Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm a proud Texan who loves my community and our schools.
• Our community has been shaken to its core.
• It's about safeguarding the democratic rights of our communities.
• This is a decision that could redefine our community for generations.
• We must protect the right of the community to be heard.

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• In areas where micro communities or tiny home communities have been established, you see things like
• I'll say that these micro communities or tiny home communities, they work.
• So we have one community that we are investing in that's actually going to be near our community center
• You look at the model, it is community to community.
• What does that community have? The assets that communities have, and so very powerful.

Transcript Highlights:

• to benefit from this, not just urban communities.
• A health and a welfare issue for our community.
• This is really important for our communities. This is really important for our communities.
• in rural communities elsewhere.
• in rural communities elsewhere.

Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• The Florida National Guard is truly a community-based organization with 128 military units and 55 communities
• community is able to support our base community, or 20 base communities around the state.
• But if you go community to community, obviously there are some differences.
• Live Local, I think, has really changed options for communities, and so supporting communities through
• And so we have made communities the focal point, the center of our focus, and around that, Communities

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in 2020, our community was purchased by Haven Park Communities, a private equity firm in Utah.
• was purchased by Haven our community was purchased by Haven Park<00:05:14.280> communities<00
• What they forget is that we're a community. We've been there for decades.
• <00:07:32.199> exist manufactured homes uh communities exist manufactured homes uh communities
• <00:09:02.800> was owner stating that our community was owner stating that our community was

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chaos or community? Dr.
• I think the Beloved Community is best described as a community in which we care for one another, where
• But he still believed that the power of community and the power of the beloved community And the Congressional
• We need community in the midst of the chaos.
• We need community in the midst of the chaos.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Petersburg Community Redevelopment dollars through the TIF funding.
• We learn to work with the community, to be involved and care for the community, and grow fresh, good,
• organic food for the community.
• The community expansion is extensive, with over 300-plus farm events and over 80-plus... ...community
• So any member of the community... and all of them are free to the community.

Bills: S0534, S7020

Keywords: food insecurity, hunger, college students, nutrition assistance, pilot program, open government, sunset review, aquaculture, public records, exemption

Summary: The committee met, called the roll, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. It first considered the appointment of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. No appearance forms were requested, and the committee voted unanimously to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Trunow explained that the exemption protects shellfish and submerged land lease records, supports compliance with federal partners and statutory requirements, and helps protect marketplace competition. A representative from the Department appeared in support, and the bill was moved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, Senator Bernard’s hunger-free campus pilot program bill. He described a pilot within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to identify campuses with high numbers of Pell-eligible students, develop a survey with the Hunger Task Force, designate staff to help students enroll in SNAP, expand campus food access, and require reporting on outcomes and future funding. The bill had one appearance form in support and was reported favorably without debate. The committee also received a presentation from the St. Pete Youth Farm, led by Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors. They described the farm as a youth-led community project on city-owned land that addresses food insecurity while providing leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness programming, composting, aquaponics, and community events. Senators praised the program, asked about possible expansion into a culinary kitchen and partnerships with schools, and the presenters said they hope to expand youth opportunities, food preparation training, and related programming. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Communications and reports from state officers. Motions and resolutions.
• We cherish the personal stories COMMUNITY HAS MADE TO OUR OWN NATION'S HISTORY.
• It is about serving the community. It is about lifting others as you climb.
• AND IN COMMUNITIES THAT BELIEVE EVERY CHILD CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
• IT IS ABOUT SERVING THE COMMUNITY. IT IS ABOUT LIFTING OTHERS AS YOU CLIMB.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the prior journal and took up motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris moved to reconsider and restore Senate Print 3179A, an Environmental Conservation Law bill, to the third reading calendar, and amendments were also received on Senate Print 8491. The chamber then considered and adopted Resolution 1716, designating March 2026 as Greek History Month in New York, with remarks from several senators about Greek heritage, Greek independence, immigration, and the contributions of Greek Americans. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1607, proclaiming March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with extensive testimony praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood donation, preparedness work, and volunteers; several senators highlighted local volunteers and urged greater support for the organization, including budget resources. The Senate welcomed guests, including Red Cross representatives and students from Brooklyn, and later opened the resolutions for co-sponsorship. The chamber then moved through the calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures affecting mental hygiene, elder law, penal law, public authorities, labor, public service, correction, education, election law, alcoholic beverage control, and state administrative procedure. Most bills passed by wide margins, though some drew recorded opposition, including the public authorities bill and several election, public service, and correction measures. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as a workplace dignity and anti-bullying measure, and Senator Ryan explained his support for the small-business regulatory website bill as a way to simplify access to agency rules and guidance. Senator Skoufis’s Public Health Law bill was also recalled from the Assembly, restored to the third reading calendar, and amended. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed free community college for all into law, ensuring every resident can go to a community college
• Free community college.
• Almost 77% of communities now are minimum-aid communities.
• Almost 77% of communities now are minimum-aid communities.
• Formula targets certain communities, and with the number of minimum-aid communities, you have to look

