Video & Transcript Research : 'state representative objection'

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LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there any objection? Okay. Representative Phelps has a question on the amendments.
  • Eccles, to adopt the amendment, which Representative Phelps has objected to.
  • We have individuals that represent 3,000 or 4,000 members in the state in one local area.
  • They represent 3,000 or 4,000 members in the state in one local area.
  • Do you hear any objections? Can you say that on the mic, Representative Larvedane?
Summary: The House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations met for its final meeting of the session and took up SB 312 by Senator Talbot, a bill concerning labor organizations, employee dues and fees, withdrawal from unions, collective bargaining agreements, and related notice and reporting requirements. The author explained the bill would require annual notice to employees of their right to join or refrain from joining a labor organization, allow dues deductions to be authorized and revoked electronically, and require stoppage of deductions at the nearest possible payroll period after notice. The committee first adopted a technical amendment set, then considered a larger amendment set that shifted the withdrawal request to the employer, required the employer to notify the labor organization, placed the burden of proving notice compliance on the labor organization, and made the labor organization responsible for certain administrative costs. Supporters said the bill protected employee choice and could reduce taxpayer-funded administrative burdens; opponents argued the amendments created confusion, unnecessary bureaucracy, and unclear invoicing and cost-shifting procedures. Testimony came from business and labor representatives on both sides. Jim Patterson of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry supported the cost-shifting language as a way to protect taxpayers and public employers. Matt Wood, Peter Robbins-Brown, and Larry Carter, representing labor groups, said they had worked for months to reach a simpler opt-in/opt-out framework and objected to the new amendments as adding complexity and uncertainty. Several members questioned why police, firefighters, and later mass transit employees were exempted; the author and others said those exclusions were tied to federal law or because those groups had not requested inclusion. After debate, the committee adopted the large amendment set and then adopted a separate technical amendment adding mass transit employees to the exemption list. On the bill itself, members continued debating whether the measure was necessary if unions already allow members to opt out and whether the bill should apply only to public employees such as teachers and school workers. The committee ultimately voted to report SB 312 with amendments. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with several members voting no, and the meeting adjourned afterward.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Public Education May 15th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, if there's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there objection?
  • Representative Vinosa?
  • If there is no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there an objection?
  • Um, if there's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there objection?
  • If there's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is your objection?
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 3rd, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hearing no objection, the reader will read.
  • The Legislature of the State of New Mexico, 57th Legislature First Session 2025, the New Mexico State
  • All three of them started out-of-state.
  • There is no objection; it is so ordered.
  • act relating to federal use of state resources, prohibiting state and local agencies from expending
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 04-30-2025 9:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any objections? any further discussion? Any objections?
  • the most vulnerable people in represent the most vulnerable people in our<01:16:53.040> state.
  • The jud judiciary has stated our state.
  • Any objections? If not, discussion? Any objections?
  • committee and also the state committee and also the state representative<01:43:35.840> on
Keywords: 912, senate, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

HOUSE CONVENES Apr 21st, 2026

Arkansas All Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Lundstrom, for what purpose? Leave for Representative Ladyman.
  • He is a guest of Representative Ashley Hudson.
  • Members, welcome them to your state capital. Members, welcome them to your state capital.
  • Members welcome them to your state capital. Members, welcome them to your state capital.
  • Representative Johnson, you're recognized.
Keywords: 1204, all
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Jan 15th, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any objection?
  • Any objection? Hearing none, >> All right. Any objection?
  • without objection. without objection.
  • <00:25:14.320> Any<00:25:14.559> objection? objection. All right. Any objection?
  • role without objection. role without objection.
