Video & Transcript : 'freedom' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 54 Jun 10th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The freedom to read is just that important in a free and democratic society.
- And today, I stand with our librarians, our students, and our commitment to intellectual freedom.
- You know, we're at a time in which freedom of expression has not only been under attack, but that we
- Freedom of expression is something we should all be fighting for and not afraid.
- Only authoritarians are afraid of freedom of expression.
Summary:
The House first handled a series of routine actions from the Committee on Rules, including adoption of several congratulatory resolutions and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow petitions to proceed, including a Hingham land transfer petition and a veteran rental assistance bridge program petition. The Ways and Means Committee then reported out several bills, including a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, a bill on hot work/fire safety regulation, a free expression/library bill, a bill on ownership and maintenance of certain culverts and dams, a Walsh-Kennedy Commission implementation bill, and a Billerica land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path. Each was advanced through second or third reading, with the House adopting committee amendments and ordering the bills to third reading or engrossment as appropriate.
The most extensive debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which would address book challenges in public and school libraries, require reporting of challenges, protect age-appropriate materials, and establish review procedures. Supporters argued the bill protects intellectual freedom, librarians’ professional judgment, and access to books amid rising censorship efforts; opponents raised concerns about parental rights, local control, and exposure of minors to explicit material. Several amendments were offered and voted on, including one to strike a criminal-law protection, one to streamline the school review process, one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and one narrowing who may initiate complaints to parents or guardians; some were rejected and others adopted. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a 151-3 vote.
The House also took up H. 5491 implementing the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Members emphasized firefighter safety, certification and training requirements, stronger penalties for violations, and public notification of violations; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously. The supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill, H. 5493, covering snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and several outside sections, also passed after amendment votes. Finally, the House enacted two local bills on Holyoke City Council special meetings and the Reading town charter, and then adjourned to meet the next day in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 54 Jun 10th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The freedom to read is just that important in a free and democratic society.
- And today, I stand with our librarians, our students, and our commitment to intellectual freedom.
- You know, we're at a time in which freedom of expression has not only been under attack, but that we
- Freedom of expression is something we should all be fighting for and not afraid.
- Only authoritarians are afraid of freedom of expression.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 16th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- different colors, cultures, languages, and faith are able to come to this country and labor with freedom
- King, not only by remembering him, but by striving to be worthy of the freedoms to be worthy of the freedoms
- The quotes by young people who said, 'I'm gonna get on that Freedom Rider bus.'
- The quotes by young people who said, 'I'm gonna get on that Freedom Rider bus.'
- King reminded us that freedom is not a gift that's simply handed down.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine announcements and motions. Senator González obtained unanimous consent to print a letter in the journal. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 107, honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with extensive floor remarks from many senators reflecting on King’s legacy, civil rights, nonviolence, economic justice, solidarity across communities, and current concerns about discrimination, immigration enforcement, and threats to democracy.
Speakers from multiple caucuses and affiliations supported the resolution, including Senators Richardson, Archuleta, Choi, Smallwood-Cuevas, Blakespear, Pérez, Weber, McNerney, Wiener, Reyes, Cabaldon, Rubio, and Alvarado-Gil. Their comments emphasized King’s leadership, the Letter from Birmingham Jail, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the need to continue his work through policy and civic action. Senator Richardson closed on the measure, and the Senate adopted SCR 107 by roll call vote.
After the resolution, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory. Senator Pérez honored Alhambra Police Department Officer Alex Sanders, who died in a vehicle pursuit accident while on duty. Senator McGuire remembered Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, with additional remarks from Senators Becker and Laird about his cultural impact and philanthropy. Senator McNerney and Senator Alvarado-Gil then honored the victims of a Stockton mass shooting, including children Journey Rose Guerrero, Maya Lupian, and Amari Peterson, and a 21-year-old, Susanna Archeletta, describing their lives and the community’s loss. The session ended with the Pro Tem noting the day’s reflection and announcing the Senate would reconvene on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- What is freedom? Freedom is the quality or state of being free.
- If we continue to take freedom from our...
- If we continue to take freedom from our children, they will not have freedom.
- Our freedom will be given away. Our freedom is given by God.
- Our freedom is given by God.
Committee:
House Boards, Agencies and Commissions
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/24/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #13
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Whip, Senate Bill 1663 establishes the Freedom of Speech Monument Committee to nominate and approve
- of Speech Monument for their contributions in preserving freedom of speech in Arizona.
- It also permits the placement of a freedom of speech monument in the governmental mall.
