Video & Transcript Research : 'legislators'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee on Public Health during the 193rd legislative session, is based on legislation that passed
- I can say that this legislation was filed pre-pandemic.
- That is where this legislation comes in.
- , then to file this legislation.
- , then to file this legislation.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief.
A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist.
The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities.
Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Working Group 1/15/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislative Assistant Dwayne Quam.
- uh is an important area for legislators uh is an important area for legislators in<00:18:41.520>
- The Minnesota Constitution prohibits special legislation, with the exception of certain special legislation
- >
two <00:32:33.880>special <00:32:34.159>legislation there are two special legislation - >
special <00:32:46.559>legislation <00:32:47.080>that of certain special legislation
Summary:
The House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met for an introductory, familiarization-only session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and House Fiscal Staff provided a budget overview for the committee’s elections-related jurisdiction. That overview covered the Office of the Secretary of State, including a requested $200,000 one-time general fund match to draw down additional federal HAVA funds released in 2024, and the presidential primary, which is an open statutory appropriation that reimburses state and local costs in even-numbered election years. It also reviewed the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s operations budget, the public subsidy program’s statutory and taxpayer checkoff funding, and the Voting Operations and Elections Resources account, which is funded at $3 million annually for local election-related costs.
Members asked questions about the HAVA match, including whether the funds were tied to the most recent election cycle and what specific goals or security-related uses the Secretary of State’s request would support. Staff said they would need to research the details further and would share responses with the full committee. One member also raised broader concerns about non-state money entering elections and the need for clear guidance and oversight; staff said that area was beyond their expertise but could be researched further. The chair noted that the Secretary of State would appear at a future meeting and encouraged members to submit questions for shared follow-up.
House Research then gave an overview of the committee’s government operations jurisdiction. Staff explained that the committee historically deals with structural and administrative issues such as agency organization, rulemaking, boards and commissions, state contracting, state IT services, emergency management, and state symbols and recognition days. They emphasized the committee’s role in maintaining consistency and compatibility across state government and in considering the balance between legislative authority and executive-branch discretion. Staff also noted overlap with State Government Finance for fiscal matters and said they would return for more detailed discussion if members wanted it.
The final presentation introduced local government concepts. House Research outlined Minnesota’s local government structure, including counties, cities, towns, and special districts, and explained terms such as political subdivision, home rule charter, and Dillon’s rule. The presentation described local governments as creatures of the state, reviewed home rule charter and general welfare authority, and noted that local government powers are defined by statute unless otherwise provided. No votes or formal actions were taken.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, January 12, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- urgent need to pass this legislation. urgent need to pass this legislation.
- make sure that we pass this legislation. make sure that we pass this legislation.
- . legislation. legislation.
- legislation and I reserve the balance. legislation and I reserve the balance.
- to support this legislation and I yield. to support this legislation and I yield.
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Nevada Senate Floor Meeting
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, November 12, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And it was tucked into this legislation.
- And it was tucked into this legislation.
- And it was tucked into this legislation.
- That is what this legislation does.
- THAT IS WHAT THIS LEGISLATION DOES.
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- Asher Killian, Legislative Counsel.
- As your legislative staff, we do not support or oppose any particular piece of legislation.
- Asher Killian, Legislative Counsel.
- piece of legislation AB 584.
- The significance of this legislation cannot be overstated.
Bills:
AB49, AB93, AB108, AB169, AB188, AB212, AB221, AB224, AB251, AB282, AB284, AB296, AB304, AB331, AB356, AB366, AB375, AB409, AB467, AB475, AB476, AB479, AB494, AB514, AB515, AB533, AB542, AB550, AB558, AB567, AB568, AB571, AB581, AB583, AB584, AB585, AB595, AB596, AB597, SB170, SB427, SB460, SB508
Keywords:
educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, public employees, police officers, benefits, appropriation, law enforcement, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, health insurance, speech-language pathology
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 2
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Then finally the next legislative session started, the 92nd legislative session in January again.
- session started uh the next legislative session started uh the 92nd<00:26:18.000>
legislative - This is an important thing for the body to instill, our right as legislators.
- This is an important thing for the body to instill, our right as legislators.
- My question is, does this mean that legislators would be entitled to PUM?
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Children and Families May 11th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Children and Families
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's what makes this born-alive legislation absolutely vital to pass.
