Video & Transcript Research : 'Senate Committee'
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NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (03/25/2026)
Health and Human Services
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/25/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- This session of the Minnesota Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
- Senator<00:04:51.000>
Dames. Senator Dames. Senator Dames. - Senator Westrom. discussion? Senator Westrom.
- <00:14:10.440>
File Senator Kupec moves that Senate File Senator Kupec moves that Senate File - Senator Kupec Thank you Senator Kupec.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 03/25/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Um so, just committee discussion. Senator Holmstrom.
- committee for Senator Dibble or Ms. committee for Senator Dibble or Ms. Linnæus?
- to the Senate Committee on Education Finance.
- Senator Clark moves that Senate File 4289 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Senate Committee
- to the Senate Committee on Commerce.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/25/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the same as a provision included in Senator Champion's legislation heard in committee yesterday
- Senator Abeler. One of the good things about the committee. Thank you.
- . committee. committee.
- The motion does prevail, and Senate File 4604 as amended is referred to the Committee on Human Services
- So, Madam Chair, I move that Senate File 4222, as amended, be re-referred to the Committee on Human Services
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so, uh, this committee heard Senate File 4726. It was a Senator Boldon bill.
- Senate File so, uh, this committee heard Senate File 4726. 4726. 4726.
- This committee heard Senate File 4726. It was a Senator Boldon bill.
- Chair, um on Friday uh the in the health committee today, we moved Senate File 4222 to this committee
- Chair, um on Friday uh the in the health committee today, we moved Senate File 4222 to this committee
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (03/25/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial Retention - 2026-03-25 - 10:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Bihowsky of Chittenden Central as chief teller. Senator Watson of Washington District.
- . committee. committee.
- during my tenure on the committee. during my tenure on the committee.
- available to the committee. available to the committee.
- Committee. Committee. Without<00:55:27.400>
objection.
VT
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- universe, we stand before you in prayer seeking your presence within the halls of the Vermont State Senate
- Senator from Chittenden. Thank you, Mr. President.
- Senator, [clears throat] you may sit down.
- The Senator from Chittenden has moved that we stand in adjournment until 1:25.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/24/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the committee, Representative Feist, Senator Pappas. You have the floor. Thank you, Mr.
- Senator Pappas. Sorry, Senator Nelson. Senator Pappas. Sorry, Senator Nelson.
- Senator going to uh Senator Nelson next. Senator Nelson. It's<00:32:10.360>
on. - Thank you, Senator. And thank you, Senator Pappas.
- Senator Pappas. Uh And uh Mr. Chairman. Senator Pappas.
Summary:
The commission approved the March 17 minutes and then heard testimony on Senate File 4419 / House File 4069, as amended, which would exempt J-1 visa-holding teachers and their school districts from Teachers Retirement Association contribution requirements during the teachers’ exchange term. Senator Pappas and Representative Feist said the bill is intended to help districts fill hard-to-staff special education and other positions by letting J-1 teachers keep more of their pay for immediate relocation costs, while also redirecting employer savings toward onboarding, mentorship, and cultural orientation. They argued the teachers are temporary by design, often cannot stay long enough to benefit from TRA, and that the bill would be roughly neutral for TRA because contributions and matching liability would both be removed.
Supportive testimony came from Matthew Connelly of Lattice Global Teachers and Melissa Schaller of Intermediate School District 917. Connelly said J-1 teachers arrive with significant upfront expenses and only a short window to establish themselves, and that the exemption could save them about $4,000 to $5,000 while helping schools afford recruitment and support costs. Schaller said her district has relied on international special education teachers to fill vacancies, that the H-1B option is no longer workable because of a large fee increase, and that J-1 hiring is needed to remain competitive; she noted 17 open special education positions for 2026-27 and no other applicants.
Caitlin Snyder of Education Minnesota opposed the bill, arguing it lowers compensation and removes a retirement option without enough input from teachers themselves. She said the bill does not ensure the employer savings would be used for housing or other supports, and urged more direct consultation with J-1 teachers. Several members raised concerns about fairness, pension protection, and whether the bill could create unintended consequences for teachers who later remain in Minnesota. Senator Pappas responded that the circumstances are unusual because J-1 teachers are temporary and often cannot return, and said TRA had indicated the proposal would be neutral or supportive, unlike a separate St. Paul teachers issue. Representative O’Driscoll asked about J-1 teachers in higher education and private schools, and Mr. Connelly said the visa is mainly used in K-12 settings but can also appear in charter and private schools; he also noted many J-1 holders face a two-year home-residence requirement. The chair indicated the bill was slated for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill, but no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/24/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate File 4541 is in front of the committee. Thank you, Mr.
- Senator Dibble, Senate File 4519 is in front of the committee. All right. Thank you, Mr.
- <01:03:16.680>
Senator <01:03:16.920>Boldon. Welcome to the committee, Senator. - Welcome to the committee, Senator Frentz. Senate File 4444 is in front of the committee.
- Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Franzen, further committee questions or comments?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It is Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, and I call this meeting of the Senate Elections Committee to order.
