Video & Transcript Research : 'First Amendment rights'
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 20th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- Amendment right to join or refrain from joining and paying dues or fees to a labor organization.
- Representative Phelps, would you care if we take care of the amendments first and then go to you?
- Representative Phelps has a question on the amendments. Thank you last year. First, may I go back?
- Oh, do we have any more questions on the amendment? Oh, okay. Excuse me. Rep. Walter. All right.
- Look, we just saw these amendments this morning and we're trying to understand them, right?
Summary:
The House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations met for its final meeting of the 2026 session and took up SB 312 by Senator Talbot, a bill concerning labor organizations, employee dues and fees, withdrawal from unions, annual notice requirements, and related reporting and notification provisions. The committee first adopted a technical amendment set, then debated a larger amendment set that shifted the cease-withholding request to the employer, required electronic confirmation, placed certain administrative costs on the labor organization, and added language about employer notification and authorization procedures. Members discussed whether the bill was needed, whether employees already have the ability to opt out, and whether the amendments would create confusion or unnecessary bureaucracy. Supporters said the bill protects employee choice and ensures dues stoppage happens at the nearest payroll period; opponents argued the added language was unclear and burdensome. The committee also adopted a separate technical amendment adding mass transit employees to the list of exemptions.
Testimony came from the bill author and several stakeholders. Senator Talbot said the bill is meant to ensure workers know they do not have to join a union, can revoke dues authorizations, and can stop deductions without waiting for a fixed annual window. Representative Eccles defended the amendments as employee protections and a way to shift administrative costs away from taxpayers. Jim Patterson of LABI supported the amendments, saying they protect public employers and taxpayers from administrative costs. After the amendments were adopted on a roll call vote, union representatives Matt Wood of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, Peter Robbins-Brown of the AFL-CIO, and Larry Carter of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees testified in opposition to the amended bill, saying they had worked in good faith on a simpler opt-in/opt-out framework and objected to the new cost and bureaucracy provisions. Several members also spoke in favor of the bill as a matter of freedom of choice and employee control over paycheck deductions.
At the end of debate, Representative Wilder moved to report SB 312 with amendments. The motion passed on a roll call vote, and the bill was reported from committee with amendments. The committee then adjourned.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And so they're currently posted right now, and we're awaiting the first round of responses, I believe
- And so they're currently posted right now, and we're awaiting the first round of responses, I believe
- And so they're currently posted right now, and we're awaiting the first round of responses, I believe
- And so they're currently posted right now, and we're awaiting the first round of responses, I believe
- First, we have HB 989, relating to plans. My recommendation is that we pass this with amendments.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Supreme Court did find that they did have First Amendment protected speech rights.
- <00:49:08.400>
amendment <00:49:08.800>rights <00:49:09.440>and regarding first - amendment rights and regarding first amendment rights and also<00:49:10.240>
their <00:49:10.559 - first amended first amendment did have first amended first amendment protected<00:50:42.319>
speech - <00:50:58.400>
amended that they do have um this first amended that they do have um this first
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Seven - Thursday, April 23
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The second part of this amendment makes a minor change to the mental health services for first responders
- All right.
- All right. Thank you. I thank you for bringing forward this amendment.
- Is that right?
- That's on the first page of the amendment, if you're following it.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal for the prior day by a vote of 131-2, and the Speaker signed several enrolled measures, including HB 1768, HB 1866, HB 1870, HB 2180, and HJR 173 and 174. Members also made a series of guest introductions and personal announcements, including remarks recognizing National Infertility Awareness Week and HCR 28, as well as notices about upcoming themed dress days.
The chamber then received Senate messages returning a number of budget bills and other measures with Senate amendments, and the House budget chair moved to refuse the Senate versions and send HB 2002 through HB 2013 to conference. Members discussed major budget differences, including child care subsidies, transportation funding, higher education funding, and the shifting of broadband grant dollars, but all of the motions to go to conference were approved. The House also took up Senate Bill 975, relating to ambulance districts and emergency medical services. An amendment was adopted to restore compromise language on community paramedics and make a minor change to first responder mental health provisions. The bill passed 136-7.
Later, the House considered a property tax reform package on Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. Amendments were adopted to correct technical drafting issues, require uniform levy increases across property classes and timely use of voter-approved tax increases, and add assessor training, electronic taxpayer notification, and changes to how disputed assessments are paid. Debate centered on local control, transparency, and the impact on schools and other local taxing districts. The combined bill passed 83-61. The House then adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Right.
