Transcript Highlights:

• And that's part of the legislative process.
• My concern is the language, legislative intent.
• Legislators will likely create a trust fund.
• So a lot of times legislation is done.
• This is not how we should be legislating.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm extremely concerned about the negative consequences of this legislation if this legislation is ..
• consequences of this legisl consequences of this legisl um<00:14:00.839> that<00:14:01.199
• > if<00:14:01.440> this<00:14:01.680> legislation<00:14:02.320> excuse<00
• :14:02.639> me<00:14:02.880> is ...that if this legislation is not implemented carefully
• By doing so, we could reduce the state's dependence on imported food and increase food security, making

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 22, which would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration detainers. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, the Office of the Public Defender, and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, argued the bill would protect due process and constitutional rights regardless of immigration status. Some supporters requested amendments, including removing a probable-cause terrorism provision, adding enforcement language, and preserving warrant requirements. Public testimony was heavily in favor, with the chair announcing 91 testimonies in support and 52 in opposition. The committee then heard HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside public lands for immigration detention facilities. Testifiers in support said public land should serve local needs, not detention centers, and cited housing, food security, and community trust concerns. The Office of the Public Defender and others also supported the measure, and the chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition. The committee next took up HB 438, which would fund legal representation for people in immigration proceedings. Supporters, including the Public Defender, the University of Hawaiʻi Law School Refugee and Immigration Clinic, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and the ACLU, emphasized the civil nature of immigration court, the severe consequences of removal, and the need for more pro bono and trained attorneys. Several suggested amendments focused on training and building a legal-services pipeline; the chair reported 83 testimonies in support and 51 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 457, aimed at requiring notice to detained individuals about their rights when ICE seeks to interview them or has a detainer request. Supporters said the bill would ensure people understand their right to remain silent and to refuse interviews, and the Legal Clinic suggested the warning be given orally, potentially via recorded messages, rather than only in writing. The Office of the Public Defender noted the bill aligns with existing due-process warnings in criminal court and suggested referencing current law. Finally, HB 476, which would raise the capital gains tax rate, drew support from Hawaiʻi Appleseed on fairness grounds; the Department of Taxation said it would review revenue questions but had no estimate available. After recess, the committee returned to decision-making and moved HB 22 forward on the chair’s recommendation of HD1, with the chair noting that the bill already contained language allowing counties to adopt stronger standards and protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, she rose from legislative correspondent to legislative assistant to legislative director
• This legislation Fairness Act.
• piece of legislation on the floor today. piece of legislation on the floor today.
• This<04:23:10.479> legislation This legislation This legislation would<04:23:12.399> provide
• This<04:32:41.199> legislation, This legislation, This legislation, these<04:32:43.199> families

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the learning process for legislators of the learning process for legislators that<00:30:58.159
• POs to get S such as a social security POs to get S such as a social security number<00:53:59.160
• <00:54:49.799> number does not have a Social Security number does not have a Social Security
• It's part of our legislative package, and we do point to the Modica issue.
• that if there is any kind of legislation that if there is any kind of legislation that's<02:51:25.200

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described. The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transparency and voter security are not mutually exclusive, but this legislation fails to strike that
• We're not talking about Social Security data.
• Members, I encourage you to support this piece of legislation.
• This is a tremendously important piece of legislation.
• And then someone comes to this legislative body to run a bill in the 11th hour... ...to this legislative

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Financial security is the FAME program.
• So, one thing as a legislator, once?
• When this legislation is children.
• I mean, I secondarily I'm a legislator. First, I'm a mom. Now I'm a grandma.
• Um, the diaper bank, I was honored to carry their legislation last biennium.

