Video & Transcript Research : 'ACT'
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AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/10/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #10
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1430, Tax Corrections Act of 2026, provides clarifying changes to tax
- Madam Chair, Member, Senate Bill 1430 Tax Corrections Act of 2026.
- Madam Chair Member, Senate Bill 1430, Tax Corrections Act of 2026, provides clarifying changes to tax
- firearm transactions merchant codes prohibition, establishes the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act
- retailers from other retailers and requires the Attorney General or County Attorney to enforce the act
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long calendar of bills spanning health care, education, tax, public safety, firearms, elections, and family law. On health and education, HB 283 would expand diabetes-related coverage for certain supplies; SB 1126 would require schools to provide records and cooperate with Department of Child Safety caseworkers; SB 1210 would require out-of-state private postsecondary institutions to register in Arizona; and SCR 1006, which would create private causes of action over restroom and pronoun policies in schools, drew strong opposition and was requested to be pulled from consent. Members also discussed HB 2308, which would bar dental insurers from owning dental practices, and SB 1049, which would cap spousal maintenance at four years and change how the marital standard of living is considered; both prompted questions and SB 1049 was pulled from consent.
Several tax measures were also reviewed. SB 1293 would limit GPLET abatements by protecting school district revenue, and members noted prior opposition. SB 1294 would clarify county assessors’ authority to prorate destroyed property for tax purposes, though members said they were still researching whether it was necessary. SB 1430, the Tax Corrections Act of 2026, would make technical tax changes and remove redundant language, but members said they wanted Department of Revenue-requested corrections restored. SB 1053 would reduce concealed weapons permit fees for Arizona residents and was pulled from consent after concerns about fee impacts and unresolved amendment language.
On public safety and firearms, SB 1058 would prohibit government records distinguishing firearm retailers and firearm owners and was pulled from consent after criticism and reference to a prior veto. SB 1093 would expand riot-related offenses to include property damage and add riot to conspiracy and racketeering provisions. SB 1160 would restrict drones near ticketed entertainment events, with supporters framing it as a public safety measure and clarifying that event-authorized drone use could still be exempt. SB 1211 would allow lifetime injunctions for felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence.
The caucus also considered election-related bills. SB 1006 would raise the threshold for aggregated campaign contribution reporting from under $100 to under $200, and it was pulled from consent. SB 1029 would create a process for terminating a campaign committee after a candidate’s death. SB 1038 would make cast vote records public records, SB 1057 would add fraud countermeasures for paper ballots, and SB 1237 would require consultation with county recorders and legislative leaders before the Secretary of State updates the Elections Procedures Manual. Several of these election bills were noted as having been vetoed previously, and the meeting ended by moving into closed caucus.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 32 creates a new injunction for protection when a respondent has committed one act of serious violence
- It defines serious violence as an act of violence between two individuals who are known to one another
- is about keeping victims safe, supporting cooperation with law enforcement, and preventing further acts
- is about keeping victims safe, supporting cooperation with law enforcement, and preventing further acts
- In summary, children that witness or participate in acts of animal cruelty have a greater increase in
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard and approved several bills. SB 504 and its related public records bill SB 506, both by Sen. Burgess, would allow local governments to authorize code enforcement officers to use body cameras under standardized policies and create a public records exemption for certain recordings; members raised questions about disclosure and when cameras may be used, and both bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 32 and SB 210 by Sen. Sharif, creating a new injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and extending public records protections to petitions under that injunction category. Supporters included law enforcement, women’s advocacy groups, and justice organizations.
The committee then favorably reported SB 676 by Sen. Arrington, which creates a graduated penalty structure for adults who involve minors in certain animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties related to fighting or baiting animals. SB 432 by Sen. Yarbrough was also approved; it adds certain concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I, exempts FDA-approved veterinary xylazine products, creates penalties for candy-like xylazine products, and establishes trafficking penalties for xylazine. Sen. Osgood spoke in support of the bill, emphasizing the dangers of adulterated street drugs for people with substance use disorder.