- The first one is...
- All right. Ready? Ready? That's birthday. All right. Ready? All right, Mr.
- We're accepting the first proposed committee amendments to strike the inclusion of any state permit or
- amendment.
Summary:
The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting, codify existing CEQA exemptions for recharge diversions, and help California capture flood flows for storage in aquifers. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it or sought amendments, warning about CEQA, streambed, Delta, and tribal-resource concerns. The bill was held open pending a quorum.
Members then heard AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy use and related information to the Energy Commission and local agencies. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and support grid planning. Data center industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while several environmental and local-government groups supported or supported if amended. The bill was left with a due-pass recommendation once a quorum was present.
The committee also took up AB 2245 on producer responsibility for vehicle lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental protections in overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation/VMT analysis, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects, and AB 2433 on density bonus housing incentives. Each bill drew a mix of support from sponsors, local agencies, labor, housing, or environmental justice groups and opposition or concerns from business, local government, or conservation organizations. Several measures were amended in committee, and multiple bills were reported out on due-pass or due-pass-as-amended votes, with some roll calls left open for absent members.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- rights.
- First, the amendment would clearly explain who may petition the court.
- With the nays to the amendment, the amendment is adopted.
- The amendment fails. On the amendment, the ayes are 101, the nays are 101. The amendment fails.
- My amendment would not eliminate the right for teachers and administrators to collectively bargain.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and a quorum call before moving into committee reports and floor action. Committees reported a number of bills and resolutions, including measures from Local Government, Energy, Health, Judiciary, Appropriations, Rules, and Finance. The chamber also announced caucus and committee meetings, then recessed and later reconvened for final consideration of legislation.
Several bills passed the House finally, including House Bill 2299 on body cameras for county probation officers, House Bill 167 designating a scenic byway along Allegheny River Boulevard, House Bill 95 requiring disclosure when content or advertising is generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence, House Bill 1944 expanding medical amnesty and Good Samaritan protections on campuses, House Bill 2443 creating a child victim recovery fund, House Bill 246 updating references from the Public Welfare Code to the Human Services Code, and House Bill 2586 establishing title protection for music therapists. The House also adopted House Resolution 463 recognizing Korean-American Citizenship Day, House Resolution 499 recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day, and House Resolution 547 directing a study of electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration.
The House spent significant time on amendments to House Bill 133, which concerns reinstatement of parental rights, and House Bill 138, which addresses parental incarceration and termination of parental rights. Both bills received bipartisan amendments adding guardrails and exceptions, and the amendments were adopted unanimously. The chamber also debated House Bill 2224, the Fair Act, with multiple amendments on utility rates, return on equity, and scope; some amendments were adopted, several tied votes failed, and the bill was left amended for reprinting. House Bill 2544, dealing with school administrators’ rights and negotiations, saw an amendment to allow individual bargaining, but that amendment failed and the bill was agreed to. The session ended with a correction to the record on House Bill 1944, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until June 22, 2026.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Any discussion or amendments on this bill? >> All right. Question being called here.
- Chairman. >> Thank you for the clarification. >> All right. Any other discussion on this amendment?
- . amendment. amendment.
- Any other discussion on this >> All right. Any other discussion on this amendment? amendment?
- We'll take up the amendment. >> Senator Larson, you'll take up the bill. >> All right.
Keywords:
pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Floor debate on automatically returning future budget surpluses to taxpayers 3/17/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As I understand the A3 amendment, first I'd ask for a roll call on the A3 amendment.
- My first question is: if we applied your constitutional amendment, I think, to make everything easier
- ><00:15:47.440>
on amendment Gomez moves to amend house on amendment Gomez moves to amend house - With this amendment, we finally get the proportions right again and hope to provide a little property
- Members, thank you, Chair Yim, for bringing this amendment. You are exactly right.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We had not moved the A31 amendment. Well, we can take that up first to discuss it.
- We had not moved the A31 amendment. Well, we can take that up first to discuss it.
- The first three articles, though, are unchanged from the A31 amendment, so I'll go through those on the
- set of column amendment and on the first set of column is<00:15:37.839>
what's <00:15:38.160>< - The first one is on page uh amendment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elect Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- What this bill tried to do was make sure that the First Amendment rights of natural...
- Citizens, the First Amendment rights of humans, were in the process.
