Video & Transcript Research : 'protected classes'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - 05/20/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Within this article is a modification to the class rate for class 1C homestead resorts and also modification
- <00:55:38.640>
homestead to the class rate for class 1C homestead to the class rate for class - resorts and also modification to class resorts and also modification to class 2C<00:55:42.800>
<01:20:49.120>- It establishes a consumer protection restitution account.
2C sections 11 and 12 is the uh class 2C sections 11 and 12 is the uh class
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jun 29 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Friday, June 26th, Friday, June 26th, Senate Bill 1385, referred to Consumer Protection and Professional
- House Bill 76 referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
- House Bill 1127 referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
- House Bill 2224 referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
- Attention all members of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received communications recalling it for voting session and referring gubernatorial nominations and a series of Senate and House bills and resolutions to standing committees. Leaves of absence were granted, and the chamber recessed briefly for committee meetings and party caucuses before reconvening.
On the floor, the Senate unanimously agreed to House Bill 1102 and later passed Senate Bill 1133 and Senate Bill 1303 by 50-0 votes. Several measures were set aside to their proper place in the calendar or re-referred, including Senate Bill 1182 and House Bill 928 to Appropriations. The Senate also adopted multiple amendments to Senate Bill 1372, including a technical amendment from Senator Brooks, an amendment offered on behalf of Senator Loughlin, and Senator Fontana’s amendment requiring carbon monoxide detectors in child care facilities; after amendment, Senate Bill 1372 was held over. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 326 urging a posthumous Medal of Honor for Major Richard Winters.
During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, noting it has been 20 years since the last increase. Senator Dush honored Colonel James C. Harding on his birthday, highlighting his military service and decorations. Senator Street introduced a discharge resolution to force consideration of adult-use cannabis legalization, arguing the issue has bipartisan support and should receive a vote. Senator Dush also delivered extended remarks on the Founders, John Adams, religion, and the Constitution.
Committee reports followed, including Appropriations reporting Senate Bills 1061, 1182, and 1303 as committed and House Bill 2400 as amended, and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure reporting House Bill 2426 as committed. The Senate then considered supplemental calendars, adopting an amendment to Senate Bill 1182 and passing Senate Bill 1303 on final passage, both by 50-0 votes. The chamber was also notified of upcoming committee meetings, and it recessed until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m., unless recalled sooner.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 194, HB 609, HB 1279, HB 1365 (05/27/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:37:30.400>
lethal <01:37:30.720>weapon <01:37:31.000>to <01:37:31.080>protect - currently use a lethal weapon to protect currently use a lethal weapon to protect herself<01:37:
- Doctors have to take law classes, I believe, with regard to the state's laws with regard to restraining
- Doctors have to take law classes, I believe, with regard to the state's laws with regard to restraining
- <02:03:25.680>
you protect you protect you if<02:03:26.920>the <02:03:27.000>person's
Summary:
The meeting began as a Committee of Conference on House Bill 194, but the discussion quickly centered on whether to remove an attached bill, 504, because of concerns about a possible fee or tax and a House rule issue. Members debated the procedural posture of the bill, whether the House version had been non-concurred, and whether the conference committee could still resolve the issue by adopting the House amendment or reconsidering the non-concur. The exchange became tense, with one side warning that failing to pass the measure could jeopardize a linked rural health transformation grant worth about $20 million. The committee ultimately recessed without resolving the 194/504 dispute and planned to return the next day.
The committee then opened conference on House Bill 609, which dealt with use-of-force/self-defense language and restraint/seclusion authority in health care settings. On the self-defense portion, House members argued strongly for restoring vehicle language, saying people should be able to defend themselves in a car the same way they can in a home, especially in carjacking or assault situations where no weapon is displayed. Senate members expressed concern about expanding deadly-force protections too broadly and suggested narrowing the language to focus on imminent harm to the person, not property, while also questioning where the provision should be placed in statute.
