Video & Transcript : 'support demonstration' :
Page 206 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I urge your support. Thank you. Are you open to questions, Senator? Thank you. I urge your support.
- We urge you to support engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5838 and look forward to hopefully supporting
- Anthony Mixer, representing myself, speaking in support.
- But in the end, I'm, I strong support the resolution.
- the general fund state to support it.
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard several Senate bills and a joint memorial, with the chair moving items around to accommodate prime sponsors and public testimony. SB 5838 would add two tribal representatives to the Board of Natural Resources, one from each side of the Cascades, and broaden the nomination pool to include tribes with treaty-ceded lands in Washington. The sponsor and tribal and agency witnesses said the bill would add tribal knowledge and stewardship expertise without changing government-to-government consultation. County and industry witnesses raised concerns about fiduciary duties to trust beneficiaries, the lack of stakeholder consultation, and the effect of expanding the board from one to two tribal seats. Public testimony was mixed, and the committee recorded strong support and opposition on the bill.
SB 5816 would add juice grapes to the state Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act, allowing juice grape producers to use the same marketing and negotiation framework already available to pears, sweet corn, and potatoes. The sponsor said the bill would help juice grape growers facing unfair pricing pressure from processors. The committee took limited public testimony and recorded support and opposition before closing the hearing. SJM 8015 urged Congress to ensure federal wildfire response entities remain capable of protecting communities, infrastructure, watersheds, and firefighter health and safety during federal consolidation of wildfire programs. Testimony from environmental groups, forest industry, and union representatives broadly supported the memorial and emphasized rising wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the need for strong interagency response capacity.
The committee also heard HB 2737, which would cap certain shellfish regulatory fees, exempt the shellfish program from full fee recovery, and apply the caps retroactively. The sponsor and shellfish growers said the Department of Health’s fee increases would be unsustainable for small family farms and processors, while DOH explained it was following a full cost-recovery model unless the Legislature provides general fund support. Witnesses described large projected fee increases and potential business closures, and DOH said it had reopened rulemaking to consider smaller operators. Because the bill was heard after cutoff, the chair noted it could not advance, but the committee still took testimony and discussed possible amendments and follow-up information before adjourning.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine bridging the gap, focusing on enhancing outreach to support veterans' mental health. Apr 29th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- A number of members on this committee were firm supporters.
- I think this has broad support in Congress and certainly strong support from the Department.
- And we actually do well in that capacity and support.
- I think our supportive services for veterans and families and the bridge support that provides, our vocational
- We also support codifying the emergent suicide care section.
Keywords:
veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources
Summary:
The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We are grateful, and this is a show of support for House Bill 2 and what it will do and why it is so
- Um, you know what we have, have, have tried to do through this process is to demonstrate the type of
- are among many other aspects of the bill intended to drive more dollars into the classroom and to support
- Thank y'all for being here in support of this. Appreciate y'all.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty - Thursday, February 12
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to support families in this way.
- We want to support families in this way.
- Support and counsel. Right.
- I support this bill, and I ask my colleagues to support it also. Thank you.
- I am very happy to speak in support of this bill. I am very happy to speak in support of this bill.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 119-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize a 40th wedding anniversary, honor Sherry Anderson for her service to the House, and observe Black History Month with a tribute to former Senator Yvonne Starks-Wilson. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Festus girls cross-country team, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference, and advocates connected to the blind pension fund.
The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2033, 1608, 1672, and 1854, which would remove the sunset from the SAFE Act and continue restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Supporters argued the bill protects children, citing concerns about puberty blockers, hormones, surgery, and evolving medical guidance; opponents said it targets transgender youth, interferes with family and medical decisions, and misstates the science. After extended debate, the previous question was adopted 102-45, and the combined bill package passed 102-40. House Bill 1847, creating the Dental Licensure Compact, also passed 138-10 after questions about reciprocity, data sharing, and state sovereignty.
The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, which bars peace officer licensure for applicants whose certification was revoked or suspended and for non-citizens, by a 101-36 vote after debate over citizenship, military service, and law enforcement standards. House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1908 and 2337 passed 147-0; the sponsor described it as protecting women and children in abusive situations and addressing legal responsibility in marriage. House Bill 1961, allowing temporary dietitian licenses and a compact for interstate practice, passed 137-8. House Bill 2180, changing Department of Revenue and blind pension notice delivery methods and allowing electronic notices, passed 146-0 and was described as both a service improvement and a cost saver. House Bill 2591, updating speech-language pathologist licensure to allow out-of-state training and practice in Missouri, passed 144-0. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, a Scouting America Eagle Scout recognition, an America 250 celebration event, and a Labor Caucus meeting before adjourning until Monday, February 16, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-17 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I ask for your favorable support.
