Video & Transcript Research : 'import tariffs'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I want to begin just with some important acknowledgments.
- Putting money away for a rainy day is so important.
- Alanis for a very important guest introduction on a very important day. Well, thank you, Mr.
- Okay, members, one final, very important guest introduction.
- It is a very important adjournment in memory.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I want to begin just with some important acknowledgments.
- Putting money away for a rainy day is so important.
- Alanis for a very important guest introduction on a very important day. Well, thank you, Mr.
- Okay, members, one final, very important guest introduction.
- It is a very important adjournment in memory.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a series of procedural motions to re-refer bills, suspend rules, and remove items from the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions recognizing family milestones, a youth leadership program from Assembly District 13, a delegation of Japanese business leaders, and a Michoacan delegation. Later, members adopted several resolutions and consent items, including California Craft Beer Week, the Freedom Flag as a 9/11 remembrance symbol, Probation Services Week, and California Wildfire Week, along with other consent-calendar measures.
The main floor debate centered on SB 417, a $10 billion housing bond for the ballot, with supporters emphasizing the state’s housing shortage, homelessness crisis, and funding for multifamily housing, supportive housing, homeownership, farmworker housing, student housing, tribal housing, infrastructure, and preservation of existing affordable units. Opponents criticized the proposal as adding debt without enough reform and objected to the use of veterans in the measure’s messaging. The Assembly passed SB 417 on urgency and on the measure, 54-7, and sent it to the Senate. Members then adopted ACA 20, which would expand and modernize the state Rainy Day Fund by increasing its cap and changing deposit rules; it passed 54-8 and was transmitted to the Senate.
The Assembly also approved SB 623, a transportation-related bill addressing rideshare safety and medical lien practices. Supporters said it would curb abusive billing, restrict attorney conflicts and kickbacks, require stronger background checks for TNC drivers, and allow women riders and drivers to request women-only matches. The measure passed unanimously, 67-0. Later, the House adopted ACA 21, which removes ACA 13 from the November ballot, by 62-0, and ACA 22, which amends a ballot measure affecting taxation and local fiscal resources, by 64-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Dr. Dorothy Viola Calvin, followed by announcements, recesses, and final adjournment until the next scheduled floor session.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Media Availability 5/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have heard from schools across the state how important this is to help our kids.
- <00:04:45.440>
We important this is to help our kids. - We important this is to help our kids.
- <00:08:36.640>
that because they think it's important that because they think it's important - >> Yeah, you know, I think it's important >> Yeah, you know, I think it's important
Summary:
House Republican leaders in Minnesota gave a post-session recap focused on what they described as major accomplishments in a tied legislature. They highlighted passage of the Office of Inspector General bill to combat fraud, along with tax and fee relief measures including $125 million in property tax relief and $250 million in car tab reductions. They also pointed to funding for hospitals and uncompensated care, county IT modernization, school safety and mental health programs, public official safety at the Capitol and judicial branch, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure.
Leaders repeatedly contrasted this session with the prior Democratic trifecta, arguing Republicans blocked new tax increases and helped make government more accountable and affordable. They said the OIG bill had been a top priority, had previously been blocked in the House, and was now signed into law. On health care, they said the final package included support for hospitals and denied that discussions about 340B involved pharmaceutical companies, saying offers on that issue were rejected by House Democrats.
In response to questions, leaders said the tie forced public negotiation and that Minnesotans were the real winners because lawmakers worked together. They also defended the lack of final floor votes on gun-related proposals, saying those measures had been voted on multiple times in committee and on the floor but did not have the votes to pass. On transparency, they said the process was as open as possible and that bonding projects had been heard in committee and reviewed by the bonding team before inclusion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Labor and Employment
Transcript Highlights:
- But I want to emphasize from that very first step, it's important to think about opening the door to
- And let me tell you why I think that's important.
- That's a very new law, so that's important.
- Under Labor Code Section 238.4, This is really important.
- And so I think that it's important that we think about that.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment held a review hearing on SB 588, the 2015 wage theft enforcement law, focusing on whether its tools are working and what additional authority or resources may be needed. Committee members emphasized that wage theft is a major and under-enforced form of theft in California, citing large backlogs in wage claims and long delays that often leave workers unpaid even after winning judgments.
Panelists from UCLA, worker advocacy organizations, and legal aid described SB 588’s enforcement tools, including liens, levies, stop orders, successor and individual liability, and priority in bankruptcy. They said the law has improved collections and settlement leverage, especially in industries like janitorial services and property services, where client companies and contractors can be held jointly responsible. Several examples were discussed, including cases involving Tesla, Cheesecake Factory, Optum, and Winko Foods, where the law helped secure payments or settlements for workers. At the same time, advocates argued that the prejudgment lien provisions are too limited, that care home cases remain especially difficult, and that more staffing and broader authority would improve recovery.
Workers testified about unpaid wages, long delays, retaliation fears, and the difficulty of collecting even after obtaining judgments. A home care worker described waiting years for a hearing and still not recovering money because assets had been moved or hidden. A residential care worker said caregivers are often underpaid, denied breaks, and left with little practical recourse. The Labor Commissioner reported that the agency has recovered more wages since SB 588, including through mail levies, liens, and stop orders, but said many cases involve judgment-proof employers and require intensive investigation. Public comment from a SEIU representative supported SB 588 and urged continued focus on bad actors and targeted enforcement. No vote or formal action was taken at the hearing.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And as a democracy, I think it's important to honor the people. Thank you.
- This is important. These animals are important to actually be able to manage our wolf population.
- This is important. These animals are important to actually be able to manage our wolf population.
- This bill will remove important discretion. Currently, a prosecutor can designate a class...
