Video & Transcript : 'alien' :
Page 10 of 60
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:08:09.200><c> of</c> amendments to protect from alienation of amendments to protect from alienation
- > lands</c><01:08:39.199><c> or</c><01:08:39.400><c> do</c><01:08:39.920><c> you</c> permanently alienate
- the lands or do you permanently alienate the lands or do you know<01:08:40.319><c> very</c><01:08:40.520
- <01:09:49.239><c> or</c><01:09:49.440><c> effective</c><01:09:49.759><c> alienation</c><01:09:50.279>
- <c> of</c> alienation or effective alienation of alienation or effective alienation of public<01:09:50.759
Committee:
House Housing
Summary:
The Committee on Housing held a public hearing on January 31 and heard testimony on a series of housing and building-code bills. The first major item, HB 1 relating to building codes, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters, including BIA Hawaii, Grassroot Institute, Dr. Horton, and several builders and trade groups, argued the current code-adoption process is slow, fragmented, and costly, and that reform would help housing production. Opponents, including Sierra Club Hawaii, AIA Hawaii, ICC, and labor representative Kiko Bosi, said the bill would weaken public safety, reduce statewide consistency, and could leave tenants and first responders at greater risk. No vote was taken during the hearing, and members asked questions about the effect of a governor’s emergency proclamation suspending the Building Code Council and about county authority over code amendments.
The committee then heard HB 745 and HB 1321, both also relating to building codes. Grassroot Institute supported both measures, saying the system is broken and needs streamlining, while BIA Hawaii and others emphasized the cost burden of repeated code updates. Opponents, especially Bosi and ICC, argued that the bills would undermine the State Building Code Council’s role, create confusion, and prioritize cost over safety; Bosi also said labor should be included in any code discussions. Members questioned whether counties can remove state code provisions and whether the state code already supersedes county codes, and one member noted the need for clarity and consistent enforcement rather than a wholesale overhaul.
Later, the committee heard HB 284 on housing, HB 761 on county permitting and inspection, and HB 738 on historic preservation. HB 284 drew support from several housing and real estate groups, while DLNR opposed it. On HB 761, HHFDC supported the bill, DLNR warned that the proposed changes could jeopardize Hawaii’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, DAGS said it would likely need to duplicate county permitting staff, and the Department of Planning and Permitting opposed it; Grassroot Institute and NAIOP supported it. For HB 738, HHFDC, DLNR, Grassroot Institute, Hawaii YIMBY, NAIOP, and others supported the measure, with Grassroot and NAIOP suggesting clarifications so expedited review would also cover mixed-use projects and better define the scope of work. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on these bills during the hearing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><02:43:53.680><c> pouring</c> and millions of illegal aliens pouring and millions of illegal aliens
- Next, the bill bars illegal aliens from serving as sponsors.
- </c> information on the unaccompanied alien information on the unaccompanied alien child<04:48:06.878
- But many of these unaccompanied alien children weren't children at all.
- </c> and custody of an unaccompanied alien and custody of an unaccompanied alien child,<05:27:22.400>
Keywords:
military intervention, Venezuela, Congress, War Powers Resolution, hostilities, military action, foreign policy, terrorism, congressional authority, power plant, electricity generation, retirement notice, Federal Power Act, interstate transmission, trafficking, children, unaccompanied minors, placement regulations, immigration law, safety
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill establishes certain measures to replace references to the term “alien” with the term “non-citizen
- local entities to review their codes and official documents to revise and omit the use of the term “alien
- It depends on the context, but typically, alien. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Summary:
The State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee met on February 24, 2026, for what was described as its last regular meeting of the session. The committee reviewed a large slate of bills and gubernatorial appointments, with staff briefing measures on voting rights, voter registration challenges, military justice victims’ rights, terminology changes from “alien” to “non-citizen,” shared leave for hate-crime and immigration-enforcement-related absences, civil service coverage for Washington Technology Solutions security staff, language-access services, small works roster limits, deceased candidates on ballots, postgraduate degree requirements, foreign national participation in elections, public records exemptions, and personal information protections. Several amendments were discussed, including changes to voting-rights language, county-residency requirements for voter-registration challengers, and a proposal on foreign national certifications; a satirical amendment to the terminology bill referencing “extraterrestrial” was also presented and later withdrawn.
After caucus, the committee moved into executive session and took action on four gubernatorial appointments, recommending confirmation for Megan Matthews, Reedy Mukapade, Kiana Daniels, and Gauri Shratria, all subject to signatures. The committee then voted out the bills, generally on unanimous voice votes, sending most to the Rules Committee and several fiscal measures to Ways and Means. Amendments were adopted on HB 1710, HB 1750, HB 1916, and HB 2123, while the amendment to HB 2632 was withdrawn. HB 2574 and HB 2637 were noted as not being moved that day. The chair and members closed by thanking staff for their work and adjourned the meeting.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- public safety by letting Sheriff Donnell Hill in Canyon County partner with ICE to deport criminal aliens
- before holding for ICE in 287(g) agreement, all that could actually help by prioritizing criminal aliens
- by ICE custody... ...and all that could actually help by prioritizing criminal aliens by ICE custody
- The jail enforcement model processes aliens in custody.
