Video & Transcript Research : 'ward'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 1st, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks, Wilson
- retain on file item number seven, which gets us to file item number eight, AB 253 by Assembly Member Ward
- Assembly Bill 253 by Assembly Member Ward and others, an act relating to housing and declaring the urgency
- Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- Assembly Member Ward. All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then took up a series of procedural motions and a large third-reading file focused heavily on housing, wildfire recovery, insurance, and related regulatory changes. Early actions included a successful motion to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 on the third-reading file, followed by a unanimous vote on SB 26, a cleanup measure related to lemon-law civil discovery procedures and automaker opt-outs from the AB 1755 framework.
The chamber then moved through a package of urgency bills tied to the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires and broader housing affordability concerns. Measures approved included AB 311 allowing displaced tenants to temporarily house wildfire victims and pets, AB 299 extending hotel/motel/short-term rental stays beyond 30 days for disaster-displaced families, AB 226 giving the California Fair Plan access to bond financing in catastrophic-loss scenarios, AB 253 allowing third-party plan checks when local review exceeds 30 days, AB 301 aligning state permitting timelines with local deadlines, AB 306 imposing a six-year pause on new residential building-code updates, AB 462 exempting certain ADUs in Los Angeles County coastal zones from coastal development permits, AB 493 requiring interest to be paid to homeowners on insurance proceeds held by lenders, and AB 597 tightening rules on public adjuster solicitation, fees, and contract transparency. Each of these urgency bills passed, generally with strong bipartisan support and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The Assembly also approved several non-urgency measures, including AB 293 on groundwater transparency and board disclosure, AB 251 on elder abuse litigation standards when evidence is intentionally destroyed, AB 59 removing a sunset on Reclamation District 108’s hydropower authority, AB 417 streamlining EIFD and CRIA financing tools, and AB 312 updating procedures for agricultural theft proceeds. In addition, ACR 6 was adopted by voice vote, recognizing Black April Memorial Month and the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, with extensive remarks from Assembly Member Ta and support from other members. The consent calendar was adopted, and the body later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for David Myers and Olivia Guerrero before adjourning to April 3, 2025. Several vote changes were announced after adjournment, including changes on AB 251 and AB 417.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 1/21/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Ward, Chair. I just follow up. I couldn't tell you whether they really are here legally or not.
- <01:08:41.480>
chair <01:08:41.679>I truth I appreciate that Mr Ward chair I truth - would you like to right uh Mr Ward would you like to proceed<01:13:17.520>
with <01:13:17.840> - talked about about what we do Mr Ward talked about about what we do and<01:13:59.400>
how <01: - un not represented our Chiefs uh Mr Ward un not represented our Chiefs uh Mr Ward and<01:18:06.120
Summary:
The House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard a budget presentation from State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba on behalf of the Minnesota judicial branch. Shorba described the courts’ structure, mission, and workload, noting 322 judges, about 2,800 staff, roughly 1 million district court filings annually, and a current budget of about $479 million. He emphasized the branch’s constitutional obligation to provide fair and timely access to justice and said the courts are funded almost entirely through legislative appropriations. He also highlighted recent accomplishments made possible by prior legislative funding, including eliminating the pandemic felony and gross misdemeanor backlog, expanding remote and hybrid hearings, improving courtroom technology, sustaining treatment courts, and increasing pay for interpreters and psychological examiners.
Shorba outlined the judicial branch’s 2026–27 budget request, which he said totals a 12% increase over the starting biennial base. Major requests included $77.3 million in 2026–27 and $104 million in 2028–29 for a 6% judicial salary increase and related compensation costs; $5.1 million in 2026–27 and $1.76 million in 2028–29 for digital accessibility compliance with new federal ADA rules; $4 million in 2026–27 and $800,000 in 2028–29 to modernize justice partner access to court records; $7.2 million in 2026–27 to raise pay for contract psychological examiners; and $18 million in 2026–27 to increase juror pay from $20 to $100 per day and align mileage rates with federal rates. He also discussed ongoing funding needs for interpreter services, jury costs, cybersecurity, and other statutorily required court services, saying temporary funding provided in the prior session will expire and that permanent support is needed.
Members asked questions about treatment courts, employee bargaining, and mental health competency issues. Representative Eric requested more detail on funding for newly launched and existing treatment courts, and Shorba said many treatment courts begin with federal grants before transitioning to state support after about three years. He confirmed the judicial branch negotiates its own employee contracts rather than the executive branch doing so, and said the branch has three unions plus many unrepresented employees. On mental health and competency, Shorba said the branch is focused on obtaining timely psychological evaluations and is not responsible for treatment services themselves, but acknowledged a shortage of examiners and treatment beds and said a related competency board would be testifying the following week. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/02/2026 - Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse
Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse
Transcript Highlights:
- Toit is ethically obligated to represent the wishes of the ward, even if the ward has diminished capacity
- Anybody that's advocating for you, they remove them so the ward is isolated. Then they medicate.