- Madam Whip, members, Senate Bill 1686 renames Wesley Bolin Plaza the Wesley Bolin and Charlie Kirk Freedom
- It's a medical freedom, patient choice, patient access bill.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills and memorials, mostly on consent calendars, covering housing, elections, health care, public safety, land use, transportation, and water. Several measures focused on housing and local government regulation, including limits on municipal interference with home design standards, restrictions on alleged “malicious delays” in permitting, and rules on exactions. Election-related bills addressed internet access for voting equipment, timekeeping requirements for election systems, primary election timing, precinct committeeman vacancies, and other election administration changes. Other topics included liquor law updates, assisted living facility rules, deed and title fraud prevention, a Freedom of Speech Monument committee, renaming public spaces, and a bill restricting gender transition procedures for minors.
Health and human services bills drew discussion on behavioral health technician definitions and AHCCCS/DHS coordination, Medicaid billing during facility ownership changes, breast cancer screening cost-sharing, naturopathic physicians administering IV antibiotics and similar drugs, safe-haven newborn surrender at hospitals, and reporting requirements for dialysis social workers. In public safety and judiciary, members considered bills on probation for dangerous crimes against children, sex offender registration limitations, victim restitution costs, unlawful alerting, increased penalties for unlawful flight, and a new offense for motor fuel theft. One member noted a no vote on extending the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee, saying it would become a long-running study committee, while supporters said the committee had produced useful recommendations.
The caucus also heard land, agriculture, energy, water, and transportation measures, including creation of a foreign entity land review commission, restrictions on transporting Mexican gray wolf pups with state resources, water reuse and banking provisions, solar installation disclosures and roof inspections, a larger revolving fund loan cap, and several congressional memorials. Transportation items included roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting rules, military property signage, a towing and impound study committee, and photo enforcement penalties. Public safety bills included extending traumatic event counseling programs and requiring state data sharing with the federal government regarding unauthorized aliens. No formal votes were taken in the transcript; members mostly asked clarifying questions and several sponsors explained the intent and practical effects of their bills.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-04-28 (12:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas Florida was the beacon of sanity during the COVID-19 pandemic promoting freedom over fear
- Medical freedom, similar to Senate Bill 1756, which passed the Senate in March. Section 2.
- Senate Bill 60 by Senator Yarbrough, a bill to be entitled an act relating to medical freedom.
- A bill to be entitled an act relating to medical freedom. President's reference: Rules.
- First, I will be temporarily postponing Senate Bill 6D, medical freedom, at the Rules Committee meeting
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- There is great freedom, dear Lord, when we have the courage to recognize at times that we are the one
- about our founding fathers, to think about our founding documents, and how important it is to the freedoms
- So raise that flag, let freedom fly, echo liberty from plains to mountains high.
- To raise their flag, let freedom fly, and liberty from plains to mountains high.
- Raise that flag and let freedom fly, like liberty from plains to mountains high.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 22nd, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Never give up for freedom. Never give up for freedom. Never give up for freedom.
- Never give up for freedom. Never give up for freedom. Let us build a better California. Thank you.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I would like to take this moment to recognize that today is National Religious Freedom Day.
- I would like to take this moment to recognize that today is National Religious Freedom Day.
- Religious freedom is one of the most important and fundamental rights guaranteed to us in the Constitution
- Let us celebrate the freedom our constituents in this great state of Texas have to practice their own
- Let us celebrate the freedom our constituents in this great state of Texas have to practice their own
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm from the Young Women's Freedom Center, and I strongly support this bill.
- I'm from the Young Women's Freedom Center, and I strongly support this bill.
- Annalisa Zamora with Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition, in strong support.
- Survivors need real pathways to safety, healing, and freedom.
- Hi, Layla, part of Young Women's Freedom Center. Hi, Layla, part of Young Women's Freedom Center.
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard several measures, with AB 366 on ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders receiving the most extensive debate. The author, Senator Archuleta, and MADD representative Colin Campbell testified in support, describing personal losses to drunk driving and arguing that mandatory interlocks would prevent repeat offenses and save lives. Support also came from firefighters, law enforcement groups, AAA, medical and traffic safety organizations, and others. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates argued the bill removed judicial discretion, could impose costs on low-income people, and relied on a policy they said had inconclusive recidivism benefits. After discussion, the committee adopted AB 366 as amended and sent it to Appropriations on an aye vote.
