Video & Transcript Research : 'internet browser'
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KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Artificial Intelligence Task Force 2025 (7-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- was understandably initial pushback and, you know, wanting to understand what this internet thing is
- wanting to understand what this internet wanting to understand what this internet thing<01:00:52.760
- And that's how we put the internet for all of our schools in 11 months before. We didn't build it.
- <01:24:42.200>
Even the internet and to have the tools. - Even the internet and to have the tools.
Summary:
The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction.
Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts.
Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And tragically, it's very pervasive on the internet.
- It's a sanctity of the Internet? Yeah. We'd like to close. Good word to use in this.
- That's a big task these days given to the Internet.
- It's just rapidly changed because of the internet. ...is addressing their community needs.
- It's just rapidly changed because of the internet.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to reproductive access, child safety online, immigration enforcement in schools, health privacy, location data, digital provenance, reparations, and age assurance. AB 54 would protect the medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and others from liability; AB 1137 would strengthen reporting and enforcement tools for child sexual abuse material on social media; AB 49 would limit ICE activity at California public schools; AB 82 would expand privacy and safety protections for gender-affirming care patients and providers; AB 1355 would restrict the collection, use, and sale of precise location data; AB 853 would expand provenance requirements for AI-generated and authentic content; AB 62 would create a pathway for restitution for racially biased eminent domain takings; and AB 1043 would create a device-based age assurance framework for online services.
Supporters generally framed the bills as necessary responses to current harms: reproductive rights advocates emphasized California’s role as a safe haven; child safety witnesses described the persistence and re-victimization caused by CSAM online; immigrant rights and education advocates said schools should remain safe from immigration enforcement; health and LGBTQ+ advocates stressed privacy and safety risks tied to tracking and harassment; privacy and consumer groups backed limits on location data and stronger provenance tools; and reparations advocates said AB 62 would help address historic injustices. Opposition came from family policy, tech, business, law enforcement, and industry groups, who raised concerns about safety claims, constitutional issues, implementation burdens, transparency, law enforcement access, and the need to preserve existing privacy frameworks and voluntary standards.
The committee members largely expressed support for the policy goals while noting implementation concerns on some measures. Several members asked for or were offered coauthor status on bills. AB 1137, AB 54, AB 49, AB 82, AB 1355, AB 853, and AB 62 all received do-pass votes to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. AB 1355 and AB 853 were advanced with amendments or ongoing work promised with opponents, and AB 1043 was presented with discussion of possible amendments on parental consent and age assurance details, though the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of you may not realize, but Louisiana government movable property is sold on the Internet auction
- allow them to have preference on all movable property from the state on auction, either live or Internet
- And all the amendment actually does is include Internet bidding. Mr. Chairman. Okay.
- And all these local auctioneer companies, they have a large group that follow, live and internet.
- That clarifies that proposed law applies to live public auctions and internet computer auctions.
Keywords:
inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation, hazardous waste, cleanup fund, environmental protection, state treasury, Consumer Price Index, law enforcement, firefighters, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- To be clear, AB 470 is the legislation about voice telephone service, not broadband internet service.
- clarification that this legislation does not seek and does not authorize a Kohler obligation on broadband internet
- Services or broadband internet service providers.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 31st, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- The Texas Broadband Association is comprised of 8 internet service providers whose shared goal is to
- connect all Texans with quality, high-speed internet.
- I said, sure, are you gonna stop and serve those houses along the way and give them internet service?
- So GVEC Internet division pays the same cost that our broadband customers are being asked to pay for
- If it's our internet division, assign it to our internet division.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/10/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:49:26.080>
let's <01:49:26.320>say internet let's say internet let's say you<01:49: - They found 400 water facilities just naked on the internet with no password.
- They found 400 water facilities just naked on the internet with no password.
- Scans of your internet attack surface.
- It's connected to the internet in some way.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, we don't have internet access at one of our former polling locations.
- There's no cell phone access or internet access.
- So I just want to be very clear that these optical scanners are not connected to the internet.
