Video & Transcript : 'legislative' :
Page 179 of 500
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- May we always see that every constituent, staff member, and legislator is made in your image.
- Forgive us when we have chosen... ...member and legislator is made in your image.
- That is why the legislation is before us today.
- This legislation is about prevention.
- And I continue to believe that this legislation, and why? ...that entire investigation.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, pledge, attendance, and a series of recesses and caucus calls. The chamber also recognized the retirement of Larry Horn of the Michigan Senate Police Department and later honored departing staff members Macy Maine, Maddie Cutler, and Julia Schmidt. Senator Geiss delivered a statement marking the 62nd anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, emphasizing its legacy and the need to protect and strengthen civil rights protections.
The Senate received House messages on Senate Bills 870 and 878, with SB 878 sent to conference. It also introduced several new measures, including Senate Joint Resolution L and Senate Bills 1085 through 1091, plus House Bills 4833, 5152, 5153, and 5727, referring them to the appropriate committees. The chamber discharged multiple committees from further consideration of bills and suspended rules several times to move legislation onto the General Orders calendar and to allow committee meetings during session.
On the floor, the Senate passed House Bill 4072 and Senate Bills 792, 793, 1013, and 947. SB 1013, dealing with the Insurance Code and price optimization, included a failed Tice amendment and passed 34-3. SB 947, concerning dam safety under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, drew supportive remarks from Senator McMorrow and a strong no-vote explanation from Senator McBroom before passing 22-15. The Senate also adopted a McMorrow substitute for SB 947 and later considered a large group of bills in Committee of the Whole, reporting many with amendments and others without amendment for third reading. The session ended with the Senate adjourning until Friday, July 3rd at 12:15 a.m.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House lawmaker proposes more funding for expanded emergency emergency housing 4/14/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And so what we have been able to do in 2023, we passed historic legislation around the Pathway Home Act
- In 2023, as Representative Keeler said, we passed legislation approving a hundred million dollars in
- </c> legislative outcomes have been amazing. legislative outcomes have been amazing.
- </c><00:04:10.840><c> have</c> trying to do as you as legislators have trying to do as you as legislators
- </c> considering this important legislation considering this important legislation because<00:05:01.960
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Dale Hawkins, Legislative District 2. I just would like to make a quick comment.
- We view House Bill 516 really as our attempt to clean up some of the legislation.
- Chairman, a court can say that a piece of past legislation was repealed by implication.
- It was inadvertently left into the legislation.
- It was inadvertently left into the legislation.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1339 from Sen. Dave Lent, who described it as an education accountability and modernization measure that shifts schools away from compliance-driven reporting toward locally set, measurable student-outcome goals. He said the bill would reduce unnecessary reporting, provide a three-year support and intervention cycle for struggling schools, and recognize excellence while preserving local control. Victoria Young testified in opposition, arguing the bill echoed No Child Left Behind-style accountability and could unfairly single out schools, while Quinn Perry of the Idaho School Boards Association supported the bill but raised a limited concern about intervention language that could affect local authority over calendars or budgets.
The committee then took up House Bill 516, a cleanup bill related to last year’s prohibition on classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity. Rep. Dale Hawkins and Doug Taylor said the bill simply removes leftover “age appropriate/developmentally appropriate” language from the prior law, arguing that the K-12 prohibition is already absolute and the extra phrase creates confusion and legal uncertainty. Opponents, including Mary Brown, Jean Henscheide, Scaruleen, Nissa Nagle, and Jeffrey Watkins, argued the change would eliminate age-appropriate instruction, parental choice, and classroom discussion of relevant history, literature, and current events, and could chill instruction affecting LGBTQ students and broader education. Supporters, including Grace Howitt of the Idaho Family Policy Center, said districts had not consistently implemented the prior law and that the bill would better protect parents and prevent what they described as inappropriate gender instruction.
Committee members pressed witnesses on whether the bill conflicted with existing Idaho Code, especially the older family-life and sex-education statute that leaves policy decisions to local school boards, and whether removing the phrase could create unintended effects on teaching topics like puberty, Supreme Court cases, or literature. After debate, Sen. Nichols moved to send HB 516 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, but Sen. Burtenshaw offered an alternate motion to hold the bill at the call of the chair. The committee adopted the motion to hold HB 516 at the call of the chair, so no floor recommendation was issued.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We appreciate your attendance here today, and we thank you for your interest in the legislation that's
- Jim Woodward, State Senator and Legislative District 1.
