Video & Transcript Research : 'force'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 20th, 2026

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This state has become one of those that has been forcing children not to, and has been an endangerment
  • Parents like me are forced to second-guess what we can disclose to in-state physicians about what care
  • It penalizes every interaction with a child in need and will harm Florida families and force taxpayers
  • It penalizes every interaction with a child in need and will harm Florida families and force taxpayers
  • to fund costly, politically motivated, ...child in need and will harm Florida families and force taxpayers
Bills: S0560, S0590, S0778, S1010
Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered four bills. SB 590, by Sen. Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure to report suspected child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is known to law enforcement; an amendment clarified retroactive application for offenses not already time-barred by the bill’s effective date. Sen. Bradley said the bill is intended to ensure accountability in institutional abuse cases and not to change the reasonable-suspicion reporting standard. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 778, by Sen. Simon, which would update the definition of forensic client so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Barney Bishop appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without amendment. SB 560, by Sen. Garcia, would streamline procedures for psychotropic medication prescriptions for children in DCF custody, reduce duplicative background checks and reporting, and simplify consent documentation. Amendments removed language allowing licensed clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists to serve as evaluators and narrowed changes to the Road to Independence Program’s postsecondary education services and supports, extending eligibility ages from 18 to 26 while keeping the five-year cap. Senators discussed the fiscal impact and funding blend for the education stipend. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1010, by Sen. Yarbrough, which adds criminal and civil enforcement for violations involving sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures for minors and related parental-rights provisions. An amendment clarified that the civil action authority applies to minors and that damages benefit the affected minor. Public testimony was heavily divided, with supporters saying the bill enforces existing protections and opponents warning it would chill care, counseling, and school-based support for transgender youth. Senators Harrell, Sharief, and Rouson raised concerns about vagueness, standing, and impacts on teachers and health professionals; Sharief voted no, while the bill was still reported favorably.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • megaphone by a pro-Hamas protester, was hospitalized. in critical condition and eventually died from blunt force
  • are honored to be joined by Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, who has been a powerful force
  • Air Force bombed the train.
  • The IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, hadn't even gone. into Gaza to defend the people of Israel, and
  • They're trying to force these Jewish day schools to be shut down, they're trying to scare people they
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 12th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • . decide what's needed for them, then incur additional costs and additional headaches of trying to force
  • People can get together, and I've seen it done, and force the issue, but I would be interested to see
  • rather save that $20,000 or $30,000 a year and keep it in the budget, lower taxes. than to try to force
  • I just don't think we should force all the water troughs to be moved unless someone wants it.
  • They were forced to listen to their neighbors if they didn't want to and we meet out there and we don't
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • something different and something better, as opposed to calling for the end of policing and police forces
  • something different and something better, as opposed to calling for the end of policing and police forces
  • :08:08.280> policing<00:08:09.280> and<00:08:09.520> police<00:08:09.879> forces
  • <00:08:10.520> as<00:08:10.800> others of policing and police forces as others of policing
  • and police forces as others were<00:08:11.879> doing<00:08:12.319> at<00:08:12.520>
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: House File 1257, which would eliminate the Public Safety Advisory Committee to the POST Board, was the final bill heard. The bill’s sponsor argued the committee was created in 2020 in response to post-Floyd criminal justice reforms but had since become obsolete because local agencies and communities had created their own oversight bodies and the main POST Board still includes citizen members and public participation. The sponsor said the advisory committee had run out of issues to address and was effectively meeting just to justify its existence. Former Representative Carlos Mariani testified in opposition, saying the committee was a bipartisan part of the 2020 Minnesota Police Accountability Act and was intended to preserve citizen involvement in policing policy and protect civil and human rights after George Floyd’s murder. He argued that eliminating it would weaken a state-level structure created to rebuild public trust and ensure consistent oversight, while still allowing local efforts to continue. Another member asked about compensation and noted the committee has a $20,000 ongoing appropriation through the POST Board; the sponsor clarified members are not individually compensated beyond per diem and travel. After discussion, the sponsor renewed the motion to recommend re-referral to the General Register. The committee voted, and the motion carried, sending House File 1257 to the General Register.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 6th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • demands of all Americans. demographics of our city, and many Latinos were inspired to join the police force
  • They not only solve crimes, they help calm tensions between the Latino community and the police force
  • I mean, there are women who's. still can't vote, can't drive, young women even, 9, 13 years old. forced
  • Women are being forced to leave the workforce because they cannot afford to find reliable childcare.