- It cannot be connected to any Bluetooth, any internet. This is the most... ...little bitty image.
- It cannot be connected to any Bluetooth, any internet.
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 3709, which would change the partial manual audit process so early voting could be audited by voting location rather than by randomly selected precincts. The author and several supporters said the current precinct-based process is antiquated, labor-intensive, and especially difficult in countywide voting systems and large counties. Opponents and some neutral witnesses raised concerns about whether the change would still allow an apples-to-apples audit against official precinct results, whether random selection procedures should be more clearly defined, and how ballot secrecy and mail ballots would be handled. The Secretary of State’s office said counties already use random selection methods and that the bill would largely standardize early voting audits with election-day procedures, while also noting ballot privacy issues can arise in public records requests. After testimony, the bill was left pending.
The committee then took up House Bill 766, as substituted, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both, while making that contact information confidential. Supporters said the change would help parties and local officials contact applicants more efficiently. Opponents argued it could expose personal contact information to public records requests and harassment, and some suggested the information should instead be handled through party rules. The bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn.
House Bill 3775 followed and would set clearer timelines for when early voting ballot boards may begin opening carrier envelopes, with different start times based on county size. Supporters said the bill would address counties opening ballots too early and improve ballot security, while opponents warned it could delay defect notices and cure opportunities for mail voters and create problems in large counties that process high volumes of ballots. Testimony also focused on whether the bill referred to carrier envelopes or secrecy envelopes and on how counties like Harris County currently image and secure ballot materials. The bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4275, which would require countywide polling systems to have polling places in each election precinct, intended to address uneven distribution of polling locations across county commissioner precincts. Supporters said the bill would make polling place distribution fairer and more consistent, especially in Harris County, while opponents said it would undermine countywide voting, increase costs, require more equipment and staff, and reduce local flexibility. Several witnesses also raised concerns about ballot secrecy and the practical burden on large and rural counties. The bill remained under discussion as testimony continued.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Aug 14th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I just have internet.
- Madam Chair, within the Smart TV program, we installed internet to transmit the data.
- in others, later models and internet infrastructure is lacking.
- I call my mama over the internet, and that connection is a little bit more reliable.
- Head Start areas, that internet connection is a connection to the outside.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- present criminal statutes to keep up with the progress and the changes that are taking place with our internet
- That is no longer the case today, as most people view the news on their phones and on the internet.
- Of course, we all have access to the internet, whether it's you or a family member.
- involving witnesses located outside the local jurisdiction, and there is sometimes international internet
- And then once they get the recording, it's being promoted on the internet. Got it. Thank you, sir.
Keywords:
HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That is no longer the case today, as most people view the news on their phones and on the Internet.
- and allow law enforcement the ability to post these notices of seized or unclaimed property on the Internet
- all know that newspaper, a lot of us don't get the newspaper, of course we all have access to the internet
- sometimes, witnesses located outside the local jurisdiction, and there sometimes is international internet
- And Senator Hinojosa: Then once they get the recording, then it's being promoted on the internet as well
Keywords:
HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- by the Internet Coalition, to express express express to<01:08:03.640>
express <01:08:04.040>< - It risks violating the permanent<01:09:55.720>
Internet <01:09:56.080>Tax <01:09:56.320> Freedom <01:09:56.640>Act <01:09:56.880>by permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act by- Tax Freedom Act regarding the Internet Tax Freedom Act and<01:36:18.680>
how <01:36:19.280> - <01:37:59.480>
Tax ...sales tax would affect the Internet Tax Freedom Act.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government. (2-11-26)
State & Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- into the 21st century technology where more and more people um get their information uh off the internet
- into the 21st century technology where more and more people um get their information uh off the internet
- into the 21st century technology where more and more people um get their information uh off the internet
- into the 21st century technology where more and more people um get their information uh off the internet
- into the 21st century technology where more and more people um get their information uh off the internet
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:04
Attendance Roll Call: 00:08
SB 141 Discussion 00:58
SB 141 Vote 07:03
SB 9 Discussion 09:10
SB 9 Vote 19:47
