Video & Transcript Research : 'protected speech'
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NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/30/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.] [No audible speech captured.]
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VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-02-03 - 10:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Vermont Supreme Court must be a place where constitutional rights are protected vigorously, where
- <00:11:49.920>
vigorously, protected vigorously, protected vigorously, where<00:11:52.000> - ,<00:12:27.839>
verters <00:12:28.639>deserve <00:12:29.839>absolute protections - , verters deserve absolute protections, verters deserve absolute confidence<00:12:31.120>
in <00 - <00:47:13.359>
rights for exercising their free speech rights for exercising their free speech
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (03/05/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- [No audible speech; transcript contains only an isolated sound.]
- [No audible speech; transcript contains only an isolated sound.]
- [No audible speech; transcript contains only an isolated sound.]
- [No audible speech; transcript contains only an isolated sound.]
- [No audible speech; transcript contains only an isolated sound.]
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/18/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- [Unintelligible / no substantive speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no substantive speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no substantive speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no substantive speech captured.]
- [Unintelligible / no substantive speech captured.]
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Although the government is free to regulate its own speech under the government speech doctrine, as we
- speech, at least to some degree under the First Amendment.
- A ban on referrals then could be an unconstitutional infringement on that speech.
- A ban on referrals then could be an unconstitutional infringement on that speech.
- So I think the circuit split is there is whether the referral is speech, which is the giving of that
Summary:
The Rules Committee considered a series of bills, with the Rules attorney flagging constitutional or preemption concerns on several measures. HB 2060 would prohibit public educational institutions and universities from encouraging or facilitating abortions; the attorney noted Prop. 139’s new abortion-rights language could create a state constitutional issue, but the committee still recommended the bill 5-3. HB 2085 would ban gender transition procedures and also restrict referrals; the attorney said the procedure ban is supported by recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent, but the referral restriction raises possible First Amendment issues in light of a Ninth Circuit case, and the bill was recommended 5-3. HB 2133 would impose age and consent verification requirements on commercial entities publishing sexual material online; the attorney warned it may be preempted by federal Section 230 law, but the committee recommended it 5-3. HB 2086, which would bar governmental entities from requiring masks or vaccinations, was flagged for Supremacy Clause and intergovernmental immunity concerns because it included the federal government, but was recommended 5-3 after the sponsor indicated an amendment was coming. HB 2279, dealing with liability limits for Grand Canyon river outfitters, raised anti-abrogation concerns because it would eliminate ordinary negligence claims; the sponsor said he would offer a floor amendment, and the bill was recommended 5-3. HB 2364 would add criminal penalties for mailing or delivering abortion-inducing drugs; the attorney said it likely conflicts with the new abortion-rights protections in Prop. 139, though the legal landscape is unsettled, and the committee recommended it 5-3.
The committee then took a mass motion covering many additional bills, resolutions, and memorials. The Rules attorney said the listed measures were generally constitutional and in proper form, with one update on HCR 2003, which would place a measure before voters affecting school sports participation and facilities use based on biological sex. The attorney said the issue is actively being litigated nationally and that a pending U.S. Supreme Court decision in similar Idaho and West Virginia cases could affect the measure’s legal status. The mass motion was approved unanimously, 8-0.
Throughout the meeting, members from the majority voted aye and minority members generally voted nay on the individual abortion-, gender-, and speech-related bills, often citing constitutional objections tied to Prop. 139, the First Amendment, or federal preemption. The meeting adjourned after the unanimous approval of the mass motion.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
- [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
- [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
- [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
- [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.] [No audible speech.]
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance.
The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It’s a free speech organization.
- I led the defense team, so we protected the free speech and academic freedom of faculty members and students
- telling a university that you can't have whatever speech you want?
- He became a very big advocate for free speech, for campus free speech.
- protect the free speech rights of all of their students.
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider a large slate of gubernatorial appointees, with 127 nominees on the agenda. The committee first approved the grouped nominees in Tabs 1 through 54 by unanimous roll call vote after brief public testimony in support of several appointees. The committee then took up individual University of West Florida and Pensacola State College-related nominations, including noting that Dr. Joel Rudman had resigned from the Pensacola State College board before appearing, leaving no action to take on that tab.