- manpower to the federal government under ICE and ERO to address the criminality of criminal illegal aliens
Committee:
House Local Government
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- after fraud, abuse, overpayment, and neglect, including wrongful payments for services to illegal aliens
- Senate Bill 642, a bill to be entitled an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
- A bill to be entitled, an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
- House Bill 271, a bill to be entitled, an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
- Burgess. be entitled and act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers. Is there a debate?
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including recognition of the day’s doctor of the day, an intern, and a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day. After routine announcements, the Senate moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, many of them with House companion bills substituted in place of Senate versions.
The first major floor action was passage of a tax-related bill conforming Florida’s Internal Revenue Code to federal changes while excluding certain provisions from H.R. 1; it passed 34-0. The Senate then considered CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid, which proposed stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services, pharmacy and drug rebate reforms, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. A Berman amendment to require Medicaid expansion before work requirements was rejected, as was an Osgood amendment to add photo-ID protections and exemptions for certain SNAP users. The bill remained on the calendar for third reading after extensive debate and questioning about implementation, exemptions, and potential impacts on beneficiaries.
The chamber also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on gold and silver legal tender, public records exemptions for financial institutions and custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government finance transparency, digital voyeurism, and insurance customer representative licensing. Most of these measures were adopted after brief explanation, minor amendments, or substitution of House companions, with votes generally in favor and several passing unanimously or by wide margins.
Later, the Senate took up CS/SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin access, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition. The bill’s first amendments clarified anti-kickback rules for vaccine manufacturers and required informational materials to address risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy; the transcript ends during consideration of this bill, before final passage is shown.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children (10-22-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- An alien who's been granted the status of a Cuban-Haitian entrant or an individual who lawfully resides
- An alien who's been granted the status of a Cuban-Haitian entrant or an individual who lawfully resides
- </c><01:15:05.920><c> lawfully</c> a citizen or national, an alien lawfully a citizen or national, an
- An alien who's been granted the there.
- An alien who's been granted the status<01:15:14.600><c> of</c><01:15:14.720><c> a</c><01:15:14.800><c
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year.
Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed.
Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- through programs such as SNAP or MoHealthNet must meet federal definitions of an eligible or qualified alien
- The more money that we spend on people who are not here legally or qualified aliens, that's money we
- The more money that we spend on people who are not here legally or qualified aliens, that's money we
- An applicant must provide their Social Security number or their alien registration number, otherwise
- An applicant must provide their social security number or their alien registration number, otherwise
Committee:
House General Laws
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Plyler decision requires that Idaho schools bear the cost of educating the children of non-qualified aliens
- imposition and to perform a study to determine the full cost of educating the children of non-qualified aliens
Committee:
House Education
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- table that, and we're going to move right ahead to Senate Bill, tab 5, Senate Bill 642, on foreign and alien
- Basically, there are domestic bail bond insurers, foreign bail bond insurers, and alien bail bond insurers
- Domestic bail bond insurers, foreign bail bond insurers, and alien bail bond insurers.
- requiring that upon foreign bail bond insurers, which are in the United States but outside of Florida, and alien
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
Summary:
The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on insurance requirements for nonprofit religious organizations and health care sharing ministries. The bill repeals a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing fraud and disclosure protections; opponents said allowing agents and brokers could create consumer confusion and has been associated with bad actors. A title amendment was adopted, and after debate the committee reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard and passed SB 642, which extends reporting and duty requirements to foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and SB 394, a technical bill updating reinsurance intermediary manager law to match current DFS practice. SB 266, which lets vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, was reported favorably after testimony from supporters in the insurance and elder law communities and a public adjuster who said the intent was good but the bill may need refinement. SB 832, a residential property insurance transparency bill requiring rate breakdown reports and a consumer resource center, also passed after discussion about consumer clarity and whether the required cost categories can be compiled as written.
Later, the committee approved SB 540, which creates cybersecurity requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, closes a regulatory gap for certain investment advisers, adjusts OFR examination-payment deadlines, changes de novo charter requirements, allows virtual credit union meetings, and makes other financial regulation updates. Several amendments were adopted, including a substitute amendment removing fintech sandbox provisions. Finally, SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was reported favorably after debate over a commercial lines clearinghouse intended to reduce Citizens’ exposure and shift more business to the private market; members discussed taxpayer risk, market competition, and consumer protections. The meeting ended with adjournment.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Apr 11, 2025 @ 10:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- Christy Martin, coordinating group on alien pest species, CAGAPS, is in support of this measure.