The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway for formerly incarcerated Cal Fire hand crew members into firefighting careers, and AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for certain school attendance violations and replace them with supportive responses. AB 1380 drew broad support from reentry, labor, and justice organizations, and opposition from Cal Fire-related interests was withdrawn after negotiations, though concerns remained about implementation and a possible two-tier system. AB 461 was backed by education, poverty, youth justice, and public defender groups, with testimony emphasizing family hardship, immigration fears, and the limits of punitive truancy enforcement; no opposition appeared. Both bills were moved forward but remained on call pending additional votes.
The committee also adopted ACR 60, a Downey Police Department resolution highlighting voluntary special-needs stickers, yard signs, and dispatch alerts to help officers interact more effectively with people with disabilities or communication challenges. Later, AB 746 on prison cooperatives and a green reentry reserve was presented as a recidivism-reduction and workforce-development measure, with support from reentry and legal advocacy groups and no opposition testimony; it was advanced to Appropriations but also left on call. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking was heard with strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials who said it would fund survivor services and target buyers, while opponents warned it could revive harmful loitering enforcement and criminalize survivors. The bill drew significant committee debate and was left pending after testimony and discussion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Nov 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We need your affirmative support for the academic freedom that undergirds students' freedom to learn.
- So I would say that the faculty are fighting to retain academic freedom to have that.
- Faculty are fighting to retain academic freedom, to have that level of free speech.
- I think we can't protect academic freedom if we can't protect our staff.
- Today, we've also heard about the topic of academic freedom and its importance.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students.
Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines.
A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House debate on MN emergency powers bill Feb 28th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now you're encouraging us to vote against the freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
- of travel um now you're the freedom of travel um now you're you're<00:27:09.960><c> encouraging</c><
- from unreasonable searches the freedom from unreasonable searches and<00:27:13.080><c> seizures</c><
- </c><00:27:33.720><c> of</c> bingo card so um the freedom of bingo card so um the freedom of conscience
- </c><00:28:20.240><c> of</c> against um on line 1.12 the freedom of against um on line 1.12 the freedom
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- May California continue to be a golden Medina, a land of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity for all
- From the days of the Gold Rush, Jewish immigrants and refugees have come to California seeking freedom
- German Jews and Eastern European Jews seeking freedom from persecution, Holocaust survivors, refugees
- From the days of the gold rush, Jewish immigrants and refugees have come to California seeking freedom
- German Jews and Eastern European Jews seeking freedom from persecution, Holocaust survivors, refugees
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call and opened with a prayer and pledge, then held a ceremonial observance for Jewish American Heritage Month. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 195 by Assembly Member Gabriel was presented with extensive remarks from members of multiple caucuses highlighting Jewish Californians’ contributions, the importance of solidarity amid rising antisemitism, and themes of tikkun olam and tzedakah. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added, and the chamber then recognized 14 honorees for their service in public life, philanthropy, media, faith leadership, education, and civic engagement.
The floor also featured guest introductions and a procedural vote on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9 by Assembly Member Borrero, which would add affordability as a required consideration in CPUC rate-making, remove telecommunications from the commission’s portfolio, create an office of broadband, and expand legislative appointments. The amendment was adopted. The Assembly then moved through a long third-reading file, passing measures including AB 1697 delaying implementation of a 2025 employment law, AB 2322 on stormwater permit definitions, AB 1653 on hearing-illness education, AB 2274 closing a loophole involving secrecy in trafficking cases, AB 2512 on Anaheim Angels naming language tied to a land exemption, AB 1956 prioritizing young men and boys in suicide prevention, and AB 2273 addressing prosecutorial handling of a local sexual abuse case.
Additional bills passed included AB 1809 extending job order contracting for school and community college districts, AB 1970 banning step therapy for serious mental illness and substance use disorder medications, AB 1973 expanding practice authority for advanced practice clinicians, AB 2055 updating vessel law, and AB 2059 narrowing CEQA vehicle-mile-traveled mitigation for certain rural highway projects. The Assembly also adopted ACR 186 designating May 2026 as California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month and H.R. 11 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after a lengthy debate that included support from several caucuses and some disagreement over the resolution’s framing of current threats to LGBTQ+ communities.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the United States a golden Medina, which is Yiddish for golden land, or the land of opportunity, freedom
- May California continue to be a golden Medina, a land of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity for all
- From the days of the Gold Rush, Jewish immigrants and refugees have come to California seeking freedom
- From the days of the gold rush, Jewish immigrants and refugees have come to California seeking freedom
- German Jews and Eastern European Jews seeking freedom from persecution, Holocaust survivors, refugees
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 7th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It has been deemed so far in that case to be unconstitutional because it deals with freedom of speech
- Your committee, after lengthy testimony from both sides, felt like the freedom for a veteran to choose
- of speech or freedom of choice in commercial dealings.