- In the meantime, she cannot afford to support her family.
- So I ask for your favorable support and without a close.
- I ask for your favorable support.
- I own a business that supported five of my children and continues to support six of my grandchildren
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 18th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- I urge your support. Thank you. Are you open to questions, Senator? Thank you. I urge your support.
- We urge you to support Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5838 and look forward to hopefully supporting
- ... ...to support Senate Bill 5838.
- Anthony Mixer, represent myself, speaking in support.
- the general fund state to support it.
Keywords:
fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, federal response, wildfire protection, community safety, infrastructure, natural resources, commercial shellfish, shellfish fees, Department of Health, biotoxin testing, export certificate
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 4/13/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , but I do not support this bill.
- Thank you for your time and support.
- Thank you for your time and support.
- Thank you for your time and support.
- Thank you for your time and support.
Keywords:
bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-17 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I ask for your favorable support.
- In the meantime, she cannot afford to support her family.
- So I ask for your favorable support and without a close.
- Gottlieb, I ask for your favorable support.
- continues to support six of my grandchildren.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for Reverend Jesse Jackson and former State Attorney Joseph Di Alessandro, and a quorum present. Members then took up a special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with several recognitions and brief recesses interspersed throughout the day.
Early floor action focused on civil justice and estates measures. The House passed CS/HB 1407 on commencement of civil actions, clarifying when a complainant may file an employment discrimination suit if the Florida Commission on Human Relations does not issue a right-to-sue notice. It also passed HB 895 on trustee settlement and discharge, allowing certain non-adversarial irrevocable trusts to be discharged without court involvement; CS/HB 1337 on estates, expanding personal representative authority and increasing small-estate thresholds; and CS/HB 131 on curators of estates, codifying a tool for court protection when the state faces potential loss. Each of these bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief sponsor explanations and, in the case of HB 895, a technical amendment.
The House also approved CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over U.S. military installations, which would allow juvenile offenses on certain installations to be handled in state court rather than federal court, and CS/HB 441 on conservation lands, which increases notice and transparency requirements for land swaps involving conservation property. Members from both parties praised the conservation bill as a response to public concern over land swaps. Additional measures passed included HB 409 requiring K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, CS/HB 461 allowing eligible students to volunteer at polling locations for community service hours, CS/HB 1115 creating grants for genetic counseling education, HB 569 revising forensic client services for persons with developmental disabilities, CS/HB 505 regulating virtual currency kiosks to combat senior fraud, and HB 271 addressing premium reporting rules for foreign and alien bail bond insurers.
The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/HB 919, which creates a statutory definition for major commercial service airports and preempts local naming authority for seven major airports, including a proposal to rename Palm Beach International Airport for President Donald J. Trump. The bill drew sharp partisan debate over local control, costs, trademark/licensing concerns, and the appropriateness of honoring a sitting president. Amendments to delay the naming until after Trump leaves office and to combine his name with John F. Kennedy’s were both defeated. After structured debate, the bill passed 81-? yeas (the transcript records 81 yeas) and was sent on. The House also began debate on HB 191 regarding re-employment assistance eligibility verification, with the sponsor explaining added disqualifications and identity/eligibility checks; questioning began but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 18, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the demonstration, or placed in silent mode.
- So, happy to support this, sir. Chair. Thank you. Yes, you're recognized. Yes.
- So happy to support this, sir. Chair. Thank you. Yes, you're recognized. Yes.
- I'm happy to support it. Thank you, Chair. Thank you. Rep. I want to thank you.
- I'm glad they were part of the species you were talking about, so you'll get my support.
Summary:
The Government Operations Subcommittee met to consider three proposed committee bills under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, each aimed at preserving a public records exemption that would otherwise repeal on October 2. PCB GOS 25-01, presented by Rep. Nix, would keep confidential property photos and personal identifying information tied to applicants or participants in housing assistance programs used for disaster recovery after a presidentially declared disaster. Members discussed the need to prevent fraud and protect distressed property owners from being targeted after disasters. The bill was reported favorably.
PCB GOS 25-03, presented by Rep. Sapp, would preserve the exemption for certain sensitive business information submitted to the Office of Financial Regulation for the Financial Technology Sandbox. Supporters said the confidentiality is necessary to encourage companies to submit proprietary information and participate in the program. The bill was also reported favorably.
PCB GOS 25-02, presented by Rep. Weinberger on behalf of Rep. Basabe, would continue the exemption for site-specific location information concerning endangered or threatened species. Members noted the importance of protecting Florida’s unique ecosystem and preventing poaching of both animals and rare plants. This bill was likewise reported favorably. Each bill received no amendments or public testimony, and the meeting adjourned after all three were approved.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine biomedical research, focusing on keeping America's edge in innovation. Apr 30th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Senate Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- BioPharmacy industry supports over 404 million jobs.
