Video & Transcript Research : 'dance class'

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ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Health Care Committee Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Transcript Highlights:
  • I would say it's really not a conflict, it's just a dance that we have to go through when it comes to
  • I would say it's really not a conflict, it's just a dance that we have to go through when it comes to
  • heartburn, and this is where you all have, if you're on these committees, you've seen the song and dance
  • just shows some specific examples recently that have been discussed in session and why we do this dance
  • Pre-dentistry programs provide dental school prerequisite classes and prepare students for admission
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee met to review the history and current treatment of North Dakota health insurance mandates, with presentations from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, Sanford Health Plan, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and the Insurance Department. The discussion focused on how mandates apply differently to fully insured, self-funded, ACA, Medicaid, and PERS plans; how the state’s benchmark plan and federal essential health benefits affect coverage; and how the existing process requires cost-benefit analysis and, for certain measures, a PERS pilot period before broader application. Presenters also reviewed the long list of existing state mandates, including provider, beneficiary, and coverage requirements, and noted that many were enacted decades ago and have not been revisited despite changes in medical evidence and treatment options. Witnesses from the carriers argued that mandates should be reviewed periodically because some are outdated, can create unintended costs, and may not align with current medical guidance. Examples cited included PSA screening, off-label drug coverage, prior authorization rules, step therapy, and cost-sharing provisions for mental health and substance use treatment. They emphasized that carriers often cover services without a mandate when supported by clinical evidence, and that mandates can shift costs to employers and employees, especially in the fully insured small-group market. They also suggested possible policy improvements such as clearer mandate definitions, better transparency around cost-benefit analyses, a regular 10-year review of mandates, and more timely submission of proposals through the interim process. PERS and the Insurance Department highlighted a recurring tension over what counts as a mandate and when a measure triggers the state’s defrayal obligation under federal law. PERS described its interim committee process, the April 1 deadline for fiscal-impact proposals, and the limited pilot program used for certain measures, noting that only a few bills have gone through the full pilot process. The Insurance Department explained that it views new benefit mandates through the lens of the ACA benchmark plan and essential health benefits, distinguishing true new benefits, such as infertility coverage, from changes to existing benefits, such as telehealth or insulin cost-sharing caps. No votes were taken on policy changes; the meeting was informational, with members asking questions about costs, applicability, transparency, and whether a periodic mandate review should be established.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 035 Feb 18th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • action exposure under fees, or class action exposure under other<00:38:23.520> laws.
  • There's some singing and dancing back there.
  • There's some singing and dancing back there.
  • There's some singing and dancing back there.
  • <00:42:57.680> Um, singing and dancing back there. Um, singing and dancing back there.
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from February 13, 2026, and heard several announcements and introductions, including recognition of student guests and notices about upcoming committee meetings. Members also shared informal remarks tied to Lunar New Year celebrations, a water policy breakfast, and other caucus or committee updates. The chamber then took up special orders for several bills, including House Bill 1013 and House Bill 1064. House Bill 1013, concerning ratio utility billing systems used by landlords to allocate utility charges to tenants, was presented as a technical cleanup to last year’s House Bill 1090. Supporters said it was intended to clarify that such billing practices remain allowable and to align the statute with legislative intent. Amendment L002, offered to state that the bill created no private right of action and to limit litigation, was debated at length but defeated. Opponents argued it would restrict existing rights under consumer protection law, while supporters said it would reduce unnecessary lawsuits. The bill then passed the committee. House Bill 1064, concerning modifications to the youthful offender system, was also heard. Supporters said the bill codifies existing Department of Corrections practices, updates language to promote effective communication, and reflects evidence-informed, trauma-informed rehabilitation aimed at reducing recidivism. Amendment L003, which adjusted language to be more inclusive of the YOS community, was adopted. Several members opposed the bill, arguing it codified practices already in place, lacked clarity on evaluators and costs, and did not sufficiently account for victims’ perspectives. Despite that opposition, the committee report was adopted and the bill advanced with the amendment.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 11th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • by sharing its culture through organizations, performing arts, and preserving traditional Cambodian dance
  • Stockton also has a powerful legacy of Filipino... ...boating dance through education and performance
  • Dixon continued presenting AB 1614, a measure that prohibits piggybacking on bikes and e-bikes on a Class
  • However, these laws are currently limited to a highway and do not apply to bicycles ridden on a Class
  • These laws are currently limited to a highway and do not apply to bicycles ridden on a Class 1 bikeway
