Video & Transcript : 'open primary' :
Page 248 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And with that, I'll open House Bill 2735 staff report.
- They try to make one parent primary. ...is actually at around 35%, which is what courts like to do.
- They try to make one parent primary because they feel like that's going to avoid conflict.
- And open the executive session on a lot of bills. So staff report.
Summary:
The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2735, the “Troxel 2” bill relating to establishing a constitutional floor in family law cases. Staff explained that the bill would add legislative findings and intent to Chapter 26.09 RCW, emphasizing parental fitness, equal standing for similarly situated parents, and a duty to cooperate. The prime sponsor and public testifiers largely supported the bill, arguing that family courts too often restrict fit parents’ access to children without sufficient due process and that the bill would restore constitutional protections and reduce conflict. Some testimony also framed the proposal as a way to improve child safety, stability, and outcomes. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then moved into executive session on multiple bills. It advanced bills on garnishment forms (ESSB 5865), child hearsay/testimony rules (SSB 5169, amended), immigration-enforcement policies for health care and related facilities (ESSB 5906, amended), compensation claims for wrongly convicted persons (SSB 5520), reinstating the Indigent Defense Task Force (ESSB 5912), preserving streamlined administrative and land-use review procedures (SSB 6009), authorizing court security threat assessments (ESSB 6086), adding superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties (SB 5868), requesting reinstatement of the limited license legal technician program (SJM 8006), expanding personality rights to digital likenesses (SSB 5886), and liability protections for certain children’s item donations, including car seats (ESSB 6087). Several bills were amended before passage out of committee.
Votes were recorded on each measure, with most passing on strong bipartisan margins. Notable split votes occurred on SSB 5169 and ESSB 5906, reflecting concerns about balancing child protection, due process, and immigration-related enforcement issues. The committee concluded by thanking staff and adjourned after reporting all listed executive-session bills out of committee with do pass recommendations, some as amended.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- leaves the remainder of nine months in order for us to accrue those 120 days without residing in our primary
- leaves the remainder of nine months in order for us to accrue those 120 days without residing in our primary
- Speaker and good lady, it's with the intention of what I stated before in my opening remarks, which was
- And this also would open up freedom because it actually allows parents in the urban districts that so
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 11, 2026 - 12:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- compete for trophies, prizes, scholarships, and unbeknownst to them they are truly learning about primary
- AND UNBEKNOWNST TO THEM THEY ARE TRULY LEARNING ABOUT PRIMARY SOURCES, THE U.S.
- And I feel very honored to always have open doors, and nobody here makes me feel bad or makes me feel
- They always open their arms and try to help me.
Summary:
The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two PCS bills. PCS for HB 1059, by Rep. Booth, would designate the first week of November as Florida Speech and Debate Week to recognize speech and debate programs and the educators, coaches, judges, and school districts that support them. Supporters, including students and advocates, testified that speech and debate builds critical thinking, civics knowledge, confidence, and respectful civil discourse, and several members praised the students’ testimony and the program’s value. The bill was reported favorably by a 14-0 vote.
The committee then heard PCS for HB 851, by Rep. Long, which requires each school district’s professional learning system to include at least one annual autism-specific training opportunity for teachers and school-based administrators, developed with the Center for Autism and grounded in evidence-based practices. The sponsor said the bill is intended to give educators practical tools to support students with autism, while members asked questions about scope, virtual training, charter schools, and the relationship to existing law. Public testimony and member debate largely supported the bill, with speakers emphasizing the need for better educator preparation and inclusion for students with autism. The bill also passed unanimously, 14-0, and was reported favorably.
At the end of the meeting, members and the chair offered brief closing remarks thanking colleagues and staff and reflecting on the committee’s work, with the chair noting it may have been the committee’s last meeting of the session.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The two primary points that we've expressed throughout working on this bill over the last two years..
- I'd open the committee for our motion and then discussion. Senator Wintrow. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- I'm open for questions. Committee, any questions? I don't see any. Thank you for testifying today.
- I'm just thinking about where we have some statutes that say the Attorney General's Office is the primary
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Comments are open until the end of the hearing and are posted upon adjournment of our hearing.
- Um, through research projects at A&M, Texas Tech, and Saul Ross, we know that one of the primary ways
- we're supportive of the committee substitute language but at the same time if we want to leave it open
- As representatives of West Texas, our primary mission is to advocate for initiatives that promote growth
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- property must be able to receive the homestead exemption if the owner used the property as his or her primary
- The property must also qualify for a homestead exemption if the property were the owner's primary residence
- My door is always open if you want to come by and certainly have a conversation.
