Video & Transcript : 'governor powers' :
Page 234 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Judiciary Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- know, I have great respect for our law enforcement, and I think that we need to do everything in our power
- to protect them and support them and what they do. ...everything in our power to protect them and support
- It looks like a large majority of House members sent this over here, and I know that the governor has
- It would abrogate court rules that are in place, and it's a violation of the separation of powers into
- When I look back at the prior governors, again, this was never an issue until this session.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 61, which would raise aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony in cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon. The sponsor and supporters said the bill fixes an inconsistency in current law, where aggravated assault on an officer can be punished more severely than aggravated battery causing serious injury. Law enforcement representatives, the Chiefs Association, CBRC, and chamber representatives testified in support, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission was noted as having endorsed the bill by a 6-3-4 vote. After questions about proportionality and plea bargaining, the committee voted due pass on HB 61 without objection.
The committee then returned to House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform bill, and several members made conflict-of-interest disclosures before debating amendments. The discussion focused heavily on the patient compensation fund, surcharge setting, and whether an advisory board or the superintendent should control rates. Amendments to segregate future fund money, require surcharges no lower than the advisory board’s recommendation, and create a commission with more actuarial and financial expertise were debated at length; the committee rejected the first two amendments. Members and witnesses argued over whether past undercharging of hospitals and doctors led to insolvency and taxpayer bailouts, and whether the bill should require more transparency and oversight.
The committee also debated amendments on punitive damages. One proposal would have delayed punitive damage claims until after substantial discovery; opponents said it would conflict with civil procedure, prolong litigation, and likely be struck down. Another would have tied punitive damages to a multiple of compensatory damages or a percentage of net worth; supporters said that would better deter harmful conduct, while opponents said it would create uncertainty and more discovery. That amendment also failed. A final punitive-damages amendment would have removed caps in cases involving sexual assault or intoxication by a health care provider and protected the first $5 million of an independent provider’s personal assets; it too was rejected after members said it would shield egregious misconduct and go beyond the bill’s purpose.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE-AEN, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 03-17-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So all of these are passive, uh, trickling through by gravity or, um, powered by solar radiation.
- This resolution<00:38:06.079><c> sends</c><00:38:06.400><c> a</c><00:38:06.720><c> powerful</c><00:38
- And moving on, STR 93 / SR 76, urging the governor and the state to work towards a just climate future
- ><c> the</c><01:00:53.680><c> state</c><01:00:53.839><c> to</c><01:00:54.000><c> work</c> the governor
- and the state to work the governor and the state to work towards<01:00:54.400><c> a</c><01:00:54.559
Summary:
The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended.
The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended.
After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <c> of</c><00:08:30.120><c> the</c><00:08:30.200><c> State</c><00:08:30.440><c> of</c> Tim Walz, Governor
- of the State of Tim Walz, Governor of the State of Minnesota.
- So, this is obviously giving more powers to the Attorney General to enforce these.
- </c><01:04:29.160><c> to</c> this is obviously giving more powers to this is obviously giving more powers
- </c> power before irreversible harm is done. power before irreversible harm is done.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Governor floor amendment to Senate Bill 1113. All of everybody say aye. Aye. All opposed to SNA.
- This is a power that the counties already have to designate roads as primitive roads.
- It's all about representation within government and the concentration of power within the policymaking
- Hobbs came into office, data that had previously been hidden by Governor Ducey's administration, and
- Yeah, agencies should not be allowed to exist longer than elected governors.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors and other visitors. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills on topics including public schools and curricula, transportation, health care, child welfare, municipal and county governance, homeowners’ associations, speech, and election-related matters. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others were advanced with committee or floor amendments.
Among the more notable debates, senators discussed SB 1094, which would impose civil liability related to gender reassignment surgery on minors; supporters said it would compensate minors harmed by such procedures, while opponents argued it would discriminate against transgender youth, raise malpractice costs, and chill access to care. SB 1813, concerning the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, drew concern about litigation and the need to expand capacity for people with serious mental illness, while supporters said the bill would remove a legal cap and allow more beds to be used. SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures was amended to clarify representative payee requirements and received generally favorable comments, though some members raised concerns about child safety and DCS discretion.