Keywords: 988, house, all
Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, completed the prayer and pledge, and then held a lengthy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support of HR 107, emphasizing AAPI contributions, resilience, and the need to oppose hate and discrimination. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 observance, including community leaders, educators, advocates, business leaders, and cultural institutions. After guest introductions, the Assembly took up the Daily File and passed a series of measures, including AB 2050 on HOA reserve funding, AB 2106 on lawsuits involving licensed design professionals, AB 1794 on direct home delivery of enteral formula, AB 1829 on CalWORKs-related student aid, AB 2038 extending wildfire insurance moratorium protections, AB 2281 on election cybersecurity, AB 2448 on protecting sensitive medical information, AB 2568 on water district board compensation, and AB 1658 on county public contract change-order authority. Most of these bills passed with broad support, though AB 2050, AB 2038, and AB 2448 drew some no votes. The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and election administration, after a contentious floor debate over election trust, voter access, and decorum. Additional measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including AB 2125 on notice in water-rights adjudications, AB 2784 on State Bar fees, AB 1614 on e-bike passenger restrictions, AB 2503 on high school heat safety guidelines, AB 1703 on osteopathic title protections, AB 1920 on community college Promise eligibility, AB 1999 on veterinary workforce and animal shelter care, and ACR 123 recognizing Duan Wu Jie. The chamber then began consideration of ACR 189 designating May 2026 as Foster Youth Awareness Month, with supportive remarks from members, before the transcript cuts off.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 23, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Secretary of Agriculture to determine the price of all milk used for manufactured purposes, classified as Class
  • SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TO DETERMINE THE PRICE OF ALL MILK USED FOR MANUFACTURED PURPOSES, CLASSIFIED AS CLASS
  • THON is a year-long fundraising effort that culminates in an annual 46-hour dance marathon.
  • Over 700 THON participants danced for 46 hours straight.
  • THON was first originated in 1973 by Bill Lear as a dance marathon to raise money for a good cause. 78
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Transcript Highlights:
  • Federally, Title VI and Title VI Status and other protected classes.
  • Inclusion is being asked to dance and belonging is dancing like nobody's watching, right?
  • Which you've seen me dance, you know that I like to get down.
  • I had classes. Had to figure this out. And also, thank you for letting me do this online.
  • I had classes today. But I'm really happy to share our The level.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held an informational hearing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in Massachusetts; no bills were heard or voted on. Chairs Bud Williams and Liz Miranda opened by framing the hearing as a response to recent federal actions they said threatened DEI efforts, funding, and civil rights protections in education and other sectors. They said the committee would hear from experts, agencies, advocates, and businesses about the legality and benefits of DEI and the impact of federal actions on the Commonwealth. Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler testified virtually that Massachusetts is pushing back against federal efforts to restrict DEI, including guidance and certification demands directed at schools. He highlighted state investments in early education, child care, early college, career and technical education, and educator diversity, arguing these efforts help close opportunity gaps for Black and brown students, students with disabilities, English learners, and other underserved groups. In response to member questions, he said federal education dollars are core to services for students and that the state is prepared to fight funding cuts while monitoring impacts across K-12, early education, and higher education. Elizabeth Matos of the Attorney General’s Office said DEIA programs remain legal under state and federal law and described AG guidance issued to help institutions navigate federal confusion. She reviewed litigation the office has joined or won, including efforts involving withheld school funds, museums and libraries, the Minority Business Development Agency, Head Start, AmeriCorps, and other federal actions. Members asked about immigration-related fear and profiling, and Matos pointed to existing Know Your Rights guidance, said complaints to the Civil Rights Division have increased, and noted the office is seeing issues involving housing discrimination, employment, public accommodations, and threats to call ICE. She also said the office is open to further legislative ideas but did not discuss specifics. Evelyn Carter, a social psychologist, testified that diversity, equity, and inclusion are often misunderstood and defined the terms plainly, emphasizing that diversity is a group characteristic, equity addresses unequal starting points, and inclusion is about belonging and access. She argued that DEI matters because it creates guardrails against bias, helps make environments accessible, and addresses ongoing inequities. In response to questions, she suggested practical strategies such as using clear criteria and written records in decision-making, broadening who is considered part of one’s in-group, and pairing bias awareness with concrete behavior-change tools. The hearing also included testimony from Meredith Tewitt of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, who spoke about the importance of DEI for women, veterans, and people who rely on federal institutions, and urged lawmakers to continue supporting inclusion and access.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education May 6th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • finances that these three classes have had.
  • Texas government class, and this is emblematic of how faculty do their jobs.