Several UWF trustees were confirmed after testimony focused on their qualifications and priorities for the university. Paul Bailey emphasized his local ties, legal background, and interest in UWF’s military connections and pre-law program; Rebecca Matthews highlighted her education and public service background, current role as UWF board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Rachel Moyah discussed her education leadership experience, finance role, and positive enrollment and fundraising trends; Ashley Ross described her fundraising and higher education background and stressed workforce, advancement, cyber, and military partnerships; and Christopher Young spoke about his Panhandle roots, business experience, audit and compliance work, and support for military and student opportunity. Each of these nominees was confirmed by roll call and forwarded to the full Senate.
The most contentious nomination was Adam Kissel for the UWF Board of Trustees. Kissel described his background in higher education policy, free speech, philanthropy, and federal education work, and said he would focus on free speech, accreditation, military/veteran support, honors programming, and graduation rates. Committee members questioned him closely about prior writings on privatizing public higher education, his views on free speech versus Senate Bill 266, Project 2025, AI in administration, and his fit for UWF. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials and reform views, while opponents, including former UWF leaders, warned he was too ideological and not sufficiently grounded in the university community. After debate, the committee voted 5-4 not to confirm Kissel, so his name will not be forwarded to the full Senate.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It renames the technology content protection for minors fund as the technology protection for minors
- for minors fund as a technology protection for minors fund, modifies the definition. content protection
- religious exercise and free speech.
- We must protect our right to free speech and our right to protest and our right to worship.
- the only way to protect our lives.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, welcomed former Senator Limpancrazi, and recognized page Owen Washburn and his family. The chamber then moved through messages and second-reading listings, and the Committee of the Whole considered several House bills. HB 2398, dealing with watercraft operation and peer-to-peer watercraft sharing insurance, received a floor amendment clarifying the types of insurers that may provide primary commercial boat liability coverage and was reported do pass as amended. HB 2477, relating to the Arizona Education Savings Plan, was amended to add investment guardrails, conflict-of-interest protections, an advisory team, limits on land investments, and statutory treatment of the local government investment pool, then reported do pass as amended.
The Committee of the Whole also considered HB 2251 on midwifery, which was amended to transfer oversight of licensed midwives from the Department of Health Services to the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board, add a licensed midwife to the board, separate midwife and naturopathic funds, apply investigative and disciplinary procedures, and make conforming changes; it was reported do pass as amended. HB 2991, concerning minors’ access to technology content and social media, drew extensive debate. A floor amendment revised age-signal and parental-consent procedures, changed default settings language, removed a private right of action, and made other technical changes. Senators Tise, Epstein, and others argued the bill still raised serious First Amendment and censorship concerns, while Senator Bullock defended it as a child-safety measure that did not require uploading ID. The bill was ultimately reported do pass as amended.
In third reading, the Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report, retained HB 2397 on the calendar, and voted on several bills. HB 2104, HB 2105, HB 2763, HB 2786, HB 2771, HB 2782, and HB 4117 passed; HB 2457, HB 2494, and HB 2696 failed. HB 2457 and HB 2494 drew opposition over local control and land-use concerns, while HB 2696, aimed at fuel and gas prices, drew criticism that the Commerce Authority was not the right vehicle and that the issue was driven by federal policy. HB 4117, relating to offenses against public order and religious services, passed after sharp debate over whether it would protect worship or chill protest and free speech, with opponents warning of vague language and potential political prosecutions. The Senate also voted to reconsider its prior action on HB 2311 and HB 2601, requested the House return HB 2995 for reconsideration, and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's the ability of what kind of First Amendment rights are protected for a minor to engage in access
- to protected speech and whether there has to be parental consent first.
- First Amendment speech in certain aspects against perhaps parental rights to make decisions about a
- Chairman, Representative Carter, let me get speech. And thank you. Mr.