Bills: HF2135, HF776, HF1581, HF1158, HF2226

Keywords: child welfare, fiscal analysis, third-party consultant, program evaluation, Minnesota, HF776, Minnesota Family Assets for Independence Initiative, family assets for independence, FAI, asset-building, matched savings, financial literacy, family savings, economic mobility, children youth and families, general fund appropriation, family support, low-income families, financial stability, budget bill

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 1028 by Joint Budget: An act for the Department of Commerce, State Bank Department, and State Securities
• House Bill 1040 by Joint Budget: An act for the Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration
• House Bill 1040 by Joint Budget: An act for the Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration
• House Bill 1042 by Joint Budget: An act for the Arkansas Legislative Audit of the Legislative Joint Auditing

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Arkansas Senate convened, handled leave requests, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several brief announcements, including recognition of visitors, a birthday acknowledgment, and a correction to the record about Senator Sullivan’s age. The chamber then moved to its business agenda, beginning with House Bill 1003, an appropriation for Arkansas House staff, which passed 33-0 with its emergency clause adopted. The Senate next took up multiple budget measures in batches. It approved House Bills 1079, 1012, 1015, 1019, 1021, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, and 1029 together, then separately approved House Bill 1049, a $25,000 appropriation for National Rescue Shelters, after brief questions about the funding source and distribution. A larger second batch of appropriation bills also passed 33-0, including measures for the Attorney General, Pulaski Technical College, Child Support Enforcement, Legislative Audit, the Governor’s Mansion Commission, the Court of Appeals, Commissioner of State Lands, Arkansas Waterways Commission, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, North Arkansas College, UAMS-related programs, public school facilities, and the Division of Labor, all with emergency clauses adopted. On the final page of the budget calendar, the Senate passed another group of appropriations, including bills for the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System, Arkansas State University’s Bioscience Institute, Ozarka College, Southern Arkansas University, Henderson State University, Phillips Community College, the Oil and Gas Commission, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Biosciences Institute, and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. House Bill 1073 was held over for clarification and not considered. The session ended with additional announcements and adjournment until Tuesday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to the discussions we have during this committee and the legislation that we have come
• So there's a number of spectrums here, but I'm trying to think of our legislative response.
• <00:56:00.559> response to think of our legislative response to think of our legislative response
• <00:57:43.079> um 2 to1 Staffing ratio with security um 2 to1 Staffing ratio with security
• <01:32:19.760> built<01:32:20.440> security With sufficient security built, architectural

Keywords: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:00:22 Roll Call 00:01:56 Discussion on SB 85 00:14:03 Vote on SB 85 00:16:15 Explanation of Agency Amendment 00:19:04 Voice Vote on Amendment 00:19:33 Discussion on Kentucky Foster Children Housing, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 85, sponsored by Senator Meredith, which would move the Office of the Ombudsman from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the State Auditor’s office and make related cleanup changes. Meredith said the bill grew out of a prior task force and a two-year transition from Senate Bill 48, and he argued the move would create independence, improve access to the ITWIST database, ensure complaints are not lost in the handoff, and add confidentiality protections for whistleblowers. Auditor Allison Ball and her staff said the bill would codify access and procedures after earlier disputes and a court-mediated settlement, and they described the measure as necessary to make the new structure work effectively. Members asked how the Ombudsman would handle complaints and verify services in cases involving waiver recipients and other cabinet services. Ball and her staff said the Ombudsman would investigate complaints, make inquiries, and provide accountability outside the cabinet structure, with timelines and procedures similar to the Auditor’s office. The committee also discussed staffing and whether the office would need more personnel; Ball said the office already had about 100 people but could use more. The bill passed 10-0 with favorable expression. The committee then approved an agency amendment to administrative regulation 922 KAR 1:001490 concerning foster parent background checks. Cabinet staff explained the amendment corrected a drafting error by removing references to civil determinations in a second section of the regulation because the system cannot search those determinations, while still allowing the required checks under state and federal law. Senator Herron asked what a civil determination meant, and staff said it could involve a court finding in a custody or abuse case, though such findings are now typically handled through the child abuse and neglect registry. The amendment was adopted. Afterward, the committee began a discussion on Kentucky foster children housing and related issues. Ball and Ombudsman staff presented a preliminary assessment of children placed in office buildings, saying the review covered 49 children placed over a four-month period and showed a different picture than the public narrative of only older, high-acuity youth. They reported that some children had no documented behavioral or disability issues, many came directly from home, the average age was 13, the average stay was four nights, and placements were spread across several regions rather than centered only in Louisville. Members raised concerns about the lack of formal policies and procedures, staff safety, and how to ensure children are treated appropriately, and Ball said the Ombudsman was continuing a deeper review. No final action was taken on that discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It shatters a fundamental sense of safety and security.
• I'm also the co-chair for the California Public Defenders Association Committee on Legislation.
• It does seem to me it doesn't hurt to have the legislation in place.
• A restraining order should never create a false sense of security.
• Jim Lindberg, Friends Committee on Legislation of California, in support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Gress, Legislative District 4, thank you for hearing this bill.
• Matt Gress, Legislative District 4. Thank you for hearing this bill.
• That's new legislation.
• For the record, Mac Gress, Legislative District 4.
• I think that would need to be separate legislation.