- And my door is always open if you want to come by and certainly have a conversation.
Committee:
Senate Finance and Tax
Summary:
The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably.
Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 14th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill would also deter new businesses and entrepreneurs from opening new businesses accepting cards
- It's a system that's open to all.
- outcome that were HB 4124 to go in place, that merchants would only be able to accept cards for the primary
- Go, "Okay, we know what's the primary transaction price, we know what part is attributable to tax or
Bills:
HB245 , HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175
Keywords:
property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Other concerns about social media: it's one of the primary ways that misinformation and disinformation
- What does Minnesota expect that company to open up all their books and their operations?
- As I mentioned in my opening.
- We think one of our primary concerns for small cities is just the ease of implementing a tax like this
Committee:
House Taxes
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Apr 24th, 2025
Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- It's opening a new tourism distillery license.
- I look forward to it opening. I look forward to Troy growing.
- But it will be open this fall this year. Mr.
- it wide open from the beginning.
- I will say this, I have a primary concern here.
Committees:
House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism
Keywords:
alcoholic beverages, ABC Board, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control, special event license, special events retail license, nonprofit special events retail license, special retail license, event storage license, government venue license, alcohol storage, alcohol transfer, beer, wine, liquor, on-premises consumption, public venue, government-owned property, municipal property, county property, state property
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, I'd be open for questions. Chairman, I'd be open for questions.
- fire allow the one that's biased to open fire allow the one that's biased to open fire on somebody black
- And that was my intention to actually open it up and and thanking um actually open it up and and thanking
- And I I meant to open saying that. So, thank I I meant to open saying that.
- function that that pime the primary function that that pime the primary function because that bud company
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
resisting arrest, penalties, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, youthful offender, capital murder, victims' rights, SB254, Alabama, statute of limitations, civil procedure, civil action, sex offense, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, survivor rights, tolling, disability, minor plaintiff
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- H711 secures progress like ours by making job performance and comprehensive evaluations the primary factors
- H711 secures progress like ours by making job performance and comprehensive evaluations, the primary
- Thanks to conscientious advocacy and open-minded legislators, we are on the brink of important changes
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held its 13th hearing, chaired by Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Gordon, and heard testimony on a large slate of bills covering personnel and miscellaneous education issues. The first major topic was House Bill 711 and Senate Bill 327, the “So All Students Thrive” proposal, which would change reduction-in-force rules so districts could consider teacher effectiveness, student impact, staffing needs, and diversity-related factors alongside seniority. Supporters from Educators for Excellence, including teachers and a former school committee chair, argued that current seniority-based layoff rules can push out effective early-career educators and harm efforts to build a more diverse workforce. Committee members raised questions about tenure, union involvement, and how the bill would interact with the Educator Diversity Act and local contract negotiations; members generally said they shared the goal of diversifying the educator workforce and encouraged continued collaboration and feedback.
The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 658, which would require educator training on gifted and advanced learners. Parents, teachers, researchers, and advocates said Massachusetts lacks required preservice or professional development on gifted education, leaving many advanced students unchallenged and underserved. Witnesses described students who are bored, under-identified, or even discouraged in school, and argued that training would help teachers recognize and support gifted students, including students of color, multilingual learners, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Testimony also supported related prior bills on advanced learners and emphasized that the state should act on a 2019 DESE report recommending such training.
The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 736 and Senate Bill 435, which would establish de-escalation training for school transportation. The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council said the measure would improve safety for students and bus operators, fill a gap in current school bus driver certification requirements, and better support students with disabilities. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4720, concerning the Athol-Royalston Regional School District’s state bailout-related reserve requirements; the superintendent said the district has long maintained fiscal stability but is still forced to leave over half a million dollars unspent each year, limiting resources for a high-poverty student population. After testimony concluded, the chairs read the full list of bills on the agenda, thanked the committee and staff, and the hearing was adjourned.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It only would allow for a police officer under 10 to make that stop as a primary.
- Representative Mayhew continued: “It only would allow for a police officer under 10 to make that stop as a primary
- Response: “The bill doesn’t contemplate it, but I would assume we would be open to conversation on that
Committee:
House Transportation
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- have to file, and from an insurance standpoint for the at-fault party, is there anybody that has primary
- ... ...is there anybody that has primary responsibility on who can subrogate to go after their loss with
- Are you open to that? Is there a copy of the substitution available?