  • No one wants to take a class wondering if a politically driven committee determined the class content
  • I found classes that mention race or gender, perhaps, but not as titles.
  • My history classes, my gender studies classes, and my interdisciplinary classes have given me the opportunity
Bills: SB 37
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Higher Education May 6th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas government class, and this is emblematic of how faculty do their jobs.
  • In fact, I rely on students' diversity of opinions to propel the analysis in my classes.
  • No one wants to take a class wondering if a politically-driven committee determined the class content
  • It was the very first class that truly challenged me in my first two years of undergrad.
  • My history classes, my gender studies classes, my interdisciplinary classes, these have given me the
Bills: SB 37
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 3/26/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This affected students and staff Minneapolis Public Schools was forced to cancel classes for the remainder
  • They state in this letter that enforcement activity at or near schools, classes, students distressed,
  • They stay in this letter enforcement activity at or near schools classes, students distressed us reps
  • So I asked this third-grade class what they want me to work on.
  • Sunday's like, are you worried about not being able to have your cell phone in class anymore?
Keywords: 1183, house
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS House Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Schools Class 4A division state Schools Class 4A division state championship,<00:25:26.920> but
  • to the same music, so we'll never dance, okay?
  • >> several questions and you've danced >> several questions and you've danced around
  • <03:06:20.680> floor And uh I'll get off the dance floor And uh I'll get off the dance floor
  • I go to on the class A misdemeanor. I go I go to on the class A misdemeanor.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a guest vocalist, and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving into routine business. Members first recognized several special guests and school groups, including championship teams from Simpson County Academy, New Albany High School, Tougaloo College, Madison-Richland Academy, East Rankin Academy, Morton High School, and others, along with honorees such as Dr. Katrina Cox, Pamela Moody, Joe Helen Joey Walker, and Jimmy Carr. The chamber also noted a prior resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Victor Dixon and the Copiah County Ministerial Alliance, and Dr. Dixon led the opening prayer. On the calendar, the House adopted a conference report on House Bill 1752 dealing with judicial salaries. The report set new salary amounts for state court judges effective January 1, 2027, froze district attorney salary increases until January 1, 2028, and then tied DAs to 95% of circuit and chancery judges’ pay. It also removed mandatory raise language for judges and county court judges, and members briefly discussed the broader issue of legislative compensation. The report passed 115-2. The House then adopted a conference report on House Bill 377, the missing persons bill, which clarified definitions, added forensic genetic genealogy testing provisions, and set timelines for law enforcement to enter credible missing-person reports into NamUs and NCIC. That report passed 120-0. The chamber also adopted a conference report on House Bill 525, changing the penalty for sexual battery in a position of trust or authority from a 0-to-30-year range to a 5-to-30-year range; it passed 112-0. Later, the House adopted a conference report on House Bill 925 after removing veto-message language, and adopted another conference report on House Bill 939 combining a low-sat repealer change and a fire truck acquisition program that creates a Fire Equipment Fund supported by recurring black tag revenue. The House also approved unanimous-consent amendments to Senate Bill 3105 and recommitted Senate Bill 2747 for further work.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Leg Committee Meeting - 2026-03-11

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • for our morning session and cancel classes in the afternoon.
  • inability to deliver on a world-class inability to deliver on a world-class theater<00:51:21.600
  • live virtual classes.
  • . classes. classes.
  • <01:20:47.120> community working class community working class community taxpayers taxpayers
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 21st, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • Once he gets his Class D to drive intrastate, it will be noted on...
  • Any time that he moves up to a tractor-trailer seat, Class A is weight-wise.
  • So 26,000 or above, you need a Class A. But what this... So 26,000 or above, you need a Class A.
  • But what this allows him to do is get a Class A.
  • Now, he will have to go back and test with a tractor-trailer to get the full Class A.
