Video & Transcript : 'disability support' :

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 7th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • It reflects California's longstanding leadership in advancing disability rights, while supporting responsible
  • The bill reflects California's longstanding leadership in advancing disability rights, while supporting
  • Here with me to testify in support are Evan Fern, Public Policy Advocate for Disability Rights California
  • I'm Evan Fern, Public Policy Advocate with Disability Rights California, in support of AB 2190.
  • , in support.
Committee: House Judiciary
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 11, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and support our nation's timber
  • As the father of a disabled young man, a Down syndrome As the father of a disabled young man, a Down
  • Government contracts that go to women, children, disabled people, veterans, and people with disabilities
  • I do rise in support... ...I do rise in support of Representative Fallon-sponsored anti-fraud resolution
  • , you're supporting racism.
Bills: HCR109 , HR1335 , HB9238
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 17, 2026 - 08:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Karen Jarush waves in support. Karen Jarush waves in support. Members were in debate on the bill.
  • Waving in support. Kieran Nixon, equal ground, is a proponent waving in support.
  • Amina Spahic, Florida for All, waves in support. Abdelahskir, ACLU of Florida, waves in support.
  • As far as disabilities concerned, I’m 10 years trying to access disability services.
  • Waves in support. Thank you. Thank you, ma’am. Waves in support.
Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with HB 4087, which authorizes the Highlands County Hospital District to evaluate options to sell, lease, or manage its hospital. An amendment adding fair market value as a consideration was adopted, and the bill then passed unanimously. HB 841, which eliminates the requirement for validation stickers on license plates and moves registration verification to electronic systems, also passed after questions about law enforcement procedures, pretextual stops, and consumer savings; a technical amendment was adopted first. HB 593, dealing with campaign fundraising while on official time, lobbying rules for water management districts, agency secretary travel reimbursement, and settlement conditions involving third parties, passed without opposition. CS for HB 1019, the PFAS-related bill phasing out aqueous film-forming foam and requiring testing of treated effluent and biosolids, passed after an amendment limiting local utility liability until EPA standards are set; speakers emphasized firefighter and water-quality concerns. Several local and administrative measures also advanced. HB 4089 conveyed the Trenton Train Depot to the City of Trenton, HB 6011 updated ethics disclosure procedures for Form 10 filings, and PCS for HB 1051 created a recall process for community development district board members while also addressing synthetic turf deed restrictions and landowner-control timelines. HB 1031 established a pilot callback system for state agency customer service lines, and CS for HB 961 removed a burdensome electronic signature requirement for salvaged titles. HB 1421, which requires land managers to consider cattle grazing on conservation lands, drew substantial debate over state parks, water quality, and land management; an amendment added ecological guardrails and the bill passed 20-3. CS for HB 253 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program and passed unanimously, while HB 4039 required Broward County to study and hold a hearing before enlarging the Monarch Hill landfill landmark and passed despite opposition from the waste industry. CS for HB 755 eased Habitat for Humanity bond requirements in the Florida Keys and extended the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, and HB 1035 promoted nature-based coastal resiliency projects and permitting; both passed unanimously. The committee then considered major foreign influence and election integrity measures. CS for CS for HB 905, the FIRE Act, was substantially revised by strike-all to expand registration and disclosure requirements for foreign agents and foreign-supported political organizations, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern, terminate sister city agreements with such countries, and strengthen penalties for transnational repression; members debated the treatment of Qatar, linkage institutes, and the broader impact on international students, and the bill passed 24-1. Finally, CS for HB 991 proposed sweeping election changes, including citizenship verification at registration, a citizenship oath, new voter ID rules, paper ballots except for disability accommodations, candidate party-affiliation timing rules, stronger foreign-money restrictions, and other enforcement provisions. Members raised extensive concerns about document submission, data retention, student IDs, seniors, disability access, and the burden of proof for citizenship, and the committee was still in the middle of that discussion when the transcript ended.
CT
Transcript Highlights:
  • And so there isn't an exact clinical decision support methodology, right?
  • So that is supporting about 24,000 children... ...for that at the well-child visit.
  • definitions of who has a disability.
  • If you're a caregiver for some disability, well, Grandma doesn't think she has a disability, but she
  • SO5 working disabled might be something that I don't know if everybody's...