- This bill will remove important discretion.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the journal, and several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, Arizona State Troopers Day participants, the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and a Delta Sigma Theta delegation. A Senate proclamation was read recognizing the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association for its work serving people with communication disorders. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and later third-reading votes on a large number of House bills, with several members offering floor explanations on controversial measures.
Among the bills considered in Committee of the Whole were HB 2133 on sexual material and synthetic depictions, HB 2167 relating to the Attorney General, HB 2600 on school clubs and parental consent, HB 255 on brackish groundwater recovery, HB 2787 on Mexican wolf reintroduction cooperation, HB 2795 on small modular reactor zoning, HB 2985 on state land water allocations, and HB 2003 on driver instruction permits. HB 2133 was amended, including a floor amendment adding exemptions for parody, comedy, artistic expression, and criticism, and the committee recommended it do pass as amended. HB 2787 and HB 2985 advanced after divided votes, while HB 2795 failed in the later floor vote. HB 2003 was amended to add a delayed effective date of December 1, 2026 and advanced out of committee.
On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2013, 2031, 2102, 2103, 2117, 2226, 2262, 2278, 2378, 2584, 2693, 2270, 2370, 2665, 2666, 2876, 487, 2003, 255, 2133, 2167, 2600, 2787, 2811, and 2985, with several votes split largely along party lines. HB 2795 was defeated. Debate focused heavily on water policy, public safety, school parental consent, speech and sexual-material regulation, local control over zoning, and the Attorney General’s authority. The Senate also agreed to a free conference committee for HB 2874 and appointed Senators Finchem, Bolick, and Ortiz, then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- most important thing.
- I think that this bill is really important.
- And I can tell you firsthand how important this money is.
- This is a very important bill.
- And I really believe this is something very important to our entire state.
Keywords:
food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, soil conservation, water resources, training services, outreach programs, environmental protection, animal care, veterinary services, spay and neuter, Las Vegas, community funding, animal welfare, animal shelter
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 11th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, I do support requests for data; I think that is very important.
- That's very important because we need to look at growth and expansion. Thank you.
- Then your presence here is greatly important.
- That is critically important, and I worry about our students in that aspect.
- We also know that first responders, EMS, fire, and police, it's also important.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Please join me in highlighting this important issue and vote aye on ACR 66. And Mr. Speaker.
- I want to thank my colleague for her work on this important issue.
- So this is something that to me is very important.
- Foreign imports driving up costs.
- Forcing dependence on imports. That increase carbon emissions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- And work on this important legislation, I really truly appreciate it.
- AB 470 is an important, is an opportunity to bring business and labor together.
- This is hugely important to us. Strong opposition. I oppose 470.
- I think it's important, as you guys heard, I am a Labor champion and it's important to me that Labor
- That was a really important part of this bill. That the process is laid out.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 11th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So that was an important component in this bill.
- It was very important to define those.
- That's important.
- It's important to some of us. Some of us had some issues. I had It's important to some of us.
- So I think this is an important thing.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright.
Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage.
Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Announcement to Allow Rideshare Drivers the Right to Form a Union - 02/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, this is a really important immediate step for all the drivers behind us.
- This is a set of folks who give a very important service to our entire community, and yet they do not
- Uh, this is a really important immediate step for all the drivers behind us.
- This is a set of folks who give a very important service to our entire community, and yet they do not
- Yeah, that's a really important question. Thank you for asking that.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Health Care Affordability, Select Apr 30th, 2026
Health Care Affordability, Select
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It's an important part.
- I think it's really important. tonight. I think it's really important.
- <01:06:05.119>
It's <01:06:05.359>important important for taxpayers. - It's important important for taxpayers.
- a lot of that really important a lot of that really important preventative<01:19:31.679>
work
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that this funding is very important.
- And thank you, really important.
- And it's important, and this is really important from the history of this provision.
- And it's important, and this is really important<01:20:30.120>
from <01:20:30.240>the < - And one of the things that's important And one of the things that's important and<01:36:59.200><
Keywords:
HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation
Summary:
The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds.
Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over.
The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and so uh we think this is an important and so uh we think this is an important conversation<00:
- uh you know this it's an important uh you know this it's an important conversation<00:20:36.720>
- Does our state need important, right?
- So, it's an important bill.
- That's incredibly important.
Keywords:
workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- And important for the work that we do.
- know that there uh it's very important know that there uh it's very important for<00:10:21.760><
- > actions management as well as important actions management as well as important actions to<00:11
- We do hope critical and is important.
- At the same time, it's important that specialized functions such as the aquatic animal health and import
Keywords:
biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (11-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, one question and then one important.
- I think it's important that we today.
- I think this is an important question to ask.
- <00:38:30.800>
issue and I think it's such an important issue and I think it's such an important - All important to the planning as well.
Keywords:
Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15
Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14
Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities.
Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf.
Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That's where this really, really, really is important. So it's a problem.
- This is important to a lot of them.
- Pretty important, simple.
- I want to thank Representative Pearson for finding this important. bill.
- So I think it's important as a member to public do it.
Bills:
HB5141, HB4638, HB2264, HB2035, HB4813, HB4408, HB2684, HB1621, HB2300, HB216, HB3829, HB4466, HB1747, HB2284, HB3614, HB2587, HB3219, HB3318, HB5147, HB4014, HB216
Keywords:
lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And the most important reason I oppose the underqualified...
- This was too important.
- I know first-hand how important midwifery care is.
- I can't stress enough how important this is.
- Such an important issue.
Bills:
HB46, HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794
Keywords:
local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 4/2/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Wheels is important to aging veterans. Wheels is important to aging veterans.
- So I am going to pull this important.
- much for this important legislation. much for this important legislation.
- building connections is really important building connections is really important for<01:11:09.360
- <01:19:40.480>
than funding for VRP is more important than funding for VRP is more important