  • District's Art Task Force Committee, among many other awards and honors.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • WE ALL KNOW IN FLORIDA WATER SOMETIMES, RAIN COMES AT US SIDEWAYS AT FORCE.
  • BUT THE ISSUE IS WE ARE USING VARIOUS LEVELS OF THE WIND FORCE INTENSITY TO TEST ALL KINDS OF PROCEDURES
  • SO WE CREATE HURRICANE FORCE WINDS. THIS IS THE INSIDE OF THE FLOW MANAGEMENT AREA.
  • THE PURPOSE OF EACH TEST IS TO COLLECT MATHEMATICAL DATA OF WIND AND PRESSURE FORCES AND DETERMINE WHETHER
  • HPMI HAS WORKED WITH EVERYONE FROM THE AIR FORCE TO DOD CONTRACTORS TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Capital Investment - 03/10/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • built in 1958 for the Duth Air Force built in 1958 for the Duth Air Force Base,<00:42:16.240>
  • These facilities currently operate under a permanent waiver from the Department of the Air Force for
  • for wing tip clearance of the Air Force for wing tip clearance because<00:43:07.359> of<00:43
  • <00:43:23.359> The fighter to the Air Force standards.
  • The fighter to the Air Force standards.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • John took, held their freedom for almost a year, forcing colonial powers to bring an armada to break
  • their freedom for almost a year, forcing their freedom for almost a year, forcing colonial<00:07
  • And in this world where it feels like every force is pulling us apart, where the platforms we live on
  • of forced labor. of forced labor.
  • No one should be forced to work under threats, abuse, or intimidation.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there still a task force happening right now regarding looking at incorporating financial literacy
  • <01:57:31.199> working<01:57:31.520> groups attempts and task force working groups
  • <01:57:37.560> happening<01:57:37.920> right Is there still a task force happening
  • But to answer your question, the task force did report last year in May of 2024.
  • Sorry, the task force, yes—two years ago. Thank you.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (04/14/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, went through phase one of Air Force.
  • And when I asked the prime force."
  • elegant solution to that task force issue.
  • So he's he's on board with force issue.
  • further natural gas coming in has forced further natural gas coming in has forced us<04:40:26.560
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:
  • in 2001, thousands of teachers were unable to take advantage of this enhanced retirement system, forcing
  • Taxpayers could be forced to help fill gaps in benefit obligations and face increased inflation, higher
  • Taxpayers could be forced to help fill gaps in benefit obligations and face increased inflation, higher
  • forced everyone to flee from the hospitals, leaving babies to die.
  • I've seen countless people forced to eat sand.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing focused first on teacher retirement legislation, especially H. 2932 and S. 1884, which would give long-serving educators a one-time opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus after the program’s 2001 rollout was described as confusing and inconsistently communicated. Legislators, union leaders, and many teachers testified that some educators missed the opt-in window because of faulty notices, leave status, transfers, or misinformation about payroll deductions, and that many have had to work several extra years as a result. Supporters said the bills would correct an unfair administrative error, provide a buyback option with interest, and could also save local school districts money by allowing earlier retirements. Representative Mark Sylvia also testified for H. 4234, a Fairhaven-specific bill to raise the age limit for special police officers from 65 to 70 and clarify appointing authority, citing experience and budget needs. The committee then heard testimony on several pension investment and divestment bills. Supporters of H. 2811 and related climate-risk measures argued that PRIM should assess, disclose, and address climate-related financial risk in the state pension fund, warning that fossil fuel investments could threaten long-term returns and public finances. Environmental advocates and financial experts said climate risk is systemic and urged transparency, divestment planning, and alignment with the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Another set of speakers supported H. 2984, which would divest pension investments from companies selling weapons to Israel; they argued the state should not be complicit in violence in Gaza and cited humanitarian and human rights concerns. Additional testimony supported H. 2900 and S. 1869 to divest from the firearm industry, with speakers saying pension investments should not undermine Massachusetts gun laws. No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs repeatedly thanked speakers, limited testimony time, and noted that written testimony could be submitted later. The hearing concluded with the committee moving through the sign-up list and hearing extensive public testimony on the teacher retirement and divestment proposals.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • with you as the mayor of Somerville and also the co-chair of the Metro Mayor's Coalition Housing Task Force
  • Massachusetts has failed to build enough homes to meet demand, driving up prices and rents and forcing
  • They're being forced to choose between their homes and their financial survival.