Summary: The Care Management Meeting opened with a DSS update on the PCMH program. Staff reported the program remained steady at 124 practices, 553 sites, and 2,548 providers, with some month-to-month fluctuation driven by practice consolidation, retirements, and a few practices leaving the program because NCQA requirements were burdensome. Members asked about declining provider and site counts, member attribution trends, and whether PCMH practices overlap with behavioral health homes; DSS said attribution changes are largely due to members becoming ineligible, moving, or getting other insurance, and that PCMH and behavioral health homes are separate programs that coordinate informally. The committee also discussed why some smaller practices leave the program and whether the requirements could be made easier to support retention. The committee then resumed a detailed presentation on the Husky Dental program. The presenter described the dental benefit’s history, the importance of preventive oral health, workforce and consolidation pressures in dentistry, and the lack of interoperability between dental and medical records. Network data showed year-over-year declines in enrolled dental practitioners and service locations, with access gaps concentrated in rural and eastern parts of the state. Appointment availability surveys showed average waits of 38 days for adults and 23 days for children, but much longer waits at FQHCs than private fee-for-service practices. The presenter said Connecticut remains above the national median on CMS pediatric dental quality measures, though sealant rates remain a concern, and noted that preventive care is associated with lower per-member costs. Members raised concerns about provider participation, large practices dropping Medicaid, mobile dental care, and whether the public directory accurately reflects which dentists are actually accepting new patients. The presenter said the plan uses secret-shopper calls, tracks appointment availability, and has begun using place-of-service coding to better identify school-based dental care. She also noted a new MOU with 20 Head Start programs to share data and provide oral health literacy and navigation support. The final major topic was implementation planning for HR1. DSS said CMS guidance was expected in early June and proposed using upcoming meetings to cover medical frailty, communication strategy, and data integration/ex parte verification. Committee members urged the department to create a dashboard to track disenrollments and other impacts of HR1, to build a process for complaints and problem resolution, and to think through cost-sharing, caregiver verification, exemptions, and notices. Members also asked about using existing eligibility structures such as the working-disabled program as a model. The committee agreed to move the next meeting to June 10 by Zoom, with the agenda to be circulated in advance and any PCMH Plus quality data shared if available.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Committee on Housing (01/28/2025)

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here to support this bill.
  • </c><00:56:40.440><c> HB</c> we support HB we support HB 604<00:56:42.559><c> um</c><00:56:42.839><c>
  • I also can't support this bill.
  • . ...support of this concept.
  • The DD Council supports HB 628 in an effort to create more opportunities for people with disabilities
Committee: House Housing
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Executive Departments and Administration (01/15/2026)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> I hope that this committee will support I hope that this committee will support HB1<00:06:07.520
  • </c> Developmental Disabilities. Developmental Disabilities.
  • </c> support HB1636. support HB1636. Thank<02:28:32.800><c> you.</c> Thank you. Thank you.
  • certainly supports this bill.
  • I will not support my tax dollars supporting a racist facility.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's really the health care and support landscape for older LGBT adults.
  • Supporting the needs of older adults living with HIV is of particular importance.
  • Act, Medicaid, Ryan White, and housing supports like HOPWA.
  • I urge support for this request.
  • Yet she died homeless without any type of support.
Summary: The committee held an inaugural hearing on the health care and support needs of older LGBTQ Californians, with members and witnesses emphasizing that this population has made major gains in rights and longevity but still faces discrimination, isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in services. Opening remarks highlighted concerns about older LGBTQ people entering nursing homes and feeling forced back into the closet, as well as the growing number of Californians aging with HIV. The hearing was structured into three panels, with public testimony considered if time allowed. The first panel focused on the overall health and support landscape. Justice in Aging described survey findings showing discrimination, poor health, difficulty with errands, and economic insecurity among older LGBTQ Californians, and warned that federal Medicaid cuts and broader federal actions could worsen access to home- and community-based services and culturally competent care. CalHHS and the Department of Aging described the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide LGBTQIA older adult survey, and efforts to support gender-affirming care, PACE, care management, and community supports. Witnesses stressed the need for better outreach, data collection, and a “no wrong door” approach so people can more easily find and access services. The chair and senators pressed the departments on how survey findings are being translated into concrete action and how state agencies are coordinating across silos. The second panel addressed health care for seniors living with HIV. A longtime survivor described severe financial and benefits consequences from a federal clawback and argued that California needs stronger legal, navigation, and housing supports, including HIV-specific housing funding. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, saying it has educated area agencies on aging, added HIV data to planning tools, and found that 20 of 33 area agencies identified HIV as a target population, with 16 including specific strategies. The Office of AIDS outlined Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, a Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and that local case managers are expected to coordinate whole-person care. Case managers and advocates said housing, food, transportation, mental health, and premium assistance remain major needs, and senators asked whether future ADAP rebate funds could support navigation, housing, and other gap-filling services. The final panel turned to transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex seniors. The Department of Social Services described protections under SB 219, including nondiscrimination notices, resident rights postings, required records for preferred names and pronouns, and annual inspections of licensed facilities. The Department of Public Health and a TransLatin Coalition leader were introduced to discuss additional supports for TGI seniors. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the themes of visibility, coordination, and implementation, asking departments to follow up on how they will better connect services, improve outreach, and ensure that existing laws and programs are actually reaching the people they are meant to serve.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jul 30th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • These are adults who are aged 19 to 64 who do not have a disability.
