Video & Transcript : 'Democrat' :
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MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Five - Monday, February 23
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, Title IX was introduced by a Democrat in 1972, trying to support women and break that glass ceiling
- In 1972, Mink and Edith Green, a Democrat from Oregon, who focused on women's issues, education, and
Summary:
The Missouri House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by a 113-0 roll call vote. Members then offered several points of personal privilege recognizing military history, student heroes who responded to a medical emergency at South Tech High School, Black History Month remarks on Maya Angelou, student athletic achievements, and a moment of silence for former Fire Chief Henry Williams. The House also welcomed special guests, including a student shadowing a member and former Rep. Ben Baker in his role with USDA Rural Development.
The chamber then took up several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026, was debated at length over constitutional concerns about MODOT funding and the need for disaster relief, Medicaid, and mental health appropriations; it passed 130-11. House Bill 2189, allowing five-year vehicle registrations and removing the even-odd model-year restriction, passed 143-0 after members discussed county clerks, tax payment verification, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1790, which changes ballot language requirements including Hancock Amendment-related wording and levy examples, passed 114-24.
House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2178, dealing with property tax assessment limits and appeal procedures, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would cap annual increases and help taxpayers, while opponents argued a floor amendment was not vetted, could shift burdens to schools and fire districts, and might harm local revenues; it passed 86-53. House Bill 1844, the athletic trainer compact, passed 117-27 with support framed around workforce mobility and rural health access. The House also perfected House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1663, which removes the sunset from Missouri’s Save Women’s Sports Act; debate centered on fairness in women’s athletics versus concerns about discrimination, local control, and the lack of a broader policy review, and the chamber adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including a blue alert and the death of a Christian County deputy, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until February 24, 2026.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This is what was democratically pronounced through an amendment.
- contention is that the state of Idaho has the duty and the right to support the family... ...through the democratic
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 17 and 18 and agreed to hold RS 33446 at the sponsor’s request. It then reconsidered RS 33144, a memorial urging the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit Obergefell v. Hodges. The sponsor argued the issue belongs to the states under federalism and cited Idaho’s constitutional definition of marriage and traditional moral and religious views. Members questioned the need for the memorial given Idaho’s existing constitutional amendment and whether updated public-opinion data should be provided. The committee adopted a substitute amendment removing language referring to the “Anglo-American legal tradition,” and the revised RS 33144 was introduced; the chair later noted noes on the motion for the record.
The committee next introduced RS 33-421, a large-load utility bill aimed at codifying rules for new high-demand customers, such as data centers, so growth pays for growth and existing ratepayers are protected from infrastructure costs. The sponsor said the bill would help prevent rate increases and stranded assets, and members asked about impacts on nuclear development, treatment of existing large-load customers, and whether utilities had been consulted. The motion to introduce RS 33-421 passed.
The main item of the meeting was H.J.R. 10, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning Idaho endowment lands. The sponsor said the amendment would prioritize revenue-generating uses, preserve traditional uses like timber, mining, and grazing, and protect public access without making the public a beneficiary. Supporters, including recreation and outfitter representatives, said it would provide stability and better recognize recreation and other uses. Opponents from logging, mining, ranching, and the Idaho Department of Lands warned it could create legal ambiguity, invite litigation, conflict with the Admissions Act and fiduciary duties, and shift management away from the current trust framework. After extensive testimony and debate, a motion to hold H.J.R. 10 in committee failed 6-8, and the motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation then failed on a 7-7 tie, so no action was taken to advance the resolution.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This is what was democratically pronounced through an amendment.
- family, Our contention is that the state of Idaho has the duty and the right to support, through the democratic
Committee:
House State Affairs
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health Care & Wellness
Transcript Highlights:
- Democrats will be in 102. Sounds good. Okay, we're going to go ahead and recess for caucus.
- Democrats will be in 102. Republicans will be in B-15. Okay, so Republicans will stay up here.
Committee:
House Health Care & Wellness
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- officers to de-mask is simply requiring that those who are enforcing the law do so in a professional, democratic
- We could talk about this is beyond Republican and Democratic politics. It really is.
Summary:
The House Community Safety Committee met on January 18, 2026, and heard staff briefings and public testimony on several familiar bills. Engrossed Senate Bill 5068 would broaden eligibility for law enforcement, civil service, prosecuting attorney, and Fish and Wildlife officer jobs to anyone legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, replacing references to lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients. Supporters, including Sen. Lovick and King County, said it would expand the applicant pool and align state law with federal work authorization rules; opponents raised concerns about background checks, visa fraud, and whether the bill could allow people without U.S. citizenship to serve in sensitive public safety roles. The committee also heard testimony on Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, which would require community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm offenses; law enforcement and prosecutors supported it as an accountability measure, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission urged more specificity and cautioned against over-supervision for lower-level cases.