Bills:
SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307 , SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, drug courts, accountability, veterans, mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation, criminal justice, court intervention, terrorist threat, terroristic threat
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Community Affairs Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WHETHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE COMMITTEE PROCESS I ENCOURAGE OPEN AND CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AS WE WORK
- OFTEN COMBINED WITH FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENTS PRIMARY
- AN ACCESSORY DWELLING CAN BE ATTACHED TO A FREESTANDING HOMEON THE SAME LOT AS A PRIMARY RESIDENCE.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-20 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The primary tenancy in common.
- </c> diversion services are is a primary diversion services are is a primary entry<01:42:32.680><c> point
- Some of them are open during the day only.
- Some of them are open during the day only.
- Some of them are open during the day only.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- it, but they are going to have plans that are coordinated across the disciplines: PT, OT, nursing, primary
- They can get transportation to and from adult day, they can receive certain primary care services there
- </c> the disciplines PT OT nursing primary the disciplines PT OT nursing primary care<00:03:35.840><c
- Care Services there therapy Primary Care Services there therapy meals<00:04:19.120><c> and</c><00:04
- </c> um you know I think the the primary um you know I think the the primary purpose<00:55:52.319><c>
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, members, I'd like to open it up to... ...anyone else who would like to make any opening comments
- It opens a door to tort liability.
- Are the SOA hearings open to the public? Absolutely.
- Why couldn't it be discussed out in the open?
- But I'm certainly open to those discussions.
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session.
Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties.
TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not their primary duties to conduct the behavior threat assessment.
- That construction will happen this fall and have those dormitories open.
- So I'll open that for comment, and thank you.
- Our campuses operate with an open entry, open-exit model so students can continue progressing even when
- Because as primary stakeholders, students deserve a seat at the table.
Committee:
House Public Education
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Education (12-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:25:35.679><c> records</c> acquired through recent open records acquired through recent open records
- goals that are their stated primary goals.
- There are three primary goals that are their<02:01:21.760><c> stated</c><02:01:22.159><c> primary</c
- </c><02:01:23.119><c> Pillar</c><02:01:23.520><c> one</c> their stated primary goals.
- Pillar one their stated primary goals.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:00:00
Approval of Minutes – 0:03:50
Robotics Education – 0:04:18
Canopy KY – 0:14:15
Comprehensive Support and Improvement – 0:23:20
Postsecondary Credit Alignment – 0:53:15
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in K-12 Settings – 1:21:25
Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 2:05:15
Adjournment 2:05:41, 958, all
Summary:
The committee opened with a roll call, confirmed a quorum, approved the minutes by voice vote, and recognized a guest of Senator Hickden, retired judge Dan Kelly. The chair then moved through a tight agenda and limited public presentations and questions.
The first presentation was on robotics education in Kentucky, led by Representative Chris Lewis, Kentucky FIRST Robotics executive director Kelly Gowen, and students from Whitfield Academy. They argued that robotics should be expanded in high schools as a workforce pipeline for engineering, manufacturing, and advanced technology jobs. The presentation emphasized hands-on learning, industry certifications, teacher development, and a proposed framework to fund robotics education programs statewide. Committee members were not allowed to ask questions because of time constraints.
The second presentation was from Canopy Kentucky, led by Adam Watson and founder Scott Collins. They described Canopy’s business and entrepreneurship education programs for fifth graders and high school students, including the NextGen Good Biz initiative and an eight-classroom high school unit. Canopy requested a one-time $750,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026, matched by private funds, to expand into more schools and rural areas, train educators, and report outcomes. Members asked a brief question about how the programs fit into school schedules and the difference between the elementary and high school offerings.
The final presentation, from KDE’s Kelly Foster and Todd Allen, reviewed the state’s school improvement classifications. Foster explained CSI, TSI, and ATSI status, the federal and state legal framework, and how House Bill 298 returned CSI identification to an annual cycle. She reported that Kentucky identified 50 CSI schools on the most recent release, with 53 CSI schools statewide, along with 39 TSI schools and 102 ATSI schools. She also outlined KDE’s support process, including education recovery staff, diagnostic reviews, turnaround plans, and required professional learning for CSI schools.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I think there's an openness here to continue those conversations.
- And so I’m open enough to have that answer be heard.”
- “And I’m open enough to have that answer be heard, and I’m open enough to accept that answer that would
- Regarding the results, I would be certainly open to that.
- Tasha Newman on behalf of Peninsula Open Space Trust, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, and the
Summary:
The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed.
SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support.
SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained.
SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.