Video & Transcript : 'troop withdrawal' :
Page 14 of 221
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Here I am in my troop. $82,209 Boy Scouts bankruptcy claimants, and I was sexually abused by my church's
- Before my troop, and then he was arrested twice after I aged out.
- In 2010, Carrie Lewis, a survivor, reported 17 BSA survivors for sexually abusing his troop.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- discussions then take place with lawmakers, including yourselves, to basically position the main troops
- discussions then take place with lawmakers, including yourselves, to basically position the main troops
- to basically position the main the to uh to basically position the main the main<00:34:35.720><c> troops
- </c><00:34:36.159><c> namely</c><00:34:36.599><c> the</c><00:34:36.839><c> the</c> main troops namely
- the the main troops namely the the ebf<00:34:38.919><c> uh</c><00:34:39.040><c> to</c><00:34:39.240>
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety heard testimony on several bills. HB 628 HD1, relating to education, would reinstate a prior law allowing veterans whose high school education was interrupted by wartime to receive a diploma. Testimony was generally supportive from the Office of Veterans Services, the Department of Education, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and an individual testifier, with one person in opposition. The committee later recommended passage of HB 628 HD1 as is, and the motion was adopted.
The committee also heard HB 1158 HD1 and HB 1159 HD1, both relating to commercial harbors. HB 1158 HD1 concerns firefighting at commercial harbors and drew support from the Department of Transportation; the committee recommended passage as is and adopted the recommendation. HB 1159 HD1 would require masters or persons in charge of vessels to comply with a Harbor Master’s order to evacuate a commercial harbor during emergencies. Testimony included support from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and comments from the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. Members raised concerns about small boat operators and safety, and the committee passed the bill with reservations.
The committee then discussed HB 1262, relating to the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, and HB 1296, relating to the major disaster fund. Supporters of HB 1262 included the Climate Advisory Team and AARP Hawaii, while the Department of Budget and Finance cautioned about duplication of benefits with federal disaster aid and the need to preserve the fund’s primary purpose. Members questioned how the bill would interact with federal assistance and whether the fund could be used more broadly; no vote was taken, and the bill was deferred to decision-making. On HB 1296, HEMA and Budget and Finance opposed the measure, citing the need for flexibility in emergencies and concerns that added reporting requirements could hinder response efforts, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii noted the major disaster fund is much smaller than the EBF. The committee likewise deferred HB 1296 to decision-making, and the meeting adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM-LBT, TCA-PSM, PSM Public Hearings 03-10-2025
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm hoping to gather the troops again next month as well, so it is under active consideration.
- I'm hoping to gather the troops again next month as well, so it is under active consideration.
- I'm hoping to gather the troops again next month as well, so it is under active consideration.
- I'm hoping to gather the troops again next month as well, so it is under active consideration.
- I'm hoping to gather the troops again next month as well, so it is under active consideration.
Committee:
Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs
Summary:
The joint committees heard testimony on House Bill 1064, which would implement recommendations from the Fire Safety Research Institute’s Maui wildfire report, clarify the role of the State Fire Marshal, and appropriate funds. Testimony was generally supportive from DLNR, the Climate Advisory Team, the State Fire Council, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Attorney General’s office, the Honu Fire Department, AARP, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council, and others. Governor Green’s office said it supported the bill but wanted the office of the State Fire Marshal placed under the Department of Defense rather than the governor’s office, citing constitutional and administrative concerns. Members also questioned the State Fire Council about the selection process for the fire marshal and about defensible space and wildfire resilience in different communities.
After discussion, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1064 to Friday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 225 for the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, with the same recommendation from the other committee. The hearing then moved to House Bill 697, which would expand who may review automated speed enforcement images. HDOT supported the bill but said it would prefer funding from the Highway Special Fund or the automated speed enforcement special fund rather than general revenues. Opposition testimony from the ACLU raised privacy concerns, argued the bill blurs the line between law enforcement and infrastructure management, and said DOT staff lack the mandate and expertise for the task. Judiciary said it would need additional capacity to process citations and hearings, and noted the program’s likely workload and costs were still uncertain.
The committees then took up House Bill 277 on vehicular pursuit policy. The Attorney General and the Law Enforcement Standards Board urged the committees to defer the bill and let the board develop policy first, while Hawaii County Police opposed the measure as unnecessary, confusing, and too restrictive of officer discretion. Honolulu Police Department and the Policing Project supported the bill, arguing that clearer statewide standards and transparency are needed because pursuits can cause serious injuries or deaths and existing policies are inconsistent or not public. The Policing Project said the bill could be improved with amendments on serious crimes, but supported legislative action to set statewide standards while still involving the board. No final vote or action on HB 277 was taken in the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 9th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She's in sixth grade, Artesia Public Schools, Boy Scouts of America Troop 228. And then, Mr.