- We thank the sponsor very much for bringing this piece of legislation forward.
- I believe there will be a need potentially for additional legislation in this regard.
- I believe there will be a need potentially for additional legislation in this regard.
Summary:
The committee first confirmed Michael Lyndon of Post Falls to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and then heard several water-related bills. Senate Bill 1304 would clarify ditch easement rights by stating that ditch owners may inspect, maintain, and move diversion structures within an existing easement without landowner permission, while written permission would still be required to move structures outside the easement. Senate Bill 1306 would change the process for excluding land from an irrigation district so that a petition is not automatically approved if a hearing is not held within 150 days, and instead sets a more structured timeline for review and appeal. Senate Bill 1305 would allow water districts, if authorized by resolution, to charge specific property owners for costs tied to updating water-right ownership records during property transfers rather than spreading those costs across all users. Senate Bill 1307 would repeal and consolidate overlapping code chapters governing lateral ditches, simplifying definitions, election or appointment of managers, and maintenance responsibilities. Each of these bills was moved to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation, though one senator reserved concerns about property rights on SB 1304.
The committee then considered House Bill 511, which would raise the cap on the Idaho Department of Lands improved-parcel wildfire surcharge from $40 to $100 per year. The sponsor and department said the increase is needed because the number of improved parcels in the wildland-urban interface has grown, equipment and personnel costs have risen, and the surcharge funds wildfire preparedness, engines, training, and readiness for initial attack. Logging and forest industry representatives supported the bill, citing higher fire-response costs and the need to protect homes, timber, and communities. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass motion, with Senators Hart and Cole recorded as voting no.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1269 on cloud seeding. The sponsor said the bill does not create or expand the program but adds statutory definitions, reporting requirements, public meetings, and accountability provisions for the existing cloud-seeding program, including suspension of authorization if required reporting is not provided. Supporters from the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho Water Users Association, and a farmer said cloud seeding is a useful water-supply tool and that clearer reporting would improve transparency and public confidence. Some members said they still had questions about effectiveness and wanted more discussion, but the bill was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In the Fifth Legislative District, we have many neighborhoods, including the neighborhood where I live
- The speaker said the legislation is designed to prevent the kind of abuses Representative Reeves was
- Our legislative issues committee, along with our leadership, decided to fully support this policy. ..
- Compass's remaining tactical play in this legislative session is introducing an opt-out amendment on
- And if not, would you agree that that was something that we might want to enhance in the legislation
Summary:
The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, was explained by staff as creating safe harbors so certain mortgage modifications would not alter lien priority or require re-recording; the prime sponsor said it would reduce uncertainty and legal costs. No one testified on the bill. SB 6091, concerning real estate brokers marketing residential properties to exclusive groups, was described as requiring concurrent public marketing when brokers market to limited groups, while allowing private marketing so long as the public also has access; the sponsor and supporters said it would promote fair, open housing markets and reduce pocket listings that can reinforce exclusion. SB 6178, prohibiting post-loss assignment of benefits in property insurance, was presented as protecting homeowners after disasters from signing away policy rights to contractors; the sponsor, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Washington State Association for Justice supported the bill, while discussion focused on whether the $50,000 penalty should distinguish between intentional and unintentional violations.
For SB 6178, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner said it has seen more complaints about policyholders being pressured to sign documents before contacting insurers and said the bill would help keep homeowners in control of claims. Testifiers emphasized that contractors play an important role in repairs but should not take over first-party insurance claims, and one witness noted the bill would not prevent direct payment arrangements to contractors. Committee members asked about penalties and whether a cooling-off period or other alternatives might address concerns about good-faith contractors.