  • Anything that we do to support maternal health supports the nurturing and safety of our children as well
  • support, home visiting, and social work.
  • When we support maternal health, we also care for our children.
  • Support for questions. Excellent. Well, thank you for that.
Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee met on July 30, 2026, to hear two main briefings. The first, from the Health Care Authority, focused on implementation of federal H.R. 1 Medicaid changes and Washington’s rural health transformation funding. HCA said the state is preparing for major eligibility changes, including the October 1 loss of Medicaid coverage for about 14,000 lawfully present non-citizens and January 1, 2027 work requirements, six-month renewals, and reduced retroactive coverage for roughly 600,000 Medicaid expansion adults. Officials described outreach efforts, new automated verification systems, a verification hub, and plans to use available data sources to reduce manual paperwork, while noting that about one-third of the affected population may still need manual processing. They also said H.R. 1 will limit state-directed payments over time, with an estimated long-term impact of up to $1.5 billion in hospital reimbursements. On rural health transformation, HCA said it is moving quickly to obligate its $181 million federal award through contracts and competitive grants for rural hospitals, workforce, behavioral health, technology, and tribal and community partners. Committee members asked about the impact on rural providers, community service as a work-requirement pathway, emergency Medicaid, tribal and federal reimbursement issues, and whether the state would submit comments on the federal work-requirement rule. HCA said it would file comments, that emergency Medicaid coverage for certain services remains available, and that it is working with tribes and other agencies to avoid erroneous terminations and to move eligible people into other coverage where possible. Members also raised concerns about the administrative burden on families and providers and the need for congressional attention on issues such as TRICARE reimbursement. The second briefing addressed maternal health and the Department of Health’s Maternal Mortality Review Panel report. DOH said maternal mortality in Washington increased for the first time in the report series, but most pregnancy-related deaths remain preventable. Nearly half were linked to behavioral health conditions, especially overdose deaths, with suicide, cardiovascular disease, and COVID-19 also significant causes; most deaths occurred postpartum rather than during delivery. The report found higher mortality rates among American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, multiracial, rural, and Medicaid-covered populations, and identified lack of access to care, financial hardship, housing instability, discrimination, bias, and systemic inequities as major contributors. DOH highlighted existing state actions such as one-year postpartum coverage, doula reimbursement, inpatient substance use treatment coverage for birthing people, and vaccine coverage requirements, and offered 12 legislative recommendations focused on affordable and high-quality care, basic needs and community supports, and equitable, culturally responsive services. Presenters from the Suquamish Tribe and Kitsap OBGYN described how the tribe acquired and stabilized a threatened OB-GYN practice to preserve regional access amid provider shortages and hospital service losses. They said rural obstetric care is difficult to sustain because of thin margins, workforce shortages, long travel distances, and higher-risk patients, and emphasized that tribal health systems can offer stronger reimbursement and integrated family-centered care. The Foundation for Healthcare Quality and the Bree Collaborative then outlined statewide maternity-care quality efforts, including work on perinatal behavioral health, care coordination, postpartum screening, doula support, and better-aligned payment models. They said Washington has strengths in innovation but still needs more OB-GYN capacity, better transitions of care, and more culturally responsive, trauma-informed maternal and Native health services.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 9th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • He had a problem with paying his child support. He had a problem with paying his child support.
  • Housing First is just a model of saying we want to give this support service and voluntary support service
  • It could be a developmental disability.
  • “I believe permanent supportive housing—there needs to be a... they can’t... people who are not disabled
  • from them to support this bill?
Committee: House Judiciary
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • On behalf of Hmong Innovating Politics in support. Christine Jordan in support, strong support.
  • Firmly support.
  • Please support.
  • So AJR calls upon the President and Congress to ensure unfiltering support for students with disabilities
  • PTA in support.
Committee: House Education
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Feb 10th, 2026

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> thank you so much for your support. thank you so much for your support.
