Transcript Highlights:

• For what purpose does the gentleman from Ohio seek recognition? Mr.
• THE GENTLEMAN FROM ILLINOIS SEEK RECOGNITION.
• FROM NEW YORK SEEK RECOGNITION? >> MR.
• Thank you, Robert McClellan, for the recognition.
• THANK YOU, ROBERT MCCLELLAN, FOR THE RECOGNITION.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This recognition has been decades in the making.
• It has been 50 years and it recognition.
• ,<00:21:26.640> maybe once they get the recognition, maybe once they get the recognition,
• We are that dream, and they're finally getting recognition for that.
• We are that dream, and they're finally getting recognition for that.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates discussed House File 2444, a veterans and military affairs bill to formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos during the secret war from 1961 to 1975. Speakers, including Rep. Ethan Cha and other veterans and family members, said the measure is long overdue and framed it as both a symbolic and practical step to restore dignity, honor, and veteran status to Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority veterans whose service had not been formally acknowledged. Testimony emphasized the historical role of the SGUs, the secrecy of the war, and the heavy losses suffered by the community. Speakers described the bill as a bipartisan effort with support from House and Senate members, and noted that a similar version had already passed the Senate unanimously. They also said the bill would help Minnesota set an example for other states and improve public understanding of the secret war and the contributions of Southeast Asian communities. Rep. Cha explained that the bill creates a new statutory definition for veterans of the secret war in Laos, establishes eligibility criteria for benefits and privileges, authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to verify veteran status, and creates a 12-member task force to advise that process. The bill would allow access to certain state veterans benefits and privileges, including veterans designation on IDs, grave markers, honor guard, state veterans cemeteries, and related preferences. In response to questions, speakers said the main challenge had been educating colleagues because the war was classified, and they estimated fewer than 1,000 SGU veterans are still alive. They also said the bill carries no major monetary benefit and is intended primarily to provide recognition and a framework for verification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, and if I may just add some context to this, the County Board of Supervisors took a resolution
• And I think the doctor can talk about that resolution.
• Supervisor Holly Mitchell, along with the Board of Supervisors, passed unanimously 5-0 a resolution to
• I have to share that resolution.
• So passing a resolution without having conversations directly with the police chiefs down there on how

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He had spoken to his attorney about possibly going to treatment as part of a court resolution.
• And, um, when it comes to the recognition of flexibility that you've mentioned with the budgetary, and
• 56.960> to<00:45:57.839> the<00:45:58.400> um comes to the um comes to the um recognition
• > of<00:46:01.920> flexibility<00:46:02.880> that<00:46:03.119> you've recognition
• of flexibility that you've recognition of flexibility that you've mentioned<00:46:03.920> with

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we move on, we have a recognition. Senator Rouson, you're recognized.
• Before we move on, we have a recognition. Senator Rouson, you're recognized.
• All right, we'll first start off with some introductions and recognitions.
• Senate Resolution 1872 will be put in the journal today.
• Special recognition to our clinic and Capitol staff, Gail Miller and Shannon Woods.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions recognizing interns, guests, and advocates. The Rules Chair added CS for CS for SB 622 to the special order calendar, and SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills when the measures were identical or nearly identical. The Senate passed SB 200/HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, requiring DEP to develop a recycling and waste diversion roadmap by 2026; SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking, after adopting amendments related to mitigation credit use and former phosphate mine lands; and SB 494/HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, which increases sentencing consequences and creates a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, with an amendment clarifying the database language. The Senate also passed SB 500/HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, SB 524/HB 1089 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 592/HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 742/HB 1145 on workforce education, SB 936/HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, SB 964/HB 181 on parole guidelines, SB 976/HB 901 on court-appointed psychologists, SB 1084/HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, and SB 1156 on a home health aid program for medically fragile children. Most of these bills were adopted after brief sponsor explanations, questions, and in some cases amendments or House-substitute motions. Debate centered on several policy issues. Senators raised concerns about the constitutional and environmental implications of mitigation banking credits in SB 492, the scope and privacy implications of the animal abuse database in SB 494, the funding and eligibility details of the condo resilience program in SB 592, and the public-school/charter-school balance in SB 822, which drew extensive questioning about enrollment, governance, discipline, accountability, and data sharing before being placed on the third-reading calendar after amendments. The Spectrum Alert bill drew support from members who compared it to the Purple Alert and emphasized the risks faced by children with ASD. The medically fragile children home health aid bill also drew strong support, with senators describing it as a long-needed fix to help families provide in-home care without losing Medicaid coverage. Votes on the measures reported in the transcript were overwhelmingly favorable, with bills passing by margins such as 38-0, 35-3, 37-0, 36-0, and 35-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• This extraordinary life of service and dedication deserves the recognition that is present in this bill
• Seeing none, recognition is adopted. Thank you so much, members.
• as a day of recognition and support the<00:26:27.960> many<00:26:28.360> wonderful<00:
• <00:26:38.000> I nearer as um a day of recognition I nearer as um a day of recognition I think
• <00:26:57.360> is reservations see none recognition is reservations see none recognition is