The Senate also advanced SCR 1004, a photo radar ballot referral, after an amendment requiring voter approval in jurisdictions that use photo radar; Senator Leach thanked the sponsor for the change. Other bills moved forward included measures on school firearm safety instruction, civics instruction, chiropractic claims, behavioral health prior authorization, psychiatric evaluations, DCS procedures, AHCCCS procurement contracting, county recorder and HOA-related issues, and legislative qualifications. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar was completed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Paul, I think what's really powerful about the Discover Your Future framework, and which aligns with
- During the 2025 legislative session, Governor Walz proposed to grow teacher apprenticeships statewide
- The lieutenant governor<01:13:17.920><c> of</c><01:13:18.159><c> Kentucky</c><01:13:18.640><c> reports
- </c><01:13:19.280><c> that</c><01:13:19.679><c> they</c> governor of Kentucky reports that they governor
- where you see the power of alignment happening.<01:20:02.239><c> You</c><01:20:02.400><c> heard</c><
Keywords:
student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, HF2238, Minnesota, workforce development, construction trades, youth skills training, youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, construction training, career and technical education, CTE, child labor laws, minor labor, labor exemption, workforce pipeline, skilled trades
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- power that is typically 90% carbon-free.
- Power. Representative Barra? Yeah.
- Today, solar power is the cheapest way to produce energy.
- When you hear nuclear power advocates today suggesting that solar power only works when the sun is shining
- energy resources still at a fraction of the cost of nuclear power.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2272 would update state park inspection language for ski lifts and related equipment to better match current equipment and federal standards; the sponsor and State Parks said it was a simple modernization bill, and there was no opposition. House Bill 2245 would expand Clean Energy Transformation Act coverage to port districts that distribute electricity, utilities with a single customer, and certain affected market customers such as data centers; supporters said it closes loopholes and applies clean-energy rules more fairly, while ports, business groups, and some utilities warned of unintended consequences, added reporting burdens, and impacts on cogeneration and rural economic development. Ecology and Commerce supported the goal but raised concerns about allowance allocation, fiscal impacts, and possible double counting, and WAPUDA asked that existing single-customer PUDs be grandfathered. House Bill 2215 would lower Climate Commitment Act thresholds for gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and propane suppliers and extend coverage to some purchasers; supporters said it would prevent entities from gaming the system and cover significant emissions now below the threshold, while Ecology, fuel distributors, propane suppliers, grocers, and business groups warned of compliance costs, supply-chain impacts, possible linkage issues, and the need to preserve existing reporting authority for natural gas. Ecology estimated about 50 additional covered entities could be brought in, and several opponents argued the bill would sweep in small family-owned businesses not intended to be regulated.
House Bill 2090 would direct Commerce to develop a nuclear strategic framework for inclusion in the state energy strategy, contingent on outside funding. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill is only a planning measure to ensure Washington considers advanced nuclear as a firm, low-carbon, small-footprint resource amid rising demand, grid constraints, and land-use concerns; supporters included Energy Northwest, local governments, labor/environmental Democrats, and pro-nuclear groups. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and several environmental advocates, said the bill gives nuclear special treatment, relies on private funding that could bias the study, and risks advancing projects at Hanford without early, meaningful tribal consultation. Tribes requested explicit consultation, independent and publicly funded analysis, and attention to treaty rights and historic nuclear impacts. Testimony also sharply divided over cost, waste, and land use, with supporters emphasizing reliability and footprint and opponents citing high costs, unresolved waste disposal, and the immaturity of small modular reactors. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- your hand upon our national leaders, upon President Trump and his team, for the peaceful transfer of power
- In light of the situation, the lieutenant governor advised those affected members and staff that attendance
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Senator Birdwell, who asked for protection and wisdom for Texans affected by severe weather, as well as guidance for state and national leaders. The chair then noted hazardous travel conditions from the winter storm and advised that attendance was not essential for affected members and staff; the journal was directed to reflect the weather event.