The second major topic in HB 609 was who may order restraint or seclusion in clinical settings. House members argued that physicians are not always immediately available, especially in hospitals and emergency settings, and that APRNs and physician associates should be able to act in crises if properly trained and credentialed. Senate members raised concerns about scope of practice and asked whether the language implied patient consent was required; the Senate side explained that consent language was intended to address capacity and informed decision-making, not to require voluntary consent to restraint. The discussion ended with the sides still apart, though the Senate floated a compromise allowing physician associates to order restraint when no doctor is physically on the premises, while not yet extending that authority to APRNs. The committee took a short break to continue negotiations on the firearm/self-defense piece.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1361 is a narrow, practical bill to protect transit expansion projects from unintended consequences
- The bottom line is this bill protects transit investments, protects jobs, and protects taxpayer-funded
- Particularly for homeowners who are working class or middle class, they may not be able to afford it
- The MRL and resident protections are unique in California. True.
- The MRL and resident protections are unique in California, and lumping us in with other states that do
Summary:
The committee heard AB 736, a proposed $10 billion Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, with Assembly Member Buffy Wicks and numerous housing, local government, labor, and advocacy groups testifying in strong support. Supporters said the bond would fund multifamily housing, permanent supportive housing, homeownership, preservation, farmworker, tribal, and other programs, and argued that the state needs new capital because prior bond funds are exhausted and many shovel-ready projects are waiting. Habitat for Humanity California opposed the bill unless it was amended to dedicate 10% of bond proceeds to Cal Home for affordable homeownership, and several senators said they supported the bond but wanted Cal Home strengthened. The committee voted do pass to Senate Appropriations, with the measure placed on call for absent members.
The committee also heard SB 1361 by Senator Durazo, which would limit local governments from using SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements as a reason to stall or condition planned transit projects. Los Angeles Metro, the Building Trades, and several cities and advocacy groups supported the bill, saying it would protect transit investments, jobs, and federal funding from opposition tied to future density around transit stops. Several groups that had initially opposed or been concerned about the bill, including West Hollywood, Streets for All, Greenbelt Alliance, California YIMBY, and the Bay Area Council, withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. The committee approved the bill as amended to Senate Local Government, with the measure also placed on call.
Senator Grayson presented SB 1003, creating an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infrastructure needed for infill housing, and SB 1014, which would require local agencies to provide early, good-faith estimates and itemized lists of required on-site and off-site improvements for housing projects. Both bills were supported by housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and industry groups, who said the measures would reduce uncertainty, late fees, and project delays. The committee advanced both bills as amended to Senate Appropriations, placing them on call. The committee also took up SB 908, which streamlines energy-code-compliant window replacement and limits aesthetic review, especially for residential replacements; it passed as amended to Appropriations after support from affordable housing and green building groups and no opposition.
Later, Senator Allen presented SB 1092 and SB 1093 on mobile home park preservation and post-disaster protections. SB 1092 would give residents notice and an opportunity to make a competing bid when a park owner intends to sell, with supporters arguing it would help preserve unsubsidized affordable housing and protect displaced residents, while park owner representatives argued it would devalue properties, create litigation risk, and interfere with market transactions. SB 1093 would require more communication, access, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after disasters, and would restore certain resident reimbursement rights; supporters cited the Palisades fire and survey data showing residents lacked information and access, while opponents said the bill imposed onerous timelines, liability issues, and penalties and could force owners into rebuilding or compensation assumptions they disputed. Both bills were discussed at length, but the transcript ends before final recorded votes on them.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Protecting innocent life might be one of the values that the voters of the state of Texas priority. ties
- We need to bring down class sizes, offer better early childhood education, and And give teachers the
- No way for students to get to class.
- It's going to protect the It's in the forefront. I move passage.