- So is there a reason that it needed to be added to this piece of legislation?
- It is very difficult at times to pass legislation, major legislation, such as the Born Alive Abortion
- But even with that said, this legislation has nothing to do with abortion.
- It's not in this legislation.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 11, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- They passed their dental therapy legislation in 2016.
- the legislation.
- the legislation, along with funding from the state.
- legislation existed, it was going to be a good program.
- So, assume the governor signed the legislation...
Summary:
The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote.
The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote.
Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor Committee May 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The Texas legislative The Texas Legislative, uh, Medal of Honor Committee meeting will come to order.
- Welcome to the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor Committee.
- The legislative, the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.
- the 89th legislative session.
- 89th, uh, legislative session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences May 7th, 2025
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, we have our 2025 legislative session update from J. Lark staff.
- A complete list of past legislation is in your packet.
- A complete list of past legislation is in your packet.
- The legislative action column shows if the recommendation was implemented on that review.
- And we try to give the legislature two legislative sessions to implement any legislative auditor recommendations
Summary:
The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 7, 2025, with quorum present. The commission approved the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes and then received its annual open government refresher from the Attorney General’s office, which reviewed key requirements under the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including record retention, response deadlines, exemptions, and meeting notice rules.
Staff then provided a 2025 legislative session update, noting that the legislature passed 23 tax-preference-related bills, with several signed by the governor and others pending. Highlights included bills that extended or repealed certain preferences, added reporting requirements for newspaper and digital content exemptions, authorized JLARC to adjust its work plan when data is unavailable, and created a new exemption for zero-emission buses. The commission approved updates to the 2026 tax preference review schedule, which includes eight preferences in seven reviews, and approved unchanged testimony questions for 2025.
The commission also received the 2025 expedited preference review report covering 52 tax preferences, presented as an interactive table drawing on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies. Staff then outlined the process for developing the next 10-year review schedule for 2027-2036, including surveying the legislature, incorporating new and repealed preferences, and considering a possible rolling 10-year schedule. No public comment was registered. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of Ron Buing’s long service on the commission and an announcement that the next meeting would be held August 6, 2025.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We are on H.J.R. 5, legislative compensation.
- Being a legislator shouldn’t be reserved for the one percent, nor should it force legislators to make
- Providing legislative compensation for our legislators will help keep a fair and broad representation
- Providing legislation compensation for our legislators will help keep a fair and broad representation
- within the legislation.
Keywords:
medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Employee Benefits Programs Committee May 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And then with the 1971 Legislative Assembly, they repealed 52-12.
- But the blended rate helps you as the legislative assembly set budgets.
- Some of them were approved in this last legislative session.
- Legislative Management or committee chairs, is that correct? Correct.
- And I think now Legislative Council, it comes out of the legislative budget. Is that correct?
Summary:
The Employee Benefits Committee met to approve prior minutes, hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave, and related policy issues, and then recess for lunch. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the long-standing state-paid family coverage, cost-control measures, wellness incentives, the current grandfathered PPO and high-deductible options, and the effects of recent benefit mandates such as insulin caps, prosthetic coverage, medication management, prescription copay changes, and ambulance balance-billing limits. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact of adding benefits and the possible cost of moving to a non-grandfathered plan, while PERS and HRMS emphasized that health insurance remains the top-ranked employee benefit and that any major plan changes should be considered carefully. HRMS also presented compensation comparisons showing state pay generally below private-market benchmarks, discussed targeted market equity adjustments, identified ongoing recruitment and retention concerns in fields like nursing, IT, engineering, and attorneys, and reviewed leave policies, tuition reimbursement, and family leave comparisons with neighboring states. Job Service provided labor market data showing low unemployment, high labor force participation, and wage growth that still trails some neighboring markets, and OMB explained that prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects under Davis-Bacon, not to ordinary state contracts.
After lunch, the committee took up the required process for health insurance mandate bills and adopted an amendment to Joint Rule 211. The amendment clarified that the deadline for submitting mandate measures is intended to allow time for all required reports, including both the cost-benefit analysis and any Employee Benefits Committee actuarial report, while leaving the existing deadline unchanged. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and a few no votes recorded. The committee then moved into its jurisdiction review of bill drafts, beginning with a bill that would automatically renew pre-tax dental and vision elections; members debated whether it had any actuarial or administrative impact on PERS or the state, and the chair explained that the committee’s role was only to decide whether further analysis was needed before later testimony and recommendations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 4th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus in support of HR 92.
