Transcript Highlights:

• It is nothing more than a deliberate attack on Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.
• A 501(c)(4) dedicated to empowering and advocating for Muslim Americans across Texas.
• An African American would need two people in order to equal one vote, right? Two million.
• to get an education to chase the American dream.
• Chairman: ...African-Americans or whites or Asians, but I do believe that there will be five districts

Transcript Highlights:

• The American confidence did. We knew traditional homeownership dreams had burst.
• I am the executive director of the American Indian Community Center in Spokane, Washington.
• My name is Bill and Aden, and I'm the vice president and co-founder of African Community Housing and
• At ACHD, we serve African diaspora immigrants, refugees, and their descendants by building culturally
• We're grateful to see $7 million included in the governor's budget for our African diaspora cultural

Bills: SB6003

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation

Transcript Highlights:

• The American confidence did. We knew traditional homeownership dreams had burst.
• I am the Executive Director of the American Indian Community Center in Spokane, Washington.
• My name is Bill and Aden, and I'm the vice president and co-founder of African Community Housing and
• At ACHD, we serve African diaspora immigrants, refugees, and their descendants by building culturally
• We're grateful to see $7 million included in the governor's budget for our African diaspora cultural

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> another American before we punish you. another American before we punish you.
• </c> law out of our American communities. law out of our American communities.
• First, it should protect Americans. It should protect American children.
• </c> Protect Americans. Protect Americans.
• We were all Americans then, and still today we are all Americans.

Bills: HB3944 , HB3486

Keywords: appropriations, military construction, veterans affairs, VA funding, USDA, agriculture appropriations, legislative branch appropriations, fiscal year 2026, omnibus, spending bill, rural development, rural housing, broadband, SNAP, WIC, school lunch, food safety, FDA user fees, veterans health care, toxic exposure

Transcript Highlights:

• Barney Bishop, Guardians of American History, is a proponent.
• If you vote for this, you are supporting white supremacy, and you're disrespecting the African American
• If you vote for this, you are supporting white supremacy, and you're disrespecting the African American
• Because in my district, and if you know my district well, I have the largest African-American community
• And to me, I personally, and I do have a large African-American community within my district, and I personally

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large slate of bills, beginning with HB 1405, which would reestablish a pilot program at four state universities to screen people with special needs who are at risk of elopement and provide families with tracking devices. Members spoke in support, citing real-life incidents involving missing children and adults, and the bill passed 18-0. HB 4037, a Pasco County mosquito control cleanup bill, also passed unanimously, as did PCS for HB 639, which expands eligibility for an existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to all Floridians and adds nonprofit and financial reporting requirements for specialty plate organizations. HB 667, brought by Rep. Valdés with Freedom High School students through the Ought to Be a Law program, would raise the helmet requirement for electric personal assisted mobility devices from under 16 to under 18; the students testified about e-bike and e-scooter injuries and fatalities, and the bill passed 18-0. The committee also approved PCS for HB 975, which clarifies management and security authority for the Capitol Center and Complex, and HB 695, a public records exemption tied to a health care interstate compact, by a 17-1 vote. HB 181, expanding a pawnbroker transaction records exemption to FDLE, and HB 1087, making Florida Retirement System pension-plan member and payee information confidential, both passed unanimously. HB 1515, a public records exemption tied to a uterine fibroid research database, also passed unanimously after the sponsor explained the Department of Health had been unable to implement the database because of data-identification problems. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1283, which would allow anonymous complaints against law enforcement officers only when accompanied by corroborating evidence and would bar non-disciplinary investigative outcomes from being used in promotions and other personnel decisions. Police chiefs and sheriffs opposed the bill as amended, arguing the corroboration standard should include evidence developed by agencies and warning about personnel-management consequences, while law enforcement supporters said the bill protects officers from malicious complaints. Civil rights and advocacy groups opposed it, warning it would chill reporting and harm victims, especially in sexual misconduct cases. After extensive debate, the committee adopted an amendment to align the bill with the Senate companion and then passed HB 1283 18-0. The committee also passed HB 139, expanding whistleblower protections to adverse actions by individuals and placing investigations with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and HB 953, which gives county tax collectors authority to partner with DHSMV in overseeing commercial driving schools and combating fraud; both passed unanimously. The meeting also included HB 627, which directs officers in the field to refer public records requesters to the proper custodian rather than processing requests during active incidents; despite opposition from protest and civil liberties advocates, it passed 18-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 1473, a public records exemption for portions of domestic-terrorism designation materials. Supporters said it was needed to protect sensitive security information, while opponents argued it was vague and could be used to hide executive decision-making and target protesters or Muslim communities. After an amendment and lengthy debate, the bill passed 13-4.

Transcript Highlights:

• I heard from some of them saying that there was opposition from many of the African American judges in
• I think that it just so happens that my colleagues on city court, three of them are African American.
• One of them On city court, three of them are African American. One of them is not.
• But in 1970, I was one of the first African Americans to integrate Archbishop Shaw High School.
• We have three African-American judges on the bench and two white judges.

