Video & Transcript Research : 'absentee voting'

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PA

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Jun 29 2026)

Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Are there any negative votes? Are there any negative votes?
  • Are there any negative votes? Are there any negative votes?
  • Are there any negative votes? Are there any negative votes?
  • Are there any negative votes? Are there any negative votes?
  • Are there any negative votes? Are there any negative votes?
Keywords: Scheduler, 972, senate, all
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • On the other hand, a vote against this bill, Mr.
  • You can find a reason to vote yes for this, Mr.
  • Members wishing to vote, change the vote. Chair is preparing to close. Thank you. Thank you. Mr.
  • Chair, change those votes. Mr. Chair, change the vote. Chair is pretty close.
  • Members wishing to vote, change the vote. Members wishing to vote, change the vote.
Summary: The House first took up Senate Bill 893, a conference committee report on property and critical infrastructure. The bill would bar foreign principals from countries designated as foreign adversaries from owning agricultural land or other land, especially within 10 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure, and also restrict certain state software purchases tied to adversarial countries. Members asked about how later-designated adversary countries would be covered and about the delayed effective date, which was explained as giving current owners time to divest. The conference report was adopted without objection, and the bill then passed the House 89-0. The chamber then considered Senate Bill 2, another conference committee report on wind energy setbacks. The measure would establish statewide setback standards for industrial wind turbines, including 2.5 tip heights from occupied dwellings and 1.5 tip heights from nonparticipating property lines, with exceptions for projects that had already secured most site control or queue positions before the effective date and for small community-scale systems. Supporters said it was a compromise that at least put some protections into statute, while opponents argued it weakened earlier House language and eliminated county local-control options. After debate, the bill failed on a 20-67 vote. Later, the House voted 60-19 to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1589, allowing it to become law notwithstanding the governor’s objections. The session also included prayers and announcements, including updates about Representative Cantrell’s hospitalization and a note that the Senate had adjourned sine die. The House then adjourned sine die for the second regular session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 11

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • No vote. >> So ordered. HSCR number 43-26. >> Representative Cochran. >> No vote also.
  • <00:20:14.320> No<00:20:14.559> vote. >> Thank you. No vote.
  • No vote. >> So ordered. HSCR number 43-26. >> Representative Cochran. >> No vote also.
  • >> No vote also. Thank you. >> No vote also. Thank you.
  • <00:22:51.200> No<00:22:51.440> vote. >> Thank you. No vote.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/06/2026)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, we're on voting mode. He can still come in, I think.
  • He can Yeah, we're on the voting mode.
  • Seeing none, let's take the vote.
  • >> chair votes yes. >> chair votes yes.
  • >> chairman votes yes. >> chairman votes yes. >> 120. >> 120.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes and five pass votes, House Bill 4 does pass favorably and should
  • /c> So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes and<00:14:39.920>
  • May I explain my vote? vote? vote? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
  • >> So with 15 yes votes and one no vote. >> Oh, I'm sorry.
  • >> I With 18 yes votes, zero no votes, zero pass votes, House Bill 143 passes with favorable expression
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 4, relating to grooming a minor, was presented as a response to child sexual abuse concerns and would create criminal penalties for adults who groom or solicit minors for sexual conduct. Members raised questions about possible impacts on teachers, youth ministers, nonprofits, and other good-faith communications, as well as concerns about vagueness and age thresholds. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to target predatory conduct while exempting job-related, age-appropriate, and other non-predatory discussions. The committee approved HB 4 favorably by a vote of 14 yes, 0 no, and 5 pass. House Bill 84, dealing with local government liability for riot-related property damage, was described as a clarification of longstanding Kentucky law so it would apply to consolidated and unified local governments such as Louisville. The sponsor said the bill preserves accountability when governments have notice of a riot and fail to act, while opponents questioned whether language about citizens’ aid could encourage vigilante behavior. The sponsor and another member said the bill was not about vigilanteism but about preserving existing rights and ensuring equal protection for property owners across the state. HB 84 passed favorably by a vote of 15 yes, 1 no, and 1 pass. House Bill 188, relating to public safety in jails, would extend peer-support confidentiality protections from police officers to jail employees and add jail and medical staff to third-degree assault protections. The sponsor said the measure was prompted by concerns from Warren County jail leadership and was intended to improve mental and physical safety at no cost to taxpayers. Members voiced support for extending protections to jail and penitentiary staff, and the committee passed HB 188 favorably with 18 yes votes and no opposition. House Bill 143, relating to fiduciary bonds, would allow fiduciary bonds to be notarized instead of attested by the circuit court clerk, a change described as a practical request from clerks and attorneys. It passed unanimously, 18 yes, 0 no, 0 pass, and the committee then adjourned.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And I ask, encourageingly, that you vote 100%. Gig workers, and let me ask that you vote yes.
