Transcript Highlights:

• ASKS THE BULWARK OF OUR FREEDOM AND OF OUR INDEPENDENCE AS A YOUNG NATION, HE SAID, IT'S NOT OUR CROWN
• Our reliance,” he said, “is in the spirit of freedom, which prides itself as a heritage of all men in
• OUR RELIANCE, HE SAID, IS IN THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM, WHICH PRIDES ITSELF AS A HERITAGE OF ALL MEN IN ALL
• We know that our freedoms are shackled and chained to the rights of others, and an attack on the freedoms
• WE KNOW THAT OUR FREEDOMS ARE SHACKLED AND CHAINED TO THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS, AND ATTACK ON THE FREEDOMS

Transcript Highlights:

• of speech for the individual.
• of speech for the individual.
• of speech for the individual.
• of speech for the individual.
• Must preserve the freedom of speech for the individual.

Summary: The committee met to approve the October 21 minutes and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and public resources. The sponsors said the bill is intended to strengthen existing law by adding civil and criminal penalties for taxpayer-funded advocacy on ballot questions, especially in light of controversies during the 2024 election over school officials and districts using public resources to oppose a constitutional amendment. They also described related concerns about school districts hiring third-party lobbyists and public relations firms, particularly in Fayette County, and said the proposal was meant to keep tax dollars focused on public services rather than political persuasion. Committee members raised several concerns about scope and drafting. Some asked whether the bill should specifically mention schools, school boards, and school employees, and the sponsors said they would add that language. Others questioned whether the measure would also affect local government lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, and the sponsors said they intended to focus narrowly on schools while exempting certain advocacy organizations and internal government lobbyists. Members also asked whether public employees could still speak as private individuals, and the sponsors said yes. Several members suggested splitting the lobbying and ballot-advocacy issues into separate bills, and the sponsors said they would consider that. Members also pressed for clarification on how the bill would apply in practice, including whether it would cover legal challenges to petition drives or only advocacy after a question is on the ballot. Counsel for the sponsors said the bill would not cover some petition-related litigation as drafted, though they believed it should. The sponsors and supporters argued the proposal was needed to give the existing prohibition real enforcement, while some members warned that the language could unintentionally limit legitimate public representation or be too broad if not carefully drafted. No final vote was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• As President Trump said in his inaugural speech on Monday, our country is at the dawn of a golden age
• The rights to life, to bear arms, and even the freedom of speech have become top targets for radical
• freedom of speech have arms and even the freedom of speech have become<00:40:58.880><c> top</c><00:40
• The Chair will entertain up to 15 one-minute speeches on each side of the aisle.
• </c> freedom and the lives and well-being of freedom and the lives and well-being of countless<02:18:

Transcript Highlights:

• Who decided that an agency serving a ton of people, where a lot of them have all sorts of speech disabilities
• Then what about the violation of the right to free speech or the right to freedom of association?
• I am flabbergasted by this bill because of the fact that it does nothing for my freedom of choice.
• It does nothing for my freedom of choice.
• of speech, there's issues with freedom of assembly.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with several measures that were amended and reported favorably, including a strike-all to SB 4 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, SB 1570 restoring a statewide missing-persons project for individuals with special needs, and SB 182 creating a teacher training and mentoring program for schools needing improvement. Members also advanced SB 794 on APD background screening and support coordination standards, SB 1168 on background screening for athletic coaches and related entities, and SB 214 to let rural special districts pay verified invoices directly for state- and federally funded work. Supporters emphasized improved child welfare investigations, help for families of vulnerable individuals, teacher retention, and better administrative efficiency; the APD bill drew especially strong testimony from waiver clients and providers about the importance of competent support coordinators and stable services. The committee also favorably reported SB 1376 on grants for genetic counseling education, SB 1574 requiring newborn screening for biliary atresia, SB 1510 as the DEP agency package with environmental, septic, water quality, solar, and permitting changes, and SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery licensing and consumer protections. SB 688, after a delete-all amendment, would create licensure for naturopathic doctors and a board of naturopathic medicine; it drew strong support from naturopathic advocates and sharp opposition from a critic who argued the bill would authorize diagnosis and treatment beyond appropriate limits. SB 1318 made a technical change to scholarship account reversion language, with senators clarifying that remaining funds would return to the scholarship funding organization for future use rather than to the state. Later, the committee approved SB 682 on domestic violence and protective injunctions, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local Act iteration expanding affordable housing options and limiting local barriers. It also reported favorably SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria after extensive debate about constitutional issues and modern gang activity, SB 762 allowing cross-jurisdiction assignment of capital cases among regional conflict counsel offices, SB 1332 strengthening career offender registration requirements, SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, and SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The most contentious discussion came on SB 1226, which would overhaul Public Employee Relations Commission rules, require majority support for union certification, and impose new limits on union activities and dues-related practices; members debated constitutional concerns, differences between first responders and other public employees, and the bill’s impact on union representation and public-sector labor rights. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 536 drawing several no votes and SB 1226 still under active debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I do right by my students today, by the end of this speech you will see how this bill, as it is written
• This bill shamelessly erodes constitutional free speech and academic freedom, and I oppose it.
• who is worried about the weaponization of anti-Semitism to stifle his free speech and that of his teachers
• who is worried about the weaponization of anti-Semitism to stifle his free speech and that of his teachers
• , and I oppose this attack on freedom of speech.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• the academic and civic value of competitive speech and debate.
• His work helped build a movement of young leaders active in promoting limited government, free speech
• He was assassinated because of the lies of the left.
• of speech and life were snuffed out by political violence.
• This is freedom of speech but it is also white supremacy.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And in America, where criticism of government is supposed to be protected speech, this marks a troubling
• So the erosion of free speech is particularly dangerous, especially in this moment where we're seeing
• This increasingly violent response on the part of law enforcement matters on matters of free speech,
• Matters of free speech, plus the corresponding rise in hate has extended to our friends and allies in
• Matters of free speech, plus the corresponding rise in hate has extended to our friends and allies in