- Honoring those affected, following legislation that made that project possible.
- If you read the last paragraph in this bill, it states the legislative...
- This legislation is nothing more than an effort to protect a failing project from public and legislative
- Assembly Member DeMaio, you are recognized. from public and legislative scrutiny.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer, pledge, and several procedural motions. Members approved a motion to re-refer AB 2690 and AB 1863 to Appropriations by roll call vote, 41-17. The body then adopted HR 92, recognizing Cinco de Mayo Week and launching the 2026 Latino Spirit Awards, with broad support from multiple caucuses. The resolution passed on a voice vote after 60 coauthors were added.
The chamber then recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees, including leaders in higher education, philanthropy, immigrant advocacy, health and science, advocacy, business, environmental justice, human rights, journalism, culinary arts, and music. After the ceremony, members resumed floor business and passed a series of bills, including AB 1657 on domestic violence restraining order procedures (64-0), AB 2042 on civil process and default judgments (66-0), AB 1660 on probate enforcement for public guardians (45-10), AB 1917 on reinstating dismissed criminal charges by motion (43-15), AB 2148 clarifying public school employees are human beings (69-0), AB 1647 protecting juvenile transfer-hearing statements (63-0), AB 1555 expanding community college access in Siskiyou County (66-0), AB 1608 on high-speed rail inspector general transparency and confidentiality rules (45-18), AB 1803 adding anti-hate speech training to workplace harassment prevention training (50-9), and AB 2128 protecting tenants in subsidized housing from certain work requirements and time limits (44-16). Several items were passed and retained or continued without debate.
The Assembly also adopted ACR 159, declaring the importance of indigent defense and public defenders, with 59 coauthors added before a voice vote. Later, ACR 179 designated May 1 as Wildland Urban Interface Preparedness and Resilience Day and passed with 65 coauthors, and ACR 183 proclaimed Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, with members speaking about racial health disparities and the need for investment and accountability. Throughout the day, members also introduced guests from their districts and organizations, including public defenders, union leaders, agricultural advocates, students, and civic groups.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- All House matters heard today... 94th legislative session.
- This is legislation that would cap Thank you. and Senate Bill 0899.
- I want to thank Chair Friedman for filing this legislation.
- I'm the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for Blue Cross.
- This means that legislative changes to plan benefit design, cost sharing. that legislative changes to
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing.
On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals.
Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Virginia Commission to End Hunger May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to thank our partners and legislators and stakeholders for their work to get this important legislation
- I'm from the Division of Legislative Services.
- So we'll start with the past legislation.
- So we'll start with the past legislation.
- I'm supposed to still be a legislator now.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Announcement to Allow Rideshare Drivers the Right to Form a Union - 02/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- So we were proud to be a part of a driver coalition uh in the last two legislative sessions, and thanks
- to many of the folks here, including uh many of the legislative sponsors, uh, to be able to win some
- support of uh working with legislators support of uh working with legislators pushing<00:10:03.880
- Do you know the impacts of that legislation? Are you feeling it?
- <00:29:29.559>
we and protections and as a legislator we and protections and as a legislator
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- day be dispensed with any legislative day be dispensed with any legislative day be dispensed with any
- website and will be for our legislative website and will be for our legislative website and will be
- observing the legislative process any observing the legislative process any observing the legislative
- launch from 11:45 to day legislative launch from 11:45 to day legislative launch from 11:45 to 12:30
- for the next legislative the legislation for the next legislative the legislation for the next legislative
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/17/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- legislate. The clerk will call the role. legislate. The clerk will call the role.
- legislator to introduce the bill. legislator to introduce the bill.
- to legislate. Further comments? to legislate. Further comments?
- legislative body for adoption. legislative body for adoption.
- Um, if this is enabling enabling enabling legislation legislation legislation and<05:37:04.080>
if
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- , the decision on the prior legislation, the decision on the prior legislation, >> correct?
- is the prior to the prior legislation is the prior legislation,<01:44:14.239>
it <01:44:14.560 - like this and the previous legislation like this and the previous legislation<02:27:51.920>
that< - <02:35:15.439>
or the committee ITL this legislation or the committee ITL this legislation - think the framing of this legislation think the framing of this legislation might<02:37:25.760><