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:06.399> from discourage immigrant communities from discourage immigrant communities
• more people in our communities more people in our communities regardless<00:13:00.880> of
• you have to be trusted by the community you have to be trusted by the community that<00:13:21.360
• is not going to keep my communities or all of our communities safe.
• my communities or all of our communities my communities or all of our communities safe<00:47:41.800

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard extended debate on a bill requiring cooperation with ICE and reporting related to undocumented people in certain criminal contexts. Representative Rymer argued the measure was meant to align with federal priorities focused on violent offenders and to ensure local governments respond to federal inquiries, not proactively target immigrants. He also said the bill was intended to address serious crimes and protect victims, citing examples of violent offenders and trafficking-related cases. Several members raised concerns that the bill’s language was broader than described and could affect family court matters, health care, elder care, and routine interactions with government agencies. Testifiers and members warned it could be used as leverage against undocumented people in custody, child support, domestic violence, and labor exploitation situations, and could discourage people from reporting crimes or seeking help. The sheriff’s association and county attorneys’ association letters were cited as raising due process, equal protection, civil rights, and public safety concerns. The discussion also focused on the bill’s definitions and mechanics, especially whether section three would require reporting after arrests that do not lead to charges and how county attorneys would know when to report. Representative Pinto pressed on the bill’s reference to “violent crime” and whether drug possession could be swept in, while Rymer argued the bill was narrower than critics suggested. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the exchange remained at the discussion and questioning stage.

Transcript Highlights:

• and not for the community.
• Chair, I believe if this was something that was For the community, all of these communities across the
• And these are poor communities.
• Every single person in that community, in those communities, 70%, that's almost 51,000 wells polluting
• in the neighboring communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen how communities can be marginalized.
• are heard. communities, especially indigenous communities, are seen and protected.
• Our Latino community understands this pain well.
• As is the very spirit of our communities.
• community with no staff, you cannot do that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I yield back. families and the community they families and the community they tirelessly<02:13:05.360
• community is what carried them through. community is what carried them through.
• I want to thank Chair communities.
• friends, and community. friends, and community.
• <07:28:27.920> My community, and our nation. My community, and our nation.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and on the ground in our communities. and on the ground in our communities.
• lifeline to their communities restored. lifeline to their communities restored.
• Uh the Indian communities.
• leading and representing his community. leading and representing his community.
• from communities growing in our states. from communities growing in our states.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a garrison, we're not only a military installation; we live in a community. We are a community.
• AS A GARRISON, WE'RE NOT ONLY A MILITARY INSTALLATION, LIVE IN A COMMUNITY, WE ARE A COMMUNITY, WE'RE
• And so, this is information that no matter how small your community is, the residents of the community
• AND SO, THIS IS INFORMATION THAT NO MATTER HOW SMALL YOUR COMMUNITY IS, THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY
• Those local communities know Full well, as do everyone in this room who has any villages in their communities

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Major Brittany Wooten, then took up Senate Resolution No. 1749 designating March 19, 2026, as West Point Day in New York State. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Skoufis, Minority Leader Ortt, and several other senators spoke in support of West Point, its cadets, and the academy’s history and role in national service. Colonel Daniel R. Stuewe, commander of U.S. Army Garrison West Point, also addressed the chamber, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between West Point and New York and the academy’s mission to develop leaders of character. The resolution was adopted, and the West Point Day observance included recognition of cadets and academy staff. The Senate then moved through a calendar of bills, passing measures including amendments to the Public Health Law, Election Law, Executive Law, Penal Law, Elder Law, Real Property Tax Law, General Municipal Law, and Public Authorities Law. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote or debate. Senator Mayer spoke in support of a bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day, framing it as a reminder of the injustice of Japanese American internment and the need to defend civil rights. Senator Ryan supported a bill streamlining the senior citizen property tax exemption process, calling it a way to reduce burdens on older residents. Senator Helming opposed a local government planning mandate as an unfunded mandate, while Senators Walczyk and Martins criticized a housing-related reporting bill as burdensome and ineffective. The most debated item was Calendar 457, a housing-data and reporting bill sponsored by Senator May. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help the state understand zoning and housing capacity, while opponents said it imposed new reporting burdens on municipalities and could penalize poorer communities by threatening CDBG funding. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and ultimately passed by a vote of 37-23. The Senate then adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• When other communities are facing discrimination, when communities are facing discrimination, the legislature
• , but all of the communities. communities we must protect under anti-discrimination law with specific
• The most impactful thing that we could do for our Jewish communities and other communities facing discrimination
• , the Black community, the Latino community, the LGBTQ community. are going to be facing within our educational
• San Diego, American Jewish Community Los Angeles American Jewish Community Northern, California Americans

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• communities in the metropolitan region. communities in the metropolitan region.
• . community. community.
• Communities will know that someone is listening and we won't have to have community after community—
• <01:23:54.719> Now, commun by city? Now, commun by city?
• <01:27:12.880> after<01:27:13.199> community ...to have community after community coming