  • I respectfully ask for your eye vote. Thank you. "Ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
  • Flora, not voting. Chen, not voting. Elhawari? Aye. Elhawari, aye. Al-Hawari, aye. Kalra, aye.
  • Flora, not voting. Chen, not voting. El-Hawari, aye. El-Hawari, aye. Al-Hawari, aye.
  • Flora, not voting. Al-Hawari, aye. Al-Hawari, aye. AB 1424, Chen. Not voting. Chen, not voting.
Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Rules Apr 21st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • AS I SAID I DID VOTE UP ON THIS BILL IN THE LAST COMMITTEE BUT TODAY I AM GOING TO VOTE DOWN BECAUSE
  • HAD TO VOTE NO ON IT LAST TIME AND IT WILL BE A DELIGHT TO VOTE YES ON IT TODAY.
  • I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL BUT THE REASON I WILL VOTE AGAINST THE BILL IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE
  • YOUR VOTES FOR CS FOR CS FOR YOUR VOTES FOR CS FOR CS FOR SB 1270 IS CONSIDERED FAVORABLE.
  • , 15, 16, 17, 18 AND VOTING NO ON TAB 20 AND VOTING YES ON TABS 23 AND 26.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 023 Feb 5th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I ask for an I vote. vote. vote.
  • <01:10:26.159> of they vote that in, that is the vote of they vote that in, that is the vote
  • This is an I vote. You should be voting I. I urge an I vote. Does my co-prime want to say anything?
  • for a yes vote. for a yes vote.
  • I urge a no vote. Thank not our job. I urge a no vote.
Keywords: 981, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Committee May 7th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And with that, this is out on a Republicans not voting with Mr. Ta, voting no.
  • Thank you so much Madam Vice Chair, can I do a vote change? Yes, AB I'm not voting to aye.
  • Schultz or Rumbler vote change from not voting to aye. Thank you.
  • I respectfully ask for an aye vote. We have a vote change, AB 876, Flora and Mr.
  • Tongepah not voting. Oh, voting aye, going from not voting.
Keywords: 988, house, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

BOYS STATE May 29th, 2026

BOYS STATE

Transcript Highlights:
  • We just voice vote.
  • Has everybody voted? Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk.
  • Has everybody voted? Everyone has voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Kirk.
  • Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk.
  • Has everybody voted? Everyone has voted. Has everyone voted? All right, there we go.
Keywords: 1204, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We're going to take the calendar in three votes.
  • All right, we still have some voting to do, members.
  • This is a vote item, so we will vote on both items. Do we have a motion? Motion and a second.
  • This is a vote. Do we have anybody from the public wishing to speak on this item? This is a vote.