  • force in the country.
  • They continue to rise at unsustainable rates, forcing more and more families to compete for a smaller
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on a series of bills focused largely on local-option real estate transfer fees and housing funding tools for communities facing severe affordability pressures. Testimony strongly favored bills for Somerville, Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, and a statewide local-option transfer fee, with speakers arguing that high-end real estate transactions should help fund affordable housing, anti-displacement efforts, workforce housing, and related capital improvements. Elected officials and local housing leaders described rising rents and home prices, investor activity, shrinking year-round housing stock, and difficulty recruiting or retaining teachers, police, health care workers, and other essential employees. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals would be optional for municipalities, could include exemptions for first-time homebuyers or seniors, and would direct revenue into local affordable housing trust funds or housing banks. Committee members asked questions about who would pay the fee and whether it could make housing less affordable, and supporters responded that the fees would be targeted at higher-value transactions and designed with local flexibility. For Somerville, the delegation and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne backed both a local home rule petition and statewide enabling legislation, saying the city has already used zoning reform, inclusionary zoning, and local housing funds but still needs a new revenue source to address displacement and investor-driven purchases. For Concord, Representative Carmine Gentile and Concord housing advocates supported a home rule petition and the statewide bill, arguing that a modest fee on sales above $1 million could generate predictable revenue for affordable housing production and preservation. One committee exchange focused on whether the fee would affect most Concord sales and whether it would be passed on to buyers; supporters said the policy was intended to shift costs toward higher-value properties and help leverage other funding sources. The committee also heard testimony on House 4105, which would redirect a casino-related revenue stream to the Healthy Incentives Program. Farmers, advocates, and residents said the current funding was originally intended to support horse racing but has not met that goal, and that the money would be better used to support Massachusetts farmers and food-insecure residents through HIP. In a separate bill, Senator Becca Rausch testified in support of Senate 268, which would create a state-level hostile learning environment complaint process for higher education institutions and potentially strip tax exemptions from colleges or universities found to have such environments; she cited anti-Semitic and transphobic incidents on campuses and argued that existing federal protections should be mirrored in state law. The hearing also included testimony on college tuition debt reduction legislation from Senator Michael Moore, who said the bill would allow a deduction for tuition and fees paid to Massachusetts public colleges and universities to ease student debt and support the state’s workforce. A major portion of the hearing focused on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket housing bank proposals. Hospital, school, housing, planning, and municipal officials from Martha’s Vineyard said the island’s year-round housing shortage is harming health care, schools, and the local workforce, and urged approval of a housing bank funded by a local-option transfer fee. Nantucket witnesses made similar arguments, pointing to a very high median home price, a large seasonal housing stock, and the need for a dedicated revenue stream to preserve and create year-round housing. Supporters repeatedly cited the long-running success of the islands’ land banks as evidence that transfer fees can work without harming real estate markets. Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley Luddy also backed the Cape and Islands transfer-fee bills, saying the region needs bold action and a sustainable local funding source to address its housing crisis.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Conference Committee on HF1141 5/12/26

Transcript Highlights:
  • going in this bill, but, uh, this deep need for this, that conversation's going to continue in full force
  • going in this bill, but, uh, this deep need for this, that conversation's going to continue in full force
  • <00:15:22.720> uh<00:15:22.800> when<00:15:22.920> we to continue in full force
  • It would add to allow the POW and MIA flag, the flag of any branch of the armed forces, and the Blue
  • , and the blue star service flag forces, and the blue star service flag or<00:17:30.280> gold<