Adjournment: 21:20, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee first took up Senate Bill 141, sponsored by Senator Given, which revises Kentucky’s public notice laws. Senator Given said the bill was the product of negotiations among the Kentucky Press Association, the Kentucky League of Cities, and the Kentucky Association of Counties, aiming to balance transparency with the cost of publication. Testimony described changes to clarify which newspapers may publish legal notices, address publication errors, ensure fair and reasonable rates, update ad size requirements, and provide more practical hearing timelines. Committee members praised the compromise and the bill’s modernization, including expanded online access to public notices. SB 141 passed 10-0 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Mills, and first adopted a substitute that addressed concerns from Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Bankers Association. Senator Mills said Kentucky faces a significant housing shortage and that the bill would give local governments two tools to encourage development without direct state cost: a residential infrastructure development district and a housing development district. He explained that the first tool would help finance infrastructure within a district through bonds repaid by special assessments, while the second would allow local governments to negotiate incentives and streamlined review for larger housing projects. Members asked about public participation, local control, infrastructure financing, and whether the bill required affordable housing set-asides; Mills said the bill leaves those decisions to local governments. SB 9 passed 9-0 with one pass and favorable expression.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
Bills:
SCR48
Keywords:
affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, 910, house, all
Summary:
The Housing Committee met on SCR 48, which declares that affordable housing credits are perpetual and remain valid until redeemed, and asks counties to recognize them without expiration dates. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with speakers saying the resolution clarifies the intent of the 2024 act and provides clear parameters for the credits. No one testified in opposition or offered questions.
The committee then took up SCR 48 for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the resolution as is. The measure passed with one member voting with reservations. The chair noted this was the committee’s final hearing of the year and thanked advocates, stakeholders, staff, and IT support before adjourning.
The transcript also included portions of the Transportation Committee and a joint Transportation/Housing hearing. Transportation advanced SCR 31 on school bus driver licensing and workforce improvements, SCR 132 urging Honolulu to prioritize the rail extension, SCR 145 on studying a demerit point system, and SCR 110 SD 1 on evaluating state-owned logistics facilities for housing projects. SCR 110 drew support from labor groups, with a request to add labor representation to the working group. The committees adopted recommendations on those measures, including SCR 110 with amendments.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Some information may be accessible online via the internet, but often it may be accessible only by calling
- The bill requires the database to be available to the public on an internet website by July 1, 2029,
- Some information may be accessible online via the internet, but often it means calling a state or county
- The bill requires the database to be available to the public on an internet website by July 1, 2029,
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met and reported several bills favorably. SB 646, by President Gates, would allow the use of drug testing tools such as test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants like fentanyl and xylazine; it was supported by Senator Osgood and others who said it could help prevent overdose deaths, and it passed unanimously. SB 418, by Senator Jones, creates autism-focused law enforcement training and a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism; it drew strong support from Disability Rights Florida, parents, advocates, and committee members, who emphasized safety, communication, and de-escalation, and it also passed unanimously after extensive testimony.\n\nThe committee then considered SB 132, by Senator Polsky, which would require the Florida Commission on Offender Review to maintain a public database to help people determine whether they have completed the requirements for restoration of voting rights. An amendment making the database subject to legislative appropriation was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1734, by Senator Martin, would recognize juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under state law, extend training and certification standards, and provide officer-level benefits and protections; it passed without opposition.\n\nFinally, the committee took up SB 820, by Senator Bradley, on problem-solving court reports. A strike-all amendment expanded annual reporting requirements for specialty courts, set a January 31 reporting deadline, and phased in the new data collection. After support from the State Courts Administrator and others, the amendment and the bill as amended were adopted and reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 4th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- Some information may be accessible online via the internet, but often it may be accessible only by calling
- The bill requires the database to be available to the public on an internet website by July 1, 2029,
- Some information may be accessible online via the internet, but often it means calling a state or county
- The bill requires the database to be available to the public on an internet website by July 1, 2029,
Keywords:
voting rights, felony conviction, database, Florida Commission on Offender Review, restoration of rights, autism spectrum disorder, law enforcement, communication, training, blue envelope, blue card, drug paraphernalia, narcotic testing, fentanyl, controlled substances, civil forfeiture, juvenile justice, detention, Medal of Heroism, probation officers
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 646, relating to drug paraphernalia, was presented by President Gates as a narrow measure to allow drug testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits to detect dangerous adulterants and help prevent overdose deaths. Senator Osgood spoke in strong support, describing the bill as important for people in recovery. The bill had one support appearance and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call.