The committee then heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, which expands school-related interference and intimidation offenses to include employees, contractors, students, and officials or volunteers involved in extracurricular athletic activities, increases penalties, and requires non-student offenders to be barred from the school or activity for 12 to 18 months. Sen. Lovick and several witnesses, including referee Bob West, supported the bill as a response to rising abuse of sports officials and school personnel. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, which would codify and fund community policing partnerships at Western State Hospital in Lakewood and Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, with annual reporting requirements; the mayors of Lakewood and Medical Lake testified in support, saying the programs had reduced calls and improved safety.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Substitute Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover work, SWAT/protective gear, and other hazardous conditions. Supporters, including Sen. Valdez, the King County prosecutor, local officials, and several public commenters, argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, especially in response to masked federal immigration enforcement. Opponents warned about officer safety, doxing, weather and smoke conditions, and possible conflict with federal law; committee members and stakeholders discussed a possible amendment tied to Labor and Industries rules to address protective coverings in hazardous conditions. The chair said the committee would take executive action on SB 5272, SB 5286, and SB 5268 the next day, and the meeting adjourned after public testimony on SB 5855.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/18/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- And that will not fight an enemy of our democratic republic by making our democratic republic more like
Keywords:
international organizations, government resources, public institutions, Arizona Board of Regents, foreign adversaries, campaign finance, contributions, termination statements, reporting, penalties, electoral processes, healthcare, public benefits, eligibility verification, fraud prevention, Medicaid, SNAP, transparency, accountability, state land
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Did you talk with the Democratic chairwoman to find out if they were on board with the move of the presidential
- Did you talk with the Democratic chairwoman to find out if they were on board with the move of the presidential
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first took up two RS introductions, RS 33088 and RS 32925, both of which were moved and approved without opposition. RS 33088 would add foreign species and foreign silver and gold to domestic language, and RS 32925 is a concurrent resolution concerning the Morse and Knudson Company’s work on Wake Island before and after World War II. RS 33193, dealing with restoring the presidential primary to March, was set aside until later in the meeting.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to House Bill 607, a proposal to require separate restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms, and showers for biological males and females in government buildings and to extend premises-liability duties to places of public accommodation. The sponsor and supporting testimony argued the bill was about privacy, safety, and dignity, especially for women and girls, and said it would not require ID checks or other burdensome enforcement. Opponents, including transgender residents, clergy, business groups, and advocacy organizations, argued the bill would target identity rather than conduct, invite harassment and scrutiny, create liability for businesses, and harm transgender and intersex people. Business witnesses said the private right of action and “reasonable steps” standard were too vague and could pressure businesses to police restrooms. After closing remarks and questions, the committee voted 9-5 to send HB 607 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then returned to RS 33193. The sponsor said it would restore the presidential primary in March and keep a $50,000 per-candidate fee to offset costs. A substitute motion to move the primary to coincide with the regular May primary failed 13-1 after debate over cost, party support, and whether the state should fund a separate presidential primary. The original motion to introduce RS 33193 then passed, and the committee adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 29th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- It shifts decisions away from the state budget and Democratic. Subsidizing abortions.
- It shifts decisions away from the state budget and democratic process, removing legislative accountability
Committee:
Senate Health & Long-Term Care
Keywords:
Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database, National Practitioner Data Bank, license renewal, license reinstatement, medical board, professional discipline, credential surrender, healthcare regulation, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 29th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- decades, the federal government, and I repeat, for decades, the federal government, Republicans and Democrats
- both sides of this potential debate are, you can see the bipartisan nature of it, because from a Democratic
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a long third-reading file with several guest introductions and ceremonial resolutions. Early floor action included AB 713, allowing undocumented students equal access to campus jobs at UC, CSU, and community colleges, and AB 1049, streamlining California Food Assistance Program applications for low-income immigrant families; both passed. The body also defeated an amendment to AB 1421, a bill to begin studying a statewide mileage-based road user charge, before passing the measure. AB 1171, modernizing part-time community college faculty health insurance access, also passed with strong support.