Finally, the committee approved SB 524 by Sen. Simon, which makes a series of technical and administrative changes affecting the Medical Examiners Commission, district medical examiner appointments, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and notice procedures for administrative complaints. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement appeared in support. All measures were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned without objection.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 14th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendments adopted by the Senate to the following House File: House File number 2442, an act relating
- The next bill on the calendar for the day is Senate File 3446, an act relating to claims against the
- Urgency means we need to act quickly.
- We need to act quickly because these families are watching us. 640 people are employed, 640 families
- You can act today on a standalone bill and show the people, the 640 families, that you recognize that
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Even if you consider them in the light most favorable, this is an act. argument.
- a violation of the Ethics Act for Ms.
- We were doing a Facebook Live for HB 1041, the New Hope Act, which at that time Ms.
- Did you be... 1041, the New Hope Act, which at that time, Ms.
- Did you believe that you were in compliance with the Ethics Act by doing so? Yes.
Summary:
The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony.
The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed.
Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Even if you consider them in the light most favorable, this is an act. argument.
- Is that a violation of the Ethics Act for Mr. ...
- We were doing a Facebook Live for HB 1041, the New Hope Act, which at that time Ms.
- Simmons, 1041, the New Hope Act, which at that time, Ms.
- Did you believe that you were in compliance with the Ethics Act by doing so? Yes.
Summary:
The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case.
The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding.
Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 2828, Money Transmission Modernization Act requiring licenses Modernization Act requiring
- This is the Strengthen Mississippi Homes Act.
- And was not even acted upon.
- >> Senate Bill 2747, Mississippi Transparency in Consumer Legal Funding Act and Act.
- Legal Funding Act and Act. >> Okay. Now, we're through that. Any questions?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I am here to express my strong support for the SHIELD Act, which expands funding for critical school
- The SHIELD Act gives them the resources to do both.
- to stop and think they can act to stop and think they can act immediately<00:10:08.680>
most< - You have the ability to make this all possible with your support of the Shield Act.
- Thank you for allowing me to speak today on behalf of the Shield Act.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Third reading of a bill: An act authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
- An act authorizing the Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to give a certain parcel
- An act amending the charter of the town of Acushnet, Senate No. 2340?
- form of government in the town of Rochester, House No. 4030; and an act further regulating the term
- House No. 4030, and an act further regulating the term of the town moderator in the town of Norwood,
Summary:
The Senate took up several local bills on third reading and passed them to be engrossed, including measures authorizing police officers in Plainville, amending the charter of Acushnet, and authorizing conveyance of a parcel of land in Wellesley. It also considered House No. 4206, the bill modernizing the cannabis laws of the Commonwealth; the House nonconcurred in the Senate amendment and appointed a conference committee, and the Senate voted to insist on its amendment and appoint its own conferees, naming Senators Gómez, Comerford, and Durant.
The Senate then suspended the rules to take up House No. 4007, concerning the composition of the Licensing Board for the City of Salem, and ordered it to a third reading. Later, two bills were passed to be enacted: House No. 4030, establishing a select board-town administrator form of government in Rochester, and House No. 4381, further regulating the term of the town moderator in Norwood. Both were ordered signed by the President and laid before the Governor.
Finally, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m., then adjourned.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- We are going to start with Senate Bill S-28C by Senator Skoufis: an act to amend the labor law in relation
- Next is Senate Bill 2225 by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the labor law in relation to modular construction
- Next is Senate Bill S. 6078 by Senator Parker: an act to amend the workers' compensation law in relation
- Next is Senate Bill 6376 by Senator Scarcella-Spanton: an act to amend the workers' compensation law
- Next is Senate Bill S 8677 by Senator Ryan: an act to amend the labor law in relation to eligibility
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Labor, chaired by Senator Jessica Ramos, met for its sixth meeting of the 2026 session and considered seven bills. The committee advanced bills on the minimum wage for employees with disabilities (S-28C), modular construction work (S.2225), COVID-19-related workers’ compensation death benefits (S.6078), withholding of workers’ compensation benefits based on attachment to the labor market (S.6376), paid sick leave eligibility (S.8677), mandatory disclosures in job advertisements (S.8877), and construction reporting pay-up (S.9843). Several members voiced support for the bills, and Senator Rhoads gave extended remarks in favor of S.6078, describing it as a needed reopening of the filing period for families who missed the deadline during the pandemic.