- There is settled case law involving students and freedom of speech on campus, and it would appear to
Summary:
The committee considered a series of bills for constitutional and proper-form review, with the Rules Attorney flagging a few issues for possible floor amendments. House Bill 2313, dealing with teachers’ strikes and work stoppages, was found to raise a pension-rights problem under the state constitution if it would take away retirement benefits; the attorney said removing the words “or former employment” would cure the issue. House Bill 2697, concerning opioid overdose emergencies and related immunities for use of opioid antagonists, was flagged for an anti-abrogation issue based on recent Supreme Court guidance about how statutory immunities are drafted. House Bill 2912, on Corporation Commission integrated resource plans for electric utilities, raised uncertainty about the boundary between legislative authority and the Commission’s rate-making power, though the bill was still recommended with a note that a clarifying amendment might help. Each of these bills was ultimately recommended as constitutional and in proper form by recorded votes.
The committee also reviewed House Bill 2991, which would require parental consent for minors to create social media accounts. The Rules Attorney said the measure raises unresolved First Amendment concerns and is still a work in progress, while the sponsor said stakeholders are continuing to negotiate language. Despite that debate, the bill was recommended as constitutional and in proper form. House Bill 4010, regulating genetic counselors, was said to be generally fine except for a provision barring adverse action or even threats of a lawsuit against counselors for conscience-based refusals; the attorney said a floor amendment removing the “threatening-to-sue” language would resolve the issue, and the bill was recommended.
The committee then took up House Bill 4115 and House Concurrent Resolution 2051 together. Both measures were deemed generally constitutional, but the attorney said a petition-circulator disclosure requirement likely conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Buckley decision and should be removed by amendment; the sponsor indicated such an amendment was planned. Both measures were still recommended. Finally, the committee approved a large mass motion covering many additional bills and resolutions, which the Rules Attorney said had been reviewed and were constitutional and in proper form. The committee adjourned after a 6-0 vote on the mass motion, with two members absent.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 6th, 2026 at 11:27 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, he's a member of the speech and debate team, a Native Warrior Club.
- It just reminds me of protecting history and protecting culture.
- Protect the language and protect who they are in this state. So thank you, Mr. President.
- And whereas audiologists and speech-language pathologists... ...families.
- and speech-language pathology for the past... ...the statewide authority in audiology and speech-language
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator, this bill is to protect our teachers and our public employees in their exercise of free speech
- Several important reasons to provide this protection.
- I do believe in freedom of speech, and I know that most of you... ...around freedom of speech here because
- In the spirit of protecting speech, this amendment simply says, just like we can't force anyone to use
- Very simple: freedom of speech, freedom of protection for the employee.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board.
The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders.
Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Please protect our kids, please. Thank you.
- I implore you to protect our children. Thank you. Thank you.
- Stephen Ellen, Redwood City, San Mateo Peace Action, Free Speech. Free speech.
- It is an attack on free speech. Thank you. Good afternoon.
- I also want to protect that fear, protect and preserve, and work really hard to make sure that that fear
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion.
The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues.
Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Five - Thursday, May 7
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- under the leadership of Jordan Hart, who has been named debate, culture, speech, and state speech and
- of Jordan Hart who has been named debate culture, speech and state speech and debate coach of the year
- It protects free speech.
- It protects free speech. This is the vote I was thinking about; it came out 31 to 0.
- It protects the free speech rights of Missourians from being targeted by lawsuits.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the House Journal for the 64th day by a 125-0 roll call vote, and then spent much of the morning on personal privileges and introductions of guests, interns, students, and special recognitions. Members welcomed school groups, interns, a Savannah Bananas guest, and several family members, and also noted birthdays and Mother’s Day greetings.
On legislation, the chamber first agreed to go to conference on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1421, appointing a House conference committee. The House then took up Senate Bill 1000, which reauthorizes the Missouri Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund and updates outdated tourism funding language; members from both parties spoke in support of tourism as an economic driver, and the bill passed 136-6. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1020, an omnibus Department of Revenue bill addressing fee office contracting, vehicle registration and related penalties, Real ID document retention, five-year license plates, and emissions-related provisions. Members adopted amendments reducing late-registration penalties, making document retention opt-in, restoring a five-year plate option, and removing cosmetic damage as a basis for rejecting rebuilt vehicles; despite debate over emissions testing and air quality, the bill passed 130-10.
