Video & Transcript Research : 'equality'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Mar 26th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- been designated, enhancing transparency in alternative sales, court approval for alternative sales, equal
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to review its proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, totaling about $7.6 billion. The chair highlighted funding for the Department of Corrections, including health services, food inflation, and prison population growth; the Department of Juvenile Justice for residential beds and higher food/medical costs; FDLE for a law enforcement apprenticeship program and officer wellness services; justice administration for court-appointed attorney rates and VOCA shortfalls; major IT projects; and court operations, including funding for 29 new judges. Members asked about where the new judgeships would go and whether staffing would accompany them, and staff said the judge positions would be listed later in a conforming bill and that associated court staff were included, but not additional state attorney or public defender staffing. Several members also asked whether the budget addressed pay and staffing shortages in state attorneys’ and public defenders’ offices, and staff said those decisions had not yet been finalized.
The committee then heard public testimony from several speakers who urged more funding for prison safety, medical care, and oversight. Speakers described personal experiences involving deaths or serious harm in correctional facilities and jails, alleging inadequate medical treatment, excessive force, isolation, and failures to investigate. One speaker said her son died after being beaten and denied timely medical care in a correctional facility; another said her son was not receiving adequate health care at Charlotte Correctional; and another described her brother’s death in the Marion County Jail after repeated tasing and pepper spraying. The committee adopted a motion allowing staff to make technical adjustments and then approved the committee’s budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee also took up CS for CS SB 48 on alternative judicial procedures and foreclosure sales. Senator Garcia offered an amendment to standardize judicial sales, increase transparency, limit preferences in bidding, preserve public notice requirements, restrict plaintiff credit bids to the amount of the judgment unless a deposit is posted, and prevent deviations from statutory timelines and procedures from being hidden in court orders. Garcia said the bill was intended to close loopholes and protect homeowners, especially condominium owners, from unfair foreclosure practices. A representative for Auction.com said similar laws have been used in other states and offered to provide data. After debate, the amendment was adopted, and the bill passed the committee favorably on a roll call vote.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Commerce and Tourism Feb 18th, 2025
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Jones: justice, equity, and equality. Speaker: The chair recognizes Mr. Reynolds for recognition.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Jan 13th, 2025
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Farewells - 05/18/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.
- 28.920>
you <01:18:29.120>take the love you take the love you take is<01:18:30.880>equal - is equal to the love you make. is equal to the love you make. 10<01:18:34.120>
years <01:18 - I feel fortunate to have been there for the culmination of the work to establish marriage equality, and
- , marriage equality, marriage equality, and<01:21:54.800>
proud <01:21:55.160>to <01
Summary:
The meeting was a Senate retirement recognition session held after adjournment sine die, with the presiding officer relaxing decorum so members could speak, applaud, and interact more freely. The chair explained the order of speakers and noted that retiring members would be recognized from their desks, with a plaque presented by Senate leaders and photos taken afterward. The session was framed as a celebration of service for retiring senators and a tribute to staff, families, and colleagues.
Senator Mann spoke first, thanking constituents, family, staff, colleagues, and advocates, and highlighting policy accomplishments such as banning non-compete clauses, wage transparency, breast cancer screening coverage, protections for students, expanded health coverage, pharmacy benefit manager reforms, physician workforce changes, the medication repository program, and paid leave. She also used her remarks to criticize racism, sexism, and broader threats to women’s and people of color’s freedoms, urging civic engagement and warning against erosion of democracy. Senator Tou Xiong followed with a personal farewell centered on his mother’s refugee experience, his family’s sacrifices, and gratitude to mentors and colleagues; he emphasized the value of public service, bipartisan cooperation, and the idea that Minnesota should be a model for the country.
Senator Howe gave a faith-centered retirement speech reflecting on his path from humble beginnings, his family, military and public service, and the importance of humility, justice, mercy, and listening to constituents. Senator Klein looked back on a decade in the chamber, including the pandemic and the George Floyd unrest, and said the Senate’s decorum and relationships endured through difficult times; he cited a bill he helped pass for a child needing a prosthetic blade as an example of the legislature’s best work. Senator Draheim began his remarks by thanking his wife and children and joking about his discomfort with speeches, then described being recruited to run for office despite never seeing himself as a politician.
NH
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Their vision: they aim to create a world where women are empowered, celebrated, and united with equal
- He said, “Not all illnesses are equally dangerous, and not all people are equally susceptible to those
- We don't legislate equal billing rates for attorneys in a law firm, and we shouldn't be doing that here
- Equally troubling is the harmful impact the resolution will have on Muslim communities in Arizona and
- Equally troubling is the harmful impact the resolution will have on Muslim communities in Arizona and
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The teacher would put on the board, this is the formula to equal this out here.
- That's the average equalized property value per population in the state.
- equalized, and where did you get that data?
- When it's equalized, what the DRA does is your property is not reassessed every year.