The chair announced the signing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 and then laid out first-reading items, including SJR 36 by Hall, a proposed constitutional amendment related to appropriations for preserving historical items, and Senate Bill 1 by Huffman, the General Appropriations Act. No debate or votes on those measures occurred in this transcript.
Finally, Senator Zaffirini moved that the Senate stand in recess until 10 a.m. Friday, January 24. With no objection, the motion carried and the Senate recessed accordingly.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- your hand upon our national leaders, on President Trump and his team, for the peaceful transfer of power
- In light of the situation, the Lieutenant Governor advised those affected members and staff that attendance
Keywords:
appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability Jul 20th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor, and then eventually legislators, receive a briefing on all items, no matter the account
- State population growth and inflationary adjustments that impact the state's purchasing power.
- , and the governor will submit his budget in December at some point.
- And the governor will submit his budget in December at some point.
- And the legislature and the governor both consider those changes.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget General Government Subcommittee 2nd Revision: Agenda Revised: 10:30 a.m. Ethics Commission
A&B General Government Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor has legislative authority.
- And the governor saw that, talked to those governors, saw how effective that was, and asked me to stand
- Now, that's a policy question in Which I would defer to the governor.
- So, I'm seeking this budget because the governor has directed that I restart the program.
- Power BI is a piece used to help us translate the data into the system.
Committee:
House A&B General Government Subcommittee
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- regulated opportunities for camping on private lands, which is a specific priority called out in Governor
- Our client, CMPA, removed its opposition to AB 3066 before it was passed and signed by the governor.
- Our client, CMPA, removed its opposition to AB 3066 before it was passed and signed by the governor.
- Chair and members, Scott Governor, on behalf of the Construction Employers Association, in support.
- We're not making all these mayors and county supervisors governors.
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote.
The committee then approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0.
AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- protect consumers has created ambiguity that could be used to challenge co-op decisions on generation, power
- Decisions on generation, power purchases, demand response, and efficiency programs.
- glitch bill agreed to by stakeholders that protects co-ops' authority to choose generation and purchase power
- To by stakeholders that protects co-ops' authority to choose generation and power, purchase power based
- In 2024, the legislature passed and the governor signed House Bill 479 to address several continuing
Committee:
Senate Community Affairs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a powerful economic engine for our communities.
- We passed this out of committee in both chambers before being signed by the governor in the 84th Legislature
- institutions, and its commitment to preserving and honoring African American history and culture. ...powerful
- It plays a central role in highlighting the legacy of Juneteenth through powerful exhibitions, education
- Decorated in the classic colors of purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.
Bills:
HB1397 , HB1886 , HB3088 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB5032 , HCR6 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR80 , HCR86 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR6
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Keywords:
Texas Constitution, Declaration of Independence, victory or death letter, display, historic preservation, lifeguard requirements, public beaches, municipalities, county regulations, exemptions, Parks and Wildlife, procurement, goods and services, revenue generation, Texas legislature, historical preservation, Texas Historical Commission, fees, nonprofit organizations, fundraising
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
- contribute nearly $1 trillion.01 trillion dollars in economic impact, demonstrating the immense buying power
- LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in ensuring that these economic, uh, that this economic power
- Act to be exempt from adviarium taxation of a portion of the value of the property on which a solar power
- Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency HCR 122 by guaranteeing authorizing the Lieutenant Governor
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- There's, um, in the governor's recommendations, the governor only makes a recommendation on the statutory
- There's, um, in the governor's recommendations, the governor only makes a recommendation on the statutory
- , the governor only makes a<00:09:35.519><c> recommendation</c><00:09:35.839><c> on</c><00:09:36.080>
- We believe firmly in the power of play as a way for children to learn hands-on, explore their own world
- We believe firmly in the power of play as a way for children to learn hands-on, explore their own world
Bills:
HF2563
Committee:
House Legacy Finance
Keywords:
HF2563, legacy finance bill, Legacy Amendment, outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, Minnesota legacy funds, habitat conservation, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest conservation, riparian buffers, water quality, groundwater protection, drinking water, septic systems, watershed planning
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Emergency Management Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Emergency Management
Transcript Highlights:
- Noemi Marquis on behalf of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis in support.
