Video & Transcript Research : 'ethical research'

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FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It connects AI instruction with critical evaluation, recognition of limitations, and ethical reasoning
  • that addresses both capabilities and limitations helps reduce overreliance and misuse, including ethical
  • think critically about how these systems work, how they use data, where they fall short, and what ethical
  • This is one of the very few bills that acknowledges the limitations and ethical considerations of AI
  • It's a national leader in places like engineering, healthcare, cybersecurity, research, and its medical
Bills: S1694
Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Hearing Health Committee and Privacy Committee and Consumer Protection Committee May 28th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • But, again, it's a research project.
  • I am a physician and a researcher at Berkeley.
  • I am a physician and a researcher at Berkeley.
  • My training is as a lawyer and a health services researcher.
  • One is somebody is looking at AI in the context of a research study.
Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Health and Privacy Committees focused on generative AI in health care, with opening remarks emphasizing both its potential to improve care and its risks around privacy, bias, liability, workforce impacts, and unequal access. Chair Bauer-Kahan and Chair Bonta framed the discussion around how California can encourage beneficial innovation while protecting patients, especially given the sensitivity of health data and the possibility that AI could worsen existing disparities if not carefully governed. The first panel featured representatives from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Penguin AI, and Google, who described current uses of AI such as ambient clinical scribes, nursing documentation tools, imaging triage, maternal-fetal risk prediction, and administrative automation. Speakers said these tools can reduce clinician burden, improve patient experience, speed treatment, and in some cases improve outcomes, including a reported mortality benefit from a Kaiser predictive model and faster thrombectomy times at Cedars-Sinai. Members raised concerns about accuracy with accents and multilingual visits, whether predictive tools could reinforce bias or lead to more interventions such as C-sections, and how to ensure a human remains in the loop for important decisions. The second panel, including representatives from the California Health Care Foundation, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, focused on policy and governance challenges. Testimony highlighted examples of AI supporting homelessness outreach and community health work, but also warned that biased algorithms can encode inequities, especially when trained on data that reflect under-treatment of Black, rural, or low-income patients. Witnesses urged clearer standards for trustworthy AI, stronger monitoring and governance structures, better data access for accountability, and attention to the safety net’s limited resources. Several speakers argued that states should require health systems to have AI governance processes, clarify liability between developers and deployers, and regulate downstream uses of AI while preserving access to data for lifesaving research and oversight.
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs Mar 24th, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • David Bordlawn, Ethics Administrator on behalf of the Louisiana Board of Ethics. Thank you, Mr.
  • And it deals both of them with ethics.
  • David Boardlawn, Ethics Administrator, Representative Chammerhorn.
  • Oh, your bill was doing well until you talked about watering down the Ethics Code.
  • David Bordalaw, Ethics Administrator, like to close on your bill? No, sir.
Bills: HB177, HB210, HB238, HB258, HB307, HB359, HB398, HB661, HB705, HB752, HB858
Keywords: court reporter, official court reporter, courts, judicial system, ethics, post-employment restrictions, cooling-off period, two-year waiting period, rehiring, reemployment, contractual services, former public employee, public employer, Louisiana ethics law, R.S. 42:1121, Act 532, lobbying, public service, statewide officials, compensation
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Thu Mar 5, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:26:41.520><c> on</c> International Agency for Research on International Agency for Research on
  • </c> alternatives exist, the only ethical alternatives exist, the only ethical choice<00:27:54.640><c
  • </c> continue research in that area. continue research in that area.
  • uh the director of the uh the ethics uh the director of the uh ethics<01:31:08.320><c> commission</c
  • </c> to do the work of the ethics commission. to do the work of the ethics commission.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 24th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're researching that right now. Why don't y'all research it a lot?
  • This bill establishes an ethics.
  • What is an ethical violation? violation today? What could an ethical violation be tomorrow?
  • to uphold ethics is being given power. that could egregiously destroy them.
  • The subject matter, and in this case with the Texas Ethics Commission, is that?
Bills: SB 1113, SB 1117, SB 1206, SB 1460, SB 1802, SB 1906, SB 1917, SB 2340, SB 2455, SB 2680, SB 2690, SB 705, SB 748
Keywords: SB 1113, converter's license, converter license, motor vehicle dealer, auto dealer, vehicle conversion, converted vehicles, direct sales, retail sales, trailer, semitrailer, manufactured trailer, chassis, manufacturer's statement of origin, MSO, Occupations Code, Transportation Code, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, dealer licensing, general distinguishing number
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee was marked by discussions on several significant bills, with a keen emphasis on legislative updates and committee substitutes. Notably, Senator Blanco presented a new committee substitute for SB2610, which modifies the employee cap from 100 to 250 and extends the update timeline for cyber security programs for small businesses. This substitute was adopted unanimously, reflecting a collaborative agreement among the committee members. Additionally, there were discussions surrounding SB1856 as Senator Crayton provided insights into how stakeholder feedback influenced the bill's committee substitute. The committee ultimately voted in favor, pushing it towards the local and contested calendar, indicating the bill's progression through legislative channels.
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-19 (2:30PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • focused on scientific research, flood resilience, planning, and infrastructure modeling.
  • It also refines research responsibilities. It also refines research responsibilities.
  • Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 348, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ethics.
  • of Ethics.
  • the most ethical, most trusted professional that anybody has.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing FSU Day at the Capitol, the Red Mass, visiting students, school board members, veterans, and other guests. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with several measures temporarily postponed before and during the day’s proceedings. Committee and executive reports were largely absent, and the Senate proceeded directly to floor action on the listed bills. The Senate passed a number of mostly unanimous bills, including SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42 on Florida Statutes revision; CS/SB 50 on nature-based coastal resilience, amended to strengthen the Florida Flood Hub and related research; CS/SB 116 on veterans, expanding benefits coordination, mental health training, adult day health care, and other veterans services; SB 126 on mailing prescription hearing aids to adults; SB 150 on abandoning restrained dogs during natural disasters, amended to conform to the House; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice for certain serious cardiac conditions; SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process for removing unauthorized persons from commercial property; SB 348 on ethics, including false military rank claims and collection of delinquent ethics fines; and CS/SB 7012 on child welfare workforce recruitment, treatment foster care pilots, and data collection for commercially sexually exploited children. Senate Memorial 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure was also adopted by voice vote. Two bills drew more extended debate. SB 118 on presidential libraries passed 36-3 after questions about local zoning, traffic, and whether the bill’s express preemption would limit county and municipal authority; supporters argued it would prevent local obstruction and help Florida attract a presidential library, while one senator said she would vote no because of concerns about local safety and planning issues. CS/SB 160 on public accountancy passed 39-0 after an amendment clarifying contracted services; supporters said it would broaden pathways into the CPA profession and address workforce shortages. CS/SB 108 on administrative procedures and CS/SB 110 on rural communities were temporarily postponed, then later taken up and passed after extensive debate, with SB 110 amended to prioritize certain rural transportation projects, expand housing, health care, broadband, and economic development support, and draw strong bipartisan praise for its focus on rural Florida. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, observed a moment of silence for former Surfside Chief John Healy, and made several closing announcements and recognitions.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Sunset Advisory Commission Jan 15th, 2025 at 08:01 am