  • We're going to have the vote here, which is we're going to go really fast. This is speed voting.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget change proposals and trailer bill items, beginning with Housing and Community Development (HCD) requests. HCD sought permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to support the HCD Connect IT system, and a separate proposal to fund implementation of eight 2025 housing-related laws with $4.2 million General Fund and 16 positions, plus $470,000 one-time General Fund. Members asked about how HCD Connect would interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee, and HCD also explained that the estimated cost to implement AB 1053 had been revised downward from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared implementation with CalHFA and the new committee structure. The committee also heard a Cal ICH proposal for $339,000 one-time General Fund to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing data gaps and the need for a contract-based approach because HMIS cannot be changed unilaterally. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: $15.34 million and 53 positions for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, $13.5 million and 51 positions for the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and $49,000 ongoing for two positions in the broker-dealer/investment adviser education program. Members and the public raised concerns about the size and fairness of debt collector assessments and licensing fees, while DFPI explained the pro rata fee structure, the current license count, and how larger assessments fall on larger firms. Public testimony also supported retaining funding for the Student Loan Empowerment Network and requested funding for a franchise broker registration program. The committee also considered a mandate item involving suspension of a disclosure requirement related to property taxation, and trailer bill language from the Government Operations Agency to amend AB 91 on MENA demographic data collection, with the administration emphasizing data nondisclosure, protection of federal funding, and delayed implementation. The Secretary of State’s office then presented Help America Vote Act funding requests: $10.3 million for VoteCal maintenance and operations and $4.492 million for HAVA spending plans supporting voter education, training, accessibility, auditing, and county assistance. The office also requested $660,000 General Fund to implement AB 1392, which would make voter registration information for elected officials and candidates confidential, and explained the need to modify VoteCal and county election systems. The committee also heard requests to continue the Cal-Access Replacement System with $11.8 million General Fund and to continue the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project with $9.75 million from the Business Fees Fund. Members asked about total project costs, testing, data migration, and the expected November 2026 go-live date for Cal-Access replacement. Votes were taken on the vote-only items once quorum was established, and the committee approved the items considered. The final informational item was an overview from the California Arts Council, which highlighted the agency’s 50th anniversary, its statewide grantmaking, and the economic impact of arts funding. Council staff described Creative Corps, cultural districts, and the role of arts funding in local economies, while members and public witnesses urged increased support, including a request to raise local assistance grant funding to $50 million and to provide additional funding for cultural districts. Testimony emphasized the arts as economic infrastructure, community infrastructure, and a source of civic and cultural vitality across California.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-02-06 - 11:30AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:21:44.159> Those vote. Those voting in favor 25. Those vote.
  • Please listen to the results of your vote. Voting in favor: 24. Voting against: 5.
  • I voted no.
  • I voted no.
  • Please listen to the results of your vote. Those voting yes, 27. Those voting no, zero.
Keywords: 927, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/17/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so I'll be voting no, but maybe we can vote And so I'll be voting no, but maybe we can see some amendments
  • Explain my vote? Yes. Yeah, I... Mr. Chair, I explain my vote.
  • Representative Votes? Mr. Chairman, I spend my vote. Yes.
  • Roll call vote, if I could explain my vote.
  • I vote aye, Mr. Chairman. Please put my vote yes.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Emergency rental assistance aid 3/16/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Baker votes no. Carroll. Carroll votes aye. Fogelman votes no. Frederick votes aye. Gilman.
  • Gilman votes no. Gilman votes no. Hicks votes aye. Jones votes aye. Jones votes aye.
  • Keeler votes aye. Koznick votes no. Kreisha votes no. Lee F. votes aye. Liebling votes aye.
  • McDonald votes no. Purcell votes aye. Quam votes no. Rarick votes no. Ryer, I. Smith votes I.
  • Ryer votes I. Smith. Ryer, I. Ryer votes I. Smith.
Keywords: 1183, house
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Judiciary. (1-28-26)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • /c> So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes and<00:10:02.399>
  • explain my vote? explain my vote? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
  • So, with 15 yes votes and one no vote—oh, I'm sorry, two no votes and one pass vote—House Bill 84 is
  • Chair Elliott, I... with 18 yes votes, zero no votes, zero pass votes, House Bill 143 passes with favorable
  • votes, zero no votes, zero with 18 yes votes, zero no votes, zero pass<00:30:35.679> votes,<00
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4, which would expand Kentucky’s grooming statute. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill is intended to target bad-faith sexual grooming while avoiding criminalizing ordinary, good-faith conversations, including teacher-student discussions about sexual health and age-appropriate conversations about puberty. Members raised concerns about possible overbreadth, the age cutoff for non-trust relationships, and whether terms like “prepare” or “emotional connection” were too vague. Several members said they would pass for now but work on the language before floor debate. The bill was reported favorably with 14 yes votes, no no votes, and five pass votes. The committee then considered House Bill 84, which updates Kentucky’s riot-liability statute for local governments. The sponsor said the bill is a cleanup measure to ensure the law applies to consolidated and unified local governments, especially Louisville and Jefferson County, after a recent court decision. Members questioned whether the bill could encourage vigilante behavior or be used against peaceful protest, but the sponsor and another member argued it simply preserves long-standing accountability when property damage from riots could have been prevented. The bill passed favorably with 15 yes votes, two no votes, and one pass vote. House Bill 188 followed, expanding legal protections for jail employees and medical staff. The sponsor said the bill would extend peer-support confidentiality protections from police officers to jail staff and add jail medical personnel to the assault protections already available to nurses and other medical workers. Members voiced support, noting the need to protect correctional and healthcare workers, and the bill passed unanimously with 18 yes votes and no no votes. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 143, a technical change to fiduciary bond procedures that would allow bonds to be notarized rather than attested by a circuit court clerk. The sponsor said the change was requested by circuit clerks and would make probate and similar matters easier to process. The bill passed unanimously with 18 yes votes and no no votes. The committee then adjourned.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 13 (1-23-26) - Resumed

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • All members have voted. Does any member wish to change or explain their vote?