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The conference committee on House File 1141, the Omnibus Housing Finance and Policy Bill, reviewed the fiscal spreadsheet and policy language for the agreement. Staff explained the major funding items, including appropriations for greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured home park infrastructure grants, family homelessness prevention, supportive housing, a tenant hotline, and housing infrastructure bonds, along with a cancellation of unused Tyler settlement funds and a reallocation of Housing Development Fund earnings. Staff said the package was budget neutral over the forecast window. The policy walk-through also covered provisions on livestreaming Housing Finance Agency board meetings, limits on administrative retentions for new grant programs, restrictions and reporting on Housing Development Fund transfers and earnings, clarifying language for local public housing, an exemption related to lived-experience engagement, and access for legislative fiscal staff to agency accounting information. Members then considered several amendments. The A12 amendment, allowing certain local governments to invest long-term funds in housing-related investments, was adopted after a roll call showed support from all three caucuses. The A16 manufactured housing bill of rights amendment, which would have addressed park-owner practices, purchase opportunities, enforcement, and rent increases, was not adopted. The A18 amendment to allow additional flags in HOAs and other areas was also not adopted. The A17 amendment to limit private equity ownership of single-family homes to 100 units was not adopted. The A13 amendment to preempt local rent control was not adopted. Members on both sides said some of the rejected issues warranted further discussion in future sessions, while supporters argued they were needed to address housing affordability and ownership pressures. In closing discussion on the bill as a whole, members from both chambers praised the bipartisan process, the staff work, and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s collaboration. Supporters said the agreement would help build thousands of homes across the state, assist vulnerable Minnesotans, and improve transparency and accountability in housing programs. They also noted the bill’s mix of single-family, multifamily, manufactured housing, homelessness prevention, and policy reforms. The committee expressed intent to move the agreement forward to the House floor and ultimately to the governor.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/18/25 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, in the previous biennium, I carried legislation to create a task force on the closure of our, uh,
  • Um, in the previous biennium, I carried legislation to create a task force on the closure of our, uh,
  • Um, in the previous biennium, I carried legislation to create a task force on the closure of our aging
  • Um, in the previous biennium, I carried legislation to create a task force on the closure of our aging
  • <00:27:24.000> to<00:27:24.159> share forced to share forced to share rooms.<00:27:26.159
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • For example, establishing the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, which is... doing
  • block grant program that's being explored, we think, is a really good way to do it, the wildfire task. force
  • . force and I serve on the science advisory panel helping to try and frame and shape some of these critical
  • And that's something that we talk about with the Wildfire Force Resilience Task Force and other organizations
  • And that work is really done under the umbrella of the California Wildfire Task Force.
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • It forced me to focus on my academics to make sure that I could continue to play the sports that I loved
  • It forced me to focus on my academics to make sure that I could continue to play the sports that I loved
  • me to focus on my today it forced me to focus on my academics<00:15:26.720> to<00:15:26.880><
  • It included a hormone and chromosome examination, and force every child who wanted to play on teams to
  • every child who wanted to play and force every child who wanted to play on<00:36:04.640> teams
Keywords: 1183, house
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • um and we have um Hawaii state force um and we have um Hawaii state health<00:42:53.920> planning
  • Also, we appreciate the funds to convene the task force, but we do have a Governor's executive budget
  • Also, we appreciate the funds to convene the task force, but we do have a Governor's executive budget
  • Also, we appreciate the funds to convene the task force, but we do have a Governor's executive budget
  • Finally, on House Bill 1431, relating to establishing an AAL Health task force, I'd like to move this
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on several measures. On HB 1233 relating to storm water management, the Attorney General’s office said the state may need to share costs with counties for any new inspection or regulatory program. Testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and a community member who described her daughter’s death in a poorly maintained detention pond and urged statewide inspections and a comprehensive approach. A member asked the Attorney General about the cost-sharing issue, and the office said state appropriations would be needed if counties are required to take on new duties. The committee then heard HB 245 on student heat exposure safety. The Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure. A physician testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group described children’s vulnerability to heat and cited examples from other states that adopted stronger heat guidelines after school heat deaths. The Department of