- Four, stronger protections ensuring wards have meaningful access to truly independent counsel and that
- Fiduciaries can exploit their wards for profit. Well, that is becoming abundantly clear. Right.
- All of these parties are supposed to be acting in the best interest of the ward.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- .<00:07:57.840>
I <00:07:58.400>Senator <00:07:58.720>Ward, <00:07:58.960>do< - I Senator Ward, do you have any issues.
- Senator Ward, my response was that cities and towns are often treated differently, and we are just now
- Senator Ward, do you have any feedback given your experience?
- And Senator Ward, my response was that cities and towns are often treated differently, and we are just
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Ward is excused. Chair's recommendation is adopted. Thank you, members.
- the vote. representative representative ryota<00:54:48.880>
representative <00:54:49.440>Ward - is excused um ryota representative Ward is excused um chair<00:54:51.599>
recommendation <00:54 - Representative Ward is excused. Recommendations adopted. Okay, thank you very much.
- is excused uh chair representative Ward is excused uh chair recommendations<01:43:45.199>
adopted
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 010 Jan 24th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Before she could answer, the man tossed half of his buffalo robe onto her lap to ward off the winter
- half of his buffalo robe onto her<00:29:18.640>
lap <00:29:18.960>to <00:29:19.120>ward - her lap to ward off the winter chill. her lap to ward off the winter chill.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 5th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It's Rita Ward. Okay. I'm the old lady from Lubbock. I'm 94 now. Right, 94.
- Ward, be safe. I won't do anything that you wouldn't enjoy.
- Calls Ted Borak and Rita Ward. Ted Borak. Ms. Ward, did you want to register on this one or not?
Keywords:
agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/06/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Ward.
- <00:07:31.240>
um um and then thirdly um um the US Ward um um and then thirdly um um the US - Ward um let's<00:07:32.479>
get <00:07:32.680>that <00:07:32.840>in <00:07:32.919 - but again I work and um and the US Ward but again I don't<00:08:08.479>
even <00:08:08.639> - In general, the USS Ward gun, to get to that, we are in the process right now.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Tue Mar 11, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Quinlan: aye, noting the excused absence of Representative Ward.
- Chair and Vice Chair voting aye, noting the excused absence of Representative Ward.
- Chair and Vice Chair voting aye, noting the excused absence of Representative Ward.
- Chair and Vice Chair voting aye, noting the excused absence of Representative Ward.
- Chair and Vice Chair voting aye, noting the excused absence of Representative Ward.
Summary:
The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later.
The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair Ward. Um I may. Chair Ward.
- <01:11:25.040>
Thank Senator Ward and Rebecca. Correct. Thank Senator Ward and Rebecca. - Thank you, Chair Ward. I'll Prentice. Thank you, Chair Ward.
- I was waving Senator Ward looked at me.
- Thank you, Chair Ward. Thank Apprentice. Thank you, Chair Ward.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Children, Youth and Family Services Apr 8th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Children, Youth and Family Services
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, they're wards of the state and dependent on the state.
- And through no fault of their own, they have become wards of the state.
- And I think children who are wards of the state ought to be offered the same opportunities.
Keywords:
child care, licensing, definitions, foster care, child welfare, SB1983, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (04/09/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Ruth Ward, members of the committee.
- Ward would best speak to that, but I think the short answer is yes.
- Um, I think that Senator Ward would have to say why she's going this next step.
- Appreciate you being here and bringing the amendment forward with Senator Ward.
- the amendment forward with Senator Ward. the amendment forward with Senator Ward.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 34, which would require parental consent for each new service provided to a student through the Medicaid to Schools program and require reports to legislative policy committees. Senator Ruth Ward said the bill was intended to increase transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities. She also noted a proposed amendment she received shortly before the hearing that would change the bill’s focus from a “new service” to a “new care plan.”
Representatives from the New Hampshire Primary Care Association and Amoscake Health testified that they opposed the bill as written but would support it with the amendment. They explained that tying consent to individual diagnosis codes or services could be burdensome, could delay care, and could create compliance problems if a diagnosis changes during a visit. They said the amendment would better align consent with the overall care plan and avoid interrupting treatment mid-appointment. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with IEPs, individualized health plans, homebound services, telehealth, billing, and whether the amendment would still require parental involvement after a care plan changes.
The deputy Medicaid director from the Department of Health and Human Services testified that the amendment was more operationally feasible because Medicaid billing involves many ICD-10 codes that can change or overlap, and consent should be tied to the care plan rather than to each code. He said the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to Schools program and annual consent for billing, but the bill would make explicit consent for care-plan changes. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee appeared to continue discussion with DHHS after the testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/16/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- A news article that says Blue Earth Hospital offers hope amid nationwide rural maternity ward closures
- A news article that says Blue Earth Hospital offers hope amid nationwide rural maternity ward closures
- A news article that says Blue Earth Hospital offers hope amid nationwide rural maternity ward closures
- A news article that says Blue Earth Hospital offers hope amid nationwide rural maternity ward closures
- Especially in the maternity ward, we need more support in those areas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Jim Ward: Yes sir. Yes sir. Good afternoon, Chairman.