- But Michaela is the first female Eagle Scout of Scout Troop 228 and the 31st Eagle Scout in the troop's
- the bill, arguing that due process matters when money has been allocated and then threatened with withdrawal
- I am respectfully asking the body that I withdraw the amendment. Thank you.
Bills:
HB111 , HB61 , HB43 , HB156 , HB70 , SB3 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HB247 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and spent much of the session on memorials and recognitions. Members honored former Senator Clint Hardin with a certificate and extended condolences, with several representatives sharing personal remembrances of his work on autism coverage, second chances for formerly incarcerated people, rural issues, and bipartisan dealmaking. The chamber also recognized Council of Governments Day, 4-H Day, NMSU Day, scouting groups, and several student and community guests, including youth from 4-H, NMSU CAMP, folklórico, and the La Cueva boys soccer team.
The House received messages from the governor and Senate, including authorization for House Bill 320, the Industrial Carbon Reduction Act, and Senate passage of several bills. Committee reports were adopted on a long list of measures, including House Bills 145, 158, 180, 49, 164, 256, 287, 60, 120, 166, 306, 124, 314, 185, 253, 195, 259, 295, 296, 338, and others, along with several joint resolutions and memorials. The chamber also ordered certain bills germane and referred them to committees, and enrolled and engrossed multiple memorials.
On third reading, House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, passed 65-0. The House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70, updating the Public Regulation Commission and hearing officer structure, passed 66-0 after brief debate. House Bill 247, which modernizes capital outlay procedures and limits reauthorizations, was then taken up; the sponsor explained it would send unspent general fund capital outlay money to a Capital Development and Reserve Fund and tribal project balances to the tribal infrastructure fund. An amendment was offered to redirect the reserve fund money to the state road fund, and debate began, with members discussing road conditions and the purpose of the reserve fund.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/25/26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- We've been including them in our Support Our Troops grant review team to help us make decisions in those
- We've been include them in our Support We've been include them in our Support Our<00:14:04.680><c> Troops
- 06.520><c> team</c><00:14:07.040><c> to</c><00:14:07.160><c> help</c><00:14:07.360><c> us</c> Our Troops
- grant review team to help us Our Troops grant review team to help us make<00:14:07.760><c> decisions
Committee:
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 18th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- our major logistics formation with over 2,200 soldiers located in Homestead, and we have the 80th Troop
- My question is, as a retired service member, I always think about troop morale, troop strength, readiness
- to say those things out loud because the average citizen may not know what that tax is like on the troops
Summary:
The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits.
Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't know what troop they are, but you know, as the resident old Boy Scout— >> That's right. >> they
- Thank you all for being here. don't know what troop they are, but you don't know what troop they are,
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- MY QUESTION IS A RETIRED SERVICE NUMBER I THINK ABOUT TROOP MORALE, TROOP STRENGTH, READINESS, CAPABILITY
- IS IMPORTANT TO SAY DOES OUTLAW BECAUSE THE AVERAGE CITIZEN MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THE TAXES LIKE THE TROOPS
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- American troops with their loved<00:29:57.120><c> ones,</c><00:29:58.559><c> operating</c><00:29:59.279
- In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues.
- In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues.
- In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues.
- In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues.
Keywords:
Federal Retirement Fairness Act, FERS, federal retirement, creditable service, temporary employees, temporary federal service, Postal Service, USPS, Office of Personnel Management, OPM, retirement buyback, annuity, pension, civil service retirement, federal workforce, government employees, Members of Congress, retirement benefits, Great Lakes, fishery management
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 15, February 26, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- About 3,000 troops in the Army and about 1,900 troops in the Air, of which, when these were deployed
- About 3,000 troops in the Army and about 1,900 troops in the Air, of which, when these were deployed
- the</c><01:38:27.760><c> army</c><01:38:28.800><c> and</c><01:38:29.040><c> about</c> about 3,000 troops
- in the army and about about 3,000 troops in the army and about 1,900<01:38:30.080><c> troops</c><01:
- in the air of which when 1,900 troops in the air of which when these<01:38:33.199><c> were</c><01:38
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The troops appreciated the cards, games, and snacks, along with all the other goodies sent.
- God bless our troops, always.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the doctor of the day. Members also offered personal privilege remarks, including a thank-you for care packages sent to deployed National Guard troops, an introduction of Mom’s Demand Action guests, and a proclamation honoring the 205th anniversary of Greek Independence Day. The Speaker announced several committee assignments and bill referrals, including the withdrawal and reassignment of SB 1050 and SB 1519, and the House then moved into Committee of the Whole.