- Your committee, after lengthy testimony from both sides, felt like the freedom for a veteran to choose
- of speech or freedom of choice in commercial dealings.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then moved through a series of conference committee appointments and reconsideration motions. Senator Axtman successfully moved to reconsider House Bill 1160, which had previously failed, and the chamber later passed it. HB 1160 creates a statewide bell-to-bell policy restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time; supporters argued it would reduce distractions, improve mental health and academic outcomes, and help teachers, while opponents raised local control concerns. The bill passed 42-4.
The Senate also passed several other measures, including HB 1247 on protecting student victims of sexual offenses, HB 1489 consolidating civil protection orders into one chapter, HB 1032 making municipal courts courts of record and updating related procedures, HB 1487 authorizing a Minot facility for the Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a line of credit and emergency clause, HB 1469 requiring annual online statements of interest for public officials, HB 1199 creating the Missing and Indigenous People Task Force and related MMIP initiatives, HB 1169 regulating paid veterans benefits claim assistance with consumer protections, HB 1209 directing a foreign adversary threat assessment, and HB 3018 as amended to study water, wetlands, and taxation of inundated lands. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 1169 drew substantial debate over veterans’ service options and HB 1209 passed on a narrower 40-7 vote.
The chamber rejected or declined several other measures. HB 1455, which would have required the Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications, failed 7-40 after concerns about an unfunded mandate and duplicative duties. HB 1259, which would have put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time, was defeated 15-32 after debate over time zones, construction, recreation, and whether the issue should be left to future legislatures. HB 1555, dealing with statements of ownership for foreign organizations of concern, also failed 3-44. The Senate then moved to announcements and committee scheduling for later meetings and conference committees.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine stemming the tide of antisemitism in America. Mar 5th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- It was her statement and our family's statement about her freedom, the freedom of her family to practice
- Many of the nation's founders fled religious persecution, so religious freedom was lost. freedom was
- That's why the freedom of religion, often called the Constitution's first freedom, is enshrined as the
- Next, I know some, like SJP, might frame steps to fight anti-Semitism as a threat against freedom of
- The actions of this administration are divisive and they erode the civil rights and basic freedoms of
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
anti-Semitism, hate crimes, college campuses, civil rights, public safety, protests, intimidation
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on addressing the rising tide of anti-Semitism across the nation. Among the discussions, members expressed concerns about the disturbing acts of hate witnessed on college campuses, with instances of harassment and intimidation targeting Jewish students being highlighted. High-profile incidents, including vandalism and the display of extremist symbols, prompted urgent calls for investigations and measures to protect civil rights. The importance of moral clarity in confronting such hate crimes was emphasized as well, outlining the responsibilities of leaders to ensure safety and uphold justice.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/22/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:17:50.920><c> is</c> Rescue by the state worker freedom is Rescue by the state worker freedom
- He said the same principle should apply in labor law: freedom to associate is meaningless without freedom
- you know Freedom is meaningless without you know Freedom not<01:42:34.920><c> to</c><01:42:35.159><c>
- </c><02:32:55.319><c> of</c> destroy labor unions and the freedom of destroy labor unions and the freedom
- It's not a freedom issue, a paying-for-services issue.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For instance, this bill protects personal freedom removing the schedule.
- What represents 11 help freedom organizations supporting this bill and its amendment?
- Florida's Health Freedom community represents Representative.
- And I'm not sure why it's called the bill the hell freedom bill.
- This bill contains 2,510 lines and only 30 of them remotely address of freedom. That's one thing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 27th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now you're encouraging us to vote against the freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
- Or you're encouraging us to vote against the freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.
- The freedom of conscience you're encouraging us to vote against once again.
- And I'm just going to end with this quote: "Freedom is unlikely to be lost all at once, but bit by bit
- Even after slavery's abolition, the struggle for true freedom continued through Jim Crow, segregation
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 47 - 1 Apr 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I feel like freedom sometimes doesn't mean, and we as policymakers should be very concerned about the
- erosion of how we define freedom.
- That's not America; that's not freedom. And I'm not saying I agree with Jimmy Kimmel at all.
- Congress shall make no law establishing or prohibiting or abridging Freedom means the power or the right
- Other countries may seek to compete with us, but in one vital area, as a beacon of freedom and opportunity
Keywords:
light pollution, bird mortality, migration, energy conservation, wildlife protection, University Hospitals Authority, funding, behavioral health, appropriation, adolescent health, emergency legislation, Oklahoma State University, Medical Authority, human performance, pharmaceutical expansion, emergency funding, juvenile justice, youth services, pandemic relief, healthcare