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and considered a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. It reported favorably House Bill 745, extending special permits for tandem loads hauling containers to and from port facilities; House Bill 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; and House Bill 1050, which clarifies commercial driver’s license rules, including age and intrastate/interstate driving limits. The committee also approved House Bill 1172 naming a portion of U.S. Highway 165 in Oberlin the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway, House Bill 1218 naming a portion of Louisiana Highway 1090 the Lewis Pat Miramon Memorial Highway, House Concurrent Resolution 32 urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and House Bill 1207 on public contracting standards and competition in public bidding. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 896, which responds to tolling issues at the Belle Chasse bridge project. The bill would require toll signage, local toll customer service centers, dispute procedures, and limits on administrative fees, with amendments addressing effective dates, in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, law-enforcement exemptions, and limits on certain charges. The author and witnesses described high administrative fees, long travel distances to customer service locations, and problems with toll bills, while committee members noted the issue was complex and ongoing. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also heard House Bill 1159, allowing Jefferson Parish municipalities to use automated speed enforcement devices again under local control. Supporters from Gretna, Westwego, Harahan, and Kenner said photo enforcement reduced crashes, improved safety, and helped limited police resources, while opponents were not emphasized in the transcript. After discussion about whether the measure should be voluntarily or involuntarily deferred, the committee ultimately deferred the bill. House Bill 493, which would prohibit expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony about reservoir fears and local opposition; the committee voluntarily deferred it. House Bill 679, as substituted, created a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and required related law-enforcement training; witnesses described personal experiences with brain injury and the need for officers to recognize communication and behavioral effects, and the committee reported the substitute favorably. House Bill 1173, which waives late fees for certain reinstatement-relief payment plans for driver’s licenses, was also reported favorably, and House Bill 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party prestige plate was approved as well.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 25th, 2026

Finance and Taxation Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • But we dancing around the main problem. You can get these teachers in there all you want to.
  • we address education funding in any shape, form of fashion is that till we address that issue, we dancing
  • But<00:14:19.680> we<00:14:19.920> dancing<00:14:20.399> around<00:14:20.639>
  • But we dancing around the main problem. But we dancing around the main problem.
  • till we address that issue, we dancing till we address that issue, we dancing around<00:15:01.040
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It makes it a Class B misdemeanor to harass, intimidate, or threaten another person in a public space
  • So, Senate Bill 2876 increases the penalty for rioting from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor
  • SB 2876 would then make it a Class A misdemeanor to wear a mask in that context, not based on what someone
  • House, you may recall, amended Senate Bill 1 to change illegal voting from a second-degree felony to a Class
  • It raises attempts to commit any of these crimes to a felony of the third degree instead of a Class B
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Apr 14th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It makes it a Class B misdemeanor to harass, intimidate, or threaten another person in a public space
  • Senate Bill 2876 increases the penalty for rioting from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor
  • SB 2876 would then make it a Class A misdemeanor to wear a mask in that context, not based on what someone
  • you may recall, amended Senate Bill 2877 to change illegal voting from a second-degree felony to a Class
  • finally, it raises attempts to commit any of these crimes to a felony of the third degree instead of a Class
Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part I) Apr 14th, 2025

State Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard Senate Bill 3031, which would expand aggravated assault to cover certain road-rage shootings involving a person in or traveling to or from a motor vehicle, when a firearm is discharged and causes injury, property damage, or fear of serious bodily injury. Senator Schwertner laid out the bill for the author, described it as closing a gap in the law, and there was no public testimony; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2514, a measure by Chairman Hughes aimed at creating a DPS unit to identify, investigate, and monitor hostile foreign influence operations and to require ethics training for state employees. Supportive invited testimony from Dr. Jacqueline Deal, Ambassador Kelly Curry, and Michael Lucci emphasized threats from the Chinese Communist Party, transnational repression, cyber intrusion, and state-level influence efforts, and argued Texas should take a leading role. Public testimony included opposition from speakers who raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and potential overbreadth. The bill was left pending after testimony closed. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 30 as pending business and discussed a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner explained that the substitute would limit admissible medical expense evidence to amounts paid or up to 300% of Medicare, clarify treatment of provider testimony and attorney-referred providers, remove a requirement that plaintiffs use available health insurance to mitigate damages, strike a unanimous-verdict requirement for non-economic damages, and delete a remittitur provision. Senators questioned the impact on sexual assault and child abuse survivors, the use of Medicare as a benchmark, and whether the bill would still allow fair compensation. After discussion, SB 30 was left pending and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Put the middle class tax cut package on my desk immediately. I'll sign it.
  • However, we should all agree that middle-class families deserve a tax cut now, so Arizonans can get that
  • When we put Arizona first, we show the political class in Washington, D.C., how to get things done.