The Assembly then approved a series of policy bills on animals, domestic violence, telehealth for autism services, forestry, false lien filings, tianeptine restrictions, housing, common interest development fee transparency, prison sexual abuse accountability, PBM reporting, foster youth benefits protections, illegal dumping and abandoned RV removal, condo financing/liquidated damages, public contracting, pension-related study language, climate resiliency research funding, and a disposable vape reduction measure. Most passed with broad margins; AB 762 on vapor inhalation devices drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing landfill fires and public health and opponents warning about revenue losses and illicit-market growth, but it still passed. AB 1406 on condo development financing drew extensive discussion about housing affordability and consumer protections before passing.
The chamber also adopted three resolutions: ACR 120 declaring January 2026 Positive Parenting Awareness Month, ACR 121 designating January 2026 National Mentoring Month, and ACR 122 designating Anesthesiologist Week. Later, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments on AB 1485, extending welfare-tax exemption treatment to federally recognized tribes holding land for conservation, and adopted the consent calendar, which included several additional bills and SCR 6. The session ended with adjournment until February 2, 2016, after which several members recorded vote changes from the floor.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 29th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 28th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- Democrats in B12, Republicans in B18. All right, we'll be back in about 10 minutes.
- Democrats in B12, Republicans in B 18. All right, we'll be back in about 10 minutes.
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Business
Keywords:
real estate, appraisal, consumer protection, business operations, regulatory compliance, HB 2501, real estate disclosure, seller disclosure notice, residential property, home heating oil tank, oil tank insurance, pollution liability insurance agency, PLIA, heating oil contamination, remediation assistance, Washington real estate, property sale, buyer disclosure, seller obligations, oil heat
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the tools it needs to rein in bad actors and send a signal to Congress that they must work with Democrats
- there are, As important as this bill is, and it should say something to all of you, that there are Democrats
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guest delegations, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes.
The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures approved included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on prompt payment for public works contractors, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 strengthening protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 expanding support for community land trusts, SB 479 authorizing city-based homeless response multidisciplinary teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 limiting forfeiture when a contractor’s license lapses, SB 490 allowing local inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities with state approval, SB 828 requiring permit-data verification for fireworks and explosives facilities, SB 849 barring physicians who committed sexual misconduct from license renewal, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electric lines in response to the Altadena fire, SB 96 regulating amplified advertising on streaming and related platforms, and SB 58 updating hydrogen sulfide monitoring and response standards. Most passed unanimously; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some opposition, and SB 222 passed 38-3.
A major floor debate centered on SB 694, which would restrict unaccredited private firms from charging fees to assist veterans with VA benefits claims and align state law with federal accreditation rules. Supporters argued the bill would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and preserve access through accredited providers, while opponents said it would limit veterans’ choice and could reduce access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 by a 39-0 vote. The session ended with unanimous approval of the consent calendar items and adjournment until January 27, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 23rd, 2026 at 08:00 am
State Government & Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- , I have no agenda to advance a conservative or a liberal or a progressive or a Republican or a Democratic
- , I have no agenda to advance a conservative or a liberal or a progressive or a Republican or a Democratic
Committee:
House State Government & Tribal Relations
Keywords:
regulatory efficiency, permitting, licensing, executive order, state government, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, unpiloted aircraft, drones, regulation, airspace safety, privacy, address confidentiality, administrative law judges, privacy protection, staff employment
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , I have no agenda to advance a conservative or a liberal or a progressive or a Republican or a Democratic
- , I have no agenda to advance a conservative or a liberal or a progressive or a Republican or a Democratic
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2462 would direct the governor to create rules for countering threats from unpiloted aircraft systems and authorize National Guard support for law enforcement in certain circumstances; the prime sponsor and National Guard witnesses said it would improve coordination for events like the FIFA World Cup, while one testifier supported it with amendments related to law enforcement authority, data privacy, and a web portal. HB 2401 would create a Washington State Boys and Men’s Commission, contingent on non-state funding through 2029; supporters described concerns about boys’ and men’s mental health, suicide, loneliness, education, and workforce outcomes, while some asked that physical health and fatherhood be more explicitly addressed. HB 2198 would expand and standardize statewide credential and permit reporting, require agencies to publish timelines and fee refunds for missed deadlines, and consolidate reporting; the governor’s office, business groups, labor, ports, and the Department of Health testified in support, citing faster processing, predictability, and economic benefits. HB 2419 would extend Address Confidentiality Program eligibility to administrative law judges and certain Office of Administrative Hearings staff; OAH, county officials, and county clerks supported the bill, citing threats and safety concerns, and some asked to include county clerks as well. The committee then took executive action on HB 2210, HB 2205, and HB 2249. It adopted an amendment to HB 2210 preserving existing ranked choice voting systems and advanced the bill 4-2 with one excused. It adopted an amendment to HB 2205 making threats against sports officials, coaches, or participants involved in wagered events a Class C felony and barring offenders from future wagering, and advanced the bill 5-1 with one excused. HB 2249, reclassifying certain WATEC employees performing network and security duties, was advanced unanimously 6-0 with one excused.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- So I feel like we're dancing around people's democratic rights in a constitutionally elected office.