Bills: HB2040, HB2142, HB2255, HB2379, HB2482, HB2575, HB2600, HB2764, HB4033, HCR2015

Keywords: public education, adoption, sex education, parental rights, student health information, school safety, resource officers, mental health, training, infrastructure improvements, Arizona Teachers Academy, teacher preparation, education funding, public schools, scholarships, teacher certification, community colleges, school district, governing board, training requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• So really looking at one of those types of charts, I think, for future legislators could be—and you're
• And so, as such, we found that a contract is necessary for us to implement the legislation.
• Yeah, there's a lot of legislative history on this one.
• Last year's enabling legislation that increased these fees and assessments were remarkable.
• The program has already secured $4.6 million in student debt relief for borrowers.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget change proposals and trailer bill items, beginning with Housing and Community Development (HCD) requests. HCD sought permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to support the HCD Connect IT system, and a separate proposal to fund implementation of eight 2025 housing-related laws with $4.2 million General Fund and 16 positions, plus $470,000 one-time General Fund. Members asked about how HCD Connect would interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee, and HCD also explained that the estimated cost to implement AB 1053 had been revised downward from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared implementation with CalHFA and the new committee structure. The committee also heard a Cal ICH proposal for $339,000 one-time General Fund to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing data gaps and the need for a contract-based approach because HMIS cannot be changed unilaterally. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: $15.34 million and 53 positions for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, $13.5 million and 51 positions for the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and $49,000 ongoing for two positions in the broker-dealer/investment adviser education program. Members and the public raised concerns about the size and fairness of debt collector assessments and licensing fees, while DFPI explained the pro rata fee structure, the current license count, and how larger assessments fall on larger firms. Public testimony also supported retaining funding for the Student Loan Empowerment Network and requested funding for a franchise broker registration program. The committee also considered a mandate item involving suspension of a disclosure requirement related to property taxation, and trailer bill language from the Government Operations Agency to amend AB 91 on MENA demographic data collection, with the administration emphasizing data nondisclosure, protection of federal funding, and delayed implementation. The Secretary of State’s office then presented Help America Vote Act funding requests: $10.3 million for VoteCal maintenance and operations and $4.492 million for HAVA spending plans supporting voter education, training, accessibility, auditing, and county assistance. The office also requested $660,000 General Fund to implement AB 1392, which would make voter registration information for elected officials and candidates confidential, and explained the need to modify VoteCal and county election systems. The committee also heard requests to continue the Cal-Access Replacement System with $11.8 million General Fund and to continue the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project with $9.75 million from the Business Fees Fund. Members asked about total project costs, testing, data migration, and the expected November 2026 go-live date for Cal-Access replacement. Votes were taken on the vote-only items once quorum was established, and the committee approved the items considered. The final informational item was an overview from the California Arts Council, which highlighted the agency’s 50th anniversary, its statewide grantmaking, and the economic impact of arts funding. Council staff described Creative Corps, cultural districts, and the role of arts funding in local economies, while members and public witnesses urged increased support, including a request to raise local assistance grant funding to $50 million and to provide additional funding for cultural districts. Testimony emphasized the arts as economic infrastructure, community infrastructure, and a source of civic and cultural vitality across California.