- the past three years the value of residential property has gone up, and therefore we're going to equalize
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/14/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Rudolph Verba and a Arnold Freriedman told equally unbelievable tales.
- Rudolph Vrba and Arnold Friedman told equally unbelievable tales.
- Rudolph Vrba and Arnold Friedman told equally unbelievable tales.
- who only worked this extra time in the last five years of their career, their pension will not be equal
- to the corrections will not be equal to the corrections officer.<03:12:48.720>
Right?
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Why we wasn't going to have that equal playing field in a sense of thinking about expanding the horizon
- playing field in a sense of that equal playing field in a sense of thinking<00:51:41.880>
about - So, again, if everything else is equal and we said you only have X amount of dollars, where would you
- c><01:49:21.760>
is But again, if if everything else is But again, if if everything else is equal- and we said you only have x amount equal and we said you only have x amount of<01:49:24.320>
dollars
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- I found another definition what I think is, uh, equally amusing. constructed with contemporary materials
- what I think I found another definition what I think is<01:53:05.000>
uh, <01:53:05.200>equally - 31.520>
with persons without discrimination and with persons without discrimination and with equal - > dignity<03:43:32.760>
and <03:43:32.880>respect, <03:43:34.040>language equal - dignity and respect, language equal dignity and respect, language taken<03:43:34.920>
from <03
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-20 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- /c> are treated with respect and dignity are treated with respect and dignity and<00:58:50.480>
equal - 00:59:09.520>
dignity, <00:59:10.640>and <00:59:10.760>the <00:59:10.880>equality - <00:59:11.640>
that <00:59:11.800>they the dignity, and the equality that they the - dignity, and the equality that they deserve<00:59:12.640>
as <00:59:12.840>individuals < - And now we are trying to vote on a bill And now we are trying to vote on a bill that would provide equal
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (04/13/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- c> irrevocable letter of credit in the irrevocable letter of credit in the amount<02:42:13.200>
equal - c> 150%<02:42:14.720>
of <02:42:14.880>the <02:42:15.040>estimated amount equal - > it<02:49:39.040>
has <02:49:39.200>to <02:49:39.279>be <02:49:39.439>equal - <02:49:39.760>
to <02:49:40.640>150% and says that it has to be equal to 150% and says - that it has to be equal to 150% of<02:49:41.920>
the <02:49:42.160>estimated <02:49:42.640
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus Jobs, Labor and Economic Development - 05/22/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- session law, and the chair's position in front of us directs DEED to split that existing extension equally
- session law, and the chair's position in front of us directs DEED to split that existing extension equally
- session law, and the chair's position in front of us directs DEED to split that existing extension equally
- <00:26:12.159>
between <00:26:12.559>fiscal <00:26:12.880>year extension equally - between fiscal year extension equally between fiscal year 2627.<00:26:14.400>
So <00:26:14.559
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA/AGR Joint Public Hearing - Tue Feb 4, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- There are many islands in this world that have equal beauty, but somehow there's something about Hawaiʻi
- There are many islands in this world that have equal beauty, but somehow there's something about Hawaiʻi
- I mean, that would be equal to many, many glasses of alcohol, and there's no test.
- :59.840>
be that would keep it safe I mean would be that would keep it safe I mean would be equal - to many many glasses of alcohol equal to many many glasses of alcohol and<02:06:03.159>
there's
Summary:
The House Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Food Systems heard testimony and began decision-making on HB 1246, which would establish the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within DCCA to regulate cannabis. Chair Tarnas described the bill as divisive and noted the hearing had received 95 testimonies in support, 135 in opposition, and 11 comments. Members were told the office would be administratively attached to DCCA, and the department emphasized it would not direct day-to-day operations. DCCA also raised concerns about banking access due to federal law, while the Department of Agriculture supported a one-plant, one-agency approach and noted its current authority over cannabis plant importation and movement.
Several agencies and advocates supported the bill with cautions or requested amendments. The Department of Health said it appreciated the bill’s public health protections but remained concerned about increased adult-use access, youth mental health, pregnancy-related risks, and effects on developing brains; it requested a 12-month delayed effective date. The Attorney General’s office said legalization should include safeguards, recommended a longer implementation timeline and seed funding, and flagged issues in the bill involving impaired driving, open-container language, and penalties for under-21 possession. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill but objected to new driving and possession offenses, saying existing law already covers impaired driving. Doctors for Drug Policy Reform supported the measure, citing regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids, testing, childproof packaging, and public education as public-health benefits.
Opponents focused on youth access, public safety, and the bill’s broader social effects. The Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill over access and diversion concerns, and the City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor strongly opposed legalization, citing higher-potency cannabis, youth harms, psychiatric risks, and increased poison-center calls. The Hawaiʻi Substance Abuse Coalition argued legalization should wait until prevention programs are in place and funded first, while the Hawaiʻi Family Forum and Hawaiian Republican Women also opposed the measure, citing concerns about youth exposure, added bureaucracy, and taxpayer costs. The Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi questioned the purpose of the proposed cannabis taxes, asking why cannabis should be taxed heavily if legalization is intended. The hearing continued with additional testimony after a brief audio issue for one testifier.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget May 31st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So the appropriation coming out of the Senate is essentially equal to the 26 number.