For SB 6091, supporters including Zillow, Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, Windermere, and the Fair Housing Center of Washington argued that exclusive or pocket listings can reduce transparency, limit competition, and worsen housing inequities. They said the bill still allows private marketing and open houses, but requires public availability as well, and does not force owners to allow access to their property. A rental housing representative asked for an amendment to remove a reference to leases, saying the bill should not unintentionally apply to rental providers who are not brokers. The committee closed public hearings on all three bills and ended the meeting with birthday recognition for two members.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- For the record, my name is Brooke Dupree, and I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services
- For the record, my name is Brooke Dupree, and I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services
- I'm going to be talking about the Workforce Development Council, and you can follow along in your legislative
- The way that we're accounting for that in the legislative budget book, the legislative budget book mostly
- I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations first for the Idaho Workforce Development Council. Analyst Brooke Dupree reviewed the council’s statutory role, fund balances, and FY 2027 requests, including an ongoing transfer of $1.15 million within the In Demand Careers Fund to support more Launch grants, a proposed consolidation of the STEM Action Center into the council, and reappropriation authority for ARPA and other grant funds. Director Wendy Sechrist said Launch, workforce training grants, child care grants, and semiconductor-related grants have produced strong participation and wage gains, and she explained that the STEM education fund would be sunset under the merger. Members asked about the remaining STEM dedicated fund, the timing and impact of a proposed $10 million cash transfer from Launch, repayment of some Launch grants, and how much of the training funding goes to incumbent workers versus new hires.
The committee then reviewed the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Dupree outlined the agency’s dedicated funds and FY 2027 requests for additional appropriation authority tied to Social Security reimbursements and adaptive aids store revenue, plus one-time vehicle replacement funding. Administrator Beth Cunningham said the agency uses those funds to support vocational rehabilitation, independent living services, and surgeries for eligible clients without other coverage. Members asked about discrepancies in fund figures, the growth in the adaptive aids fund balance, and the effect of holdbacks on services; Cunningham said the cuts would modestly reduce client services, travel, and some site restoration support.
Finally, the Idaho State Historical Society presented its budget. Dupree described requests for $450,000 to complete the move of state records and collections into the new archives addition, $36,300 for IT hardware, and reappropriation authority for moving costs, along with prior enhancements for Old Pen staffing and archival work. Director Janet Gallimore emphasized stewardship of state records and artifacts, the importance of the move, and the agency’s role in Idaho’s America 250 efforts. Members praised the agency’s work and asked about historic preservation reviews and archaeological surveys; Gallimore said staff consult with federal agencies under the National Historic Preservation Act and agreed to provide travel records for surveys in Bonner County. The meeting ended with a presentation of historical artifacts and adjournment.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Select Committee on Civic Health Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve in the 8th Legislative District. Dan? Hey, good afternoon. Thank you, Mr.
- Ron Muzzall, Senator for the 10th Legislative District. Tom?
- Tom Dent, representing the 13th Legislative District. Annette?
- I'm from the 9th Legislative District.
- Legislators and anybody that's interested in becoming more civilly disciplined.
Summary:
The Joint Select Committee on Civic Health met to discuss next steps for its work on civic health, including related efforts by the Project for Civic Health and a proposed Evans School research survey of legislators. The chair reviewed the committee’s mandate and described ongoing partner initiatives, including shared principles of engaging with respect, seeking common ground, and disagreeing constructively. Members generally supported the Evans School proposal, though one member asked how the project would measure success, and the chair said the goal was to gather broad input from legislators on strengths, weaknesses, and future directions.
A major portion of the meeting focused on a draft committee statement condemning political violence. Members agreed to remove the word “crazed” from the description of a recent assassination, with concerns raised that the term implied irrationality and could stigmatize disability. Members also suggested broadening the language to include non-abusive and productive dialogue, and replacing or supplementing “pray” with more inclusive wording; the final phrasing settled on “hope and pray.” The committee also briefly debated whether to describe the United States as a democracy or a representative republic, ultimately agreeing on “representative democratic republic” and approving the statement for posting and distribution, with several members still needing to provide digital signatures.
The rest of the meeting was an open discussion about how to improve civility and relationship-building in the Legislature. Members emphasized the value of in-person meetings, shared meals, mentoring newer legislators, and more intentional cross-party conversations. Several said there are fewer informal opportunities now than in the past, especially after the pandemic, and suggested ideas such as retreats, regular gatherings, and bringing in outside experts like the National Institute for Civil Discourse. The chair said he would relay the committee’s support for the Evans School survey and adjourned the meeting after noting the discussion had produced several constructive ideas for future work.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The public who wish to testify on legislative business may register at the kiosk outside.
- It just makes it a legislative... Oh, I apologize. Okay. Thank you. That committee substitute...
- Specifically on legislative recommendations.
- I'd like to give some background and context to this legislation.
- I'd like to give some background context to this proposed legislation.