In Committee of the Whole, the House considered and approved three Senate bills. SB 1125 received a do pass recommendation; discussion noted it was part of a broader set of child welfare-related measures stemming from hearings and the Emily Pike case, with emphasis on communication gaps between tribes and DCS, and DCS’s support for the bill. SB 1193 was amended on the floor to include paramedics along with EMTs, with supporters saying the bill protects private information held by DHS vendors. SB 1448 was also amended and passed; it adds utility, telecommunications, and video service workers to the aggravated assault statute when they are engaged in official work duties, and members debated whether the protection was necessary or overly broad, with supporters stressing on-duty protection and opponents questioning the need for a special classification.
After the Committee of the Whole rose, the House adopted its report and referred the three bills to engrossing. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on SB 1023, relating to optometrists, which passed 43-10, and SB 1211, relating to sentencing, which passed 53-0. The House also heard announcements about upcoming committee meetings and a proclamation naming April 26 through May 2, 2026, as Arizona Water Professionals Week. The House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The troops appreciated the cards, games, and snacks, along with all the other goodies sent.
- God bless our troops, always.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 11 Feb 18th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Scouting in Oklahoma is 12,500 youth members in over 445 packs, troops, crews, and posts.
- Scouting in Oklahoma is 12,500 youth members in over 445 packs, troops, crews, and posts.
Summary:
The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then seated Dylan Travis as the new member from House District 35 after adopting the certification motion. The chamber also received several recognitions and presentations, including the Sand Springs Charles Page Sandites for winning the Class 6A football state championship, the Mustang Lady Broncos cheer team for their 2025 state title, and visiting scouting groups for Scout Day at the Capitol. House Resolution 1033, declaring February 18, 2026, Scout Day at the Oklahoma Capitol, was adopted without objection.
Members then considered and advanced several bills, mostly on veterans, military, public administration, mental health, children, and agency transparency. House Bill 3043 would let the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs hire seasonal employees during peak periods; House Bill 3078 created a voluntary donation option for ODVA through license, registration, hunting/fishing, and tax forms; House Bill 3940 made extensive changes to National Guard law, including retention funding language, benefits, discipline, and related administrative provisions; House Bill 3257 expanded state disabled-veteran benefits for certain veterans harmed by negligent VA care; House Bill 3281 required agencies to publish guidance documents and note they do not have the force of law; House Bill 417 adopted a federal definition of family resource centers while adding faith-based organizations and workforce development; House Bill 4275 allowed case managers and peer support specialists to work for cities and counties without losing certification; and House Bill 4298 allowed DHS child-care rule changes to be communicated by mail or electronically.
Most measures passed with little or no debate, and several were adopted by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Recorded votes included 97-0 for HB 3043 and HB 3078, 90-5 for HB 3940, 96-0 for HB 3257 and HB 3281, 94-0 for HB 417, 91-5 for HB 4275, and 95-0 for HB 4298. The House adjourned until Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Those nurses at Camp Sheridan, right here in Montgomery, were providing critical care to troops stationed
- here and... critical care to troops stationed here, and that's the medical uniform of Roy Lyn, an Alabama
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
Keywords:
veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, Governor appointment, oversight board, veterans services, veterans benefits, state veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, Alabama Veterans Home Trust Fund, veteran service officers, district managers, assistant commissioners, county veterans offices, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, veterans organizations, American Legion
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives May 27th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sorry, it's a resolution to support our readiness, stability, and well-being of our troops and their
- Title 42 relative to labor organizations, employee dues and fees to labor organizations, employee withdrawals
- Employee dues and fees to labor organizations, employee withdrawals, and provisions relative to collective
- choice and full immediate control over something as simple as wanting to opt out of a paycheck withdrawal
- You basically have a setup where it's an automatic withdrawal.
Bills:
SCR59 , SCR70 , HR275 , HR279 , HR282 , HR289 , HR307 , HCR112 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR64 , SB121 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HCR117 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , SCR30 , SCR40 , SCR65 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB54 , HB137 , HB321 , HB368 , HB386 , HB414 , HB431 , HB552 , HB555 , HB578 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB638 , HB670 , HB692 , HB707 , HB708 , HB715 , HB718 , HB732 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB796 , HB807 , HB822 , HB848 , HB856 , HB887 , HB888 , HB917 , HB921 , HB1082 , HB1243 , HB1246 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB159 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1126 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1235 , HB1249 , SB259 , SB295 , SB312 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB441 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB463 , HB998 , SB197 , SB268 , SB123 , SB276 , SB326 , SB80 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB479 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB42 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB341 , SB379 , SB382 , SB387 , SB401 , SB449 , SB487
Keywords:
Major Richard Star Act, veterans, military retirement, disability compensation, VA benefits, combat-wounded, medically retired, military retirees, service members, veterans benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, concurrent receipt, retirement offset, combat-related disability, bipartisan support, memorial resolution, Congressional memorial, Louisiana delegation, Richard Star
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-09 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We continue to pray for our troops to be safe as they fight for freedom for the Iranian people and safety
- I withdraw. Additional questions, members. Are there amendments? None on the desk, Mr. Speaker.