- So I feel like we're dancing around people's democratic rights in a constitutionally elected office.
Bills:
SB5837 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974 , SB5720 , SB5833 , SB5936 , SB5993 , SB6070 , SB6002 , SJM8014 , SB6086
Committee:
Senate Law & Justice
Keywords:
guardianship, conservatorship, protective arrangement, protective arrangements, supported decision-making, supported decision making, court visitor, adult guardianship, limited guardianship, full guardianship, adult conservatorship, less restrictive alternative, capacity, legal capacity, respondent rights, due process, vulnerable adults, disability rights, elder abuse, estate management
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Jan 21st, 2026
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- This is not a Democrat issue, but this will affect all of us on how we run our campaigns, on using data
- This is not a Democrat issue, but this will affect all of us on how we run our campaigns, on using data
Committee:
House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Keywords:
parental rights, drag performances, public schools, public libraries, overnight programs, gender identity, minor safety, HB89, Medicaid, pregnant women, pregnancy, prenatal care, ambulatory prenatal care, presumptive eligibility, temporary Medicaid coverage, Alabama Medicaid Agency, maternal health, low-income women, health coverage, eligibility determination
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This privacy is fundamental to democratic decision-making and helps ensure workers' choice reflects their
- true preference, fundamental to democratic decision-making and helps ensure workers' choice reflects
Summary:
The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6152 would add physical and occupational therapists as attending providers in workers’ compensation claims. Supporters said it would reduce delays, improve access to care, and speed return to work; opponents, including the Washington State Medical Association, retail and business groups, and L&I, raised concerns about diagnosis, scope of practice, network enrollment, implementation time, and the $1.9 million fiscal note from accident and medical aid accounts. The committee also heard SB 5437, which would prohibit non-compete agreements and clarify non-solicitation rules. The sponsor and labor and physician groups supported ending non-competes as anti-competitive and harmful to worker mobility, while business, banking, and clinic representatives argued non-competes protect investments, confidential information, and patient/customer relationships and asked for narrower changes.
The committee then heard SB 6058, which would give L&I discretion over whether to investigate wage complaints and would toll civil statutes of limitation when a complaint is filed. The sponsor said it would better match agency resources, and testimony was entirely supportive. SB 5944 would require language access provider compensation bargaining to include missed or canceled appointments and make CBAs prevail over conflicting agency policies; the sponsor and union representatives said it would create consistency across agencies, with no opposition testimony. SB 6039 would modernize L&I communications by allowing electronic notices while preserving a non-electronic option; supporters called it a permissive modernization, while worker advocates warned email could be missed and could burden vulnerable workers, though L&I said the bill preserves choice and has no fiscal impact.
Finally, the committee heard SB 6117, which would place workers and employers not covered by the NLRA under PERC jurisdiction if federal law no longer applies, with card-check and secret-ballot procedures and interest arbitration provisions. Supporters said it would create a state backstop if federal labor enforcement fails and protect workers’ organizing rights; opponents from agriculture, business, and small business groups warned it was too broad, could sweep in agriculture and small businesses, and could weaken secret-ballot protections and disrupt harvest operations. The sponsor closed by saying the bill is intended to create a clear framework where federal jurisdiction is absent. No votes or executive actions were taken in the hearing.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 16th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Hi, I'm a member of the Washington State Democrats' Environment and Climate Change Council and a founding
- member of the Young Democrats' Environmental Caucus.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology
Keywords:
nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Jan 16th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Labor & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we have Michael Althauser, who joined us last year, is the counsel for the Democratic...
- We have Michael Althauser, who joined us last year, as the counsel for the Democratic Caucus, and then
Committee:
Senate Labor & Commerce
Keywords:
pregnancy accommodations, pregnant workers, workplace accommodations, reasonable accommodation, undue hardship, lactation, breastfeeding, express milk, maternity leave, childbirth, pregnancy discrimination, employment law, labor and industries, L&I, confidential records, public records exemption, health care certification, workplace standards, employee rights, employer obligations