Keywords:
carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
- On behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus... Thank you, Madam Speaker.
- Thank you, and on behalf of the AAPI Legislative Caucus, I ask for your aye vote on H.R. 23.
- I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative LGBT...
- I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative LGBT.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Marysville Police Officer Osmar Rodarte. Members then handled several procedural motions, including re-referring bills and moving items on the file, with AB 567 re-referred by a recorded vote of 42-17 and the remaining referral requests approved without objection. The chamber also heard a brief personal statement from Assembly Member Macedo thanking colleagues and staff for support during a health episode.
On the floor, members presented and passed several measures. AB 310 by Assembly Member Alanis, requiring youth sports organizations to have AED access, emergency response plans, and coach training, passed 56-0. AB 437 by Assembly Member Lackey, expanding CIF reporting to include sports-related injuries and medical problems, passed 59-0. ACR 55 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, commemorating the 40th anniversary of ARC v. DDS and the Lanterman Act, received 62 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote.
The Assembly also adopted HR 28 recognizing Major League Baseball Opening Day 2025, with extended lighthearted remarks about the Dodgers, Giants, and Athletics, and HR 23 honoring Cesar Chavez Day, which drew broad support from caucus leaders and members speaking to Chavez’s labor and civil rights legacy. Both resolutions were adopted by voice vote after adding co-authors. The chamber then approved the second-day consent calendar, including ACR 39 on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month and ACR 53 on Women’s Equal Pay Day, and later adjourned in memory of Ralph Miller after tributes from Assembly Members Hart and Gibson. The House adjourned until Tuesday, April 1 at 1 p.m.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- They have ignored Common Sense reports and recommendations from the Office of the Legislative Auditor
- auditor and I believe that legislative auditor and I believe that hf2<00:02:50.400><c> house</c><00:
- </c> design and the legislative design and the legislative auditor<00:04:44.000><c> sections</c><00:04
- </c> making and Grant oversight legislation making and Grant oversight legislation members<00:05:20.840
- They must report it to the supervisor, commissioner, or commissioner's designee, and the legislative
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That was a piece of legislation that was passed in 1986, which provided for Idaho membership on the Pacific
- This legislation, House Bill 855, is a fairly simple bill.
- This legislation, House Bill 855, is a fairly simple bill.
- Chairman, members of the committee, for the record my name is Ellery Tucker Williams, Legislative and
- Ellery Tucker Williams, Legislative and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Idaho Department of
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced Senate Bill 1396, sponsored by Senator Lakey, which repeals Idaho Code 67-452 and removes Idaho’s obsolete membership in the Pacific Fisheries Task Force. Lakey said Idaho has not participated since 2022 and that the task force is no longer necessary. The committee had no questions and voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then considered House Bill 855, presented by Representative Petsky, which changes the residency requirement for purchasing a lifetime hunting or fishing license from six months to five years. Petsky and Idaho Department of Fish and Game representative Ellery Tucker Williams said the bill is intended to close a loophole used by people moving to Idaho briefly to obtain lifetime licenses, then leaving the state while still benefiting from resident-style tag access and lower costs. After questions about how residency is verified and whether other approaches, such as grandfathering or revoking licenses after a move, might be better, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with one member requesting to be recorded as opposed.
House Concurrent Resolution 34, sponsored by Senator Harris, was also introduced and advanced. The resolution supports Idaho’s rights under the Bear River Compact, calls for studies and feasibility work on storage and recharge projects, and directs investment in stream gauging to document water use and support future claims. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association testified in support, emphasizing the need for better information and planning for the Bear River Basin. The committee asked about potential costs, and Arrington said the resolution concerns study work first, with project funding to be addressed later. The committee then voted to send the resolution to the floor with a due pass recommendation and approved the February 25 minutes before concluding with remarks to a departing page and a final statement that the committee’s work for the year was essentially finished.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- And we do have a strike all for this legislation. Get to it.
- this, the reason there is a strike all, um, counsel for the committee has reviewed the proposed legislation
- committee has reviewed<00:01:05.199><c> the</c><00:01:05.280><c> proposed</c><00:01:05.800><c> legislation
- </c><00:01:06.440><c> from</c> reviewed the proposed legislation from reviewed the proposed legislation
- Um we tend to refer to this legislation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the National Conference of State Legisl the National Conference of State Legisl Legislators<00:03
- </c> legislation this session. legislation this session.