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am going to take a couple of things out of order, and I apologize in advance.
• I'm here in opposition of HB43 because there are tens of thousands of Alabama citizens who... thousands
• of rehabilitation and fitness for licensing under the entry of an order of limited relief.
• , if the entity knew of the order of limited relief at the time of...
• The order of limited relief at the time of hiring.

Bills: HB43 , SB81 , SB178 , SB138 , SB89 , SB183 , HB27 , HB188 , HB199 , HB190 , SB117 , HB43 , HB27

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, custodial sexual misconduct, sexual misconduct, inmate abuse, prisoner exploitation, correctional staff, jail staff, detention center, probation officer, parole officer, Department of Corrections, Department of Youth Services, sheriff, county jail, municipal jail

Transcript Highlights:

• with Alliance Defending Freedom, and Chairman Crane and members of the committee, thank you so much for
• First and foremost, those bills, a lot of them require age verification on the outset, and so speech
• and conduct on the part of the user to produce speech to the social media platform.
• And the Ninth Circuit held that, you know, display of personal metrics like that is content-based speech
• I meant the private cause of action of parents.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• citizens, and that through your efforts, the great state of Texas will continue to be a sign of freedom
• human life, the protection of the vulnerable, as well as our tenacity in the face of adversity. of great
• Those of you who were here, you'll remember some of the best speeches.
• at the back of mine.
• of silence.

Bills: HR34 , HR36 , HR38 , HR39 , HR41 , HR42 , HR43 , HR67 , HR68 , HR73 , HR77 , HR81 , HR104 , HR166 , HR201 , HR202 , HR223 , HR226 , HR233 , HR234 , HR246 , HR264 , HR266 , HR268 , HR271 , HR280 , HR282 , HR286 , HR291 , HR292 , HR296 , HR298 , HR319 , HR326 , HR329 , HR348 , HR354 , HR373 , HR376 , HR381 , HR385 , HR386 , HR387 , HR391 , HR394 , HR395 , HR396 , HR399 , HR400 , HR402 , HR403 , HR404 , HR408 , HR409 , HR410 , HR413 , HR414 , HR417 , HR418 , HR419 , HR422 , HR424 , HR429 , HR435 , HR439 , HR440 , HR22 , HR88 , HR94 , HR136 , HR194 , HR231 , HR302 , HR397 , HR416 , HR420 , HR421 , HR423 , HR430 , HR431

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, this moment reminds us of the enduring promise of America and the powerful blessings of freedom
• House of Representatives, and some of the most amazing remarks from your opening day speech.
• Constitution, on the state constitution, to protect that freedom of speech.
• That the founders of this country were intentional in fighting for the freedom to speak.
• This is completely violative of the Constitution, violative of the First Amendment, violative of freedom