- folks who are supporting that work.
- Federal support for biomedical research is essential.
- I hope you feel like you heard a lot of support, bipartisan support on this committee for the work that
- He supported that effort.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- From a budget perspective, how would we be demonstrating that mission from a budget perspective?
- I hope that the subcommittees support that. Let me ask other basic questions.
- And then we wouldn't necessarily just... ...is that supported by population trends?
- And those are all great, ambitious, bipartisan-supported efforts.
- So let's just put more precision... ...ambitious bipartisan-supported efforts.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-17 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I ask for your favorable support.
- In the meantime, she cannot afford to support her family.
- So I ask for your favorable support and without a close.
- Gottlieb, I ask for your favorable support.
- Gottlie, I ask for your favorable support.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Joseph Di Alessandro, the Pledge of Allegiance, and announcements confirming a quorum. Members also adopted the special order report and recognized several guests in the gallery, including former Speaker Dan Webster and law enforcement and civic visitors. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar of bills, mostly on third reading, with several measures passing unanimously or by wide margins.
Among the bills considered were measures on civil procedure and estates, including C.S. HB 1407 on commencement of civil actions, HB 895 on trustee settlement and discharge, C.S. HB 1337 on estates, HB 131 on curators of estates, and C.S. HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations. The House also passed C.S. HB 441 on conservation lands, which would lengthen notice and increase transparency for land swaps involving conservation property, and C.S. CS HB 919 on commercial service airports, which created a statutory definition for major airports and preempted local naming authority for several airports. HB 919 drew extensive debate over the proposed naming of Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald J. Trump, with amendments to delay or alter the naming failing before the bill passed.
Other bills approved included HB 409 requiring K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, CS HB 461 allowing certain students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, CS HB 1115 creating grants for genetic counseling education, HB 569 revising forensic client services, CS HB 505 regulating virtual currency kiosks to address fraud, and HB 271 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers. The House also passed HB 191 on re-employment assistance eligibility verification after extended questioning about its effects on benefits, appeals, and suitable work standards. One bill, CS HB 243 on electric bicycles, was temporarily postponed, and CS HB 1073 on school districts was also postponed.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Being brief, again, I'd like to thank the members for their past support.
- I am here to support H-66, I am here to support H-66, a proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution
- I did want to take a second to support Rep. Gentile's bill.
- I'm here today in support of Senate 1046, an act relative to adoptions.
- Thank you again for your support. This is our eighth effort.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns.
Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier.
The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Jan 27th, 2026 at 04:08 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Every dollar we spend on incarceration is one we don't spend on building homes, supporting students,
- From a budget perspective, how would we be demonstrating that mission from a budget perspective?
- The support of rehabilitative efforts is still only at 5%.
- I hope that the subcommittees support that. Let me ask other basic questions.
- So we would look at the data: is that backed up by, is that supported by population trends?
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) budget, with a focus on prison population trends, spending, facility closures, and efforts to find savings. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) presented data showing the prison and parole populations have fallen sharply over the past 20 years while CDCR spending has remained high, driven largely by security, health care, litigation-related requirements, and aging infrastructure. The LAO also said the state is likely to have several thousand empty beds by 2030 and recommended closing another prison, identifying the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad as the strongest candidate, while also urging more transparency around facility deactivations and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) efficiency contract.
CDCR Secretary Jeff McCumber said the department faces structural budget pressures from retirement payouts, workers’ compensation, overtime, medical transport, aging facilities, and violence in prisons, but emphasized declining recidivism, expanding reentry beds, and the need for more single-celling and rehabilitation. Department of Finance representative Anthony Franzoa said the administration is not proposing another prison closure at this time, opposed new reporting requirements on deactivations, and said the BCG contract is intended to produce long-term savings even if near-term estimates are being revised downward. Amber Rose Howard of California United for Responsible Budget argued the state should close more prisons, redirect funds to community services, and stop spending on excess prison capacity.
Members questioned why CDCR still relies on vacancy savings, why rehabilitation is only a small share of the budget, and whether the department should be more transparent about capacity reductions and legal liabilities. Several members criticized the $20 million BCG contract and the lack of competitive bidding, while others pressed CDCR on staffing levels, single-celling, suicide prevention, and health care costs for older incarcerated people. The hearing did not take a formal vote, but it ended with clear committee concern about CDCR’s budget transparency, the pace of prison closures, and the need to align spending more closely with the declining prison population and the department’s stated rehabilitation mission.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Administration Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- We are here in support of Senate Substitute 2.
- So I'm going to support the bill. I'm going to support it out of committee.
- So I'm going to support the bill. I'm going to support it out of committee.