- 14:53.600><c> in</c> Um, California enacted legislation in Um, California enacted legislation in 2024
- That legislation is pending, though. We'll see where it goes. That legislation is pending, though.
- Um it's legislation and policy.
Keywords:
Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MNsure, MinnesotaCare, disability determination, expedited eligibility, state medical review team, compassionate allowance, rare disease, home and community-based services, long-term care, managed care, county-based purchasing, eligibility redetermination, periodic data matching, death master file, Social Security Administration, program integrity, income eligibility, asset test
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Education Policy and Administration (03/10/2025)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> our legislative our legislative work<01:03:59.640><c> finally</c><01:04:00.640><c> we</c><01:04:
- </c> will close by saying that legislation will close by saying that legislation regarding<01:04:54.079
- </c><01:06:52.119><c> of</c> in the past the legislative history of in the past the legislative history
- <03:48:40.520><c> is</c><03:48:40.640><c> there</c><03:48:40.800><c> a</c> legislate is there a legislate
- So I think that this is reasonable legislation.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic.
Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience.
A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations Mar 19th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- And our lucky legislator this year was Representative Carlson.
- This proposed legislation, this legislation rather, is pretty straightforward.
- However, I do see the intent of the legislation.
- However, I do see the intent of the legislation.
- Enough time to come up with legislation or with language now.
Summary:
The committee first adopted prior meeting minutes and voluntarily deferred three bills before taking up House Bill 232, which would shift the employment-certificate process for minors away from school boards and to Louisiana Works. Rep. Carlson said the bill is intended to reduce burdens on schools and make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to work, especially in the summer. A youth advisory council testified in support, describing the current process as cumbersome for students and families. The committee adopted amendments, including a change making the bill effective upon the governor’s signature, and then reported HB 232 favorably with amendments.
The committee next considered House Bill 951, creating an Office of Talent Accelerator within Louisiana Works and a Business Workforce Committee to coordinate employer-facing workforce services. Rep. Bamberg and Secretary Susie Schowen described it as a centralized, regional, business-facing effort to respond more quickly to workforce needs tied to major economic development projects, while also supporting existing small and mid-sized businesses. Supporters, including Bollinger Shipyards and Leaders for a Better Louisiana, said similar models in Mississippi had helped expand training pipelines and better match employers with workers. The committee adopted a large amendment set and reported HB 951 with amendments.
House Bill 923, a cleanup measure reorganizing Louisiana Works statutes and updating language after last year’s agency restructuring, was then adopted with technical amendments and reported with amendments. The committee also took up House Bill 301, which would create a voluntary portable-benefits framework for independent contractors and gig workers. Supporters said it would give contractors a way to negotiate benefits such as health care or retirement contributions, while opponents warned it could encourage misclassification, weaken workers’ compensation protections, and shift costs to workers and the state. After debate, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 301 with a 6-5 vote.
Finally, House Bill 185 was introduced as a workers’ compensation measure to expand the definition of independent contractor and restore tort immunity for employers in certain contract-labor situations. The sponsor said it was part of the Attorney General’s package and aimed at addressing a recent court decision; the bill was just beginning discussion when the transcript ended.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (01/20/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> bit about, uh, our legislative bit about, uh, our legislative expectations<00:06:36.400><c> for<
- </c> of those other ones that the legislation of those other ones that the legislation comes<00:12:40.480
- Some legislators may remember well I talked about this already.
- Some legislators may remember well I talked about this already.
- Some legislators may remember well I talked about this already.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (01/20/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> legislation. Okay. legislation. Okay.
- :59.120><c> up</c><01:23:59.628><c> [laughter]</c> legislators screwed this up [laughter] legislators
- </c> vehicles, OVs, from this legislation? vehicles, OVs, from this legislation?
- </c> we think there is value in legislation we think there is value in legislation on<04:13:37.840><c
- We support this legislation.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/27/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:05:36.199><c> legislation</c><00:05:36.960><c> pending</c><00:05:37.720><c> to</c> have legisl
- legislation pending to have legisl legislation pending to include<00:05:38.280><c> nuclear</c><00:05
- </c><00:33:31.399><c> to</c> to present this legislation to to present this legislation to us<00:33:33.799
- </c> called the office of legislative called the office of legislative Services<05:35:09.840><c> they
- </c><05:35:17.040><c> legislative</c><05:35:17.638><c> budget</c> LBA um legislative budget LBA um legislative
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that is informed by that experience. ...into a piece of legislation that is informed by that experience
- and my colleagues' work on this legislation.