- I withdraw. Additional questions, members, are there amendments? None on the desk, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Cody Popple of the FSU Police Department for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the chamber had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, with budget negotiations still unresolved and the 2026-27 budget not expected to be completed that week. The special order report was adopted, setting the day’s calendar and debate times.
The chamber then took up several Senate bills, mostly technical or open-government sunset review measures, and passed them with little or no opposition: SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on Florida statutes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004 on public-records or meeting exemptions; and SB 7022 on public records related to exams. Members asked questions on a few of these bills, especially the exam-records bill and the military and gaming-related exemptions, but the measures generally advanced without amendment. Votes ranged from unanimous to modest opposition, with SB 7026 passing 106-3 and SB 7022 passing 101-8.
The most substantial debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had been misused and that the Legislature should retain control over spending; several members supported her position, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. A strike-all amendment from Rep. Griffiths was adopted instead, adding accountability provisions and expanding the fund to cover man-made emergencies as well as natural disasters. The bill then passed 82-25. The House also passed CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS/SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues, with SB 488 still under amendment debate when the transcript ends.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Seven - Tuesday, April 7
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- To your left and to my right in the upper gallery, I want everyone to help me welcome Troop 150, Boy
- Scout Troop 150 from St.
- It started when Senator Harry Wiggins was here in the Capitol, and this Boy Scout troop from 150 comes
- When Senator Harry Wiggins was here in the Capitol, and this Boy Scout troop from 150 comes every single
- So anyone here in Troop A's jurisdiction, please say hello and congratulate him.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 04/08/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And before you step away, have you explored at all the SOS funds, the Support Our Troops funds, to see
- We also want to make it clear that this bill does not impact our CVSO, our VSO, or our support our troops
- ><00:22:10.920><c> our</c><00:22:11.080><c> support</c><00:22:11.560><c> our</c><00:22:11.679><c> troops
- </c> CVSO, our VSO, or our support our troops CVSO, our VSO, or our support our troops grants.<00:22:
Summary:
The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants.
The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill.
The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee.
Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, March 27, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We cannot afford to put ground troops in Iran.
- Let's bring the troops home. Let's make sure we're putting Americans first. >> Mr.
- Let's<00:12:58.959><c> bring</c><00:12:59.120><c> the</c><00:12:59.279><c> troops</c><00:12:59.600><c
- </c><00:13:00.320><c> Let's</c><00:13:00.639><c> make</c> Let's bring the troops home.
- Let's make Let's bring the troops home.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EIG DEFER, EIG-PSM, EIG Public Hearings 02-10-2026
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We can’t control if they deploy troops to our state or try to send in ICE agents to our state or direct
- We can’t control if they deploy troops to our state or try to send in ICE agents to our state or direct
- ><c> activate</c> taking place, he can federally activate taking place, he can federally activate troops
- 17.920><c> been</c><00:15:18.079><c> done</c><00:15:18.240><c> before</c><00:15:18.480><c> and</c> troops
- and it's been done before and troops and it's been done before and they<00:15:18.880><c> can</c><00:
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2033 on renewable energy, focused on rooftop solar and grid-ready homes. Members discussed amendments intended to clarify retrofit provisions for new homes, cost-sharing requirements for interconnecting customers, compliance with relevant safety standards or certifications, and a date change. The chair recommended passage with amendments, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously.
The joint committees then heard Senate Bill 2363 on county authority over access to encumbered properties such as streams. The City and County of Honolulu, along with the Department of Transportation and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, testified in support, saying the bill would help protect public safety, reduce flood risk, and prevent illicit activity. A Libertarian Party representative opposed the measure, arguing the problem stemmed from mismanagement and that the bill granted overly broad new powers. No action was taken during the hearing.
The committees also heard Senate Bill 2054 and Senate Bill 2057, both relating to public safety and immigration-related state authority. Testimony on SB 2054 largely supported limiting state resources for federal or out-of-state deployments when the governor objects, with the Hawaii National Guard raising concerns about unclear obligations for service members and the distinction between Title 10 and Title 32 authority. On SB 2057, supporters including ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Legal Clinic said the bill would curb cooperation with ICE, protect constitutional rights, and preserve trust in immigrant communities; one witness also noted the rapid growth of 287(g) agreements nationwide. The committee then moved on to SB 2377 on property damage to critical infrastructure, where Charter Communications and Hawaiian Telecom supported the bill and asked for clarification to include broadband and telecommunications, while the Public Defender questioned whether the higher penalty was justified. Finally, the committee began SB 3322 on law enforcement, with testimony emphasizing clearer separation between local police and federal agents, limits on immigration enforcement cooperation, and protections for community trust; the hearing continued with additional testimony and questions.