Summary:
The committee received the May fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget, which reflected the updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecast. The revised forecast reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million and lowered projected revenues across the five-year baseline, including a drop in FY27 available funds and larger out-year imbalances. The statement was approved without objection.
Members then considered several Facility Planning and Control items and approved them without objection: a $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans project to build out space in the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation; a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home warehouse in Jackson; and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Lenoir Law Center addition. The committee also received, for information only, five change orders over $50,000 but under $250,000.
The committee approved contract extensions and funding actions for several agencies. Louisiana Economic Development received approval for one-year extensions and increases for marketing contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group. The Department of Education’s contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey was reported favorably after questions about the procurement process and how the contract amount relates to student enrollment. The Sabine River Authority’s $9.5 million operating budget increase and its 2026–2027 budget were approved favorably, with members discussing the planned takeover of Cypress Bend Resort operations. The Department of Health’s HERO Fund round of 15 grant awards, totaling about $4.6 million and projected to create 541 new health care credentials, was also approved favorably.
Finally, the Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were adopted, including an additional $619,850 for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and $1.5 million in emergency subfund assistance for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. The committee also reviewed a cooperative agreement between the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and its facilities corporation related to Act 35 projects, and then adjourned.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget May 31st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So the appropriation coming out of the Senate is essentially equal to the 26 number. Okay.
Summary:
The committee first heard a fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget showing that updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecasts reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million, with lower revenues across the five-year baseline and larger out-year imbalances. With no questions, the statement was approved.
Members then reviewed several Facility Planning and Control items, including approval of a new $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center project in New Orleans funded by self-generated revenues, a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson, and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Leno Law Center addition. The committee also received informational change-order reports and approved Louisiana Economic Development contract extensions for Zender Communications and Graham Group, as well as a Department of Education contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey after questions about the contract’s up-to amount and procurement process.
The Sabine River Authority sought approval for a $9.5 million increase to its operating budget and its 2026-2027 budget, explaining the increase was tied to taking over the Cypress Bend Resort hotel and related property; members asked about long-term self-sufficiency and local support, and the items were approved favorably. The Louisiana Department of Health received approval for 15 HERO Fund grant awards totaling about $4.6 million to support 541 new health care credentials statewide. The Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were also approved, including $619,850 more for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and emergency subfund support for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. Finally, members reviewed an agreement between the LCTCS Board and its Facilities Corporation under Act 35, and the meeting adjourned without objection.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a federal civil rights law that was passed in 1972 that gave women athletes the right to equal opportunities
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee met on May 5, 2026, and considered a series of bills, several of them brought up through motions for committee consideration. Chair Shelley Mayer said she would allow brief remarks but stated her opposition to those motioned bills, emphasizing her general practice of giving minority members’ bills consideration. The committee first took up S-16 (Jacob’s Law, on bullying and related school safety issues), which was moved out of committee on a majority vote, with Senators Jackson and Bynoe recorded without recommendation.
The committee then debated S-717, a local bill by Senator Rose to exempt the Wantagh Union Free School District from the state’s indigenous mascots/logos restrictions. Senator Rose argued Wantagh’s mascot and name are tied to local history and not intended to denigrate anyone. The bill was moved, but the committee vote was not favorable enough to advance it, and it was referred onward to the Investigations Committee. S-4496, Senator White’s bill to protect women’s sports from what supporters described as unfair competition by biological males, drew strong support from the sponsor and strong opposition from Chair Mayer, who said she opposed it as mean-spirited and unnecessary; the bill did not advance.
The committee also considered several school bus and transportation bills. S-4748, by Senator Borrello, would repeal the electric school bus mandate and replace it with a feasibility study; he cited safety, cost, and operational problems with early adopters. S-8847, by Senator White, similarly sought to remove electric bus mandates and leave decisions to local districts, and S-9667, by Senator Ryan, would delay the zero-emission school bus mandate by five years. The committee advanced some of these measures to other committees or the floor, while others did not move. In addition, the committee approved S-7788 on special education reserve funds, S-8288A on reasonable rates for public school room use, S-8368 on records retention for Education Department proceedings, S-8370 on temporary resident placement of children with disabilities, S-8370 on release of student records to juvenile detention facilities, and S-1049 on updating the Dignity for All Students Act’s cyberbullying definition to include AI-related harassment.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Apr 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Retirement and Government Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, the Senate has its role as an equal share of a governing body, and we just want to make sure
Bills:
HB1170
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 26, 2026 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- That's almost equally as important to me as it is for you all, for us, the state, to repair these buildings