  • </c> Today, uh, the law falls where those with disabilities, with 100% disability, with Social Security
  • They're always in a 100% disability.
  • </c> They're always in a 100% disability. They're always in a 100% disability.
  • I'm in full support.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 13 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I can probably alleviate some of the uncertainty the support of this amendment may have.
  • I urge you to support Amendment 8. And we owe it to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth to do so.
  • Those in support will rise. Division 1. Zero. Division 2.
  • be a family member or a head of household who's diagnosed with a disability.
  • already in a program to find support of transitional housing.
Summary: The House considered House No. 57, a $425 million supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 to fund the emergency shelter/emergency housing assistance system and related activities. The bill, as described by the chair of Ways and Means, included major policy changes requested by the Governor: immediate residency verification at intake, limits on eligibility, required criminal history disclosures and CORI checks, a reduced maximum shelter stay from nine months to six months with hardship waivers, temporary respite sites for 30 days, and a cap on system capacity. Supporters argued the changes were needed to preserve the right-to-shelter system amid fiscal strain and federal inaction; opponents said the bill still did not go far enough or, in some cases, went too far and risked harming families and children. The House debated and voted on numerous amendments, mostly focused on tightening eligibility or changing shelter operations. Several Republican amendments to reduce funding, impose a one-year residency requirement, require broader background checks, limit eligibility to homelessness caused within Massachusetts, and require cooperation with ICE were rejected, often after roll call votes. A point of order was sustained on multiple amendments as beyond the scope of the bill, including proposals affecting court officers, law enforcement, and ICE-related provisions. The House also rejected amendments to cut the appropriation from $425 million to $200 million and to add other restrictions on eligibility and administration. Some amendments were adopted. A redrafted Amendment 27, offered by Rep. Decker, was adopted 25-25 on a tie vote and expanded protections to children under age six and added related hardship/extension language. A subsequent amendment by Rep. Consalvo was adopted unanimously to add disability-related protections and extend benefits in certain cases. Another amendment by Rep. Finn was adopted to modify language about seeking federal reimbursement, and Amendment 9 was adopted to require competitive bidding for certain service funds. After debate and roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 126-26. The House then observed a moment of tribute for Doug Selfick and adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Feb 26th, 2025

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • talked about last week, extending the exemption for 100%... ...extending the exemption for 100% disabled
  • Representative Collins, this one's for disabled homeowners. That's right.
  • There are like four different ones, and that one is for disabled homeowners specifically.
  • This is for disabled homeowners, and I do...
  • Crawford, I've had several revenue reach out to me about supporting this amendment, but wondering if
Bills: HB226 , HB24 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272 , HB24 , HB226 , HB309 , HB315 , HB272
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Commerce and Tourism Mar 3rd, 2025

Commerce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • Victoria Zep, waive in support. Thank you. Scott Jenkins, waiving in support.
  • Carver Hall waves in support. And hope for your support. Thank you. Thank you. Mr.
  • Carverhall waves in support.
  • First up, we have Laura Lee Minutelo, Disability Rights Florida. Disability Rights Florida.
  • I humbly ask for your support.
Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism met with a quorum present and considered several bills. It first took up SB 232 on debt collection, where the sponsor explained a strike-all amendment and the committee adopted a Gruters amendment clarifying that email communications may be sent at any hour while other off-hours communications remain restricted. Testimony was sharply divided on a proposed change from “any person” to “debt collector,” with consumer advocates, legal aid, and the Florida Justice Association warning it would narrow Florida’s consumer protections, while supporters said the bill and amendment would address ambiguity affecting businesses. After debate, the committee rejected the broader amendment, adopted the email-only clarification, and reported CS for SB 232 favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard and unanimously reported favorably CS for SB 126, which would allow prescription hearing aids to be sold and distributed by mail after a Florida-licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist conducts the required examination, including remotely through telehealth. Supporters said the bill would improve access and reduce barriers for seniors and others with hearing loss, and no opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 600 and SB 602 on manufacturing, which would create and fund a statewide Office of Manufacturing, a promotional campaign, workforce grants, and related fees; multiple industry and economic development groups appeared in support, and both bills were reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS for SB 92 on hit-and-run accountability in vehicle repair shops. The sponsor described the bill as a response to rising hit-and-run incidents and explained that repair shops would have to complete a transaction form or retain a crash report for certain repairs, with a clarifying amendment adopted without objection. Prosecutors and law enforcement supporters said the bill would help identify offenders, while auto dealer representatives argued it could impose burdens and penalties on repair shops. The committee nevertheless reported CS for SB 92 favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 412, the Motorized Wheelchair Right to Repair Act, which would require manufacturers to provide repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts to owners and independent repair providers under fair and reasonable terms. Disability advocates and wheelchair users testified that repair delays can leave users stranded for weeks or months, and the committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote before adjourning.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 28th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is supported by the State Central Services Fund.