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures related to cultural recognition and arts policy. HB 531 would authorize special license plates recognizing the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and HB 458 would designate Brother Joseph Dutton Day; both received support testimony, including from the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Joseph Dutton Guild, and both were advanced. HB 345 would establish ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to help protect alkaline pool systems, with support from DLNR and multiple community and environmental groups, and it was also advanced. HB 194, relating to Maritime Day, received limited testimony and was moved forward with amendments to align the observance with National Maritime Day on May 22. The committee also heard HB 554, which originally would have established Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Testimony in support emphasized cultural recognition and community benefits, but the chair explained that creating a new state holiday would cost about $9 million, so the bill was amended to make Lunar New Year a day of recognition rather than a state holiday. The committee noted several supporters, including youth testimony, and advanced the measure with amendments. HB 957, relating to Lāʻau Day, similarly drew broad written support; the committee amended it to designate the first Friday of May rather than May 1 and advanced it. In each case, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations without opposition or reservations. The hearing concluded with HB 925, a short-form bill that would allow the state to levy a 1% tax on concert ticket sales to support arts access statewide; the committee recommended passing the bill with amendments and recommitting it for future public hearings, and that recommendation was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• that this is a workforce recognition that this is a workforce development<01:06:11.440> issue.
• Motions and resolutions. There are copies of non-controversial motions at your desk and online.
• The resolution is being referred to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.
• <03:23:32.720> The<03:23:32.960> resolutions<03:23:33.600> being of violent
• The resolutions being of violent crimes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Senate Bill 38FN, an act relative to state recognition
• <00:12:34.320> of relative to state recognition of relative to state recognition of biological
• ordered to a third reading be by this resolution read a third time, all titles be the same as adopted
• ordered to a third reading be by this resolution read a third time, all titles be the same as adopted
• ordered to a third reading be by this resolution read a third time, all titles be the same as adopted

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• adjournment in LSBA to hear Senate Bill 47, Senate Bill 120, Senate Bill 87, and House Concurrent Resolution
• 47, Senate Bill 120, Senate Bill 87, and House<00:26:27.320> Concurrent<00:26:27.920> Resolution
• House Concurrent Resolution 1001. House Concurrent Resolution 1001.
• So, I mean, I do appreciate that there's the allowance and the recognition that there might be some parents
• that there might be and the recognition that there might be some<02:02:52.880> parents<02:02:

