S ON REGISTRATION AND IT'S CONFIRMING. IT'S NOT TO CATCH IT IS TO ENSURE THAT U.S. CITIZENS ARE VOTING IN OUR ELECTIONS. THAT IS THE PURPOSE. AND ALL OF OUR SYSTEMS ARE SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER AND THERE IS CLARITY AROUND WHAT CAN BE PRESENTED IN ORDER TO PROVE IT CITIZENSHIP. >> Senator Polsky: RIGHT NOW WE SIGN AN OATH THAT SAYS WE ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ON A CITIZEN, I'M NOT A FELON WHO HAS NOT RESTORED THEIR RIGHTS. IT ALREADY EXISTS AND YOU WERE SAYING I AM ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BUT THEN THE POINT OF THIS BILL LIKE I SAID I THINK IS TO CATCH PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE NOT BELIEVING THE OATH BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS ALREADY AGREED TO THE OATH AND AREN'T THERE ALREADY SEVERE PENALTIES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTING WHO SHOULDN'T BE LIKE A FELONY. SO WHY IS IT NOT ENOUGH? >> Senator Grall: WHY IS THE OATH NOT ENOUGH? I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT BUT I THINK WHEN WE HAVE A MECHANISM IN PLACE TO FULLY DETERMINE IN ORDER TO SECURE OUR ELECTIONS WE SHOULD USE IN THIS TO CROSS REFERENCE THE VOTER RECORDS. >> Chair: SENATOR POLSKY. >> Senator Polsky: I WILL STOP SO PEOPLE CAN TESTIFY. >> Chair: WE'VE A LARGE NUMBER PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TESTIFY AND BECAUSE OF THE NUMBERS THAT HAVE GROWN AND THE FACT THAT UNDER SENATE RULES WHEN WE AND WE END WE ARE DONE. WE CANNOT EXTEND THE MEETING. I DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY IT IS THE COMMITTEE CHAIR. SO NOW WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE DONALD HART IS THE LAST SPEAKER WHO SIGNED UP. I WANT HIM TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK FOR HIM WE WILL LIMIT TESTIMONY TO ONE MINUTE. WE HAVE TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE AND WE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MAY HAVE TROUBLE TO DISTANCE. SO WE WILL MAINTAIN THE ONE MINUTE VERY CAREFULLY. I APOLOGIZE WE DON'T WANT TO BE RUDE BUT AT THE END OF ONE MINUTE YOU WILL. KRISTEN ALLINGTON FOLLOWED BY AMY KEITH. AMY KEITH WELL BY JONATHAN WEBER. MISS ALLINGTON? >> WAIVE IN OPPOSITION. >> Chair: AMY KEITH. FOLLOWED BY JONATHAN WEBER FOLLOWED BY BRAD ASHWELL. >> I AM AMY KEITH FROM COMMON CAUSE WE ASK YOU TO VOTE NO ON SB 1334 BECAUSE IT PREVENTS ELIGIBLE U.S. CITIZENS FROM BEING REGISTERED TO VOTE AND KICK ELIGIBLE U.S. CITIZENS OFF THE VOTER ROLLS. THE BILL RELIES HEAVILY ON DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT. FORD FLORIDA DRIVERS LICENSE AND STATE IDS ARE REAL IDS AND THE COST FOR U.S. CITIZENS GETTING A REAL ID IN FLORIDA INCLUDING ALL THE BACK PAPERWORK AND DOCUMENTATION YOU NEED IS BETWEEN $32.197. NEARLY $200 IF YOU DON'T NEED TO GET A COPY OF YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR OTHER DOCUMENTS FOR THAT ESTATE AND SOME ARE GETTING PROOF OF A NAME CHANGE COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I REALIZE THAT $200 MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT OF MONEY TO SOME IT COULD BE A NIGHT OUT TO DINNER OR A NEW SWEATER FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAKING UP BRAND AND NOT MAKING RENT. THAT'S GROCERIES. MEDICATION. THIS BILL IS ESSENTIALLY SAYING IF YOU CAN PAY IT YOU CAN JUMP THROUGH THE HOOPS YOU CAN SHELL OUT THE CASH IT'S EASIER TO VOTE. >> Chair: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. I'M SORRY MA'AM YOU ARE DONE. JONATHAN WEBER FOLLOWED BY BRAD ASHWELL. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING I'M JONATHAN WEBER SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER. I URGE YOU TO VOTE KNOW THIS BILL REQUIRES YOU TO WRESTLE WITH A COUPLE QUESTIONS HOW MANY U.S. CITIZENS IN FLORIDA ARE YOU WILLING TO DISENFRANCHISE AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE VOTERS LOSING ACCESS TO THE BALLOT IS ACCESSIBLE TO YOU. I ASK THIS BECAUSE I DO WANT TO ONE CONCRETE EXAMPLE FOR MY OWN LIFE. IN MY EARLY 20s I LOST MY HOME IN A HOUSE FIRE AND I LOST EVERYTHING I OWNED INCLUDING PERSONAL DOCUMENTS, PASSPORT, LITERALLY EVERYTHING. I HAD TO FIND A NEW PLACE TO LIVE AND I HAD TO CHANGE MY DRIVERS LICENSE AND VOTER REGISTRATION ADDRESS OVER THE FOLLOWING MONTHS AS I SLOWLY REBUILT MY LIFE I CAN TELL YOU OBTAINING A CERTIFIED COPY OF MY OUT OF STATE BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND GETTING A NEW PASSPORT WAS NOT AT THE TOP OF MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO A COST AND TOOK TECHNICAL SAVVY TO REALIZE HOW TO NAVIGATE THE AGENCIES IF THIS BILL WAS IN LAW I WOULD HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED NOT BECAUSE I WASN'T BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE PROPER PAPERWORK. MY STORY IS BUT A HOUSE FIRE. >> Chair: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY NEXT BRAD ASHWELL FOLLOWED BY JUST A MINOR FOLLOWED BY REBECCA PARSONS. >> THANK YOU CHAIR ON BRAD ASHWELL FLORIDA SAFE LOCAL ON I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. WE BELIEVE THIS BILL FOR THOUSANDS OF U.S. ELIGIBLE CITIZENS ARE NOT GOING TO ABLE TO VOTE. THEY WANT TO FEEL THEIR CIVIC DUTY AND RICHES BUT IN DEMOCRACY AND THIS CREATES MASSIVE BUREAUCRATIC HURDLES AS THEY MUST PAY FOR DOCUMENTS AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES IN ORDER TO EXERCISE THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE. MANY DO NOT HAVE THESE DOCUMENTS. REPLACEMENTS CAN BE COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING AND WILL IMPACT SENIORS AND STUDENTS THOSE WITH LOW INCOME AMONG OTHERS HARD WORKING FLORIDIANS THE LAST AND THEY NEED IS ANOTHER EXPENSE TO VOTE. WE ARE ALSO SERIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE CONCERNS AND WE URGE YOU TO VOTE DOWN