Transcript Highlights:
  • River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, Trinity River Authority of Texas, and the Texas Ethics
  • River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, Trinity River Authority of Texas, and the Texas Ethics
  • The next agency we're voting on is the Texas Ethics Commission.
  • There were no modifications or new recommendations offered for the Texas Ethics Commission.
  • Chairman, members, I would like to present this modification to Recommendation 1.2 for the Texas Ethics
Keywords: Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, recommendations, Angelina River Authority, Natchez Valley Authority, public testimony, legislative session
Summary: The meeting of the Sunset Advisory Commission served as a concluding assembly for the current biennium, where various agencies were reviewed. Notably, the Commission focused on staff recommendations and modifications regarding the Angelina and Natchez River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, and Texas Ethics Commission. After discussing various modifications, the members voted unanimously on multiple recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and accountability within these agencies. The Chair emphasized the collaborative effort of the Commission members and staff, acknowledging their hard work throughout the biennium.
NM
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 10th, 2026 at 11:16 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, we're taking that national research and applying it to occupational disease disablement.
  • So there is where there's clear research about other causes; those are excluded in this list.
  • But certainly a separate program, you know, it sounds like really does need to be researched and stood
  • And I think we'd have to do some research to make sure that if we were to make a promise like that to
  • volunteer firefighter... ...some research to make sure that if we were to make a promise like that to
Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47
Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
NM
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 10th, 2026