  • I rise to explain my vote, my no vote on this issue. Um...
  • shooter is why I voted no. Thank you. shooter is why I voted no. Thank you.
  • Vote not to exceed one explanation. Vote not to exceed one minute. minute. minute.
  • Means 73 members voting aye, 17 members voting nay. House Bill 312 is passed.
Summary: The House took up House Bill 312, which would expand concealed carry rights to 18- to 20-year-olds. Debate focused heavily on gun violence, public safety, constitutional rights, and whether the bill would make schools, parks, and other public places less safe. Opponents argued that young people are not ready for the responsibility, cited recent shootings and gun deaths in their districts, and said families had not asked for this bill. Supporters said 18- to 20-year-olds already may possess firearms, that concealed carry is safer than open carry for law-abiding adults, and that the bill includes training and background-check provisions. Several members also discussed differences between rural and urban gun culture and whether crime trends were related to constitutional carry laws. During floor discussion, members exchanged questions about crime rates since constitutional carry was enacted, with a sponsor responding that crime had decreased in the Commonwealth. Other members raised concerns about suicide, mental health, and the impact on students and women, while supporters emphasized self-defense and constitutional rights. After debate, the House voted on HB 312 and passed it 73-17. The bill was then clinched. After HB 312, the House handled routine business. Members moved House Resolutions 30, 33, and 7 from committee to the floor, and several committee schedule announcements were made, including possible changes due to weather. The Committee on Committees reported referrals for a number of bills to standing committees, and the Rules Committee posted House Bills 134 and 306 for the regular orders on Monday, January 26, 2026. The House then adjourned until 4:00 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • one no vote received 16 yay yes votes one no vote and<00:15:37.000> two<00:15:37.319> pass
  • House Bill 71 has 20 yes votes, zero no votes, and zero pass votes.
  • > with votes and zero pass votes it passes with votes and zero pass votes it passes with favor
  • House Bill 182 received 17 yes votes and 3 no votes.
  • <00:31:48.880> with votes three nay votes passes with votes three nay votes passes with favorable
Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and first took up HJR 15, as amended by a committee substitute, which would return the granite Ten Commandments monument to permanent display on the new State Capitol grounds. Representative Baker described the monument’s history, its removal during construction in the 1980s, the 2000 effort to restore it, and recent Supreme Court changes that he said make the historical-tradition analysis more relevant than the former Lemon test. Members asked about the monument’s location, possible amendments to allow other faiths to place similar monuments, and church-state concerns. Several members explained their votes by saying they supported the historical display but wanted further discussion about religious representation. The resolution passed the committee 16-1 with two pass votes and was reported favorably to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 30, sponsored by Representative Blanton, which addresses pension spiking in the Kentucky Public Pension Authority. Blanton said the bill codifies a court ruling clarifying that across-the-board pay raises are not pension spiking and noted support from fire, police, and state employees. Representative Tipton reminded members that pension bills should be reviewed by the Public Pension Oversight Board first and said this bill had been reviewed there without issue. The committee approved HB 30 unanimously, 20-0, with favorable expression. House Bill 71, sponsored by Representative Duval, was next. KPPA Executive Director Ryan Barrow said the bill was requested by KPPA, vetted by the Public Pension Oversight Board, and would restructure KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the current CFO into an executive director-level role overseeing that office, without affecting system funding requirements. Representative Johnson supported the measure as an administrative codification of current practice. The committee passed HB 71 unanimously, 20-0, with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 182 from Representative Frasier Gordon, which would prohibit state government from using the word “free” to describe taxpayer-funded services. Gordon said the bill is intended to increase transparency and ensure taxpayers are credited for funding public services, while not changing any programs or benefits. Members questioned how the bill would be enforced, what alternative wording should be used, and whether the restriction could affect communication with low-income or low-literacy residents; Gordon said terms like “provided at no cost” or “paid for by taxpayers” would be acceptable and that the bill contains no penalty. The committee passed HB 182 17-3 with favorable expression and sent it to the House floor.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay for the vote, Chair votes aye. I vote yes. Senator Fukunaga? Aye.