- Before and after the committee, please talk to a sergeant if you want to talk to a senator or member
- When it comes to any law, and Senator Boldon and I, we even recently discussed this in the Housing Committee
- Senator Boldon. Thank and not a shall? Senator Boldon.
- Senate File 3627. Senator Boldon. Um, I think this bill was previously heard in committee.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - Part 1 - 03/24/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Appreciate the opportunity to present Senate File 4746 before the committee today.
- And next we move to Senator Um Oberton um um um Senate file 4581. Welcome to the committee.
- And next we move to Senator Um Oberton um um um Senate file 4581. Welcome to the committee.
- And next we move to Senator Um Oberton um um um Senate file 4581. Welcome to the committee.
- And next we move to Senator Um Oberton um um um Senate file 4581. Welcome to the committee.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions - 03/24/202
Civil Service And Pensions
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions, and today is Tuesday, March 24th
- Present are Senator Scarcella-Spanton [member_7144]. Senator, where are you?
- The first bill is Senate Bill S-4666. The first bill is Senate Bill S-4667A.
- By Senator Scarcella-Spanton [member_7144], the committee director will read the title: An act to amend
- The fifth bill is Senate Bill S-9356 by Senator Kavanaugh.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on March 24, 2026, with a quorum present and eight bills on the agenda. The committee considered measures affecting retirement and leave benefits for several groups, including NYC sanitation members (S-4667A), NYC correction members (S-4706A), county and municipal airport firefighters (S-9262), NYC water supply police (S-9356), EMT members in the NYC Employees’ Retirement System (S-9378), Suffolk County correction officers (S-9394), and Civil Air Patrol members on Air Force-assigned missions (S-9406). The committee also took up S.A.424A, which would provide a legacy credit to children and siblings of military service members or those killed in the line of duty; members spoke in support of the bill as a way to recognize and support military families.
Most bills were moved without opposition and received unanimous approval, with the chair repeatedly confirming vote counts from the voting sheets. S-4667A, S-4706A, S.A.424A, S-9262, S-9356, S-9378, and S-9394 each received seven ayes, zero nays, and zero abstentions/AWRs. S-9406 also advanced, but with one AWR and six ayes. Members offered brief supportive comments on several bills, especially those benefiting veterans, correction officers, firefighters, and other public safety workers.
All eight bills were reported out of committee, most to the Finance Committee and S.A.424A to the floor. The meeting then adjourned after no further business was raised.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Senate Standing Committee on Codes.
- We are also joined by the ranking member on the committee, Senator Palumbo, as well as Senator Murray
- We are also joined by the ranking member on the committee, Senator Palumbo, as well as Senator Murray
- Senator Palumbo, and very quickly, it's also 11:59. We have another committee waiting for us.
- Thank you, Senator. Thank you for that. Thank you to the committee for a robust discussion.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Codes met in a different room due to scheduling conflicts and considered a series of bills, mostly criminal procedure, penal law, civil rights, and executive law measures. Several bills had previously passed the Senate unanimously and were quickly moved through committee, including measures sponsored by Senators Harkham, Scootis, Bernardis, Scarsella Spanton, Conrad, Ryan, Jimenez, and others. The committee also considered Senate Print 1004A by Senator Brisport, which would amend the Criminal Procedure Law and Mental Hygiene Law to address prolonged detention of incapacitated individuals; Senator Palumbo supported the bill’s intent but objected to the mechanism, and the bill was reported to finance with Palumbo in the negative and Gallivan without recommendation.
Senator Bailey’s Senate Print 4525, focused on language access in criminal procedure, drew supportive comments about ensuring non-English speakers are not denied justice, but it was reported with Senator Kavanagh without recommendation and Senators Murray and Palumbo in the negative. The committee also advanced Senate Print 5110A by Senator Scarcella Spanton, which would increase protections for HPD inspectors by making assaults on them a low-level felony; members expressed concern about increasing penalties but agreed the bill had merit, and it was reported with Kavanagh without recommendation and Brisport and Sepúlveda in the negative.
The most extended discussion centered on Senate Print 3021C by Senator Hinchy, which would require a uniform tattoo policy for state and local law enforcement. Members debated First Amendment concerns, subjectivity in determining what is “offensive,” and whether the bill should set clearer guardrails or simply require agencies to adopt a policy. Supporters said the bill aimed to create statewide consistency and reflect changing norms around tattoos, while critics worried about subjective enforcement and potential constitutional issues. The bill was moved by Senator Myrie and reported, with Senators Sepúlveda and Brisport without recommendation. The meeting then adjourned after the chair thanked members for the discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/24/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- The Minnesota Senate Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention will come to order.
- Senator Hotchchild, welcome to the Housing Committee.
- Welcome to the committee, Senator Weber. Um, I believe you do have an amendment.
- c> the<00:53:54.520>
committee, <00:53:54.840>Senator <00:53:55.120>Weber. - Welcome to the committee, Senator Weber. Welcome to the committee, Senator Weber.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM-HHS, PSM-EIG, PSM DEFER, PSM Public Hearings 03-23-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This measure is very similar to Senate Bill 3322, which the committee previously heard.
