Video & Transcript Research : 'missing persons'
Page 179 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- going to be the reaction. you're correct in that, you know, the reaction would be different from person
- to person.
- Miss Simmons that the record shows that you are representing yourself.
- Members for questions for Miss Hall. Seeing none, we will begin public testimony.
- In 2023, I personally reached out.
Bills:
HB14, HB 106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HB 1127, HB1359, HB1393, HB1584, HB1640, HB1710, HB2152, HCR101, HJR8, HR51
Keywords:
nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any points of personal privilege for the purpose of introducing guests? Okay.
- I rise with a question for the person who moved the bill.
- Oh, for the person who moved the bill, Senator Bolick. I'll take one question.
- That person or persons decided that they wanted to pull the petition.
- As a person, in quotes, is a person who just spent two weeks in ICU.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items.
In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended.
The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Education Committee Interim Topics Meeting, March 6, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And we're really interested in looking at why that is and then where we are missing our students, where
- <00:09:15.600>
our is and then where we are are missing our is and then where we are are missing - If not, I may then turn it over to Miss Keeper. Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- <00:46:58.120>
Again, <00:46:58.400>Miss Thank you, Mr. Chairman. - Again, Miss Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Summary:
The committee heard from Superintendent Megan Degenfelder on several interim topics centered on student-centered learning. She highlighted work-based learning and dual/concurrent enrollment, saying the state is updating accountability measures and should examine whether these programs are helping students progress, avoid duplicative costs, and reduce the need for remedial college coursework. She also discussed broader life-skills education, including financial literacy and soft skills, and said districts vary widely in what they offer. On gifted and talented programs, she noted that districts are statutorily required to provide them but the state does not have a clear picture of how consistently they are implemented, and she suggested the committee may want to study that area further.
Members asked follow-up questions about whether dual enrollment should be evaluated only by time-to-degree, and Degenfelder said the analysis should also consider additional credentials and remedial coursework. Senator Schuler and others raised the idea of making financial literacy or other life-skills content more common, though Degenfelder said she did not favor a statewide mandate and instead preferred incentives and district-level implementation. The committee also discussed artificial intelligence in schools as an information-sharing topic, with Degenfelder saying the department is beginning a landscape analysis with districts and teachers. She then reviewed NAEP results, noting Wyoming performs strongly in fourth grade but drops sharply by eighth grade, and said the state wants to understand where students are falling off. Members also raised concerns about international comparisons and the need to improve literacy and math outcomes.
The committee then moved to member-submitted topics. Representative Strock proposed reviewing the governance structure of state education, arguing that the current split among the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other boards creates inefficiency and confusion, especially for licensure and programs like CTE. Senator Scott noted that turnover in the superintendent’s office could be a practical issue in any restructuring, and Strock responded that administrative staff could handle day-to-day operations. Representative Williams then introduced a discussion of common core standards and literacy, arguing that standards may be too broad and not specific enough, especially in early grades, and that Wyoming should emphasize phonics, basic reading, math, and civics more directly. Representative Guggenmos agreed that narrowing early-grade focus to math and literacy could improve outcomes. Finally, Representative Williams raised virtual education, saying it is growing quickly and the committee should study funding, accountability, and student support more closely; the chair opened that topic for further discussion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- In his most vulnerable moments, he wasn't talking to a person.
- has just gone missing.
- It helps recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, and even exonerate innocent individuals, and
- And if we ever come up with the technology to get every person that steals mail and every person that
- Basically, they're assisting that person to hide the... that it's not holding the person responsible,
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and reinforce confidentiality and privacy protections for therapy records. Supporters, including a mother and therapist whose son died by suicide after extensive chats with ChatGPT, argued the bill is needed to prevent harmful, crisis-related interactions. Behavioral health groups and labor/privacy organizations supported the measure, while TechNet, the California Medical Association, and the California Hospital Association opposed unless amended, saying the bill could restrict useful clinical tools and create conflicts around triage, screening, and data use. The committee passed SB 903 4-0 to Appropriations, with members noting the need for further work on definitions and implementation.