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In communities across California, nonprofits, community land trusts, and cities and housing authorities
• Jen Collins, on behalf of the Oakland Community Land Trust and the California Community Land Trust Network
• communities and they're moving out.
• So although right now we've been able to get a lot of the communities, a lot of communities have been
• So although right now we've been able to get a lot of the communities, a lot of communities have been

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills. SB 457 would direct HCD to develop statistical formulas based on historical development data to help cities complete housing element site inventories, with the author and supporters arguing it would make RHNA compliance more realistic and less costly; the California Building Industry Association opposed, and the bill was later approved on a 7-1 vote. SB 904 would codify and expand wildfire-rebuilding coordination and reporting practices used after recent fires, with supporters saying it would speed recovery and opponents questioning the need for additional reporting; it passed 11-1. The committee also took up SB 1091, which would create a state acquisition-and-preservation program for unsubsidized affordable housing to prevent displacement; it drew broad support from housing and tenant groups and passed 9-1, with members emphasizing preservation as a key housing strategy. Members also considered SB 1267, which would require EV charger installers in common-interest developments to indemnify associations during installation and make homeowners responsible for costs arising from use of privately owned chargers. The bill was presented as a follow-up to prior HOA-related EV charging legislation, with support from HOA, EV, and climate groups and opposition from the California Association of Realtors pending amendments; it passed 10-0. SB 1117 would clarify that ADU impact fees above the 750-square-foot exemption are charged only on the portion above that threshold, not the entire unit, and supporters said it would remove a fee cliff that discourages slightly larger ADUs. Cities, special districts, and fire agencies opposed or opposed unless amended, citing infrastructure funding concerns, but the bill passed 10-0 after extensive debate. The committee also heard SB 1361, which would prevent local governments from taking actions to avoid SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements at existing or planned transit stops. Supporters from L.A. Metro, labor, and housing groups said it would protect transit investments and jobs, while the City of Burbank opposed; the bill passed 9-0. Two consent items, SB 722 and SB 1426, were approved without discussion. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed the goals of streamlining housing production, preserving existing affordable homes, and reducing barriers to rebuilding and transit-oriented development.

Transcript Highlights:

• and around economic development in their communities.
• and around economic development in their communities.
• :23.920> also<00:21:24.200> welcome their community, but also welcome their community,
• <00:21:42.040> know the residents of their communities know the residents of their communities
• Again, in many communities, they're being muzzled by those new stakeholders in the community that want

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Lawmakers held a bipartisan press availability on a bill to prohibit local governments and their officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities. Supporters said the measure is intended to protect transparency, public participation, and Minnesotans’ right to know about local decisions involving land use, public financing, and economic development, especially in cases involving data centers and other large projects. Representatives and senators from both parties described the bill as a response to examples in cities such as Rosemount, Farmington, Hermantown, North Mankato, Monticello, Pine Island, and others, where they said NDAs kept communities from learning about projects until decisions were effectively already made. The authors argued that the bill is not anti-development or limited to data centers, but instead prevents corporations from using private contracts to circumvent Minnesota’s open meeting and data practices laws. They said Chapter 13 already addresses trade secrets and other confidential information, and that the bill is meant to stop NDAs from creating secrecy around government decision-making. They also said they had heard little organized opposition so far, though they acknowledged questions about how the bill would affect early-stage business recruitment conversations and how local governments, especially smaller ones, would implement the change. Members also discussed the bill’s legislative path. They said it had previously received unanimous support in committee and was sent to the general register, then moved to the Judiciary Committee at the request of Chair Scott, who wanted a hearing. The authors said they did not believe the bill raised Chapter 13 issues requiring judiciary review, but agreed to the referral as a courtesy and said they were seeking a hearing. They reported that Senate consideration had previously ended in a tie vote, but said momentum was growing and expected stronger support this session. No vote was taken during the press event.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's 27,000 lives who could be helping to protect our communities as active members in their community
• So that's 27,000 lives who could be helping to protect our communities as active members in their community
• They're pulling themselves away from their communities.
• They're pulling themselves away from their communities.
• , these narrow communities as defined?

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met and announced that, under its suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense because each had a fiscal impact. The chair also reminded attendees to submit position letters in advance for inclusion in the bill analysis. A quorum was established and the committee then heard six bills, all of which drew support testimony and no opposition testimony in the room. AB 814 would exempt law enforcement pensions from state income tax to encourage retired peace officers to remain in California and support recruitment and retention. AB 918 would create a targeted income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders deployed under mutual aid during declared emergencies, with supporters saying it would help sustain disaster response and reward extraordinary service. Both bills were backed by police and public safety organizations and were referred to suspense. AB 976 would create a nonrefundable tax credit for small retailers in disadvantaged communities to help pay for security equipment in response to retail theft and violence; members discussed whether the bill should be broader and how it related to Proposition 36 and crime policy. AB 984 would allow state tax deductions for contributions to CalABLE accounts, with testimony from CalABLE representatives and families describing the program as an essential savings tool for people with disabilities. AB 1282 would create a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $5,000 through 2030, and AB 838 would raise California’s renter’s tax credit from $60/$120 to $2,000 for eligible filers. Each of these bills was also referred to the suspense file, and the committee then adjourned.