Transcript Highlights:

• God, we pray today that you give them wisdom as they consider legislation for our state.
• I'm concerned that Representative Weninger brought us this legislation.
• And clearly, as we know from the attacks over the last few years, Republican legislators have lodged
• So this is the kind of legislation, resolution...
• We cannot continue to do these kinds of legislation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS LEGISLATION THREATENS PRESS FREEDOM, BURDENS JOURNALISTS, AND LIMITS PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION.
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN SENATE BILL 800. >> Senator McClain: SENATORS, BATTERY LEGISLATION THAT
• WE JUST PASSED THAT LEGISLATION LAST YEAR. SO WHY ARE WE EXPANDING IT?
• LEGISLATION LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH PROTECTIONS FOR KIDS WORKING BEING POSSIBLE FOR EMPLOYERS TO
• DOES IT SAY PARENTAL RIGHTS HAVE TO BE SECURED BEFORE EMPLOYERS CAN OVERWORK TEENAGERS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had access to not even campus security had access to nck<00:04:20.880> Zone<00:04:21.120>
• <00:31:19.240> support because of the legislative support because of the legislative support
• Um, when the legislation was drafted several years ago, um, the funding is utilized to secure critical
• The legislation provided the $13.5 million in one-time funding for programming in the first year.
• importantly 80% of graduates secured importantly 80% of graduates secured employment<00:54:07.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These companies often hire security-type individuals to show up in the dead of night, wake a startled
• SB 1190 also achieves this by requiring all transport companies to secure a charter-party carrier permit
• As this bill has moved through the legislative process, we have worked in good faith with the committee
• We should not have to legislate the protection of our children.
• and legislative intent into real life.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During that legislative session, was DLPS not included?
• My name is Amit Patel with the legislative budget board.
• We have 519 people currently waiting for maximum security.
• Maximum Security Hospital for males, 427 days.
• Maximum security females waited an average of 562 days.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The big conversation that came up with legislators with the city too.
• It's a national security imperative that we provide that sort of energy resilience and security for our
• Rubiana Esquivel with the Legislative Finance Committee.
• Short-term securities include treasuries, agencies, mortgage-backed securities, commercial paper, A1,
• We have mentioned in the past when you are looking at legislation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, this is one family. legislation passed and where we are now legislation passed and where we
• All of us want safety and security; we all want to live meaningful...
• try and improve that legislation.
• public this is because some legislation public this is because some legislation made<00:46:09.599
• legislation legislation um um um did<00:46:23.839> we<00:46:24.000> we<00:46:24.160>

Bills: HF1051, HF16

Keywords: sacred communities, micro units, religious institutions, housing regulations, homelessness, conditional use permits, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, sanctuary city, noncooperation ordinance, ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration authorities, deportation, undocumented immigrant, undocumented person, immigration status data, data sharing, preemption, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation was filed with one simple goal: to remove barriers so that everyday people can open
• gets to having the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provide certain candidates with protective security
• And this security would be provided, as I mentioned, to major party nominees for governor, lieutenant
• The bill requires FDLE to provide protective security details, The bill requires FDLE to provide protective
• security detail to the officers-elect up until the officers-elect assume their official office.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several election- and ethics-related bills, along with a block of gubernatorial confirmations. Senate Bill 572, by Senator Harrell, updated ethics statutes so the definition of “relative” would include foster parents and foster children; the Commission on Ethics supported the change as a recommendation, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 414, by Senator Bracey Davis, would have allowed campaign funds to be used for campaign-related child care expenses, but the sponsor said it lacked the votes to advance and temporarily postponed it. The committee also heard Senate Bill 500, by Senator Avila, which would provide FDLE protective security details for major-party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet offices through the election and transition period. Senators raised questions about definitions, current protections, and public disclosure of travel information; despite some opposition over taxpayer funding, the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 620, by Senator Mayfield, required candidates to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship when qualifying for office; testimony from a dual citizen criticized the bill as unnecessary and stigmatizing, while supporters framed it as transparency. The bill also passed favorably. Chair Gates then presented CS for SB 92, creating whistleblower-style protections for public employees who file ethics complaints based on firsthand knowledge, including remedies for retaliation; the Commission on Ethics supported it and it passed favorably. The committee also approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments en bloc. Finally, Senate Bill 564, by Senator Yarborough, would allow registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours; testimony from a supervisor of elections and advocacy groups supported the civics benefit, a senator asked about how it would interact with existing community service requirements, and the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, we support this common-sense legislation to require that everyone who charges veterans for
• I'm Trent Dilks, legislative director for the Disabled American Veterans Department of Minnesota.
• Stop using confusing secure VA websites.
• > director I'm Trent Dilks, legislative director I'm Trent Dilks, legislative director for<00:
• prevents somebody from securing prevents somebody from securing financial<00:26:41.919> assistance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all