- Jim Ward: Bell and committee members, thank you for this opportunity. My name is Jim Ward.
- Jim Ward: Yes ma'am. Yes.
- Jim Ward: Yes.
- Jim Ward: Sure. And usually the county hasn't made any of those large...
Keywords:
HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So if we see something in the city or in the ward area, we're going to take action.
- I serve two wards in addition to that, so it's wide open what you have here.
- after I retired from the state police, I approached Marshal Keller and was sworn and as a reserve, Ward
- If you want to see what happens with people that don't do stuff, look at your ward constables.
- He can go put lights in his car and start writing tickets in that ward.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 34 (2-25-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the judges who participated in the discussions, those would be Judge Sumi of Kenton Circuit, Judge Ward
- Judge Ralph of Kenton Family Court, Judge Shoemaker from Bracken, Fleming, Mason, as well as Judge Ward
- of<00:21:26.480>
Campbell <00:21:26.799>Circuit, <00:21:27.360>Judge Judge Ward - of Campbell Circuit, Judge Judge Ward of Campbell Circuit, Judge Ash<00:21:28.080>
Ash <00:21: - <00:21:43.520>
well <00:21:43.679>as <00:21:44.080>Judge <00:21:44.960>Ward
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, called the roll, excused absent members, and approved the prior day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages noting passage of House Bills 1, 422, 568, and 627, and heard second-reading reports for several measures, including bills on the state dog breed, mortgage loan income limits, virtual currency kiosks, agriculture, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Committee reports also advanced a number of bills from Appropriations and Revenue, Health and Services, Natural Resources and Energy, and State and Local Government, with many sent to the Rules Committee for further action. New bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on transportation, tobacco/nicotine/vapor products, Public Schools Week, and honoring Joseph H. Mattingley Jr.; the Rules Committee later posted several bills for the next day and committee referrals were announced.
The Senate then took up Senate Bill 98, relating to welding safety. The sponsor explained that the bill requires inspections by American Welding Society-certified personnel on certain projects where those standards apply, citing a prior school structure collapse in Kentucky as the public-safety rationale. After debate, the bill passed by a vote of 33-4. The chamber next considered Senate Bill 122, which updates alternative sentencing law to allow judges to consider caregiving responsibilities when sentencing defendants. A floor amendment, developed with input from judges, broadened and clarified the caretaker definition and moved the language into the existing sentencing statute while preserving judicial discretion. Supporters said the bill is intended to help keep families together without mandating probation or reducing penalties; after the amendment was adopted, the bill passed 35-2.
Later, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 57 honoring Father Patrick McDow on his ordination, and Senate Resolution 60 was read in full to honor the YMCA on its 175th anniversary in the United States, highlighting the organization’s history and Kentucky service. Members also announced upcoming committee meetings, including a special Health Services Committee meeting on artificial intelligence in rural health, and other committee schedules. The session concluded with the Senate in recess for committee meetings and then returning to report additional committee referrals and announcements.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Moved by Senator Ward, seconded by Senator Fenton. All those in favor of consent, please say I. I.
- Moved by Senator Ward, Second. Okay.
- Senator Ward. Okay. Uh, let's see. How much time do we have? Okay, this is great.
- Senator Ward, did you have a question? Yes, I do. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Then we have the motion of ought to pass by Senator Ward. We have a second by Senator McConi.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 27th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- File item 130 is AB 2559 by Assembly Member Ward. The clerk will read.
- Assembly Bill 2559 by Assembly Member Ward, an act relating to solid waste.
- Assembly Bill 2559 by Assembly Member Ward, an act relating to solid waste.
- Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and members.
- Thank you, Assembly Member Ward. All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Ward**, and **Ms. Ortega**. So let's go ahead. Let's go to **Mr. Hart**. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- Ward**, and **Mr. Ortega**.
- Ward**, **Ms. Ortega**, and then **Mr. Renner**. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I also want to thank.
- **Ward** and **Ortega**. I couldn't agree more. I think that the trust is broken.
- Damon Connolly (member_1547), Alex Lee (member_1305), Chris Rogers (member_20217), Bennett, Addis, Ward
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 055 Mar 10th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Water Conservation Board effective February 13, 2026, for terms expiring February 12th, 2029: Alan Ward
- <00:40:33.839>
Alan <00:40:34.160>Ward <00:40:34.400>of <00:40:34.480>PBLO - Alan Ward of PBLO, Colorado 12th, 2029.
- Alan Ward of PBLO, Colorado to<00:40:35.280>
serve <00:40:35.359>as <00:40:35.520>a< - Grea of Denver, Crystal Schubert for the Building Decarbonization Enterprise Board of Directors, Alan Ward