- We speak in support of Senate Bill 322.
- No political decision ever has 100% support.
Keywords:
federal workers, government shutdown, interest-free loans, tax deferral, public transportation, Rehoboth Beach, municipal charter, city charter amendment, commissioners, mayor, local government, election qualifications, affidavit of eligibility, domestic partner, cohabitant, conflict of interest, freeholder, leaseholder, municipal court, Alderman
Summary:
The House Administration Committee met to consider a series of resolutions and bills covering arts districts, child care background checks, federal worker relief, health care reform, court transparency, school tax reassessment, municipal charter changes, constitutional amendment procedures, data center nondisclosure agreements, state employee benefits governance, and lieutenant governor vacancies. Members also noted that House Concurrent Resolution 12 had been removed from the agenda and that public comment would be limited to one minute per speaker.
The committee released SCR 167 to study arts, culture, and creative districts in Delaware; HB 438 to close a loophole in the child care service letter requirement; SB 268 to provide interest-free loans, free transit, and tax deferrals for federal workers during shutdowns; SS2 for SB 1 to expand and permanently strengthen primary care investment while also addressing hospital cost growth; HCR 147 to request a Court of Chancery report on audio recordings and automated case assignment; SB 322 to replace the current post-reassessment 10% school revenue increase authority with a 2% annual increase option under safeguards; SB 306 to amend the Rehoboth Beach charter; HB 440 to require voter approval for constitutional amendments after legislative approval; SB 312 to bar nondisclosure agreements for large data center projects; SS1 for SB 289 to change State Employee Benefits Committee governance; and SB 264 to require a special election to fill a lieutenant governor vacancy.
Testimony was mixed on several measures. Arts, child care, federal worker relief, primary care, court transparency, data center transparency, and the lieutenant governor vacancy bill drew mostly supportive testimony, while SB 322 and SB 306 drew both support and opposition, especially over tax impacts and the proposed spouse/partner restriction in Rehoboth Beach. HB 440 prompted debate over whether 55% voter approval was the right threshold for constitutional amendments, and SB 312 was supported as a transparency measure by residents affected by prior data center NDAs. All of the listed measures were released from committee by roll call vote, with some members voting no on HB 440, SB 306, SB 312, SS1 for SB 289, and SB 264.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- support for internet costs and expanding access to free Wi-Fi in senior living facilities would support
- And just also to demonstrate... Sure, great question.
- Is there anyone who wishes to testify in support of those bills? All right.
- So we support that bill and that effort. ...private passenger vehicle.
- So we support that bill and that effort. private passenger vehicle is so we support that bill and that
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs.
Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 47 May 20th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise in support of House 5441, an act I rise in support of House 5441, an act to provide newborn screenings
- I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr.
- I rise today in support of this bill and also in support of Amendment 2.
- I am excited to support that.
- I support this bill before us, and I trust that we will all unanimously support it, as we recognize those
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'm definitely in support of this bill.
- I'm here in support of House Bill 668.
- We urge you to support this bill.
- I'm here in support of House Bill 696.
- I'm here in support of Houseville 696.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, then heard House Bill 685, which would add a sentencing enhancement when certain felonies and specified violent misdemeanors are committed while the offender is wearing a mask or disguise. The sponsor and supporting law enforcement witnesses said the bill would help identify offenders, deter intimidation, and give prosecutors and judges another tool, while still leaving discretion in charging and sentencing. Some members raised concerns about fiscal impacts and about language that could affect legitimate law enforcement masking practices, but the bill was advanced to the floor with a due-pass recommendation, with one member recorded as opposed.
The committee then took up House Bill 668 on custody interference, a product of a child custody and domestic relations task force. The bill would create clearer law enforcement procedures, require welfare checks and written reports when possible, add affirmative defenses for legitimate delays, and establish a graduated penalty structure for repeated interference. Numerous parents, advocates, and others testified in support, describing long-running custody disputes, lack of enforcement, and large legal costs; some members also raised concerns that the bill’s drafting could unintentionally reduce penalties in the most serious cases. After discussion, the committee adopted a substitute motion to send the bill to general orders for further work.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 696, which would expand the definition of prohibited sexual contact in correctional facilities to address alleged sexual abuse of incarcerated women by staff. The sponsor and several testifiers, including survivors and advocacy group representatives, said the bill would close loopholes, improve accountability, and better protect vulnerable inmates. Members noted the seriousness of the allegations and the need for clearer standards, and the bill was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation by unanimous vote.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 6th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- First, we have two cards in support, not wishing to speak.
- So I appreciate your support on this.
- And once again, I appreciate everybody's support on this.
- And I fully support that we should have a hearing.
- Congress even said that the basin supports all the Congress even said that the basin supports all the