- The last thing I will say is that I think right now the issue of First Amendment rights is very big and
- We're seeing the First Amendment rights of lawyers and law firms being really questioned by what's happening
- This is obviously a loophole closer, but you can have a petition that's a First Amendment protected right
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 05/05/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, right now this package of proposed amendments, again, these haven't been adopted and there may be
- Uh, right now this package of proposed amendments, again, these haven't been adopted and there may be
- So why don't we have Representative Nash address the bill first, and then we'll put the 6A amendment
- So why don't we have Representative Nash address the bill first, and then we'll put the 6A amendment
- All right, moving on to agenda item number seven. Still Senate File 4276, the 10A amendment.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Moore, because those two were the first martyrs of the civil rights movement.
- Would you like to go to the substitute, delete-all amendment, barcode 43290 first, or do you want to
- amendment.
- Would you like to go to the substitute, delete all amendment, barcode 43290 first, so you want to do
- amendment. barcode 43290, which is to delete all amendment for amendment barcode 873-924.
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy considered a long agenda of bills covering education, health, criminal justice, aging services, labor, and commemorative measures. Among the measures reported favorably were CS/SB 1062 creating Florida Speech and Debate Week and the Florida Debate Initiative; CS/SB 196 and CS/SB 864 establishing and protecting a Uterine Fibroid Research Database; CS/SB 432, as amended, adding restrictions on xylazine and nitrous oxide sales; CS/SB 1630 modernizing aging and disability services and guardianship oversight; SB 1112 on labor pool placement fees and registration; CS/SB 524 revising FDLE and medical examiner provisions; CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations; CS/SB 646 narrowing drug paraphernalia testing equipment exemptions to fentanyl, analogs, and xylazine; SB 676 strengthening animal cruelty penalties and the animal abuser database; CS/SB 1180 creating a recall process for community development district board members; CS/SB 800 increasing penalties for unlicensed engineering practice; CS/SB 1404 creating a memory care specialty license for assisted living facilities; SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force; and CS/SB 1684 and CS/SB 1686 establishing and exempting records for a Parkinson’s Disease Registry.
The committee also took up several high-profile commemorative bills. CS/SB 194, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance, drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing civic engagement and free speech and opponents criticizing Kirk’s rhetoric and the appropriateness of a state honor. The bill was reported favorably after a recorded vote. SB 174, designating Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue in Miami-Dade County, also drew significant opposition testimony on similar grounds and was reported favorably. A late-file amendment to a related remembrance measure was withdrawn after discussion. Other bills, including the speech and debate, fibroid research, aging services, labor pool, animal cruelty, engineering, memory care, anti-Semitism, and Parkinson’s registry measures, were generally supported by agency, advocacy, or stakeholder testimony and advanced without major opposition.
Several bills were amended before passage, including substitute or delete-all amendments on SB 432, SB 524, SB 646, SB 676, SB 1180, SB 800, and SB 1404. The committee repeatedly adopted amendments by voice vote and then reported the bills favorably by recorded roll call. The meeting ended with members requesting to be recorded on specific bills, followed by adjournment.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 094 Apr 18th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sixth Amendment, right to face your Sixth Amendment, right to face your accuser,<00:56:12.000>
- amendment first. Thank you. amendment first. Thank you.
- Because first of all, if the contractors do it right the first time and do what they were paid to do,
- 27:29.520>
do <02:27:29.760>what do it right the first time and do what do it right the- first place, right?
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-26 (3:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Other amendments? On the desk, Mr. Speaker. Read the first amendment.
- Show the amendment. Aye. Opposed? No. Show the amendment is not adopted. Read the next amendment.
- I don't speak today as an advocate for Second Amendment rights or as a co-sponsor of this bill, which
- Rights are rights.
- As outlined in the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, Americans are guaranteed the right
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum confirmed, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for retired fire captain Bill Guston and a welcome for guests in the galleries. The Speaker then outlined the House’s budget approach, saying the proposed General Appropriations Act would be lower than both the governor’s proposal and last year’s budget, and announced plans to seek a permanent 0.75% reduction in the state sales tax. The chamber also received the governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001 and began considering motions to restore several vetoed appropriations.
Members unanimously reinstated funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, the Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1 project, the automated staffing/time management system for the Department of Corrections, and the Baldwin sanitary sewer and water main replacement project. The House also adopted special order and GAA amendment-procedure reports. On the special order calendar, the chamber passed HB 289 on boating safety (“Lucy’s Law”), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process, all by wide margins.