SB 1119 would create a broader framework for chatbot safety for children, including annual risk assessments, crisis response protocols, default child protections, parental controls, notice and time limits, restrictions on advertising and use of children’s data, incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The author and supporters again cited the death of Adam Raine as evidence that chatbots can reinforce suicidal ideation and isolate children. Common Sense Media and several labor and privacy groups supported the bill. CalChamber, TechNet, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, and other industry and local government groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about vague standards, overlap with SB 243, prescriptive design mandates, and litigation risk. The committee approved SB 1119 4-0 to Judiciary, with amendments to be taken there.
The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader data by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for most data. Supporters said the bill responds to documented misuse and over-retention of data that mostly belongs to innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, arguing the retention limit would hinder investigations and reduce the usefulness of ALPRs in serious or delayed cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, a local control bill for six cities, would allow camera or sensor-based enforcement of curb and loading zones, with a human reviewing each violation before issuance. Supporters said it would help cities manage congestion and unsafe blocking of bike lanes and loading zones; privacy advocates warned about expanding automated surveillance. It passed 4-1 to Appropriations.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1101, which would require higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies and limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters framed it as a transparency and anti-doxing measure in response to recent federal investigations and subpoenas; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee then began hearing SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, which would require advance notice and reporting when employers displace workers due to technology and give displaced workers priority for openings, but the transcript cuts off before the hearing concluded.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/26/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And do you have an idea of annually what that might look like, Miss Menshu?
- And do you have an idea of annually what that might look like, Miss Menshu?
- <00:41:09.440>
and education while also making personal and education while also making personal - For me personally, this is not an either-or issue.
- For me personally, this is not an either-or issue.
Summary:
The Education Finance Committee met on February 5, 2025, to hear testimony from representatives of Minnesota’s Catholic and other nonpublic schools, focused on state nonpublic pupil aid, transportation, counseling, nursing, and related support programs. Meg Forette of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis argued that Catholic schools serve more than 30,000 students across many districts, educate a diverse population, and achieve strong academic results while operating at far lower per-student costs than public schools. She urged lawmakers to reject proposed cuts to nonpublic funding, saying they would be inequitable and harmful to lower-income families, and also raised concerns about state teacher-licensing requirements conflicting with Catholic values.
Trisha Menshu, principal of St. John Paul II Catholic School in Northeast Minneapolis, described a student body with high levels of poverty, learning needs, and academic gaps, and said state-funded nurse and guidance-counseling services are essential to keeping students safe, healthy, and on track for high school. She said the school absorbs many costs itself, including medical supplies and significant staff time, and credited the support programs with helping students make strong academic growth and graduate on time. In response to a senator’s question, she clarified that the school uses the nursing aid for limited nurse time and pays other medical-related costs from operating funds, with no billing back to public school districts.
Committee members asked follow-up questions about the relationship between teacher licensing and Catholic values, and about how medical needs for nonpublic students are funded. Forette said the concern was not with welcoming all students but with how DEI-related trainings and language are presented in ways that conflict with Catholic teaching. The committee then moved on to the next testifier, Andrew Hiliker of Stella Maris Academy in Duluth, who began by describing his school’s growth and the state’s role in supporting all students, regardless of school choice.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:26:05.799>
from went over and talked with a person from went over and talked with a person - to miss to miss leneski<00:34:41.440>
yeah <00:34:42.000>chair <00:34:42.359>Nash - correct correct Miss correct correct Miss leneski<00:35:59.960>
yeah <00:36:00.280>chair - from AFP uh so we'll maybe have Miss from AFP uh so we'll maybe have Miss Miss<00:53:56.559>
- was uh came up with and um uh if Miss was uh came up with and um uh if Miss Randall<01:03:31.000
Summary:
The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director.
Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff.
Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Whether love for every person he meets.
- one overall as well as for personal one overall as well as for personal inspection,<01:05:32.720
- congress the following person Mr. congress the following person Mr.
- It's any person who is just not China.