Keywords: 920, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved excusing absent members, dispensed with the previous day’s journal, and allowed bill introductions and committee reports throughout the day. Members also recognized guests in the gallery, including Judge Smitherman and later Karen Butler, wife of Senator Tom Butler. The chamber adopted Senate Joint Resolution 11, honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated on its Founders Day and 118 years of service, after reading the resolution at length and hearing brief remarks from Senator Figures. The Senate then adopted the Rules Committee’s special order calendar and took up several bills. Senate Bill 12 by Senator Gudger, repealing a prior community development districts law tied to a Coleman County project, passed. Senate Bill 19 by Senator Livingston, dealing with health insurance/prostate cancer screening, also passed. Senate Bill 89 by Senator Sessions, repealing the 1931 State Pilotage Commission statute, passed; Senate Bill 134 by Senator Beasley, concerning taxation and interstate warehousing of tobacco products, passed after a committee amendment was adopted; Senate Bill 100 by Senator Kelly, extending the State Board of Pharmacy sunset for one year with appointment changes, passed; Senate Bill 114 by Senator Bell, expanding Alabama’s handling of out-of-state warrants to additional felonies, passed; Senate Bill 122 by Senator Stewart, regarding the State Board of Registration for Foresters, passed; Senate Bill 35 by Senator Kitchens, updating vessel registration language for Coast Guard compliance, passed; and Senate Bill 127 by Senators Coleman-Madison and Stewart, continuing the Board of Examiners in Counseling for four years, passed. Senate Bill 28 by Senator Elliott, which would raise the earnings cap for retired law enforcement officers and district attorneys returning to work and address school bus driver staffing, was discussed at length but carried over at the sponsor’s request. Senators raised concerns about the bill’s impact on RSA/retirement system funding and the possibility of broader pressure for similar retiree reemployment arrangements, while supporters emphasized staffing shortages, training savings, and benefits for schools and public safety. The session concluded with the calendar completed and a new resolution introduced by Senator Orr recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, which was taken up for immediate consideration and adopted.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 21 (2-5-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and directing state medicine state and directing state agencies<00:08:06.879> to<00:08:07.120
  • But yet we have only one other state beats... and out of 50 states, there's only one and out of 50 states
  • below the limit of many other states. below the limit of many other states.
  • :01:52.960> object Without objection, citation is object Without objection, citation is object
  • Representative Karnney. >> Citation 23. Representative Karnney.
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 4, 2026. The clerk then reported a slate of bills on second reading, including measures on robotics, CPA recruitment, physical therapy, engineering scholarships, removal of unlawful occupants, rabies vaccinations, involuntary commitment, reading and language arts instruction, the education assessment and accountability system, grand jury service, cultured meat products, and the Controlled Substances Prescribing Council. Committee reports were received on several bills and resolutions, including bills on dissolution of marriage, licensed child care centers, video teleconference meetings, geoengineering, city franchises, trophy catfish, and House Joint Resolution 25 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. These favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The chamber then took up House Bill 419 on the Kentucky Fire Commission, adopted House Committee Substitute 1, and passed the bill 97-0. The sponsor said the substitute would expand the commission from 14 to 18 members, make four ex officio members voting members, allow excess funds to be used for firefighters’ cancer screenings, and cap administrative reimbursements at 5%. The House also considered House Bill 103 on water fluoridation programs, adopted House Committee Substitute 1, and passed the bill 67-29. Supporters described the measure as removing an unfunded state mandate and making fluoridation a local option, while opponents argued it could harm public health and increase Medicaid costs. Debate focused on whether fluoridation improves oral health, the logistics and costs for water systems, and whether local governments or state health officials should make the decision. After passage of HB 103, the House moved to adjourn without objection. The transcript then begins consideration of House Bill 276 on keeping chickens on residential property, but no action on that bill is shown in the excerpt.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • No objection. The Senate recesses until 12 noon. Our papers from the House.
  • Is there an objection? The Chair has none, and the rules are suspended.
  • It represents the inability to provide those resources from the federal government to our state.