Most measures were reported out of committee with little opposition. S-28C was reported to the Disabilities Committee, S.6078 and S.6376 were reported to Finance, and S.8677, S.8877, and S.9843 were reported to the calendar. The committee took voice votes on each bill, with some recorded abstentions or absent-without-recommendation responses noted, but no roll-call vote was taken.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions - 02/10/2026
Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 2458 is an act to amend the Public Authorities Law in relation to establishing a time limit
- Senate Bill 2555, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law in relation to requirements for explanatory
- Senate Bill 6017 is an act to amend the New York State Urban Development Corporation Act in relation
- to enacting the Food Retail Establishment Subsidy for Healthy Communities Act.
- Senate Bill 6165, an act to amend the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and the Public Authorities Law in
Summary:
The Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee met on February 10 and considered five bills. Senator Claire’s SB 2458 would set a six-year limit on challenges to New York City water board fees, rates, rents, and other service charges, and it was moved and reported to the floor. SB 2555, also by Senator Claire, would require explanatory statements for property disposals to identify all beneficial owners and be made publicly available; it was also passed and reported to the floor.
The committee then approved SB 6017 by Senator Baskin, the Food Retail Establishment Subsidy for Healthy Communities Act, which would provide loans, guarantees, interest subsidies, and grants to support food retail in underserved areas. Members noted the need for better food access in underserved communities. The committee also took up SB 6165 by Senator Skoufis, which would extend open meetings and FOIL requirements to certain local development corporations and related not-for-profit entities; there was some discussion about how these entities are used by municipalities, and the bill was reported to the floor.
Finally, the committee approved SB 8839 by Senator Garnardt, authorizing the Dormitory Authority to provide financing for the New York Climate Exchange’s construction and facilities. All five bills were advanced, with no recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned after the last bill was reported.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Also important is to harmonize 311.3 with the Child Abuse Reporting Act.
- California cannot wait for years for a paralyzed Congress to act.
- So we understand it as our desire to act early on developing issues.
- So we understand it as our desire to act early on developing issues.
- They're exempt from the Public Records Act.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on artificial intelligence, child safety, mental health, and privacy. SB 574 by Senator Umberg would require transparency and human oversight when attorneys, judges, and court neutrals use AI; it drew support from privacy advocates and committee members, with no opposition. SB 1276, the End Child Exploitation Act, would update child sexual exploitation laws to cover live-streamed and AI-generated abuse material and clarify that viewing such content can be criminally punishable; prosecutors, child advocacy groups, and others supported it, while no one appeared in opposition despite opposition on file. SB 813 would create a California AI standards and safety commission and a voluntary two-tier certification framework for AI safety standards; supporters said it would create scalable, independent oversight, while TechNet and CalChamber opposed it as duplicative, under-defined, and likely to create a de facto mandate. The committee discussed market pressure, federal preemption concerns, and the role of voluntary standards, but no final vote was taken in the excerpt.
Senator Padilla also presented SB 300, which would strengthen protections for minors from sexually explicit chatbot content by moving from a reasonableness standard to an affirmative duty to prevent such exposure and to prohibit facilitation. Supporters said new evidence showed greater risks and that companies can and should build stronger safeguards; opponents, including TechNet and CCIA, argued the bill was premature because SB 243 had only recently taken effect and warned it could create strict-liability-like exposure. Padilla then presented SB 903, which would bar AI chatbots from being advertised as therapists, require licensed clinician oversight and informed consent for AI use in psychotherapy, and protect patient confidentiality; it received broad support from mental health professionals and labor groups, while industry and health associations were opposed unless amended over triage and crisis-detection language. The committee members emphasized the need for human judgment in mental health care and noted ongoing negotiations on amendments.