The chamber then moved to House Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a combined judiciary/civil legislation package. Members described it as a vehicle for several vetted measures, including anti-assignment-of-benefits language for insurance claims, the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, and court administration changes such as workers’ compensation procedures, judgeships, automation fees, law library surcharges, and expungement fund provisions. Amendments were offered and adopted to adjust attorney-fee language in the anti-SLAPP provisions and to add a St. Louis police legal-expense-fund provision, though the latter drew objections over procedure and whether it had received a hearing. The transcript cuts off while debate on that amendment is still underway, and no final vote on the bill is shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (03/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:35.880>
it <00:52:36.040>protects essential protections it protects essential - [No audible speech; transcript artifact.] [No audible speech; transcript artifact.]
- [No audible speech; transcript artifact.] [No audible speech; transcript artifact.]
- [No audible speech; transcript artifact.] [No audible speech; transcript artifact.]
- [No audible speech; transcript artifact.] [No audible speech; transcript artifact.]
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on HB 584, which would bar New Hampshire and its political subdivisions from enforcing mandates, orders, or similar directives from the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum. Prime sponsor Representative Green described the bill as a sovereignty measure and offered an amendment to clarify language, including replacing a reference to entities that “create and enforce policies” with language covering enforcement of policies, mandates, orders, requirements, edicts, or directives. Supporters argued the bill was a preemptive safeguard against outside influence and cited concerns about pandemic-era public health measures and international organizations. Opponents, including the American Heart Association, warned it could chill local policymaking and limit the ability of communities to use outside research or guidance. The chair closed the hearing on HB 584 after testimony concluded.
The committee then moved to HB 580-FN, relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases. Representative Anita Burroughs, the prime sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect people who report sexual assault, sexual harassment, abuse, or domestic violence from retaliatory defamation suits, so long as statements are made in good faith and without malice. She also said the bill preserves the ability of accused persons to defend their names. Burroughs explained that the proposal was prompted by a survivor’s experience and was meant to address the chilling effect of expensive litigation on reporting misconduct.
Testimony on HB 580 was generally supportive. Witnesses said the bill would help survivors speak out without fear of meritless lawsuits and described retaliatory defamation as a tool used to silence or intimidate accusers. Burroughs noted the bill was informed by anti-SLAPP principles and referenced high-profile defamation cases as examples of the cost and pressure of litigation. No vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided; the hearing on HB 580 was opened and testimony began.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, September 19, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- further requests for one minute speeches further requests for one minute speeches on<00:07:49.599
- <00:14:20.720>
was and a representative of free speech was and a representative of free speech - seek to destroy free speech. seek to destroy free speech.
- Thank you very much. will fight vigorously to protect. And I will fight vigorously to protect.
- <00:27:29.200>
the short-term stop gap that protects the short-term stop gap that protects
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Republican Media Availability 4/.28/26 Apr 29th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- morning in state, but almost to the very end of the governor's comments and his statements from his speech
- Um, you know, it's a disappointing speech in a lot of ways, but really kind of a fitting um to what has
- Um, we had to wait uh 38 minutes into the speech before we heard anything about uh the biggest national
- So, would protect all kids rather than just certain kids in Minnesota.
- So would protect private, and charter.
Summary:
Republican legislative leaders reacted critically to Governor Walz’s speech, saying it was divisive and focused too heavily on Democratic priorities rather than unity or bipartisan work. Speaker Daudt and Majority Leader Liska argued the governor ignored the state’s affordability problems, including high property taxes, rising business costs, and what they described as mandates imposed under full Democratic control. They also said the speech downplayed poor educational outcomes and failed to offer a unifying vision for the final weeks of session.
A major theme was fraud and accountability. Leaders said the governor waited too long to address the state’s large fraud scandal and then deflected blame to other states. They said Minnesotans want accountability and affordability, and they pointed to the House Fraud Committee and the Senate’s OIG bill as examples of anti-fraud work Republicans say Democrats have blocked. They also criticized the governor’s tax proposals as a “bait and switch,” arguing that promised tax cuts would be offset by new taxes on services and banking fees.