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard announcements about committee meetings later in the day. The main floor action was a motion to place House Bill 1101, House Bill 1193, Senate Bill 118, and House Bill 1210 on the special orders calendar, which was adopted without objection. The House then moved into committee of the whole for consideration of House Bill 1101, a bill concerning criminal offenses related to critical infrastructure components and commodity metals. During debate on HB 1101, the sponsor explained that the bill is intended to address theft of critical infrastructure such as street lights, RTD equipment, cell towers, and similar materials by targeting the scrap metal market where stolen goods are sold. The committee adopted amendment L004, which reorganized the statutory structure and aligned offenses more closely with the conduct involved; the sponsor said this reduced the highest charge level from an F5 to an F6 in some circumstances. Amendment L005, a technical correction to L004, was adopted. Several members raised concerns that the bill could unfairly burden scrap yards and legitimate businesses, while others supported the measure as a response to widespread infrastructure theft. The committee rejected amendment L006, which would have required buyers to know or reasonably know that material was unlawfully obtained, with the sponsor arguing it would increase liability and undermine negotiated protections for scrapyard dealers. Amendment L008, which sought to add a good-faith protection for legitimate businesses and reduce chilling effects on commerce, was also defeated after members said similar protections already existed in the bill. Amendment L009, creating an affirmative defense for documented commercial transactions and record-keeping compliance, was likewise rejected because members said the bill already contained a stronger affidavit-based safe harbor. Finally, amendment L10, which would have added a five-year repeal/sunset date for the bill, was debated at length but was not adopted; opponents argued criminal provisions should remain stable, while supporters said a sunset would allow review of the bill’s effectiveness and unintended consequences.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have a resolution, but we like to keep the bill around so that if we did have a subject come
• don't<00:06:56.000> have<00:06:56.080> a<00:06:56.319> a<00:06:56.639> resolution
• We don't have a a resolution an answer.
• We don't have a a resolution but<00:06:58.080> we<00:06:58.400> like<00:06:58.560> to
• would there be pattern recognition would there be pattern recognition through<00:51:58.720> payment

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began by discussing 15 retained bills and the chair’s preference to keep them alive through interim study rather than kill them, using them as vehicles for further discussion and possible later amendments. The chair said the bills would be executed out by November and then move to the House floor in January, and members generally agreed that interim study was the prevailing motion for the retained bills. Several health-related bills were then discussed. On Senate Bill 247, concerning pharmacy network exclusion when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost, members said the issue had been presented differently in prior discussions and noted unfamiliar intermediaries such as PSAOs; the bill was viewed as too complex to resolve immediately, so interim study was favored. A bill on treatment alternatives to opiates was said to need an amendment from the Insurance Department, and a bill on self-funded employer access to claims data was described as having changed substantially through amendment; the sponsor explained it was intended to incentivize self-funded plans to opt into the state’s all-payer claims database (CHIS) so their data could be used for cost analysis, and members indicated a separate bill would be brought later. The committee spent the most time on a glucose monitoring bill, with testimony from a sponsor and a parent of a type 1 diabetic describing the medical benefits of continuous glucose monitors, especially for preventing dangerous lows and managing fluctuations. Opponents and committee members raised concerns about the cost of a mandate, the effect on premiums in the individual and small-group markets, and whether the bill should require coverage without a prescription; one member cited medical literature suggesting limited evidence for non-insulin users. The chair concluded the bill was headed to interim study and said the committee would do further homework on the economic impact, especially for type 1 coverage. The meeting then moved on to a bill about insurer audits and clawbacks, where the Insurance Department commissioner explained that the issue involved several separate provider-payment problems that had recently come to the department’s attention and that the department would provide a report and work with the sponsor on next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:45.040> process<00:11:46.040> institutions<00:11:46.839> report resolution
• process regardless of federal resolution process regardless of federal mandates<00:12:48.480> it<
• a grievance resolution process for reports<00:12:58.000> of<00:12:58.199> sexual<00:12
• , an alternative resolution process, and/or supportive measures.
• , an alternative resolution process, and/or supportive measures.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: HB1, HB198, HB11, HB32, HB33, HB34, HB56, HB68, HB72, HB101, HB102, HB110, HB154, HB166, HB168, HB274, SB114, HB1, HB198, HB11, HB32, HB33, HB34, HB56, HB68, HB72, HB101, HB102, HB110, HB154, HB166, HB168, HB274, SB114

Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the legal foundations that support this position do not need your recognition under international
• Monteo article 3: political existence of the state is independent of recognition.
• I appreciate Director Johnson's support of this, which I believe is a recognition of how important these
• <02:31:07.439> of<02:31:07.600> how I believe is a recognition of how I believe is
• a recognition of how important<02:31:08.319> these<02:31:08.560> services<02:31:09.040>

Bills: HB1531

Keywords: emergency announcements, American Sign Language, accessibility, public safety, broadcast media, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what I remember about my father is all he wanted was recognition.
• In 2011, he passed at the recognition.
• The fact that we passed this bill with this recognition is incredibly important.
• The fact that we passed this bill with this recognition is incredibly important.
• Um the fact that we passed this bill with this recognition is incredibly important.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For what purpose does a gentleman from Texas seek recognition? Mr.
• For what purpose does the gentleman from Texas seek recognition?
• A gentleman from Texas seek recognition. >> Uh, Texas seek recognition. >> Mr.
• The gentleman from Arkansas seeks recognition. >> Mr.
• For what purpose does the gentleman from Ohio seek recognition?