The committee also heard SB 1119, a companion to AB 2020, which would require annual risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, default child settings, parental controls, limits on data use, public incident reporting, and third-party audits for chatbots used by children. Supporters argued the bill would address documented harms and improve transparency, while industry groups objected to ambiguous standards, liability exposure, and the private right of action. A roll call vote was taken on SB 1119 after quorum was established; the motion to pass to Appropriations succeeded on a 5-1 vote, with one no vote and the measure left on call for absent members. Finally, SB 354, a privacy bill for insurance consumers, would modernize outdated insurance privacy rules, bar sale of personal information, and expand consumer rights to know, correct, and delete data. Supporters said it would implement Proposition 24’s privacy mandate, while a large coalition of insurers, agents, brokers, and related businesses opposed unless amended, mainly seeking a small-business exemption and narrower treatment of publicly available information; members and the author said negotiations were ongoing and the bill had already been substantially revised.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- is you've already heard extensive testimony from the Mass Retirees, and that's House Bill 2890, an act
- I ask that you please back Bill H-2809, S-1794, an act requiring administrators of certain retirement
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you on an act regarding retirement equity for parenting
- The first is House Bill 2910, an act relative to state police pensions, and Senate Bill 1908, an act
- Senate Bill 1908, an act increasing the cap on outside income for public pension recipients.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a range of public retirement and municipal health insurance bills. Mass Retirees and the American Federation of Teachers supported House 2890/Senate 1848 on transparency in municipal health insurance, arguing that broker and consultant roles should be clearly defined, commissions disclosed, and dual roles prohibited to reduce conflicts of interest and costs. They also supported House 2799/Senate 1848 on protecting municipal retirees from future premium contribution increases, House 2854 on voting rights for surviving spouses in retirement board elections, and Senate 1917 on updating the definition of veteran for retirement purposes. Committee members discussed whether the veteran definition should simply conform to the federal definition going forward.
Educators testified in support of House 2769/Senate 1921, which would allow teachers with at least 20 years of service to buy back creditable service for periods when they worked part-time while raising children. Multiple teachers described the financial and retirement penalties they experienced after stepping down to part-time work for child care, calling the current system inequitable and a “mom tax.” Sponsors and supporters said the bill is intended to correct that disparity and help retain teachers, while one committee member noted it appeared neutral on an actuarial basis.
The committee also heard strong support for Senate 1908, which would raise the cap on outside income for public pension recipients, from retired State Police troopers who said the current limit is outdated and unfair to those forced into disability retirement after line-of-duty injuries. Another State Police representative supported House 2910 on state police pensions, citing recruitment and retention problems under current pension rules. In contrast, Hampden County Regional Retirement System officials and the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems opposed House 2745, a bill to restructure the Hampden County system’s governance, arguing it would weaken PERAC oversight and create an unworkable local system. They instead supported House 2813, which would extend the time to fill a vacant fifth member seat on retirement boards. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to adjourn the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Fitchburg State is already acting boldly.
- I am here in support of House 1421, an act establishing the John F. Kennedy...
- I am here in support of House 1421, an act establishing the John F.
- I’m here today in support of House Bill 1449, an act ensuring students access to transcripts.
- I'm Carrie Pascarello, here to speak on Bill 926, an act to protect students abroad.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills touching student access, campus safety, and institutional support. Early testimony focused on H. 4544, which would create a state Hispanic-serving institution designation to replace a lost federal designation and potentially allow future funding. Representative Kushmerek and Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge described Fitchburg’s growing Latino student population, the university’s local commitments such as the Fitchburg Promise, and argued the bill would help the institution better serve its community. Committee members asked about how the tuition-free local program is financed, and the bill was described as having no immediate funding request but allowing for future appropriations.