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, we're taking that national research and applying it to occupational disease disablement so that
  • So there is, where there's clear research about other causes, those are excluded in this list.
  • But certainly a separate program, you know, it sounds like really does need to be researched and stood
  • And I think we’d have to do some research to make sure that if we were to make a promise like that to
  • And, Madam Speaker and gentlemen, they've led research aimed at improving the department's understanding
Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47
Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
Summary: The House opened with a series of ceremonial recognitions, including Bernalillo County Day, Pecos Elementary, Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University, the New Mexico International School, and the Sun Country golf organizations. Members and guests offered brief remarks praising county staff, educators, university programs, and local public service, and several caucus and committee announcements were made. The House also received a gubernatorial message authorizing consideration of House Bill 303, which was then removed from Rules, ordered printed, and referred to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. The chamber then adopted a long slate of committee reports, moving multiple bills and memorials forward, including House Bills 294, 298, 38, 127, 151, 165, 47, 63, 64, 184, 200, 309, 311, 329, 310, and memorials 20 and 51. Most reports were adopted without objection, and several measures were advanced with committee substitutes or amended versions. The House then proceeded to third reading on selected bills. On final passage, House Bill 128 passed 61-1. The bill updates presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for full-time firefighters with occupational cancers and other illnesses, and debate focused on the exclusion of volunteer firefighters, the evidentiary burden for exposure claims, and whether the bill should be expanded later. House Bill 109, dealing with the Water Project Fund and allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to award funds without legislative authorization through December 2029, passed 61-0. House Bill 158, requiring accountability and evaluation plans for agencies receiving growth funds, passed 63-0. House Bill 49, increasing the penalty for serious violent felons who possess firearms or destructive devices to a second-degree felony, was debated extensively over sentencing discretion and the distinction between serious violent and nonviolent felons; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Fri Mar 20, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill allows grant funds for research and development in Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
  • This bill allows grant<01:28:07.680><c> funds</c><01:28:08.040><c> for</c><01:28:08.200><c> research<
  • /c><01:28:08.640><c> and</c><01:28:08.719><c> development</c> grant funds for research and development
  • grant funds for research and development in<01:28:09.880><c> Hawaii</c><01:28:10.640><c> Technology<
Bills: SB2580, SB2578, SB2259, SB3084, SB2816, SB2928, SB2075, SB3322, SB2377, SB2436, SB2835, SB3248
Keywords: SB2580, Hawaii film tax credit, motion picture tax credit, digital media credit, film production incentive, income tax credit, general excise tax exemption, DBEDT, DOTAX, local hires, local workforce, film industry, movie production, television production, streaming platform, streaming series, loan-out companies, motion picture project employer, qualified production, qualified production costs
Summary: The committee opened by reviewing hearing procedures and then took up SB 2580, which concerns Hawaii’s film production tax credit and related incentives. Testimony was strongly supportive overall, with witnesses saying the measure would help attract productions, extend the sunset date, include streaming platforms, and strengthen the state’s competitiveness. Several supporters asked for cleanup language on grant administration, tax credit management, local-hire uplifts, and limits on third-party audit requirements for smaller productions. The state film office said the bill was generally strong but suggested clarifying language and noted that DBEDT and DOTAX already provide oversight of the current credit. No vote was taken in the transcript, but the bill drew broad support with a few comments and one opposition noted later in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2578 SD1, a measure to create a film commission and related grant structure. Testifiers said the proposal would formalize industry input, improve accountability, and help the state compete globally, but they also raised concerns about how a new grant program would interact with the existing tax credit system. The film office said the grant program and tax credit should be separated operationally, that the advisory structure should include industry voices and possibly union representation, and that county film commissioner language may need technical adjustment. A testifier also suggested a Hawaii film museum and related tourism opportunities. The measure was described as having 42 supporters, one opposition, and five comments, with no final action shown. The committee next considered SB 2259, a dementia training measure. Supporters, including the bill’s drafter and the Alzheimer’s Association, described personal caregiving experiences and said free dementia training could help workers and families. Suggested amendments focused on clarifying the relationship between EOA and DBED and allowing retraining every two years because of workforce turnover. DBED said the bill is worthwhile but is not really an economic development initiative, and it should align with existing dementia programs and be easy for businesses to use, preferably online. The committee then moved to SB 3084 SD1, which HTDC said would expand its R&D matching program beyond SBIR to other federal research grants because of uncertainty at the federal level; the transcript ends as testimony begins, with no vote or final action recorded.
AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Jan 20th, 2026