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:09.920> of I would also like to extend our gratefulness to Chair Rest for the recognition
• In addition, our school board unanimously approved a resolution supporting Senate File 70, demonstrating
• In addition, our school board unanimously approved a resolution supporting Senate File 70, demonstrating
• In addition, our school board unanimously approved a resolution supporting Senate File 70, demonstrating
• approved a resolution supporting Senate file<00:20:44.760> 70<00:20:45.240> demonstrating<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement unit and drug recognition enforcement unit and drug recognition expert<00:52:05.520>
• with meeting with my drug recognition with meeting with my drug recognition expert<00:58:14.240>
• <01:01:37.280> experts lot of the drug recognition experts lot of the drug recognition experts
• conversation with the drug recognition conversation with the drug recognition expert.<01:02:33.839
• that did not become drug recognition that did not become drug recognition expert<01:03:45.599>

Bills: HB1974, HB1853, HB1973, HB1574, HB2619, HB1966, HB1643, HB1671, HB2558, HB1854, HB2173, HB1575, HB2229, HB1535, HB1978, HB2508, HB1549, HB2187, HB1550, HB1977, HB2314, HB1871, HB2319, HB1591, HB1858, HB1898, HB2372, HB1765, HB2012, HB1706, HB1962, HB1963, HB1975, HB2009, HB2083, HB2224, HB1877, HB1959, HB1626, HB1665, HB2488, HB2456, HB2548, HB2207, HB1832, HB2079, HB1985, HB1618, HB2486, HB2242, HB2045, HB1703, HB2236, HB2480, HB1976, HB2287, HB2288, HB1777, HB276, HB1660, HB1676, HB1605, HB1751, HB1967, HB2383, HB2340, HB1946, HB2268, HB1950, HB2156, HB2118, HB1859, HB1863, HB1996, HB2114, HB2423, HB2429, HB2475, HB2534, HB2545, HB1813, HB1941, HB2474, HB2583, HB1576, HB1886, HB1939, HB2540, HB2590, HB2000, HB2163, HB2386, HB1691, HB1680, HB2516, HB1993, HB2442, HB1510, HB1958, HB1692

Keywords: HB1974, hearing loss, audiology, audiologist, hearing screening, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tele-audiology, communication access, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, deafness, hard of hearing, public health, kupuna, keiki, dementia, cognitive decline, fall prevention, State Health Planning and Development Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• a framework and put controls in place in regards to law enforcement or government using facial recognition
• technology warrant Act of recognition technology warrant Act of 2025<00:15:19.519> Senator<00
• So this is my attempt, even though facial recognition technology is obviously out there, the bill is
• technology at the facial recognition technology at the mall<00:18:54.000> and<00:18:54.159>
• There are proponents of facial recognition technology who are correct: there are good applications of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stories, and making agreements to make sure that things that we say be... for alternative dispute resolution
• um or for alternative dispute resolution um or ADR<01:35:28.480> it<01:35:28.600> is<01
• Healing and moving on with life is more likely through mutual recognition of the mistake, and that has
• Healing and moving on with life is more likely through mutual recognition of the mistake, and that's
• Healing and moving on with life is more likely through mutual recognition of the mistake, and that's

Bills: HF1662, HF1224, HF1836, HF1367, HF1168, HF1999, HF1792, HF102, HF2127, HF104

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, foreclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• of the impact department in recognition of the impact its<01:02:53.760> operations<01:02:54.319
• So now we're talking about, you guys, like, do the name recognition, right?
• Because what bothers me is that, you know, we're going to do this name recognition... $5 million.
• Because, you know, we're talking about $5 million and the name recognition.
• His name recognition. You're not that great, but recognition.

Keywords: 912, senate, all