- member Christy Martin coordinating<00:23:38.080><c> group</c><00:23:38.240><c> on</c><00:23:38.400><c> alien
- </c><00:23:38.720><c> pest</c><00:23:38.960><c> species</c> coordinating group on alien pest species
- coordinating group on alien pest species cagaps.<00:23:39.919><c> Uh</c><00:23:40.080><c> caps</c><00
Committee:
House Agriculture & Food Systems
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- by saying the trial court concluded that after the moment, when entry had been completed by illegal alien
- Blanco, his conduct in transporting the aliens into the Orlando area fell outside the statute.
- The illegal aliens and blockers Van Cross the southern border, the United States of America and more
- entry continued until they arrived at their destination in Orlando, Florida, because the 20 illegal aliens
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 4th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- saying the trial court concluded that after the moment when entry had been completed... ...by illegal alien
- Blanco, his conduct in transporting the aliens into the Orlando area fell outside the statute.
- The illegal aliens in Blanco’s van crossed the southern border of the United States of America, and while
- Because the 20 illegal aliens in Blanco’s van continued illegally entering the United States while driving
Summary:
The committee heard a series of domestic security and law enforcement presentations from the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDLE. Sheriff Rob Hardwick outlined the sheriffs’ legislative priorities, focusing on adding xylazine to Florida’s trafficking statute and increasing penalties for luring or enticing a child under 12 from a misdemeanor to a felony. He also discussed domestic security coordination, fusion center intelligence sharing, and jail-based reentry efforts. Members asked about xylazine prevalence in Broward County and whether canine units can detect it; Hardwick said he would follow up with data and noted that dogs are not specifically trained for xylazine, though fentanyl-certified dogs may alert on mixtures.
Chief Charlie Vasquez of the Florida Police Chiefs Association presented three priorities: stronger protections for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and their families when threatened because of their jobs; faster and more consistent access to blood-borne pathogen testing results after exposure incidents; and mandatory life without release for anyone convicted of murdering a police or correctional officer, reviving a version of the Jason Raynor Act. Senators asked about delays in blood testing after exposure, and Vasquez said officers can be forced to take prophylactic medication while waiting for results and that the process should be streamlined.
Florida Highway Patrol Director Dave Kerner described FHP’s domestic security role, including criminal interdiction, canine units, traffic homicide investigations, aviation, drones, border operations, and responses to threats such as human smuggling and the October 7-related security posture at synagogues and campuses. He said staffing remains constrained by vacancies and pay disparities, so he was not seeking more authorized troopers at this time. FDLE Deputy Commissioner David Binder then reviewed the state’s domestic security structure, fusion centers, critical infrastructure assessments, and grant funding, warning that federal homeland security dollars have declined sharply while threats remain high. He highlighted work on drone mitigation, radiological detection, vehicle barriers, and school security assessments, and emphasized the need for continued interagency coordination. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government & Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- We can understand that some people are upset by the use of the term alien, but this is the term in art
- It has a long tradition; before 'alien' was known more popularly as an extraterrestrial reference, tracing
- back of course to the Alien and Sedition Acts from the early days of our country.
- So the recommended replacement in this modernization exercise of 'non-citizen' for 'alien' is no more
- So while we understand some of the negative response to the word alien, it is a good word, it is a judgment-free
Committee:
House State Government & Tribal Relations
Keywords:
HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We can understand that some people are upset by the use of the term alien, but this is the term in art
- It has a long tradition, before 'alien' was known more popularly as an extraterrestrial reference, tracing
- back of course to the Alien and Sedition Acts from the early days of our country.
- So the recommended replacement in this modernization exercise of 'non-citizen' for 'alien' is no more
- So while we understand some of the negative response to the word alien, it is a good word, it is a judgment-free
Summary:
The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror Memorial on the Capitol campus. The prime sponsor and supporters, including veterans, Gold Star family members, and military advocates, said the memorial would honor Washingtonians who died in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who later died by suicide, while helping secure private fundraising and a concrete plan for the project. No opposition was recorded during the hearing, and the bill was later closed without a vote in the transcript excerpt.
The committee also heard House Bill 2661, which would create a temporary task force to study public records request abuse, including frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing requests, and consider possible reforms. Supporters from cities and school-related organizations said some agencies face heavy costs, legal review burdens, and repeated or overly broad requests, especially in schools. Opponents from open-government and media groups argued the bill misdiagnoses the problem, could restrict access, and should instead focus on better staffing, training, technology, and compliance. The hearing ended without a vote in the excerpt.