The most debated measure was HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “free kill” law limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-sought justice measure for families who lost adult children and were barred from suing, while opponents argued it was needed to provide accountability and fairness. The bill passed 104-6. The House then took up HB 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. An amendment to keep the age at 21 was defeated, and debate featured strong arguments on both sides about constitutional rights, public safety, Parkland, military service, and data on youth violence; the transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before final passage is shown.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider an original bill entitled, "GENIUS Act of 2025", and S.875, to curtail the political weaponization of Federal banking agencies by eliminating reputational risk as a component of the supervision of depository institutions. Mar 13th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- My first amendment, number 11, it removes subsection B in paragraph 7 of 4A.
- The first time you read the amendment is during the committee, that's on you, not on me.
- All right. Kim. 39. All right. Got it.
- All right. Let's clerk what we'll call the roll on this amendment. Mr. Chairman. No. Mr. Crapo.
- Rounds Amendment 18, which adds to Taylor Act, a bill to require federal regulators to right-size regulations
Bills:
SB875
Keywords:
banking regulation, federal agencies, reputational risk, financial services, supervision, FIRM Act, bank supervision, depository institutions, federal banking agencies, FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, NCUA, CFPB, credit unions, Operation Choke Point, financial discrimination, safety and soundness, supervisory guidance, examination manual
Summary:
This meeting focused on the markup of the Genius Act and the FIRM Act, two significant pieces of legislation addressing stablecoin regulation and the financial industry's regulatory framework. The Chairman noted the importance of providing clarity to the digital asset community and protecting American consumers, while also promoting innovation and competition within the financial sector. Members of both parties expressed varying viewpoints, with some highlighting concerns related to national security and the potential risks associated with stablecoins.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 25, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- And you're right.
- As I mentioned, this is the bill's first stop, and it's significantly amended.
- So thank you for first doing it in the first place and bringing all the amendments.
- There's obviously been lots of conversations, particularly about the first amendment to the amendment
- amendment to the amendment, even though it passed.
Summary:
The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee heard several transportation and infrastructure bills. HB 1239, Energy Infrastructure Investment, would let the Public Service Commission create a mechanism for utilities to recover costs for renewable natural gas infrastructure; supporters said it could diversify energy supply and help agriculture, while members raised concerns about consumer rates and asked whether savings from RIN credits should be passed to customers. The bill drew supportive public testimony and was reported favorably after debate, with members noting the PSC would set costs and that the sponsor was open to further discussion on consumer protections.
The committee then took up HB 313, which exempts Purple Heart recipients from paying Florida tolls. With no questions or opposition, it passed unanimously. The committee also considered HB 567, a broad transportation omnibus/strike-all bill covering EV tax revenue for roads, airport and MPO changes, workforce funding, traffic signal modernization, speed limits, and a pilot to streamline airport permitting. A major amendment added utility right-of-way notice, response, and incentive/penalty provisions, and another amendment authorized local governments to set age and ID rules for e-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices after testimony about a fatal crash. The bill was reported favorably after extensive debate and public testimony from transportation and utility stakeholders.
HB 112, dealing with municipal sewer collection systems, would allow cities to use sewer revenues to expand wastewater infrastructure. Sponsors said it was aimed at helping cities like Hollywood reduce septic use and improve water quality; testimony supported the measure as a way to unlock funding for sewer expansion, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also approved HB 7009, preserving public records and meeting exemptions for 911 and public safety radio communications systems and expanding them to next-generation 911. Finally, PCS for HB 1397, a large transportation package addressing airport, seaport, spaceport, and workforce issues, was amended and passed 14-1 after questions about federal testing notifications, removal of certain business preference language, and a provision redirecting some transit funds to highway projects if not timely used.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The first one is the A5. >> Who wants to offer the A5 amendment? >> Representative Heintzeman?
- The amendment is not adopted. Now, since you said that, Madam Chair, I'll call division. All right.
- All right, the next amendment that we have is the A8. Who offers the A8 amendment?
- <00:55:59.560>
that <00:55:59.680>we All right, the next amendment that we All right - , that is my amendment. focusing first on qualifications and focusing first on qualifications and merit
Bills:
HF3879
Keywords:
outdoor heritage, conservation, habitat restoration, natural resources, wildlife management, 1183, house
Summary:
The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3879, the Legacy Finance Outdoor Heritage bill. The committee adopted the DE1 author’s amendment, which incorporated the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council’s revised recommendations and made technical corrections, and staff explained that the bill appropriates about $191.081 million in Outdoor Heritage funding, plus carryforwards and an extension for a carp deterrent project at Lock and Dam. Staff also noted the bill makes no changes to the Clean Water Fund or Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and the bill was moved to the Committee on Ways and Means.