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Summary: The committee first approved the May 5 minutes and then heard House Bill 578, which would define sex in Louisiana law as biological sex, replace references to gender with sex in various statutes and forms, and direct the Law Institute to make conforming changes. Supporters from the governor’s office said the bill would bring clarity and consistency, while opponents argued it could create conflicts with existing law and weaken protections tied to gender identity. After debate, the committee reported HB 578 favorably. Members then considered House Bill 1250, a measure aimed at aerospace-related litigation. The bill would allow a special motion to strike certain claims against aerospace flight entities when the claims are preempted by federal law. Senators raised concerns that the language was broad enough to affect airports, airlines, contractors, and even unrelated incidents, and the author said he was willing to work on narrowing amendments. The committee nevertheless reported HB 1250 favorably. House Bill 718, dealing with liability protections for private airstrips used for recreation, was amended to narrow its scope and then reported favorably, while House Bill 163, a narrower related airstrip bill, was voluntarily deferred so the committee could work from the other measure. The committee also approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to review possible conflicts between the constitution and statutes on expropriation. House Bill 180, defining foreign adversaries and agents of foreign adversaries for a proposed constitutional amendment, and House Bill 192, a constitutional amendment barring foreign adversaries from expropriating land in Louisiana, were both reported favorably. House Bill 1008, which sets out academic freedom and whistleblower protections for higher education, was rejected on a roll-call vote after concerns about its scope and limits on university discipline. House Bill 638, a prompt-payment bill for contractors, was set aside while amendments were being located. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 71, which would extend existing liability protections for justified use of force to properly trained armed security guards. The author and the Board of Private Security Examiners said security officers receive training and often face dangerous situations, but opponents argued the bill would give too much protection to personnel with far less training than law enforcement and could shield bad shootings. After debate, the committee voted to defer HB 71. The last measure discussed was House Bill 1082, which would change venue rules for lawsuits involving the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System so actions by the system would be filed where the employer is located; the author said the bill was meant to help small municipalities, and members indicated they were open to narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next section has to do with the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare
• <c> the</c> has to do with the has to do with the uh uh uh the the the Minnesota<00:19:56.920><c> African
• </c><00:19:57.400><c> American</c><00:19:58.000><c> Family</c> Minnesota African American Family Minnesota
• African American Family Preservation<00:19:58.960><c> and</c><00:19:59.080><c> Child</c><00:19:59.440
• </c> supreme and there's times in American supreme and there's times in American history<00:45:02.040

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Ujamaa Place serves primarily African-American men aged 18 to 30 from the Twin Cities metropolitan area
• Ujamaa Place serves primarily African-American men aged 18 to 30 from the Twin Cities metropolitan area
• Ujamaa Place serves primarily African-American men aged 18 to 30 from the Twin Cities metropolitan area
• Ujamaa Place serves primarily African-American men aged 18 to 30 from the Twin Cities metropolitan area
• </c> the CEO of the African-American the CEO of the African-American leadership<01:10:01.520><c> Forum

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• women: 58 cents for every dollar earned by white men compared to 64 cents for African-American women
• women: 58 cents for every dollar earned by white men compared to 64 cents for African-American women
• women: 58 cents for every dollar earned by white men compared to 64 cents for African-American women
• women: 58 cents for every dollar earned by white men compared to 64 cents for African-American women
• White men compared to 64 cents for African-American women.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The Journal of the American Medical Association also showed that private equity may hold assets in a
• It is estimated that one million Americans lose their physician to suicide each year.
• As a mother of a young girl who... has the beautiful golden skin that reflects her African diaspora all
• Two of my clients are the Asian Economic Development Association and the African Economic Development
• These products are heavily marketed to Minnesota's African-American, Asian, Latino, and Middle Eastern

Bills: HF2779 , HF1645 , HF1885 , HF1289 , HF1534 , HF2707 , HF1675 , HF3046

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's a list of people that support it: the African-American Mayors' Association, the Hispanic American
• Here's a list of people that support it: the African-American Mayors' Association, the Hispanic American
• The organization is the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.
• The organization is the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.
• The organization is the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.

Bills: HB5616 , HB2189

Keywords: less-than-lethal, firearm regulation, law enforcement, tax exemption, de-escalation, non-lethal

Transcript Highlights:

• Harper, the first African-American woman to serve in any state legislature in the United States.
• McDowell County erected the first World War I Memorial in the nation and also erected the first African-American

Transcript Highlights:

• I know particularly in terms of the African-American student population, I mean, obviously, community
• colleges, Umoja programs, have been an essential part of ensuring that African-Americans are not only
• I know the Kelsey CSU system, with this African-American retention and support programs through the fantastic
• I mean, UC Riverside is one of the best places to go for African-American students in terms of graduation
• professional advisors because you have need or tailoring certain programs to work with, for example, African-American

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we initiate the 2026 FIFA World Cup, let's show a little bit of American pride and please recite the
• Please welcome our partners and guests from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, American
• Please welcome our partners and guests from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, American
• As South African foreign direct investment in the U.S. has contributed to over 6,700 American jobs and
• universities, green energy sector, and technology corridors are producing the next generation of African