  • vote, Chair votes aye. I vote yes. vote, Chair votes aye. I vote yes.
  • vote, Chair votes aye. I vote yes. vote, Chair votes aye. I vote yes.
  • vote, Chair votes aye. I vote yes. vote, Chair votes aye. I vote yes.
  • the vote. the vote.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Not voting. Fong, not voting. DeMaio? Aye. DeMaio, aye. Bernor. Jackson, not voting. Muratsuchi?
  • Not voting? The measure has four votes, one no, and one not voting.
  • All right, we'll leave that one open for additional votes. Seven votes, okay.
  • All right, we'll leave that one open for additional votes. Seven votes, okay.
  • Not voting. Sharp Collins not voting. Tangipa? No. Tongue? No.
Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several measures focused on community college baccalaureate programs and trustee compensation. AB 2528 would raise the maximum monthly compensation cap for community college district trustees, with the author and supporters arguing the change is permissive, long overdue, and needed to make service more accessible to working people and better reflect community diversity. CSEA took a tweener position, warning about optics and asking for longer public notice before any compensation increase, while some members raised concerns about taxpayer costs and benefits. The bill was discussed but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The committee then took up AB 2053, which would authorize Coast Community College District to offer a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. Supporters said the bill addresses a workforce shortage, serves working adults and veterans, and includes an LAO evaluation and a sunset. CSU and its Academic Senate opposed the bill, arguing it duplicates existing CSU programs and could set a precedent for more one-off degrees. Members also raised questions about funding, Prop. 98, and whether the program would divert resources; the author said the district already has funding and that the bill is a narrow pilot. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer the bill to Appropriations, with several ayes and some no votes, and the roll left open for additional members. AB 2301, a pilot allowing up to 10 community college districts to offer nursing bachelor’s degrees, drew broad support from nursing, labor, and community college groups who said California faces a severe nursing shortage and that community colleges offer a more affordable pathway for working and rural students. CSU and other opponents argued existing ADN-to-BSN pathways are more efficient and that the bill could worsen competition for limited clinical placements and faculty. Members questioned funding and Prop. 98 impacts; the Chancellor’s Office said the pilot would not require new state funding and would rely on existing mechanisms such as Strong Workforce and nursing infrastructure grants. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer AB 2301 to Appropriations, with the roll again left open. The transcript then began AB 2694, a broader workforce-responsive baccalaureate expansion bill intended to address duplication rules and create a more flexible process for community college bachelor’s degrees, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 1st, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I strongly urge you to vote no.
  • Please vote no. Thank you.”
  • And so with this, I highly support the negative vote for this bill. Please vote no. Thank you.
  • vote yes on this bill.
  • vote yes on this bill.
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 1272 on guardianship, which would limit a guardian’s ability to isolate an adult ward from family and require notice of major events such as a ward’s death or relocation to a more restrictive setting. Senator Jones and supportive speakers said the bill was intended to protect wards from abuse and isolation by bad actors, while still preserving good-faith guardianship. With no opposition testimony or debate, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered CS for Senate Bill 1284, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil claims for the death of an unborn child. An amendment was adopted to define “unborn child” as a member of the species Homo sapiens carried in the womb and to state that the act does not authorize claims against the mother or against health care providers acting within the lawful standard of care. The bill drew extensive debate and testimony. Supporters argued it would give parents parity and fuller damages, including economic losses and mental anguish, when negligence causes the death of an unborn child. Opponents, including the ACLU, medical professionals, and reproductive rights advocates, warned it could be used to target abortion care, increase malpractice exposure, worsen physician shortages, and create speculative damages. The committee approved the bill 6-4. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 1288 on parental rights, with a strike-all amendment that would strengthen parental control over minors’ medical decisions, surveys, and biofeedback devices, while adding exceptions for emergencies, court orders, certain legal statuses, and situations involving abuse or out-of-home placement. Supporters said the measure restores parents as primary decision-makers and protects children from inappropriate questioning or treatment without consent. Opponents argued it could block minors from confidential care for STIs, mental health, or abuse-related issues, and could chill school and medical screenings. The transcript ends during testimony and debate on this bill, before any final vote is shown.