- SB 1559 by Zaffirini relating to the transfer of a protective order for a refer to the subcommittee on
Bills:
HB630, HB420, HB767, HB1708, HB2842, HB1404, HB2457, HB140, HB333, HB227, HB913, HB201, HB2198, HB 109, HB2763, HB519, HB 1261, HB 1135, HB1318, HB2358, HB2415, HB2765, HB2735, HB3307, HB1373, HB694, HB 1242, HB272, HB1437, HB1888, HCR78, HCR12, HCR128, HR7, HR11, HR37, HR69, HR83, HR89, HR100, HR123, HR129, HR137, HR254, HR258, HR289, HR293, HR318, HR324, HR350, HR368, HR370, HR372, HR379, HR406, HR407, HR432, HR445, HR471, HR504, HR506, HR507, HR528, HR567, HR572, HR591, HR592, HR593, HR603, HR614, HR621, HR673, HR684, HR685, HR687, HR700, HR701, HR711, HR712, HR754, HR757, HR758, HR760, HR764, HR765, HR766, HR767, HR768, HR769, HR770, HR771, HR772, HR774, HR776, HR777, HR778, HR779, HR780, HR783, HR784, HR784, HR6, HR6, HR17, HR17, HR18, HR18, HR49, HR49, HR170, HR170, HR236, HR236, HR247, HR275, HR355, HR356, HR364, HR672, HR690, HR690, HR755, HR755, HR756, HR756, HR759, HR759, HR762, HR762, HR763, HR763, HR781, HR781, HR785, HR785, SB2, SB260, SB569, HB2, HB2000, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117
Keywords:
outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 420, Texas Water Code, special district, water district, board meetings, meeting location, teleconference, videoconference, remote meeting, public hearing, tax rate hearing, special districts, Cedar Creek Reservoir, county boundary, local government
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25 - Part 1
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposal would protect grant fund investments by allowing the department to use up to 5% of grant
- It is difficult to find police officers and those willing to go into the sworn protective services, and
- This, uh, is to allow us to maximize the use of federal dollars. sworn uh protective services and so
- sworn uh protective services and so we're<01:18:33.679>
competing <01:18:34.280>in <01:18 - 2 ATV users to wear a seat belt if Class 2 ATV users to wear a seat belt if the<01:20:55.159>
ATV
Bills:
HF5
Keywords:
tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house
Summary:
The committee began with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview of the governor’s transportation budget recommendations from fiscal staff Andy Lee. He explained that the spreadsheet showed only proposed changes, not base spending, and highlighted General Fund and trunk highway adjustments for MnDOT and the Department of Public Safety, including operating changes, extensions of prior appropriations, increased state road construction and Blatnik Bridge authority tied to anticipated federal funds, State Patrol hiring and a metro headquarters item, aeronautics changes, and revenue adjustments in the Driver and Vehicle Services special revenue account.
The main testimony came from Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle, who outlined three budget-related items: advancing funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway reconstruction with a transitway project, making Metro Mobility riders eligible for free fixed-route transit, and reducing the Metro Transit general fund appropriation by $32.454 million annually. He said the advance would speed delivery and reduce disruption, the free-fare pilot had been successful and could save money if even a small share of Metro Mobility trips shifted to fixed-route service, and the general fund reduction was manageable in the near term because of new revenue streams but could constrain future expansion and capital maintenance.
Members questioned the long-term effects of the proposed reduction, possible impacts on safety, service expansion, and capital maintenance, and whether federal funding uncertainty could affect operations and bus procurement. Zelle said the cuts would not affect immediate operations but could limit future BRT, microtransit, and transitway expansion, while also noting that capital maintenance needs include platform rebuilds, track work, rolling stock, and station repairs. He also said the 2023 funding package had accelerated projects and that the council was opening three transit lines this year. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- sizes of not must endeavor to have class sizes of not more<00:15:08.920>
than <00:15:09.200> stronger protection. stronger protection.- That's roughly or less than 30 class periods over the course of a entire school year.
- That's roughly or less than 30 uh class That's roughly or less than 30 uh class periods<02:27:38.440>
- around too much in class. around too much in class.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill does not create a new protected class.
- AGSC seeks targeted amendments that preserve safety protections while protecting consumer choice and
- And I... ...enforcement is there to protect everyone.
- So it is imperative that these extended protections be implemented to protect vulnerable communities
- These tools protect a limited class of affordable housing projects and the cities that approve them for
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/26/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- small plans and the assessment protects small plans and the assessment is<00:04:36.400>
capped - But the point is we have to stop robbing the middle class.
- But the point is we have to stop robbing the middle class.
- But the point is we have to stop robbing the middle class.
- know a whole host of child protective know a whole host of child protective services<02:05:44.119
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is simply seeking to protect water ratepayers as affordability remains a top concern for our
- It's the Fair Care for All Act, which would codify federal nondiscrimination protections to ensure that
- no individual is excluded from health care coverage or services based on a protected class.
- AB 2448 would protect reproductive health data, and it has no cost to the state for these reasons.
- AB2448 would protect reproductive health data, and it has no cost to the state for these reasons.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We're also including a practice that allows us to identify locations that will provide protection to
- The MPCA capital budget is rooted in our agency's mission to protect and improve the environment and
- PFAS is a class of chemicals that is very unique, and what makes them very helpful in commerce...