- Bill 3322, which the similar to Senate Bill 3322, which the committee<00:53:05.400>
previously <01:18:15.920>Senator Senator Richards. Reservations. Senator Senator Richards. - <01:21:06.440>
Senator Senator Richards? Reservations. Senator Senator Richards? - . committee. committee.
Summary:
The joint hearing covered HB 1976, relating to dementia training for law enforcement, and HB 2443, relating to disaster services for people with disabilities and access or functional needs. For HB 1976, the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board opposed the bill’s process and cost, arguing there was no documented training gap because existing CALEA accreditation already includes mental illness response training that covers dementia. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, disability advocates, caregivers, and several individuals, said dementia-specific training would help first responders better handle real-world encounters and avoid harmful misunderstandings. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including changing mandatory language to permissive language in several places and removing a deadline for the first annual training cycle; the recommendation was adopted unanimously.
For HB 2443, testimony was strongly supportive. The Disability Communication Access Board, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and individual testifiers said the bill would strengthen emergency planning and response by adding a Disability Integration Specialist and better integrating people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into disaster preparedness, sheltering, and FEMA coordination. Several speakers emphasized recent storms and rescues as evidence of the need. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including changes based on Attorney General comments and adding specialized communications and comprehensive communications planning provisions previously contained in another bill; that recommendation was also adopted unanimously.
The transcript then moved to a separate mini hearing on HB 1768, relating to immigration enforcement. Supporters, including the ACLU of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would prevent local law enforcement from entering 287(g)-type agreements or otherwise participating in federal immigration enforcement, citing civil rights concerns, community trust, and the need for police to focus on local public safety. One testifier raised concerns that local cooperation could help avoid mistakes in enforcement, while supporters responded that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that local agencies should not be deputized for civil immigration arrests. The excerpt ends amid extended member questions and discussion, without showing a final vote on HB 1768.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Ihara is excused. Senator Moriwaki, I. Senator Fevella is also excused.
- Senator Ihara Vice Chair also votes I. Senator Ihara is<00:18:08.440>
excused. - Uh Senator Moriwaki. I. is excused. Uh Senator Moriwaki. I.
- Senator Fukunaga is also excused. Senator Lamasao is I. Senator McKelvey, I. Senator Auwae, I.
- committee to hold HB2458. committee to hold HB2458.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided.
The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown.
In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days.
Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WLA, EDT-WLA, WLA DEFER Public Hearings 03-23-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator<00:16:45.480>
Chang. Senator Chang. Senator Chang. - Senator Chang? Aye. Senator Lamasao is excused, and Senator DeCoite is excused.
- Senator Kim, Senator Fukunaga? Aye. Senator Kim, Favela<00:32:01.560>
excused. - For the Committee on Committee. Okay.
- Senator<00:33:04.760>
Fukunaga? Senator Fukunaga? Senator Fukunaga?
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown.
The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing.
In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it.
During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 03/24/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm State Senator Cameron Parker, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
- We have a number of colleagues here, starting with Senator Matera, the ranking member on the committee
- ; Senator Brian Kavanaugh; Senator Rachel May; Senator Chris Ryan; Senator Mark Walczyk; and my good
- Senator Walczyk.
- Senator May. Senator May.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Cameron Parker, considered a large agenda focused on utility consumer protections, rate transparency, NYSERDA oversight, and energy transition policy. Several bills were discussed in detail, including measures to prohibit residential utility shutoffs during extreme temperature forecasts (Bill 120A), delay shutoffs and late fees while a utility is under certain PSC investigations (Bill 904B), require disclosure of planned rate increases (Bill 4989A), limit certain utility charges after 12 months (Bill 8710), and require utilities to disclose more information with major rate change applications (Bill 9433A). The committee also considered bills on net energy metering credits (Bill 1553), reconnection for low-income customers (Bill 965), sanctions and civil penalties (Bill 8908), and annual NYSERDA reporting obligations (Bill 1819).
Members raised recurring concerns about affordability, arrears, and who ultimately bears costs when utilities are prevented from collecting immediately. Senator Walczyk repeatedly questioned whether protections would shift costs to other ratepayers, while sponsors and the chair emphasized that the bills did not erase arrears but created temporary consumer protections. Senator May noted that some proposals could produce significant savings for ratepayers. On Bill 1819, Senator Walczyk supported greater accountability for NYSERDA’s use of ratepayer-funded money. Bill 1668, which would authorize NYSERDA to administer grants for switching residents to electric heat pumps, drew questions about funding; staff said it would be funded off-budget from existing sources and would have no direct state cost, though it could require shifting existing program resources.
The committee advanced most bills to third reading after motions and votes, with several measures receiving no votes but still moving forward. Bill 2477 was held for possible amendments. Bill 4989A was referred to the Consumer Protection Committee. Bill 5111, the Just Energy Transition Act, prompted extended discussion about its study timeline and a PSC order to facilitate replacement and redevelopment of at least 4 gigawatts of fossil fuel generation; the bill was advanced to third reading after debate. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the committee completed its agenda.