The discussion also touched on school safety, gun policy, child care credits, and the HCMC bailout. Republicans said they were willing to work on bipartisan school safety measures, including mental health supports and funding for public, private, and charter schools, but believed gun-control proposals lacked the votes. On the child care credit, leaders said they would keep evaluating it but were concerned about future deficits and the need for a pay-for. In response to questions, they said they were not surprised HCMC was not mentioned and said conversations were continuing. One leader also objected to the governor’s comments about voting access for people of color, calling them disrespectful.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I memorized the I Have a Dream speech.
- This bill is really intended to protect firefighters.
- So how will city officials protect themselves?
- Don't duly elected officials, city and county, don't they have First Amendment freedom of speech protections
- Memorialized ad nauseam, both in speech and in writing.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions, and a moment of silence honoring service members killed in the conflict in Iran, including Florida native Captain Cody Cork. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar, taking up several bills on education, public safety, insurance, health, and local government policy. Many measures were accompanied by sponsor explanations and supportive remarks from members, often emphasizing constituent impacts, public safety, and administrative efficiency.
The first major bill, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, was expanded through a delete-all amendment and passed 37-0 after extensive floor debate praising debate programs as a civic and educational tool. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office; an amendment clarified that criticism of Israel is not prohibited, and the bill passed 37-0. SB 1230/HB 1019 addressed PFAS “forever chemicals,” especially in firefighting foam, with phase-outs, testing, enforcement, and exceptions for certain federal, military, and emergency uses; it also passed 37-0 and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. SB 1706 expanded the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with tighter eligibility rules, and SB 186 required broader seizure-response training and seizure action plans in schools; both passed unanimously.
The Senate also approved SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining foster care medication and oversight procedures, SB 684 easing electronic signature requirements for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, and SB 778 revising forensic client services for certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 432, SB 928, and SB 620. Most of these measures passed by votes of 36-0 or 37-0 after brief debate or no debate.
The most contentious item was SB 1134 on official actions of local governments related to DEI. The sponsor argued the bill would stop taxpayer funding and promotion of discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several counties and cities. Multiple amendments sought to narrow penalties, protect good-faith officials, and preserve local proclamations and observances, including LGBTQ Pride Month and other cultural events, but those amendments were rejected. Debate centered on vagueness, local discretion, and whether the bill would chill legitimate government activity. The transcript cuts off during questioning on the underlying bill, before final disposition is shown.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- they don't need any of the protections they don't need any of the protections that<03:32:31.200>
- great protections Florida doesn't have. great protections Florida doesn't have.
- Uh, you know, this deals with free<04:14:17.359>
speech free speech free speech and<04:14:20.000 - It is a matter of free speech.
- no one, and is a serious infringement on our God-given and constitutionally protected freedom of speech
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- while AP is leading an effort to protect while AP is leading an effort to protect motans<00:06:04.160
- It creates a protection framework.
- Is it the government’s right to dissuade citizens from engaging with First Amendment protected speech
- <01:30:33.280>
speech? - with First Amendment protected speech? with First Amendment protected speech?
Keywords:
consumer protection, restitution, attorney general, consumer enforcement, unclaimed funds, victim compensation, settlement funds, special revenue fund, general fund, restitution account, consumer fraud, state treasury, eligible consumers, distribution of funds, tax subtraction, income tax, refund, unpaid compensation, Minnesota Department of Revenue, consumer redress
WI
Wisconsin 2026 1st Special Session
Senate Special Committee on Oversight of the Department of Justice Mar 31st, 2026
Senate Special Committee on Oversight of the Department of Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- I found your speech at the chair. I found your speech at the end of our last committee...
- Your speech at the chair, I found your speech at the end of our last committee meeting, basically indicating
- The reason we're sent here to the legislature is to put forward laws that protect and help the people
- local prosecutors, supporting our state departments, upholding our state laws and regulations, protecting
- , I would say that was a fine partisan speech.