- We also have earthquakes and other emergency power shutoffs and that leaves people stranded.
- , we want them to be thoughtful on how do we make sure that folks can still access power?
- We also have earthquakes and other emergency power shutoffs and that leaves people stranded.
- We want them to be thoughtful on how do we make sure that folks can still access power?
Committee:
Senate Emergency Management
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to have a more consistent presence that doesn't just rely on who the governor is at the time,
- I think this bill doesn't allow for that, but it also doesn't give total veto power on projects that
- I think this bill doesn't allow for that, but it does, it also doesn't give total veto power on projects
- That doesn't just mean a utility power line. That means...
- That doesn't just mean a utility power line.
Committee:
House Natural Resources
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment Apr 29th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- It's an absolute abuse of power. We started out building this whole thing, our house here.
- What if we said, you know, from, you know, signature of the governor starting January 1st, 2027, so to
- So steel plants, power plants, data centers.
- So steel plants, power plants, data centers. ...development projects that is on board to come in.
- So steel plants, power plants, data centers, LNG facilities, you know, so I just didn't know how far
Committee:
House Natural Resources & Environment
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia Mar 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But I also want to point out that we recognize the power of nonviolence.
- Early education is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat hate.
- Early education is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat hate.
- Texas and Florida governors have publicly claimed to ban Sharia, targeting Islamic centers, proposed
- They are policy proposals from people with real power.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia met to hear from Los Angeles County officials and community advocates about rising hate, discrimination, and xenophobia, with opening remarks emphasizing the need for stronger anti-hate infrastructure, community-based reporting, and state support. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted the broader economic and social impacts of discrimination, and the committee framed the hearing around understanding local conditions and identifying legislative responses.
Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission Executive Director Robin Toma presented county hate-crime data showing record-high levels in 2024, with racial/ethnic hate crimes remaining the largest category and anti-Black hate crimes the most common. He also highlighted high levels of anti-Latino, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-transgender hate, the role of underreporting, and the county’s L.A. vs. Hate system for reporting and victim support. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it uses hate-crime and hate-incident data to guide proactive patrols, community outreach, and training, and discussed the need to build trust amid immigration enforcement fears that discourage reporting.
Community organizations described how current political rhetoric and federal immigration enforcement are intensifying fear and underreporting. LULAC called for multilingual, culturally competent reporting systems, prevention education, and stronger support for grassroots organizations. The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles described severe anti-Semitism, increased security costs, and the need for safe worship protections, security grants, and Holocaust education. The NAACP emphasized the continuing impact of anti-Black racism and the need for cross-community solidarity, while the Los Angeles LGBT Center highlighted rising anti-trans violence and urged funding for gender-affirming care, LGBTQ centers, and reauthorization of California vs. Hate. CHIRLA and CAIR California both described heightened fear among immigrants and Muslims, workplace discrimination, and the need for stronger civil-rights protections, data collection, and community-based reporting.
No formal votes were taken. The discussion focused on policy ideas and funding priorities, including improved law-enforcement training, alternative sentencing or diversion for hate offenders, protections for houses of worship, and continued or expanded funding for California vs. Hate, Stop Hate, and related programs. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that hate is underreported, that words and leadership rhetoric matter, and that California should continue investing in prevention, response, and healing.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 23rd, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And the last question that I have, going back to the DAs, I know the DAs have always had the power to
- of my goal here is always to protect the role of the legislature and our role in the separation of powers
- It was a grant of executive discretionary enforcement power to file civil actions in district court when
- injunction for a court demanding that it stop, and then that is backed up by the court's contempt power
- And so it's At some point in time, we'll have governors here in the state of Minnesota say, "We don't