County and Municipal Government

TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 21st, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Ways & Means May 12th, 2025

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 2206 is a critical piece of legislation that strengthens the commitment to research and development
  • You're here on behalf of the Texas taxpayers. and Research Association, and you're here for the bill.
  • SB 2206 is especially important to the business community because research and development fuels progress
  • It also incentivizes deeper collaboration between the private sector and our research universities, reinforcing
  • Carl Walker, you're here on behalf of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, and you're here to
Bills: SB263, SB467, SB850, SB1030, SB1352, SB1453, SB2064, SB2206, SB2779, SJR84
Keywords: SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Apr 7th, 2025 at 03:30 pm

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • And they do all kinds of research.
  • The chair recognizes Tanner Alief, Senior Research Fellow.
  • That research was conducted before my tenure at the foundation.
  • Traditional proteins have a long, well-researched history.
  • So, for me, I'm still in research and development.
Bills: HB 44, HB 2200, HB 1612, HB 2747, HB 2038, HB 3717, HB 1431, HB 3800, HB 3801, HB 3560, HB 3246
Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care
Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.
VT
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-04-23 - 1:00PM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And<00:07:10.680><c> her</c><00:07:10.760><c> research</c><00:07:11.160><c> interests</c><00:07:11.560
  • ><c> encompass</c> And her research interests encompass And her research interests encompass hydroclimatic
  • As a researcher State Climatologists.
  • findings on the presenting on research findings on the impact<00:09:56.680><c> of</c><00:09:56.800><
  • ,</c> with broader human values, ethics, with broader human values, ethics, philosophy,<00:11:10.560>
Keywords: 926, house, all
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDT DEFER, EDT-HOU, EDT, EDT Public Hearings 02-10-2026

Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> but account um Ethics, yeah. but account um Ethics, yeah.
  • </c> not bound by ethics. not bound by ethics.
  • If we cannot continue to fund research for the sake of research, we have the University of Hawaii to
  • If we cannot continue to fund research for the sake of research, we have the University of Hawaii to
  • If we cannot continue to fund research for the sake of research, we have the University of Hawaii to
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first took up SB 2045 relating to combat sports and recommended passage with SD1. Members adopted requested changes from DCCA and the boxing commission, including clarifying that the onsite medical professional must be a licensed physician, specifying when a deputy combat sports commissioner must file a written report, removing the combat sports registry language and ambulance requirement, clarifying promoter payment requirements, and requiring advance coordination with the nearest emergency room or hospital. The bill also makes technical amendments and sets an effective date of July 1, 2050. The measure passed unanimously among members present, with Senators Fukunaga and Kim excused. The joint hearing then considered SB 2187 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Testimony was brief and largely in support, and the committees agreed to pass the bill with SD1, making technical non-substantive amendments and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees voted to adopt the recommendation, with members present voting aye and some senators excused. A longer portion of the hearing focused on several economic development measures, including SB 2072 on tourism, SB 3049 on a trade-oriented production capacity grant program, and SB 3166 and SB 3167 involving technology development and the blue economy. SB 2072 drew questions about cost, benefit, and the practicality of promoting Michelin-star restaurants in Hawaii. SB 3049 received broad support from DBEDT, HTDC, chambers, and industry groups, but members questioned whether a new grant program was needed, why DBEDT could not do it without legislation, and whether the state should instead use existing entities like HTDC; the discussion also covered matching funds, likely beneficiaries, and administrative capacity. SB 3166 and SB 3167 were supported by technology and ocean-sector witnesses who said the state needs coordinated planning, specialized expertise, and support for advanced manufacturing and ocean innovation, but members raised concerns about relying on third-party consultants, duplication of existing public capacity, ethics, cost, and whether the work should instead be done by state staff or existing institutions. No final votes on the later bills were captured in the transcript excerpt.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Sunset Advisory Commission Jan 15th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Neches River Authority, Lower Neches Valley Authority, Trinity River Authority of Texas, and the Texas Ethics
  • The next agency we're voting on is the Texas Ethics Commission.
  • Members, allow me to present this modification to recommendation 1.2 for the Texas Ethics Commission.
  • So this recommendation directs the Ethics Commission to review rules relating to their definition of
  • I would like to direct the Texas Ethics Commission to display the agency's list of delinquent penalties
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 10th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I have a hard time believing that an extensive research on Mr.
  • For confirmation to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Next, we will take... Which one? Mr.
  • Paul Bailey will be reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. And by your vote, Mr.
  • Paul Bailey will be reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee.
  • Gates-Garcia will be reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee.
Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Since 1982, every four years, NFIB's Research Foundation publishes a list of small businesses' top products
  • If this committee really, truly followed the current science and research on If this committee really
  • , National research shows that over 50% of Americans have used some form of holistic alternative therapy
  • This bill, while perhaps well-intended, would unintentionally harm an entire ecosystem of ethical small
  • These disciplines follow different training paths, ethics, and outcomes.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and reviewed a broad agenda including credit card fees, event ticketing, music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, CPA pathways, school mental health licensure, and a bill regulating alternative healing therapies. The chairs explained hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and submission of written testimony, and noted that more than 70 people had signed up to testify. Legislators and advocates were heard out of order throughout the day. A major portion of the hearing focused on credit card surcharge and interchange legislation. Restaurant owners, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, NFIB, and other small-business witnesses supported bills allowing merchants to add convenience fees and, in one proposal, preventing card companies from charging fees on tax and tip portions of transactions. They argued that swipe fees are a major and growing cost, especially for restaurants, and that Massachusetts is one of only two states that bars surcharges. Opponents from the Cooperative Credit Union Association, the Electronic Payment Coalition, and the Electronic Transactions Association warned that the proposals would create compliance burdens, fragment the payment system, raise legal preemption issues, and disrupt a system they described as efficient and secure. The committee also heard competing testimony on ticket transferability and ticket resale. Supporters, including the National Consumers League and Sports Fans Coalition, said bills on ticket transferability would protect consumers who cannot attend events and would increase competition and savings in the secondary market. Opponents, including United Musicians and Allied Workers and theater owners, argued that mandatory transferability would weaken artists’ and venues’ ability to prevent scalping and predatory resale, and that some ticket sellers should be exempt from the broader ticketing regulations. Separate testimony supported music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, and new CPA education pathways, with witnesses saying these measures would expand access to care and strengthen the workforce while maintaining professional standards. The hearing also drew extensive opposition to S.261 on alternative healing therapies, with practitioners and clients arguing it would overregulate spiritual and holistic practices and was not an effective response to human trafficking concerns.
MO
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Elementary and Secondary Education Apr 1st, 2026

Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It has saved me hours and hours, maybe days and days of research.
  • It has saved me hours and hours, maybe days and days of research.
  • I guess I don't know what functional, moral, and ethical, local... Sure, okay, okay.
  • Instruction in functional, moral, and ethical, local, state, and national governance.
  • I guess I don't know what functional, moral, and ethical, local. Sure, okay, okay.
Keywords: 959, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education met with a quorum and first went into executive session to consider House Bill 2722. The committee adopted a House Committee Substitute and then voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 13 yes and 2 no. The sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the role of McKinney-Vento liaisons for foster care and unaccompanied youth in higher education and added language to avoid conflicting with existing law on post-secondary public benefits for noncitizens. Members asked about the fiscal note, which was expected to be zero or minimal. The committee then heard House Bills 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Representatives Prouty and Pollitt, which would direct the General Assembly to create Missouri-specific educational materials about the state legislative process for public schools. Sponsors and supporters said the goal was to provide a Missouri-focused video or similar resource showing how a bill becomes law, including committee work and civic engagement, rather than relying only on generic federal civics materials. Teachers and education coordinators testified in favor, saying such materials would help students understand the process and align with Missouri learning standards, while one witness testified in opposition. Members raised questions about the fiscal note, grade levels, implementation, and whether the bill should be narrowed or clarified, and the chair said the committee would executive on the bills in a week. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 31, which would establish a Missouri seal of civic recognition for students demonstrating civic knowledge, service, and engagement. The sponsor described a tiered recognition system tied to coursework, civic participation, and service, administered through DESE and an existing civics and patriotic work group, with possible awards or scholarships. Testimony in support came from educators and civic advocates who said the seal would encourage civic learning and service, though one witness suggested streamlining the proposal into a transcript-based merit model and restoring funding for civics and patriotism. Committee members asked about administration, eligibility, charter schools, mentorship requirements, and the fiscal note, but no vote was taken before adjournment.