The committee also heard support for H. 1421, a proposed John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship Program for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Commonwealth Corps alumni, with Representative Arena DeRosa arguing that student debt discourages service and that the program would help make citizen service more accessible to lower- and moderate-income students. Members raised questions about cost, take-up, and whether the program should be capped. H. 1449, dealing with transcript withholding, drew support from Representative LeBoeuf and USPyre’s Demi Stoltz, who said withholding transcripts over small balances or non-academic fees traps students and harms workforce participation; members discussed how schools could still collect debts without blocking transcripts. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to improve study-abroad safety reporting, with Carrie Pascarello urging a centralized data system after multiple student deaths and serious incidents abroad, and members asking about how other states handle similar transparency measures.
Another major topic was H. 4113 on higher education sexual misconduct. Laura G. and Ashley Freeman supported a proposal aimed at preventing “passing the harasser” by requiring disclosure of substantiated findings or departures during open investigations in hiring processes. They said the bill would improve transparency and campus safety while preserving due process, and noted Washington State has a similar law. Members discussed whether the bill should be expanded to K-12 settings and asked about the Washington model’s effectiveness. The committee also heard from Mike Canavan of AFT Massachusetts in support of a bill to create a grant program for librarians to earn a master’s in library science, noting the credential is required for the profession but is not offered by any public institution in Massachusetts. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House committee hears 'Take It Back Act' 4/30/26
Transcript Highlights:
- But the the we call this a Take It Back Act.
- The Take It Back Act says we want our money back. the DE which just includes language um the DE which
- a<00:01:32.120>
take <00:01:32.440>it <00:01:32.560>back <00:01:32.920>act - the the we call this a take it back act. the the we call this a take it back act.
- they you can't just act on a tip,<00:10:12.160>
but <00:10:12.560>yeah.
Summary:
The committee heard House File 5040, the “Take It Back Act,” presented by Representative Anderson. The bill, as amended by the DE1 amendment, would impose a 100% tax on amounts a person is convicted of stealing through fraud against Minnesota public programs, with the stated goal of recovering taxpayer dollars. Anderson said the measure is bipartisan, has many co-authors, and was developed with the Department of Revenue to ensure it could be administered without undue burden.
Joanna Bears of the Department of Revenue testified in support of the bill’s administration and thanked the authors for working with the department. She explained that the bill has two parts: a conviction-based tax that would be assessed after a fraud conviction, and a penalty piece tied to fraud identified through the department’s existing review and tip processes. In response to member questions, Bears said the department already receives tips and information from other agencies, reviews them carefully, and would use the bill as another tool to address public fund fraud. Members also asked about timing, restitution, and whether the bill could be misused by bad-faith tips; Anderson and Bears said the conviction-based portion is not tip-driven and that the bill is intended to be administered legally and efficiently.
Representative Smith asked about the relationship to the Fraud Restitution Fund and whether the bill would apply to private-sector tax fraud. Bears said restitution would likely be collected first depending on statutory priority, and clarified that the new 100% penalty would apply only to public fund fraud, not general tax fraud, and only to the fraudulent public-fund amount. Representative Witty and others expressed support for the bill as a tool to combat fraud. At the end of the hearing, Representative Anderson renewed her motion to lay over House File 5040, as amended, for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill, and the chair indicated that was the plan.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 293, an act amending section 15-701.03 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to school
- House Bill 233, an act amending section 17-41, relating to school assessment accountability.
- House Bill 2093, an act amending section 15-701.03, relating to school curricula. House Bill 293.
- House Bill 2093, an act amending section 15-701.03, relating to school curricula. House Bill 293.
- House Bill 2093, an act amending section 15-701.03, relating to school curricula.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Did they act? So right now is this. Oh, well, thank you. So right now, it's a yes.
- Serious violence by a known person is an act of violence between two individuals who are known to one
- Senator Pizzo, the two greatest concerns I see are a domestic violence victim who acts in self-defense
- They may not convict them of the violent act, because it was a legitimate self-defense, but they are
- They may not convict them of the violent act, because it was a legitimate self-defense, but they are
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 156. The committee first considered the confirmation of Matthew Walsh as Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Walsh described his background in law enforcement, social work, and juvenile justice, and outlined DJJ priorities including recruitment and retention, staff wellness, collaboration with DCF and other agencies, aging facilities, and expanding educational and vocational opportunities for youth. Members asked about his social work training, lockout youth, bed space, recidivism, and the Florida Scholars Academy. The committee voted unanimously to favorably report his confirmation.