  • I launched a historic initiative to cancel medical debt and deliver meaningful relief for working-class
  • Let's keep fighting to bring back the Arizona that I grew up in, one where a working-class Let's keep
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The transcript is the opening joint session of the Arizona Legislature’s 57th Second Regular Session, featuring remarks from House and Senate leaders and Governor Katie Hobbs. House and Senate leaders emphasized a conservative governing agenda focused on affordability, public safety, parental rights, accountability, school choice, election integrity, and water policy, while also highlighting plans for tax cuts and cooperation across chambers. Governor Hobbs centered her address on the “Arizona promise,” stressing affordability, security, and freedom. She highlighted prior actions on job growth, medical debt relief, housing, public safety, border security, water management, and economic development, and announced new proposals including a middle-class tax cut package, a capacity and efficiency initiative to save state funds, a new active management area for La Paz County, a Colorado River Protection Fund, elimination of the data center tax exemption, a housing acceleration fund, and an Arizona Affordability Fund funded in part by a short-term rental fee. She also called for more accountability in the ESA program and for renewing Prop. 123 to support public schools. The governor and legislative leaders also addressed political violence, honoring retiring Senator Lela Alston and recognizing public safety and firefighting personnel. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the session; it concluded with the joint session being dissolved after the governor’s remarks.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 3, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:15:01.720> tax the new blue collar working class tax the new blue collar working class
  • <00:22:58.600> Marathon culminating in a 46-hour dance Marathon culminating in a 46-hour dance
  • <00:34:42.679> Melvin Beret army Sergeant First Class Melvin Beret army Sergeant First Class
  • Today, I salute Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris and his unwavering dedication to duty.
  • Today, I salute Sergeant First Class Melvin Morris and his unwavering dedication to duty.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session May 14th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • California is a world-class destination with unparalleled beauty and the welcoming spirit that invites
  • All right, so the members, we have two options for singing and dancing.
  • All right, so the members, we have two options for singing and dancing hearing today's.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayers, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the opening period on floor privileges and guest recognitions. Members welcomed a delegation from Catalonia and Spain marking the 40th anniversary of the California-Catalonia sister-state relationship, Solano Community College’s speech and debate team, and several small business honorees, including Royal Clothiers and Old California Botanicals. The chamber also recognized Tennessee Representative Justin Jones, with several senators speaking in support of voting rights and democracy. The body then moved to business and confirmed two gubernatorial and State Bar appointments: Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Laura Ederton Speed as executive director of the State Bar. Senators also adopted SCR 163, recognizing May as California Tourism Month, with remarks emphasizing tourism’s economic impact and the work of Visit California and destination marketing organizations. The Senate next adopted SCR 170, declaring Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week, after extensive testimony from senators and firefighters about the trauma first responders face and the need to reduce stigma and expand support services. The Senate also adopted SCR 174, marking the 60th anniversary of California’s pilot regional centers and highlighting the state’s community-based developmental services system. It then adopted SR 111, recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia, after strong floor statements about discrimination, safety, and the need to oppose silence in the face of hate. The consent calendar was approved, SCR 116 was moved to the inactive file, reconsideration was granted on SR 111 for a later session, and the Senate adjourned in memory of Carl Anthony and Lupe Estrella, with the next meeting set for Monday, May 18, 2026.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 20, 2026 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • They could still go and enroll and go to classes. You're recognized.
  • So I was a dance... ...coach when I taught high school. So I get it.
  • supplement, pay for the gas that it took me to get to different places to do what I had to do as a dance
Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and first heard House Bill 731, which would address coach and extracurricular sponsor compensation and change how student-athlete transfer eligibility is determined. The bill would allow local school boards to adopt policies letting booster clubs or similar associations support coaches and activity sponsors, and it would let superintendents treat certain coaches and athletic leaders as administrative personnel for compensation purposes. It would also shift eligibility decisions for transferred student-athletes to the governing athletic association and require clearer bylaws and timelines for those determinations. Members raised questions about booster club oversight, pay equity, the new athletic administrator language, and safeguards against abuse or unequal treatment, while supporters argued the bill would help retain coaches and better support student athletics. The bill was debated and then reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received presentations from the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning and the Florida Association of Early Learning Coalitions on school readiness fraud prevention and mitigation. Speakers explained that Florida’s school readiness program pays providers based on verified attendance rather than enrollment, requires daily parent sign-in/sign-out records, and uses multiple layers of oversight including coalition anti-fraud plans, annual audits, programmatic monitoring, DCF inspections, and referrals to state fraud investigators when needed. They emphasized that Florida delayed implementation of a federal rule that would have required prospective enrollment-based payments, and said the state’s current system makes fraud difficult. Members asked about military and grandparent guardianship situations, audit findings, and the number of fraud referrals; presenters said fraud cases are relatively limited and that the existing controls and public enforcement act as deterrents. The meeting ended after members thanked the presenters and the committee adjourned without further business.