- California, Miss Torres. California, Miss Torres.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm not a technical person.
- How many people are you missing on your board? Thank you.
- How many people are you missing on the Water Trust Board?
- I apologize if I missed anyone. Council. I apologize if I missed anyone.
- So the first person that walks in the door in Hidalgo, maybe...
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 18, March 3, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- data as specified, requiring personal data as specified, requiring specific<00:13:31.440>
personal - <00:13:32.080>
personal <00:13:32.520>data specific personal personal data specific - personal personal data policies,<00:13:33.800>
providing <00:13:34.200>definitions, policies - <00:14:14.000>
providing providing immunity for persons providing providing immunity for persons - Not sure if I missed<01:45:08.040>
a <01:45:08.120>whip missed a whip missed a whip uh<
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Half will be one-person units and the other half will be two-person units.
- half will be two person units. half will be two person units.
- Apologize I wasn't able to miss or missed all the fun this morning. Had another conflict.
- I wasn't able to miss or missed all the I wasn't able to miss or missed all the fun<02:17:38.319
- >> Thank you, Miss Van. Any questions? >> Thank you, Miss Van. Any questions?
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use.
Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects.
The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25 - Part 2
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I could be that person and go to health.
- I look forward to having conversations with every person in this room.
- Miss<00:20:43.679>
Clarkquist. Miss Clarkquist. Miss Clarkquist. U<00:20:45.679>Mr. - Thank you, Miss Clark. Chair Becker. Yes. It's a lean and mean bill.
- tell you that I I'm personally tell you that I I'm personally comfortable<00:26:19.520>
with<
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:46.000>
carries <00:02:46.280>a buy property um and the person carries a buy - property um and the person carries a note<00:02:46.800>
some <00:02:47.000>people <00:02 - <00:36:18.720>
to will be happy to be the first person to will be happy to be the first person - in the in the legislature so if um Miss in the in the legislature so if um Miss pomu<00:37:11.359
- Ry when you're ready let us know Miss Ry when you're ready let us know Miss Pon<00:37:23.280>
Keywords:
financial institutions, insurance regulation, insurance holding company, group capital calculation, liquidity stress test, NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurer solvency, affiliate transactions, groupwide supervision, internationally active insurance group, lead state commissioner, policyholder protection, hazardous financial condition, deposit or bond, contract for deed, conventional loan, cooperative apartment loan, mortgage interest rate cap, average prime offer rate
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Ways and Means May 31st, 2025 at 09:00 am
Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- This person temporarily moves to Las Vegas.
- The person votes in Las Vegas on Election Day.
- I missed it. Can you tell me what the licensing fee was? Majority Leader, I apologize, I missed it.
- All of these are personally guaranteed.
- We can move on to the next person. Thank you. Good afternoon.
Bills:
AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495, AB62, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB193, SB262, SB422, SB431, SB435, SB468, SB503
Keywords:
higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Taxes Committee hearing on bill to establish new fifth-tier state income tax rate 4/3/25
Transcript Highlights:
- On a personal note, my sister is disabled and uses Medicaid.
- On a personal note, my sister is disabled and uses Medicaid.
- On a personal note, my sister is disabled and uses Medicaid.
- Chair Gomez: That's the premise of your question is Miss Grom just said Medicaid dollars do not go to
- And so whatever you want to say about your personal views about immigration, immigrants are in every
Summary:
The committee heard House File 2591, the “Support Medicaid Not Millionaires Act,” laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Chair Gomez said the bill would create a fifth individual income tax tier on very high earners to offset any future federal Medicaid cuts, arguing that proposed federal budget changes would likely reduce Medicaid funding and create a large state budget hole. Gomez and other supporters framed Medicaid as essential for children, long-term care, mental health, substance use treatment, rural hospitals, and families across Minnesota, and criticized federal tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals.