In executive session, the committee voted to advance several bills. It reported out proposed substitute House Bill 2637, which expands Public Records Act exemptions for certain personal information, on a 4-3 vote; House Bill 2632, which updates terminology for noncitizens, on a 4-3 vote; proposed substitute House Bill 2499, on conservation district governance and disclosure rules, on a 4-3 vote after rejecting two amendments; House Bill 2198, concerning the statewide credential catalog and online repository, on a 6-1 vote; and House Bill 2520, allowing emergency meetings outside a county seat and clarifying Open Public Meetings Act procedures, on a 7-0 vote.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Mar 21, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Stephanie Easley with the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, or CAPS.
- 00:30:51.520><c> on</c> Easley with the coordinating group on Easley with the coordinating group on alien
- </c><00:30:53.679><c> I</c> alien pest species are seaps. I alien pest species are seaps.
- Stephanie Easley with the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species.
Committee:
House Agriculture & Food Systems
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
05/11/2026 - Senate Director Nominations
Transcript Highlights:
- guess my question, though, is when we know that we’ve had millions, north of 20 million, illegal aliens
- “Illegal aliens invade this country. Now, not all through Arizona, obviously. That would be silly.
- our own law enforcement, whether that’s the Phoenix police, who has also taken dangerous, illegal alien
- aware of exactly who was arrested in my colleague's district: Charles Stiles, a 54-year-old Mexican alien
- Monserat Rabago Gaxiola, a 67-year-old Mexican alien convicted of child abuse and aggravated assault
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement.
Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders.
A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- guess my question, though, is: when we know that we've had millions, north of 20 million, illegal aliens
- Illegal aliens invade this country. Now, not all through Arizona, obviously; that would be silly.
- our own law enforcement, whether that's the Phoenix police, who have also taken dangerous, illegal alien
- aware of exactly who was arrested in my colleague's district: Charles Stiles, a 54-year-old Mexican alien
- second-degree murder and misconduct involving weapons... ...Monserat Rabago Gaxiola, a 67-year-old Mexican alien
Committee:
Senate Director Nominations
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Aug 1st, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- So because of that, the federal government has now prohibited, quote, Non-qualified aliens from accessing
- Do we have a specific definition for non-qualified aliens?
- From what I remember in that sheet, it basically said a non-qualified alien is anyone who who is not
- A qualified alien is anyone who is not a citizen.
- sure we probably don't, but do we have or do you have a potential average of how many non-qualified aliens
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (02/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The isolation and alienation, it's not fair to them. It's not fair to me.
- </c><00:21:38.440><c> it's</c> sorry the isolation and alienation it's sorry the isolation and alienation
- Our granddaughters are being alienated from us and from our entire family.
- Our granddaughters are being alienated from us and from our entire family.
- Let's keep our attention where it best serves the child. alienation syndrome in this bill alienation
Summary:
The House Children and Family Law Committee opened its February 4, 2025 hearing with a business item on House Bill 553, appointing a subcommittee chaired by Representative Greg and including several named members. The committee then took up House Bill 486, which would revise New Hampshire’s grandparents’ visitation law. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to address gaps in current law, especially in situations involving divorce, separation, kinship care, and parental substance use, so that children can maintain important relationships with grandparents or other kin caregivers. He emphasized that the proposal was meant to supplement existing law rather than replace it, and said the language was modeled on statutes from other states.
Several witnesses testified in support of HB 486, describing painful family separations and arguing that current law can be interpreted too narrowly. One grandmother said the existing statute had been used to dismiss her visitation case because she was restricted while the parents were separated, and she asked for language changes so courts could still order visitation in similar circumstances. Another witness, testifying online, urged passage of the bill as being in the best interest of children. A third witness described a family living arrangement in which grandparents had been a consistent presence in their grandchildren’s lives but were later cut off during a contentious separation, and said the bill would help repair those relationships. Committee members asked about the six-month timeframe in the bill, whether the proposed language would affect cases where a grandparent does not live with the child but is still a regular caregiver, and whether the sponsor had written amendment language; the sponsor said the six-month language was taken from other states’ statutes and that the new language would not change existing visitation rights but would add to them.
After hearing the testimony, the chair said the committee would hold HB 486 aside for a week or two while awaiting additional information before voting. The hearing then moved to House Bill 320, an act relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. The sponsor explained that the bill would require courts to enforce final property decrees and would clarify the difference between enforcement and contempt, arguing that courts should have clear authority to fashion remedies and that litigants, especially self-represented parties, need clearer statutory guidance. Committee members questioned the legal distinctions the sponsor drew, including whether the bill was aimed at enforcement rather than contempt and how the proposed language would operate in practice. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 320.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- But what I would say, I had signed up to be against the bill as an illegal alien because, you know, we
- How can you tolerate knowing that these people are going out and hiring illegal aliens to work in our
- Please, I urge you to hold them accountable for hiring illegal aliens in this country.
- Also, banks do have requirements as far as if you're looking at illegal aliens.
- Also, banks do have requirements as far as if you're looking at the illegal aliens.
Committee:
House Business