A large portion of the meeting focused on the Roseau Lake rehabilitation/Roseau River restoration project and related concerns about landowner impacts, eminent domain, drainage, and whether Outdoor Heritage dollars are being used on private property. Landowners and their attorney testified that the project threatens private farmland, that they do not consent to easements or takings, and that funding should be paused until litigation and legal questions are resolved. They described flooding, drainage problems, financial burdens, and long-term harm to family farms, and asked the committee to suspend funding for the project.
Supporters of the project, including Roseau Mayor Dan Fabian and farmer/watershed district manager Jason Bratton, said the project is part of a broader flood-mitigation effort following the 2002 Roseau flood and would help control water, reduce flood damage, and improve conditions for downstream farmers. After testimony, the committee considered the A5 amendment, offered by Representative Heintzeman, which would delete the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project Phase 3 from the bill. Members debated the amendment, with some emphasizing landowner concerns and pending litigation and others defending the project and the council’s vetting process. The transcript cuts off during continued discussion, and no final vote on the A5 is shown in the provided text.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- testimony for the amendment. testimony for the amendment.
- amendment G.
- Right.
- I do think So this state plan amendment, amendment, amendment, we<00:15:59.640>
we <00:15:59.839 - , amendments.
Summary:
The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided.
HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions.
HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed.
The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we have any member discussion on the DE1 amendment? Seeing none. All right.
- Seeing no member discussion, we now have the amendment. All right. I will just recognize you, Mr.
- Zeleznikar, would you like to move this amendment? Yes, please, Chair. All right.
- So, the first amendment is for $500,000 to food banks that have an annual operating budget of less than
- The motion of the amendment does not pass. All right, next we will move on to the A-12 amendment.
Bills:
HF2436
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER Public Hearings 01-29-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- provider we're going to further amend provider we're going to further amend Section<00:03:49.080
- First up, SB 46.
- Pass with amendments. A Senate Bill 50 passing with amendments. All members are present.
- Pass with amendments. A Senate Bill 50 passing with amendments. All members are present.
- Pass with amendments. A Senate Bill 50 passing with amendments. All members are present.
Summary:
The Committee on Health and Human Services began by explaining strict one-minute testimony limits, reliance on written testimony, and that it had quorum and would move directly to decision making on deferred measures. It first adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 8 with amendments, creating a five-year trial period for a jury-duty exemption for actively practicing APRNs, delaying implementation to January 1, 2027, and adding a defective date. It then adopted amendments to SB 189 on breast cancer screening, replacing references to “woman” with “patient,” clarifying that supplemental imaging and mammograms must be medically necessary and ordered by the patient’s provider, deleting one subsection, and adding a defective date.
The committee then heard testimony on several bills. SB 46 on insurance/mental health coverage drew support from a member of the public and others, but later the chair said it would be deferred indefinitely pending a required sunrise analysis and a concurrent resolution. SB 642 on fertility preservation services received broad support from providers, advocacy groups, and an individual who described facing cancer treatment and high out-of-pocket costs; the chair later amended it to make coverage optional, limit it to those over 26, and add a defective date. SB 49 on terminal illness had limited testimony and was later passed with amendments incorporating agency and professional association changes plus a defective date.
The committee also heard strong support for SNAP-related bills. SB 53, expanding SNAP eligibility to 300% of poverty, drew testimony about the “benefits cliff,” but the chair later deferred it indefinitely, citing uncertainty about costs and system issues. SB 58 on public assistance had no testimony. SB 960 and SB 961, both SNAP-related, drew extensive support from nonprofits, health groups, and others; DHS said its modernization work would not be ready until fall 2026 and that current systems could not automatically extend certification periods. SB 963 on SNAP also received support, including testimony from a volunteer reentry advocate and a public health advocate, but the chair later said it would be deferred indefinitely because the committee could not determine the fiscal impact and wanted to wait until next year.
Finally, the committee heard SB 798 on child welfare and SB 974 on foster care. Testimony on SB 798 included support from child welfare and advocacy organizations, but also criticism from a witness who said the bill lacked voices of those harmed by the system and another who emphasized the need for independence, implementation, and accountability. The committee then recessed to regain quorum and later returned to decision making, where it deferred SB 46 indefinitely, passed SB 642 with amendments, passed SB 49 with amendments, and deferred SB 53 indefinitely. The transcript ends while the chair is continuing through the remaining measures.