Several testifiers supported the bill. A SEIU Healthcare worker described how Medicaid supports her care for a disabled son and her own health needs, warning that cuts would threaten home care, hospitals, and nursing homes. A public health employee from the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said recent state and federal layoffs had already weakened public health capacity and urged additional revenue to backfill losses. Other supporters, including community and faith leaders, said the wealthy and corporations should pay more to protect public services, youth programs, and Medicaid-funded care. A mental health provider testified that most of the people served by her clinic rely on Medicaid and that cuts would harm clinics, rural access, and the broader behavioral health system.
Representative Anderson questioned whether the bill would affect Medicaid spending tied to undocumented immigrants and asked for data on MinnesotaCare and federal-state funding shares. Department of Human Services staff clarified that he was referring to MinnesotaCare, not Medicaid, and said Medicaid is generally matched by the federal government while MinnesotaCare does not have the same match. The exchange became contentious when Gomez objected to Anderson’s use of the term “illegal immigrants” and redirected the discussion back to the bill. Anderson also raised concerns about Medicaid fraud and whether the proposal would backfill any federal changes related to fraud enforcement. No vote was taken; the bill was simply laid over.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/14/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, Miss Burger. Members, any questions or comments on the bill? Thank you, Senator Balden.
- It's the A3 amendment, and, um, excuse me, Miss James helped me with this today.
- It's the A3 amendment, and, um, excuse me, Miss James helped me with this today.
- It's the A3 amendment, and, um, excuse me, Miss James helped me with this today.
- We've also referred them to online personal fitness, walking, photography, canoeing, and yoga.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Half will be one-person units and the other half will be two-person units.
- half will be two person units. half will be two person units.
- Apologize I wasn't able to miss or missed all the fun this morning. Had another conflict.
- Apologize I wasn't able to miss or missed all the fun this morning. Had another conflict.
- >> Thank you, Miss Van. Any questions? >> Thank you, Miss Van. Any questions?
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Did I miss anybody? There's a lot of absences. Chairman Lynn: Did I miss anybody?
- c> the<03:59:25.159>
person well the the person that the person well the the person that the - person who kills themselves.
- Every disabled person has value.
- Every disabled person has value.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved.
Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199.
The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Miss liberal. We have we have a question for us level. Senator Davis, you're recognized. Thank you.
- But there are many students who was parents missed.
- So I hope I didn't miss too much, but I'm just reading the plain language of the bill.
- Not many of them know if their heart is racing any faster than the person next to them.
- I just did not want to be the person that was painful.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cause of action for violations of civil rights created 2/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a person under multiple color of law assaults from state and federal actors.
- Closing the testimony then, since there [is] no other person wishing to testify.
- Um, Miss Davis, that's common practice?
- Um, Miss Davis, thanks thanks thanks >> Miss<00:24:22.640>
Davis. >> Miss Davis. - >> Miss Davis.
Summary:
The committee heard House File 3477, Representative Long’s “Universal Constitutional Remedies Act,” which would create a civil damages remedy for constitutional violations by government actors, including federal officials. Long and supporting testifiers argued the bill fills a gap in current law, noting that people can sue state and local officials under Section 1983 but generally lack a meaningful damages remedy against federal actors. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, make harmed individuals whole, and is consistent with the Supremacy Clause and federal law. Public testimony included Dr. Roger Day, who said the bill was important to people harmed by “color of law” abuses and urged broad, inclusive language.
Members then considered amendments. The A1 amendment, offered by Representative Duran, removed subdivision 2, which had required federal law enforcement partners entering agreements with Minnesota to agree to abide by the state and federal constitutions; the amendment was adopted. The A2 amendment, which would have added a six-year lookback and limited the bill to future causes of action, was debated at length and rejected. The A3 amendment, which would have required state agencies to absorb litigation costs, was also debated; House fiscal staff said a fiscal note was not complete and costs were uncertain, and the amendment was not adopted.
In discussion after amendments, opponents argued the bill would conflict with federal supremacy, duplicate or interfere with existing federal remedies, and could create fiscal and operational burdens. Supporters responded that the bill is modeled on existing remedies for state and local officials and that federal accountability is currently inadequate. The bill, as amended by A1, was then moved toward the general register, with a roll call requested on the bill.