The committee then took up SPB 704, a committee bill extending the public records exemption for conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information. Senator Martin explained that the exemption was originally created to protect active innocence reviews and should continue past its current sunset date. With no opposition or debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably as a committee bill.
Next, the committee considered CS for SB 32, as amended, which creates an injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and adds it to the statewide injunction verification system and related enforcement provisions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to give judges a faster tool to protect victims who have reported serious violence to law enforcement, while supporters said it addresses cases where victims are harmed before a repeat-violence injunction can be granted. Eric Friday of Florida Carry opposed the bill, warning it could be misused against self-defense situations and create problems in cases already covered by existing injunction laws. After debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 210, which extends public records protections to petitions for injunctions for protection against serious violence by a known person, including dismissed petitions and identifying information before service. There was no opposition, and the committee voted unanimously to report SB 210 favorably before adjourning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session: 2025 First Special Session - part 2 Jun 9th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House File Number 5, an act relating to education, modifying provisions for pre-kindergarten through
- To the READ Act and the original House Bill.
- The first one has to do with the READ Act, and it's a provision put together by Representative Perez.
- The Shield Act is another area of commonality that I think we should look at and talk about.
- Co-chair Khrushchev [member_22599] is always the hard act to follow.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits May 14th, 2025
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits
Transcript Highlights:
- The Model Toxics Control Act is the primary state law governing contaminated sites in Washington.
- The Model Toxics Control Act is the primary state law governing contaminated sites in Washington.
- The Model Toxics Control Act identifies three types of site cleanups: Ecology-conducted sites, which
- Ecology's rules under the Model Toxics Control Act allow third parties to perform cleanups.
- This act also promotes removing engagement barriers such as accounting for transportation This act also
Summary:
The I-900 Subcommittee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s performance audit, Community Engagement During Contaminated Site Cleanups. Auditors said Ecology directly conducts or supervises cleanup at only about 8% of active contaminated sites, while most sites are handled by third parties or have no cleanup plan yet. The audit found that Ecology generally met legal requirements at the sites it oversees, but community engagement varied, was not consistently tailored to local needs, and lacked a systematic “lessons learned” process. Auditors also found inconsistent coordination between Ecology and the Department of Health, and limited guidance for staff on when to collaborate. Tribal feedback was mixed: some tribes said engagement met their needs, while others wanted earlier and more tailored outreach.
Committee members pressed the auditors on why many third-party-managed sites appeared to have little or no public involvement, and whether Ecology has broader authority to require public engagement and oversight. The auditors responded that their review focused on community engagement requirements, not the full cleanup permitting process, and said the gap they identified was the lack of required oversight for third-party engagement. Members also asked about tribal engagement, exposure scenarios, and the meaning of “active” and “planless” sites. Ecology officials said they agreed with many of the findings, were already taking steps to improve community research, lessons-learned reviews, tribal guidance, and coordination with Health, and had recently launched a public email notification system for site status changes. They also said some recommendations would require additional funding or staff resources.
Public testimony supported stronger community engagement and more resources for Ecology. Washington Conservation Action said contaminated sites disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities, praised the audit for highlighting the need for better site-specific engagement, and urged full funding for MTCA-related work. The hearing ended with the chair inviting written comments and adjourning the meeting.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Legislative Budget Hearings Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The Rural Reserve Act...
- The General Fund Act itself is $23 billion.
- So for 2026, you can either spend the lesser of the two pursuing the Reserve Act.
- Again, the Rolling Reserve Act provides a home for most of that.
- Regarding the Choose Act principles, I think you can detect the trend.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- to the Official Records Act.
- It was traumatic, but because they acted, they saw that he wasn’t breathing.
- Act.
- The A7 changes the name of House File 25 from the Supporting Women Act to the Misleading Women Act.
- Choice the definition is the act of Choice the definition is the act of making<01:58:56.679>
a