Education said it could do the feasibility study without additional funding and preferred to wait for the study before deciding on equipment needs. The Attorney General’s office later testified on HB 903, authorizing schools to maintain bronchodilators, supporting the concept but warning that the bill’s definition of school was broad and that DOE may not have jurisdiction over all covered entities; it suggested changing “protocol” to “guidelines” and involving the Public Charter School Commission. On HB 1314 relating to youth mental health, the Department of Education testified in opposition, though no additional testimony was offered. The committee also heard HB 1334 on meat donation, with DLNR and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the measure. HB 799 on health care drew support from HMSA and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, while the Department of Health said it supported the intent but wanted amendments, including limiting the bill to Maui, adding a sunset, and requiring a study of quality and access impacts. On HB 952 relating to Parkinson’s disease research, the Department of Health said the proposal would require additional appropriations and staffing and suggested a public-private partnership approach; the Hawaii Parkinson Association, Queen’s clinicians, and other supporters testified that a registry would help identify the number of patients and improve care. Finally, SHPDA strongly supported HB 1431 establishing an oral health task force, saying the state lacks sufficient dental oversight and that both keiki and kūpuna need better access to services.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Howard is a force of nature for those of you who don't know him, and for the employees of the Commerce
  • There's a creation of a large-scale sporting event task force that we would encourage you to implement
  • want to go back to what I said at the beginning a minute ago about systems that face the risks of forced
  • All these other countries just disrespect us and basically force our companies to sell dirt cheap to
  • You are called a force of nature. You are a force of nature. I know you. You're a force of nature.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House DFL Media Availability 1/13/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we are seeing the really unprecedented actions of the GOP, which is unfortunately forcing our hand
  • We would be forced to pursue in court to declare that the House was not duly organized. How long?
  • with that situation we would be forced with that situation we would be forced to<00:04:59.039>
  • <00:08:09.599> into<00:08:09.840> a of Quorum if we are forced into a of Quorum if
  • we are forced into a position<00:08:10.479> where<00:08:10.639> the<00:08:10.800> only
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: Democratic House leaders Melissa Hortman and Jamie Long said Republicans were escalating the Minnesota House organization dispute by refusing to accept power-sharing, threatening to proceed as if they had a two-year majority, and planning to disregard the Secretary of State’s role on the first day of session. They argued that Minnesota law requires the Secretary of State to preside until a quorum is present, and that the House should follow the Minnesota Senate’s example of sharing power when the chamber is tied. They said Democrats had offered a compromise allowing Republicans to act as a majority for the first few weeks while they held a one-seat edge, then revert to the negotiated power-sharing agreement once the House returns to a 67-67 tie. Much of the discussion focused on the Brad Tabke election contest and whether Republicans could use a temporary majority to remove him or otherwise reorganize the House. Hortman and Long said the swearing-in of members is a ministerial act and does not affect the election contest, citing past Minnesota examples where members were sworn in while legal challenges were pending. They said if Republicans ignore the Secretary of State and try to organize the House without a quorum, Democrats would go to court to argue the House was not duly organized. They also said Republicans’ claims about the disputed district residency issue were misplaced and that the Tabke case should be decided by the courts. The leaders said Democrats were prepared to use denial of quorum as a backup if no agreement is reached, describing it as a quieter and less disruptive alternative to a long filibuster. They said the confidential swearing-in held the night before was done as an emergency backup because of security concerns and the possibility that quorum might be denied. They also said they were not worried about Republican recall threats, but warned that if Republicans proceeded with what they called a “kangaroo court,” Democrats might consider recall petitions for malfeasance. No formal vote or legislative action was taken in the exchange, and the leaders said they were still hoping to reach a compromise in later talks with Republican Leader Lisa Demuth.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 101 creates a temporary task force composed of state agency leaders assigned to assess mission needs
  • The task force will deliver a final report to the Adjutant General and the Governor by August 31, 2026
  • The task force is designed to expire on September 1, 2026. Any questions, members?
Bills: HB101, HB290