- The legislation before us stipulates that DESE would provide grants to school districts to enable them
- It will soon be upon us to write the next chapter of education finance legislation in Massachusetts,
- I'm excited with the prospect that this will move forward under the child welfare legislation.
Summary:
The Senate first handled a House petition from John H. Rawlers and others seeking eminent domain authority for a parcel in Norwood; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the matter was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The chamber then resumed debate on the literacy bill, with Senator Tarr offering a series of amendments focused on school district funding, teacher competency, reporting, waivers, and curriculum implementation. Most of Tarr’s amendments were rejected, but one requiring written, appealable denials of district waivers was adopted by roll call, and another amendment on reporting from the Early Literacy Fund, including provisions for English language learners and special education educators, was also adopted. A separate amendment extending the timeline for DESE to publish high-quality curricula was adopted, while several other amendments were withdrawn or defeated.
The Senate also considered and adopted an amendment from Senator Comerford addressing rural and regional equity in education funding. That amendment expanded eligible uses of the Early Literacy Fund to include screening assessments, required DESE to prioritize geographic and funding equity, mandated a public hearing in Western Massachusetts before final grant criteria were finalized, and directed technical assistance to rural districts. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, emphasizing chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, minimum-aid pressures, and the need for a broader review of the Chapter 70 formula and a Foundation Budget Review Commission. The amendment passed unanimously.
Later, the Senate took up an amendment from Senator Moore on children’s vision care, which would have created a registry for vision screening and expanded eye exam requirements, but it was withdrawn after supportive debate. The chamber then adopted the Ways and Means redraft, ordered the bill to third reading, and passed An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. Final passage was also achieved for a separate House land-taking bill allowing the town of Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, which passed by the required two-thirds vote and was enacted. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday and adjourned in memory of Donna Goldstein.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- And we hope to see this increase in the new legislation.
- There’s legislation relative to right to repair amendments.
- We worked with all parties at that time on the legislation.
- We do not need interim legislation of paying 1.4... ...We do not need interim legislation of paying 1.5
- Under this legislation, however, this process would not be considered.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on a wide range of bills involving consumer protection, auto regulation, alcohol licenses, and professional licensure. A major focus was legislation to require a one-hour domestic violence awareness training for salon and cosmetology licensees (H.323/S.200), supported by District Attorney Marion Ryan, law enforcement, and a salon industry witness who described the program’s value in identifying and helping victims. The committee also heard strong support from the Attorney General’s office for auto consumer protection legislation (S.228/H.379) that would expand used-car warranty protections, extend the Lemon Law return period to seven days after receipt of the vehicle, raise the mileage cap to 200,000 miles, and increase dealer surety bonds to $50,000. Independent dealers opposed those changes, arguing they would burden small businesses and that dealer education, not expanded liability, was the better solution.
The committee also took testimony on bills related to vehicle financial products and repair information. A trade association supported GAP waiver legislation (H.4188/S.281), saying it would create clear consumer protections and standard disclosures. On right-to-repair and heavy-duty vehicle service information (S.266), engine and truck manufacturers supported an exemption for commercial vehicles, while others argued that releasing service data to the general public could create safety, cybersecurity, and emissions risks. The committee then heard extensive testimony on auto dealer franchise and warranty reimbursement legislation (S.201/H.406), with dealer groups supporting changes to warranty labor reimbursement and manufacturer groups opposing them as costly and unnecessary. Manufacturers from GM, Volvo, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, and others said their current time-study and appeals processes already compensate dealers fairly and that the bill would raise costs for consumers.
In addition, the committee heard testimony on H.333, which would move auto damage appraiser licensing from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Occupational Licensure. Collision repair advocates supported the change, saying the current board structure leads to repeated dismissals of complaints and lacks accountability, while emphasizing that the bill is intended to protect consumers and ensure proper repair reimbursement. The hearing also included testimony in support of a local alcohol license petition for Westwood and a separate local alcohol measure for a town grant license. At the end of the hearing, the chairs announced that all docketed bills had been heard, noted that a joint poll would be held on H.4184, and the committee voted to adjourn by voice vote.