- <01:00:21.799>
of different places pasas is a class of different places pasas is a class of - So the scoring and ranking criteria really closely cleave to environmental benefit and protection of
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Mar 11, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- torture and makes it a class A felony. torture and makes it a class A felony.
- And I to protect children. Thank you.
- <00:21:42.720>
these ability to prosecute and protect these ability to prosecute and protect - order, a supposed shield of protection. order, a supposed shield of protection.
- <01:11:16.880>
order, once somebody has a protective order, once somebody has a protective
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward.
The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes.
Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight committee (10-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The program provides recovery, employment, and housing supports, as well as education classes.
- , the employee childcare assistance partnership program and childcare employees, classified as a protected
- <00:39:59.760>
Um <00:40:00.640>the <00:40:00.880>general protected population - Um the general protected population.
- , prenatal treatment, parenting classes, prenatal treatment, parenting classes, other<01:04:33.520
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09
Approval of Minutes 00:00:48
KOAP Report 00:01:09
Update from CHFS 00:20:27, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting opened with a quorum, approval of the September 18, 2025 minutes, and a staff update on recent tobacco settlement-funded agriculture activities. The agriculture side highlighted Commissioner Shell’s outreach, including school visits, farm visits, and speaking engagements in Kentucky and a trip to Tennessee to discuss program models. A representative also described a national conference in Iowa, where Kentucky’s agriculture finance program was praised as a $180 million loan program built with tobacco settlement funds. The board noted September approvals totaling $950,000 for the agriculture development board and $3.3 million for the finance corporation, along with staff activity such as site visits, program closures, and project reports. The board also announced that the KKMP report covering 2015-2022 would be distributed and that the annual report, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, was being prepared.
The board then reviewed two featured projects. The Organic Association of Kentucky requested $425,000 for organic producer support, but the board approved only one year of funding at $29,000, with members noting concern about recurring applicants and the need to evaluate long-term funding. The second project, by Joseph Dale Bentley in Lewis County, sought $51,300 to expand a small ruminant facility for goat production and export. Members were particularly interested because the project was already operating and creating market opportunities for Kentucky goat producers; the board approved half the project cost to help expand infrastructure and potentially allow quarantining on site.
The cabinet then presented its annual update on tobacco settlement fund use in public health. Julie Brooks, Sarah Johnson, and Andrea Day reported on the HANS home visitation program, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, lung cancer screening, and early childhood oral health. HANS served more families in FY25, rising from 6,293 to 6,715, and increased services from 139,943 to over 143,000. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs continued to support Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit, though officials noted federal uncertainty and the loss of federal tobacco control infrastructure. They also reported a slight decline in student outreach and cessation requests, but continued demand from schools and communities for vaping and nicotine prevention support. Lung cancer screening expanded to 55 screens, with Kentucky cited as a model for other states due to improved incidence, survival, and early detection rates. Early oral health efforts continued through local health departments, with more trainings for public health nurses, continued varnish kits, and expanded support for dental graduates and hygiene teams.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 23rd, 2026 at 10:43 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and that patients and patient records are protected took some time.
- They protect doctors. Every one of these changes protect doctors.
- These changes all protect doctors, every one of them.
- And that here in New Mexico we do protect doctors in many ways.
- But I think we've got enough protection, Senator. Senator Pinto. Mr.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 26th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's about protecting people, plain and simple.
- And I would argue they absolutely deserve our protection.
- to be protected by the Attorney General.
- In protecting people from discrimination based on sex.
- Assembly Member Wicks and relating to consumer protection.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, it's a working-class district, and um half of my constituents are renters.
- <00:57:54.079>
Finding the landlord protections in law. - Finding the landlord protections in law.
- The amendment strips the language regarding class six roads and such.
- regarding class six roads and<02:01:09.679>
such.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 26th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's about protecting people, plain and simple.
- I think we could all agree that these are people worthy of protection.
- It includes any facility deemed to be protected by the Attorney General.
- They want us to find the problems, not add protections for bad actors.
- If a criminal protective order is active, no petition can be granted.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file.
The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file.
Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The remaining districts, some of them were on SCFF and others were on a separate funding protection called
- financial aid systems, real-time student data showing if a student is disengaging or struggling in a class
- We would also note that the collaborative ERP will reduce manual processes, protect against cybersecurity
- And it is our expectation that those students and others protected by those continue to have those protections
- The expectation is that those students and others protected by those continue to have those protections
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing focused on California Community College budget proposals. Chair Alvarez opened by emphasizing the system’s role in access, transfer, workforce training, and serving more than 2 million students, while also noting persistent challenges in enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation. Public commenters and system representatives broadly supported COLA, enrollment growth funding, deferred maintenance, student support block grants, and additional flexibility for districts facing uncertainty.
The first major panel covered the student-centered funding formula, COLA, and enrollment growth. The Department of Finance said the Governor proposes a 2.43% COLA ($230.4 million) and 0.5% enrollment growth funding ($30.4 million). The LAO said the COLA was reasonable and recommended funding at least the proposed growth amount, citing uneven enrollment recovery and regional differences. The Chancellor’s Office supported both proposals and asked for additional changes, including using the greater of current-year or three-year average for apportionments and lifting the 10% local enrollment cap, arguing these would better fund growing districts. Members questioned how the formula works, whether SCFF is improving outcomes, and how much additional funding would be needed under different growth scenarios.
The committee then reviewed categorical program COLAs, Rising Scholars, career education proposals, IT proposals, and student housing. The Governor proposed a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs ($31.9 million). For Rising Scholars, the Governor proposed $30 million ongoing and removal of the cap on participating colleges; the LAO urged waiting for outcome data before doubling funding, while the Chancellor’s Office said the program is serving more students and supports equity for justice-impacted students. On career education, the Governor proposed $50 million for credit for prior learning and $50 million for a career passport; the LAO supported more reporting on credit for prior learning but recommended rejecting the career passport as too undefined, while the Chancellor’s Office supported both. On technology, the Governor proposed $162.5 million for a common cloud data platform and $168 million for a common ERP system; the LAO said both were premature or lacked sufficient planning and recommended rejection, while the Chancellor’s Office argued they would improve real-time data, security, and systemwide efficiency. The committee also heard an update on student housing: the administration said the 2024 shift to a lease-revenue bond model remains in progress for 13 approved projects, with 11 still active, and members asked about withdrawn projects and possible use of any returned funds. No votes were taken, and several items were held open for further discussion and May Revision updates.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session B Jan 28th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Customs and Border Protection National Targeting Center, and U.S.
- Thank you for the clarification, Senator Fine, that you're actually protecting them.
- Thank you for the clarification, Senator Fine, that you're actually protecting them.
- We should always strive to protect... ...of these young people.
- In any way I can because this bill is going to protect American lives.
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then read an amended joint proclamation expanding the special session call to include financial penalties for government officials, criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk before the chamber moved to the special order calendar.
The main item was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill, along with a late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Gruters. Gruters said the amendment aligned terminology with federal law, increased penalties for crimes by unauthorized aliens, added transnational crime organizations to gang definitions, required stronger participation in the federal 287(g) program, created financial penalties for noncompliance, offered a $1,000 bonus for officers assisting ICE in large operations, directed more information-sharing with federal agencies, and barred DHSMV from issuing licenses or IDs to unauthorized aliens. He framed the bill as supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda and focusing on criminal illegal aliens rather than street-level enforcement.
A long question-and-answer period followed, with Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Roscoe, Berman, and others pressing the sponsor on scope, legality, costs, and implementation. Questions focused on whether the bill would require participation beyond jails and detention centers, whether schools or churches could be affected, liability and immunity for local agencies, the size and purpose of the proposed appropriations, and the impact on undocumented students receiving in-state tuition waivers. Gruters and Senator Fine said the 287(g) provisions were intended to apply to jails and detention facilities, that green-card holders and lawful residents would not be affected, and that the tuition waiver repeal would end discounted tuition for students in the country illegally while not affecting their ability to attend. Fine also defended the mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses committed by illegal immigrants, acknowledging it would likely be challenged in court but arguing the bill was designed to test and advance the policy. No final vote or other action on the bill is reflected in the excerpt.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Conference Committees Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- What that means is that it affects those firefighters and those police officers that help protect us
- So I think that's a far-reaching, very broad benefit that we would be able to protect in this tax package
- learned on my first day in tax committee when we saw that chart of how we tax folks, um, that the middle class