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then moved into returning messages from the Senate. Early action focused on CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which would add computer science and artificial intelligence content in high school and create a K-12 teacher certificate program; after adopting a House amendment restoring certificate language and adjusting implementation timing, the House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 105-0. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program and add a five-year sunset, then concurring in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration back to the Florida Digital Service; the bill passed 104-1. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both back to the Senate. It also refused to concur in the Senate amendment to CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel, saying the Senate version expanded the bill beyond its original autism-focused scope. After a recess, the House unveiled Speaker Daniel Perez’s portrait and heard extended remarks praising his leadership, institutional reforms, and the work of House staff and members. In the second returning-message list, the House debated CS/CS/HB 1471 on systems of law and terrorist organizations. The Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline provisions for terrorist organization designations, and kept references to Sharia law as an example in the foreign religious law section. Supporters argued the bill was aimed at conduct beyond speech and was intended to protect the Constitution and public safety; opponents warned it would chill free speech, target Muslim Floridians, and give the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate due process. After lengthy debate, the House concurred and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1473, a public records bill tied to HB 1471, and moved to concur in a technical Senate amendment aligning the records exemption with the revised structure of HB 1471.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we get started, I just want to thank all of you for being here.
• This is our first meeting of this legislative session.
• and for being vital members of this committee.
• In 2023, we passed a total overhaul of the law in our state.
• You should have a one-sheet kind of distillation of what we're changing, but it's a lot of housekeeping

Bills: SB94

Committee: Senate Children and Youth Health

Keywords: adoption, adoptive parent, adoptee, minor adoption, adult adoption, Alabama Minor Adoption Code, Alabama Adult Adoption Code, Department of Human Resources, DHR, county department of human resources, putative father registry, paternity, consent, relinquishment, implied consent, notice of adoption, contested adoption, home study, pre-placement investigation, post-placement investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• I led the defense team, so we protected the free speech and academic freedom of faculty members and students
• Just yesterday, University of Louisville settled a free speech case for $1.6 million.
• Just yesterday, University of Louisville settled a free speech case for $1.6 million.
• I am the director of the Stan Marshall Center for Education Freedom at the James Madison Institute.
• protect the free speech rights of all of their students.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, yes, this is the Board of Equalization.
• Basically, a pay increase from $115 to $200, and the Board of Equalization is $200, and the Board of
• Equalization is the group that looks at any kind of appeals that the General Public has for their tax
• That was one of the questions that came up: is this budgeted?
• They have plenty of money in that. Well, it's calendar... Any other questions? Any members?

Bills: HB236 , HB236

Committee: House Baldwin County Legislation

Keywords: HB236, Baldwin County, Board of Equalization, per diem, supplemental compensation, county board, ad valorem tax, property tax appeal, tax assessment, mileage reimbursement, Consumer Price Index, CPI adjustment, local legislation, equalization board, taxpayer protests, property inspection, county revenue, education appropriations, supplemental appropriation, Education Trust Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• it's</c><01:32:42.280><c> no</c> the idea of it's coerced speech it's no the idea of it's coerced speech
• We are blessed by the foresight of our Founders, who codified freedom of speech in our First Amendment
• speech</c><03:44:14.239><c> in</c><03:44:14.359><c> our</c> who codified freedom of speech in our who
• codified freedom of speech in our first<03:44:14.720><c> amendment</c> first amendment first amendment
• of the many freedoms to take advantage of the many freedoms to<05:01:23.440><c> Live</c><05:01:23.638

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• My members consist of over 70% of the market of the providers of medical provider networks.
• Mike West, on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, sponsors of
• The courts have long recognized that speech delivered in the workplace can rise to the level of harassment
• We in the United States do not generally recognize a category of speech called hate speech in the law
• But there's a difference between workplace conduct that rises to the level of harassment and speech someone

Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee. The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My members consist of over 70% of the market of the providers of medical provider networks.
• The courts have long recognized that speech delivered in the workplace can rise to the level of harassment
• for signs of hate. ...get training on how to report on each other, a.k.a. to police each other's speech
• We in the United States do not generally recognize a category of speech called hate speech in the law
• But there's a difference between workplace conduct that rises to the level of harassment and speech someone

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [snorts] >> quote, "At the University of New Hampshire, we believe that freedom of speech and free
• Freedom of speech goes both ways. This bill goes one way.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Freedom<02:02:34.880><c> of</c><02:02:35.040><c> speech</c><02:02:35.440><c> goes</c><02
• </c><02:02:37.360><c> This</c> &gt;&gt; Freedom of speech goes both ways.
• This &gt;&gt; Freedom of speech goes both ways.

Transcript Highlights:

• of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom to worship the religion of our choosing.
• Martin Radasovich on behalf of Reproductive Freedom for All, as a proud supporter of AB 1854.
• That conscience cannot be coerced, all of which imply freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom
• And I know that this body believes deeply in the freedom of speech.
• And I know that this body believes deeply in the freedom of speech.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• the powerful blessings of freedom that come from you, God.
• House of Representatives, and some of the most amazing remarks from your opening day speech.
• Constitution, on the state constitution, to protect that freedom of speech.
• It's important to understand that the founders of this country were intentional in fighting for the freedom
• This is completely violative of the Constitution, violative of the First Amendment, violative of freedom