  • which you collectively represent, expends funds to meet the lapse that is impending, that your state
  • in the State House as an intern for then Senator James Timilty.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate first adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roder of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, by standing vote, with 8 in favor and none opposed. The chamber also suspended rules to refer several petitions to committee, including a resolution to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications and a petition on officer training related to stage suicides. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including legislation clarifying the duties of the Adjutant General and enhancing access and support for military-connected families, both with new drafts, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was ordered to a third reading. A major portion of the session focused on the House’s nonconcurrence in the Senate’s amendment to the fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget and the appointment of a conference committee. Senators from both parties debated how to respond to the federal government shutdown and the threatened lapse in SNAP benefits, with repeated calls for the Commonwealth to use available state resources to prevent hunger, protect vulnerable residents, and seek federal reimbursement. Several members criticized the governor’s use of taxpayer-funded communications on the issue, while others defended the administration’s limited initial response and emphasized fiscal constraints. The Senate ultimately insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee consisting of Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. The chamber also passed several local and special bills, including measures exempting Natick’s assistant fire chief from civil service, authorizing sewer service in Sharon, changing the term of the elected moderator in Holden, updating Medford’s linkage exaction program, and establishing sick leave banks for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roder. The Senate later adopted amended resolutions calling on the President of the United States to release contingency funds for SNAP during the shutdown, adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday, and then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • If there's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there any objection?
  • Representative DeRacio.
  • Representative Hickland? Thank you. Representative Hickland?
  • Representative.
  • everything you represent, all the people you represent, all the process you represent.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 27th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Not objection, said shall be the order.
  • Without objection...
  • We have heard loud and clear and discussed often across the state that communities across the state need
  • And finally, this bill requires that the state, that the state, To award grants to local governments.
  • Flora, your objection is recognized.
Summary: The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, first establishing a quorum and then moving through a long budget and concurrence session. After procedural motions, the house took up several budget trailer bills and related measures presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 103, a technical budget cleanup bill addressing the Public School System Stabilization Account, a CDCR shortfall, and Middle Class Scholarship funding, passed 52-16. SB 120 on child care and preschool funding passed 65-1; SB 124 on natural resources and wildfire response passed 69-1; SB 127 on climate change and zero-emission transportation passed 53-17; SB 128 on transportation and DMV/LA Olympics implementation passed 53-17; SB 132 on taxation, veterans, wildfire settlements, film tax credits, and housing passed 64-1; SB 141 on cannabis enforcement and illicit market suppression passed 71-1; and SB 142 extending the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program passed 68-1 on both urgency and the measure. The Assembly also approved a motion to re-refer several bills to committees and later suspended rules to take up Senate-amended bills without reference to file. The chamber then considered AB 102, the main budget bill reflecting the final three-party agreement with the Governor. Supporters said it balanced compassion and fiscal responsibility while preserving housing, health care, child care, education, wildfire resilience, and public safety funding. Opponents criticized it for unsustainable spending, insufficient Prop. 36 funding, and other omissions. After extended debate, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments by a 55-16 vote and sent the bill to the Governor. The Assembly then concurred in Senate amendments to AB 116 on health care, AB 118 on human services, AB 121 on TK-12 education, AB 123 on higher education, AB 134 on public safety, AB 136 on courts, AB 137 on general government, and AB 143 on developmental services, with each bill passing on largely party-line or broad bipartisan votes. Debate on AB 116 focused on Medi-Cal, HIV program backfills, pharmacy benefit managers, and health care cuts; opponents objected to funding for undocumented immigrants and to hospice prior authorization. AB 118 drew support for child welfare, CalFresh disaster readiness, and CalWORKs simplification. AB 121 emphasized record K-12 funding and a $1.7 billion block grant. AB 123 extended the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and supported higher education and fire-impacted career technical education. AB 134 updated CDCR and tribal policing provisions, AB 136 streamlined court reporting and funded courthouse facilities, AB 137 made technical budget adjustments and fee changes, and AB 143 made developmental services reforms while preserving the state’s entitlement commitment. The final item shown was AB 470 on telecommunications, which was presented and discussed as a transition away from copper landlines toward fiber and modern networks, with supporters emphasizing public benefits and labor concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means May 5th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Abert? Here. Representative Chance Henry? Representative Jackson? Representative C.
  • Representative Lecombe? Representative Mandy Landry? Representative McMayin? Here.
  • Representative Lecombe, Representative Mandy Landry, Representative McMahon, here, Representative Orgeron
  • Is there any objection? Seeing no objection? Representative Jackson? Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • Got a motion by Representative McMahon. Any objection?
Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 5, 2026, and first considered Senate Bill 436 by Senator Cloud, which revises how annual aviation fuel estimates are calculated for the Aviation Trust Fund. Senator Cloud explained that the fund supports airport and aviation projects and is used to draw down federal matching dollars, but its credited amount has remained flat for years despite changing fuel sales. The committee adopted a set of amendments allowing DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce to use federal and other public data sources, requiring annual sales tax collection reports from the Department of Revenue, and making a technical change. The bill was then reported favorably as amended, with several supporters’ cards entered into the record. The committee next took up House Bill 1039 by Representative Desotel, dealing with local sales and use tax audit procedures. Desotel said the bill was intended to improve fairness, transparency, and consistency in local audits, especially where businesses face multiple simultaneous audits by different parishes. A nine-amendment set was offered; after discussion, the committee adopted all amendments except Amendment 4, which would have required private auditing firms to be domiciled in Louisiana, and authorized staff to make technical changes. Members raised concerns about whether the bill could unintentionally encourage delays in audits and about whether audits in one parish could trigger audits in others. Desotel said the goal was to add guardrails without harming parish taxing authority, and the bill was reported as amended. Several witnesses and committee members spoke in support of stronger limits on repeated parish audits, describing the burden on businesses and the need for a more uniform process. Support cards were read into the record from multiple individuals and organizations, including the Louisiana Retailers Association and NFIB. Senate Bill 423 was then voluntarily deferred, and the committee adjourned after no further business.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 1

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • these representatives. these representatives.
  • each of our cities and for our state. each of our cities and for our state.
  • ,<00:06:00.320> further If there is no objection, further If there is no objection, further
  • :06:07.880> approved<00:06:08.440> as objection, the journal is approved as objection,
  • 11.839> when<00:09:12.120> the Representative Niska moves that when the Representative
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call that established a quorum. The journal from the previous day was approved as corrected, standing committee and division reports were adopted without objection, and several bills received second readings, including House Files 719, 2484, 2486, and 4808, and Senate Files 334, 1943, and 5200. The House also received House Files 5150 through 5155 for first reading, and Senate File 3236 was introduced and referred to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee; it relates to requiring helmets for operators of electric-assisted bicycles under age 18. The main substantive action was on House File 3489, the education bill establishing a field trip policy and the criminal offense of grooming. Representative Bennett explained that the Senate amendments removed the field trip component, added training for mandated reporters to identify sensitive situations such as field trips, and tightened the grooming definition to avoid unintended coverage. Representative Jordan supported the amended bill, and the House voted to concur in the Senate amendments. The bill then passed third reading as amended by the Senate by a vote of 133 ayes and 0 nays, with its title agreed to. The Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration also designated House File 2354 for the supplemental calendar for Saturday, May 16. Representative Niska’s motion to adjourn until Sunday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. prevailed, and later the House recessed to the call of the Speaker after discussion of a future Rules Committee meeting and a planned recognition of a foreign dignitary.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Transportation May 23rd, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • In 1992, she was elected to the US House of Representatives, representing Texas 30th district for nearly
  • agency, uh, and with the best state employees in the state of Texas.
  • Is there any objection here or none?
  • House Bill 2012 reported faithful Senate, uh, hearing no objections with no objections, HB 2012 be recommended
  • Are there any objections? Hearing none.
Bills: HB227
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Juvenile Justice Apr 14th, 2025

S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Jones, Representative Lauderback. Representative Riddell, Representative Wu.
  • Representative Lauderback, Representative Riddell, Representative Wu.
  • Representative Lauderback, Representative Riddell, Representative Wu.
  • I Representative Lauderback, Representative Riddell, Representative Wu.
  • Representative Lauderback, Representative Riddell, Representative Liu.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations May 18th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Adams. Representative Amedee, here. Representative Bagley, here.
  • Seeing no objection, the amendment is adopted. All right, Representative Coates. Any other?
  • Seeing no objection, amendments adopted. All right. Representative Coates. Any other? Thank you.