The committee then heard SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Jones explained that the bill requires autism awareness and communication/de-escalation training for officers and creates a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with ASD. Multiple advocates, including Disability Rights Florida, an Autism Society representative, parents, and a retired federal officer, testified in support, emphasizing safety, communication, and the need to avoid tragic misunderstandings during police encounters. Senators also discussed whether broader disability training should be considered in the future. SB 418 was reported favorably unanimously.
Next, the committee considered SB 132 on restoration of voting rights, which would require the Florida Commission on Offender Review to create and maintain a public database to help people determine whether they have completed sentence requirements for rights restoration and to publish clearer instructions for eligible individuals. An amendment was adopted to make the database subject to legislative appropriation. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1734, which recognizes juvenile probation and detention officers as officers under state law and extends training, certification, and certain benefits, and CS/SB 820, which strengthens reporting requirements for problem-solving courts and sets annual reporting deadlines. Both bills were reported favorably after brief discussion and support appearances.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections.
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections.
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections.
- Please note, the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections.
Summary:
The Committee on Housing heard two resolutions. STR 48 SD 1 called for a comprehensive strategy to adopt updated building codes, with testimony listed from several groups but no one appeared to testify. The committee later deferred the measure, noting it was very similar to House Concurrent Resolution 67 House Draft 1.
The committee then took up STR 6D1, which urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop a plan to produce enough housing to meet state demand. HHFDC testified that the resolution misstated the scope of low-income housing tax credit units and emphasized that the state’s housing need is much larger than previously cited, with a recent study showing about 33,000 units needed for households at or below 60% AMI statewide. HHFDC supported planning but said any plan must be realistic and account for private land constraints. A member raised concerns about rising leasehold costs and affordability for homeowners, and HHFDC responded that rental affordability can be maintained more readily than for-sale housing.
The committee adopted HHFDC’s proposed amendments to STR 6D1, including deleting a clause about overbuilding, revising the shortage figures, and adding language referencing Senate Bill 26 and the affordable housing land inventory task force. The committee also amended the resolution to focus on density and timing of development for projects identified by that task force. The measure passed with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elect Committee Meeting - 2025-03-24
Transcript Highlights:
- the fact that print culture has changed over time, and residents look first and foremost To the internet
- Having done this for more than 30 years, long before the internet ever arrived in our culture and impacted
- going to a newspaper to publish a very important Public announcements that not everybody sees on the Internet
- I'm very attuned to the Internet and my phone and iPad and everything else that I want to watch the news
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And it goes on to say internet pornography causes depression, anxiety, and so on and so forth.
- and access from the internet, these are two separate things.
- And it goes on to say, internet pornography, internet pornography, it causes depression, anxiety, and
- and the access from the internet, these are two separate things.
- We worry about the internet and what they might find, but who might find them.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes.
The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed.
After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 28th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- From Internet safety standpoint, many of these crimes begin online through social media gaming platforms
- This is a very important bill to the Attorney General and to our Internet Crimes Against Children Task
- I'm the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Commander for the state.
- There is no way to remove every image that is made completely from the Internet. And so, sorry.
- I'm saddened by the fact that we can have good news on the internet or bad news.
Summary:
The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably.
The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended.
Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We filed legal action to enable access to blocked internet resources for vulnerable students.
- We filed legal action to enable access to blocked internet resources for vulnerable students.
- We filed legal action to enable access to blocked internet resources for vulnerable students.
Keywords:
student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation
Summary:
Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.”
Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression.
SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.