  • It is supported by tuition fees and insurance reimbursements.
  • It is supported by revenue from commissary sales.
  • Support Enforcement.
  • Number 10 is DHS with Arkansas Support Network for developmental disability services for DCFS clients
Summary: The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements. In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed. The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • six through nine, with math supports.
  • Again, this is a multi-pronged approach to supporting math.
  • They'll have to attend weekly counseling and academic support.
  • We can also do virtual supports. Who don't have anybody on staff to handle that.
  • And as you look at the educators and support staff.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Finance (05/28/2025)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Who supports Senator Rosen's numbers? Who supports Senator Lang's numbers?
  • Who supports Senator Rosen's numbers? Who supports Senator Lang's numbers?
  • Who supports Senator Rosen's numbers? Who supports Senator Lang's numbers?
  • Who supports Senator Rosen's numbers? Who supports Senator Lang's numbers?
  • Who supports Senator Rosen's numbers? Who supports Senator Lang's numbers?
Committee: Senate Finance
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Pamela Tump, Maui Chambers, in support, and four individuals in support. support thank you Betty Lou
  • </c> support and four individuals in support support and four individuals in support chair<00:52:11.920
  • Makani MAA Group, in support. Ren Tanaka, NAAP Hawaii, in support. Thank you.
  • Makani MAA Group, in support. Ren Tanaka, NAAP Hawaii, in support. Thank you.
  • Argent Aeim Haw Apple Seed, in support. Damen Hawaii Yimi, in support.
Committee: House Housing
Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House/Senate DFL Press Conference 3/18/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • She asked that people support Bill HF 2381 in the House and SF 2691 in the Senate, saying they need a
  • She asked that people support Bill HF 2381 in the House and SF 2691 in the Senate, saying they need a
  • And please know we’re safe, and I’m here to support in any way I possibly can.
  • And please know we’re safe, and I’m here to support in any way I possibly can.
  • And please know we’re safe, and I’m here to support in any way I possibly can.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Robert Copeland, member of CARE and DPOA with Disability Rights Group, strong support. Thank you.
  • CARE, support. Cora McCoy, CARE, strongly support. Tina Martin, San Francisco CARE, strong support.
  • I strongly support. Morning. Local 3355, I strongly support.
  • Damien Bertone, Local 552, strongly support. Strongly support.
  • I strongly support.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public employment, retirement, and recognition of cultural and public service issues. AB 569 would allow local governments and unions to negotiate supplemental pension contributions for certain employees; AB 989 would make California Native American Day an official paid state holiday; AB 268 would recognize Diwali as an official state holiday; AJR 3 would urge protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medi-Cal from federal cuts; AB 1067 would require misconduct investigations to continue even if an employee retires during the process; AB 1510 made technical and conforming changes to state employee pay and benefits laws and to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority labor law; and AB 1233 would create a statewide database of classified school employee employment history and serious misconduct records. The committee also took up AB 1383, which would lower the retirement age for certain first responders and restore some bargaining rights over retirement benefits, drawing extensive testimony for and against. Supporters of the holiday bills emphasized long-overdue recognition of Native American and South Asian communities and the importance of honoring California’s diversity. Supporters of AJR 3 described the reliance of seniors, people with disabilities, and families on federal and state health and retirement programs, warning that cuts would cause serious harm. AB 1067 was presented as a way to prevent employees from retiring to avoid accountability, while AB 1233 was framed as a student-safety measure to help schools identify applicants with prior egregious misconduct. Opposition to AB 1233 focused on due process and the breadth of the misconduct records, and opposition to AB 1383 argued it would reverse PEPRA reforms, raise pension costs, and strain local budgets, while supporters said firefighters and other first responders face unique health and safety risks and deserve earlier retirement. Most bills were reported out of committee on unanimous or near-unanimous votes and placed on hold for add-ons or referral to Appropriations or another committee. AB 912 was taken up on the consent calendar and held; AB 569, AB 989, AB 268, AJR 3, AB 1067, and AB 1510 all advanced with do-pass recommendations and were placed on hold. AB 1233 was moved to the Committee on Education. AB 1383 drew the most extensive debate, with many witnesses in support and opposition, and committee members largely expressing support for first responders while also noting concerns about cost and pension policy.