  • Representative LaFleur has offered up the amendment. Seeing no objection, the amendment is adopted.
  • Representative Amedee made a motion to adjourn, which Marcelle has objected, so I guess you can sit back
Bills: SB143, SB367, SB388, SB398
Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on May 18, 2026, and considered four Senate bills. SB 143 would create a special protective equipment fund for bulletproof vests for peace officers, with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement to regulate distribution; an amendment was adopted to standardize fund language, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 367 would create the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund and direct remaining severance tax revenue from sand and stone mining into it; an amendment was adopted to align it with HB 802, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Members discussed the bill as a way to support watershed and flood-related restoration efforts, including the Amite River Basin. SB 388 would authorize review of state contracts involving foreign adversary nations or terrorist organizations and remove a trigger clause from a prior law; members noted it carried no fiscal note and that the Division of Administration said the review could be done at no cost. The bill was reported favorably. SB 398 would reorganize manufactured housing regulation by moving oversight from the fire marshal’s office to the Contractors Board, consolidating residential housing oversight, moving licensees to Title 37, and increasing inspection rates statewide; an amendment was adopted to conform fund language, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations May 18th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Carpenter, Representative Carrier, Representative Coates, here.
  • Seeing no objection, the amendment is adopted. All right, Representative Coates. Any other?
  • Seeing no objection, amendments adopted. All right. Representative Coates. Any other? Thank you.
  • Representative LaFleur has offered up the amendment. Seeing no objection, the amendment is adopted.
  • Representative Amedee made a motion to adjourn, which Representative Marcelle objected to, so I guess
Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on May 18, 2026, and considered four Senate bills. Senate Bill 143 would create a Special Protective Equipment Fund to finance bulletproof vests for peace officers, with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement to regulate distribution; an amendment standardizing fund language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Testimony and cards in support came from law enforcement groups and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. Senate Bill 367 would create the Watershed Restoration and Conservation Fund, depositing remaining severance tax revenues from sand and stone mining after constitutional allocations; an amendment was adopted to align it with House Bill 802 by adding reporting and appropriation language, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Support was noted from the Louisiana Concrete Association and Chiefs of Police, and members discussed flood-related concerns and broader watershed restoration goals. Senate Bill 388 would authorize review of state contracts involving foreign adversary nations or terrorist organizations and remove a trigger clause from a prior 2023 law. The sponsor said the review could be done at no cost, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 398 would reorganize manufactured housing regulation by moving oversight from the fire marshal’s office to the Board of Contractors, consolidating residential housing oversight, moving licensees to Title 37, and changing inspection procedures; an amendment to conform fund language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The audit has five primary objectives shown in your materials as objectives two through six.
  • Objective three has a focus on whether SANDAG has used state highway and transportation funds for allowable
  • Eric Dowdy with the California Dental Association and Ted Toppin, representing the California State Retirees
  • The object or the audit has five primary objectives shown as two through six.
  • Objective 4 is really data-driven. So for the last. either in or out of state.
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, June 27, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:08:25.759> House<00:08:26.000> of<00:08:26.240> Representatives United States
  • House of Representatives United States House of Representatives in<00:08:27.120> prayer.
  • And on behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, we
  • > we States House of Representatives, we States House of Representatives, we thank<02:03:17.280
  • <02:45:31.760> New who represent big tax states like New who represent big tax states like
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Workforce Apr 1st, 2025

S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Bell. Here. Representative Lujan. Here. A quorum is present. Good morning, members.
  • Do you know if other states have a similar model to this bill? I'm not sure about other states.
  • Is there an objection? ...objection? Chair hears none, and the bill is left pending.
  • There's no objection, the bill will be left pending. Is there objection?
  • Is there objection?
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Justice Apr 22nd, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • I come representing my association, 253 other county clerks across the state of Texas.
  • Please state your name. Represent your position on the bill. You have two minutes.
  • Lauren Lawrence was asked to state her name, who she represents, and her position on the bill.
  • State your name, whom you represent, your position on the bill, and you have two minutes.
  • State your name, whom you represent, your position on the bill, and you may proceed.
Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.