Transcript Highlights:

• and a half times more likely, as older whites, to develop Alzheimer's disease, and older Native Americans
• and African Americans have an even higher likelihood of vulnerability to have Alzheimer's.
• to almost any other state in the nation, we are populated with a very high percentage of Native Americans
• , Hispanics, Latinos, and African Americans, people who are the most vulnerable to Alzheimer's and other
• You talk about older Latinos and Native Americans and African-Americans.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Arab and other Middle Eastern and North African businesses, abbreviated as MENA, face similar barriers
• minorities. ...a level playing field for all minorities, including us, the Middle Eastern and North African
• Adding Middle Eastern and North African individuals, who are known as MENA, is workable for our agency
• thankful for your question because, in fact, this is why we're here, because Middle Eastern and North African
• I'm also the post commander for Military Order of the Purple Heart in American Lake, and also their legislative

Summary: The committee met to take executive action on House Bill 2523, concerning the Community Reinvestment Program, and House Bill 2606, concerning the Office of Privacy and Data Protection. Staff briefed a proposed substitute for HB 2523 and several amendments. The substitute would change how Community Reinvestment Account funds are distributed, require tribal consultation, update the community reinvestment plan on a regular cycle, expand reporting and Office of Equity responsibilities, add definitions, and broaden the WSIPP study. Amendments to shorten the plan update cycle, restrict recipients from receiving other state housing assistance, bar certain officers and family members from grants, require independent audits, and expand WSIPP review were debated; only the amendment changing the plan update cycle from 10 years to 5 years was adopted. The committee then voted 8-5 to report the substitute HB 2523 out of committee with a do pass recommendation. HB 2606, which was described as implementing JLARC recommendations to reduce redundancy and improve efficiency in privacy/data protection functions, was then approved unanimously and reported out with a do pass recommendation. The committee then held public hearings on House Bill 2684 and House Joint Memorial 4012. HB 2684 would establish rebuttable presumptions that members of certain groups are socially disadvantaged for purposes of OMWBE certification, including adding Middle Eastern and North African individuals to the framework. Testimony was split: some speakers opposed the bill as discriminatory or constitutionally problematic, while others, including representatives of MENA businesses, CAIR Washington, and OMWBE, supported it as a needed fix to improve access to certification and contracting opportunities. The chair noted that amendments could still be submitted before the next day’s executive session, and the bill was set for further consideration the following morning. House Joint Memorial 4012 urges Congress to bring the Major Richard Star Act to a floor vote. The prime sponsor and veteran advocates testified that the memorial seeks to address the “wounded veteran tax” by allowing combat-injured service members who retire before 20 years of service to receive both retirement pay and VA disability compensation. Supporters said the change would correct an inequity affecting Washington veterans and their families. The committee closed the hearing on the memorial and announced that both HB 2684 and HJM 4012 would be considered the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, in my county, where the Florida African American History Director lives, we recognize May 20th
• They assist minority, small and independent businesses, which include women, African American, Hispanic
• , disabled. include women, African American, Hispanic, disabled, faith, and veteran-owned businesses
• Mark's and other churches in the region that predominantly serves the African American community.
• Marks and other churches in the region that predominantly serves the African American community.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. Members approved the journal and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber also recognized Sheriff Mike Chitwood as law enforcement officer of the day and later held several introductions and farewell remarks, including lengthy closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service and legislative priorities. The House then took up and passed a series of Senate bills, often after adopting House strike-all or conforming amendments. CS/SB 590 on mandatory child abuse reporting was clarified to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism was amended to incorporate House language, including blue-envelope provisions, and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) was amended to preserve House provisions and passed 112-0. CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund was amended to expand eligible health science programs and allow certain non-health-care contributions, then passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care passed 111-0. Later bills also advanced with broad support: CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences passed 168-0 after debate over medication-assisted treatment; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed 112-0 after amendments allowing limited coach support for student-athletes with parental consent; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts passed 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services passed 111-0 after an amendment on exclusive arrangements. The chamber then began debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, which would restrict counties and municipalities from official DEI-related actions and contracting practices. Members questioned its scope and exceptions, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition; debate on that amendment was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, in my county, where the Florida African American History Director lives, we recognize May 20th
• However, in my county, where the Florida African American History Director lives, we recognize May 20th
• Mark's and other churches in the region that predominantly serves the African American community.
• Mark's and other churches in the region that predominantly serves the African American community.
• We had Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, a Black fraternity, historically African-American, come

Transcript Highlights:

• It is going to be right alongside African American Day, Hispanic Culture Day, and AAPI Native Hawaiian
• is great and right, just exactly in line with all of the other days we have up here. as much with African
• American Day as with Ag Day.
• with a particular emphasis on digital access, which is becoming more and more of an issue. with the Americans
• So this is also related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), correct?

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why almost 40% of African Americans with disabilities live in poverty, compared to 24% of non-Hispanic
• This is why almost 40% of African Americans with disability live in poverty, almost 40% of African Americans

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.