Video & Transcript : 'Washington State University' :

Page 261 of 500
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 72 Mar 24th, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , the state gives them license.
  • and the citizens of the state.
  • That's simply because that is a contract through Idaho State University set up differently at its origin
  • Board of Education Office over to the individual universities—Boise State, Idaho State, and the University
  • We already have state-sponsored speech where the state picks winners.
Keywords: 989, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the prior day’s journal, and received routine committee reports, gubernatorial messages, and House messages. Several measures were referred to committees or advanced for reading, including Senate Resolution 124 and a number of newly printed or enrolled bills. The chamber also received notice of gubernatorial appointments and House-passed bills, while some Senate bills were reported as delivered to the Governor or failed in the House. The Senate then considered and passed a series of bills on third reading. Major topics included student safety and educator disclosure (SB 1412), the Coeur d’Alene Tribe water rights settlement (HB 789), reckless driving in school and construction zones (HB 570), expanded protection for police dogs including electronic storage detection dogs (HB 654), removal of statutes of limitation for certain child sex offenses (HB 681), asset forfeiture transparency through the state controller (HB 575), ballot name rotation for elections (HB 736), beer tax distribution changes to replace lost ABC revenue (HB 793), repeal of outdated securities lending and alcohol code provisions (HB 798 and HB 799), Appaloosa specialty plate changes and funding redirection (HB 665), and restrictions on non-domiciled CDLs (HB 667). Most of these bills passed on voice or roll-call votes, with HB 667 passing 29-4 and HB 793 passing 32-1. The Senate also passed housing and tax-related measures, including a subdivision/financing process for ADUs and secondary structures (HB 707), utility property tax reporting timing fixes (HB 722), clarification of small seller and yard sale sales-tax rules (HB 792), manufactured home siting changes (HB 800), a transportation support program fix for one charter school (HB 815), and education career ladder changes for CTE and pupil services staff (HB 849). Additional bills addressed insurance cancellation/nonrenewal notice periods (HB 562), a new Heritage Trust specialty plate and fee structure (HB 825 as amended), and a Medicaid preceptor prior authorization exemption program (HB 78 as amended), which passed 19-15. Most bills were returned to the House after passage, and the Senate held some measures for a legislative day or referred them onward as required.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 47 Feb 27th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 561 by the State Affairs Committee, regarding State Affairs.
  • House Bill 575 by the State Affairs Committee, regarding the State Controller.
  • When Washington neglects its responsibility to the states, Washington neglects its responsibility to
  • the states.
  • We are a law-and-order state. We follow laws in the state.
Summary: The House convened with 63 members present, approved the journal, and received Senate and governor messages, including enrolled House Bills 533, 502, 555 and several Senate bills for first reading. Standing committee reports advanced a number of bills, including House Bills 713, 723, 664, 667, 716, 650, and 717, and introduced a large slate of new House and Senate bills covering health care, taxation, education, public safety, alcohol regulation, tribal water rights, and other topics. In Committee of the Whole, members amended and advanced several bills. House Bill 570 on reckless driving was amended to clarify language about children and construction zones and reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bill 561 on flags was amended to add the Basque autonomous community flag and to prohibit certain political, religious, or ideological flags on government property; it was also reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bills 692, 575, and 562 were each amended with mostly clarifying changes and reported back with amendments and without recommendation. House Bills 530, 627, 598, and 673 were held in committee with progress reported and leave to sit again. The House then considered House Bill 704, which would require employers to use E-Verify to screen new hires for work authorization. Debate focused on immigration enforcement, labor shortages, agriculture, constitutional concerns, and whether the bill would burden businesses or displace workers. After extended debate, the House passed HB 704 by a vote of 43-26 with one absent and excused. House Bill 700, a related E-Verify measure with criminal penalties and broader application, also drew extensive debate on constitutionality, existing employees, labor impacts, and immigration policy; it passed 36-33 with one abstention and one excused. The House then adopted committee reports, held the remaining third-reading bills until Monday, received administrative rules letters, made announcements, and adjourned until March 2, 2026.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 26th, 2026

Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • But if the state of Idaho didn't, and you sent money to Washington or Wyoming or Utah to one of those
  • But if the state of Idaho didn't, and you sent money to Washington or Wyoming or Utah to one of those
  • For the state of Idaho, what's required for SGOs within the state of Idaho to make scholarship available
  • But if the state of Idaho didn't, and you sent money to Washington or Wyoming or Utah to one of those
  • For the state of Idaho, what's required for SGOs within the state of Idaho to make scholarship available
Keywords: 989, all
Summary: The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee met with a quorum and heard three House bills. House Bill 620, sponsored by Senator Harris, would give county commissioners a formal role and “special expertise” status in federal land-use and environmental planning, allowing counties to coordinate with federal agencies using local comprehensive plans and including an emergency clause. The Idaho Farm Bureau and the Idaho Association of Counties supported the bill, and the committee voted unanimously to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 610, which would allow people away from their primary residence for religious service to retain the homeowners exemption, similar to military service members, so long as they intend to return. Representative Pickett said the bill was intended to prevent unintended tax increases for those serving others, and members discussed whether the bill was too narrow and whether it should also cover other charitable or caregiving situations. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 731, which would set up Idaho’s participation in the federal education tax credit scholarship program created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. Testimony from the Idaho Family Policy Center and others supported the measure as a school-choice tool that benefits students in public, private, and homeschool settings, while questions focused on how the federal dollar-for-dollar credit works and how scholarship-granting organizations would operate. The committee approved the bill for the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting ended with a brief introduction of page Grace Louder, who shared her interests and was given a voter registration form as she approached her 18th birthday.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • statute and state code.
  • with me in Washington, D.C.?
  • They are soliciting proposals for good things happening in states that other states ought to know about
  • So the adopted rule amendment clarifies that the state, rather than New Mexico State University, is the
  • Because the state police had to do CPR.
Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on Tribal Relations, January 28, 2026

Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, I uh focused my undergraduate and graduate work at Montana State University in land resources and
  • Soapstone Prairie, northern Colorado, as part of Colorado State University.
  • Uh, we’re at the academic level, all the universities in all of the states that are around us, working
  • in all of level, all the universities in all of the<00:18:28.880><c> states</c><00:18:29.120><c> that
  • We work in collaboration with the University of Wyoming and the state superintendent and the districts
Keywords: 916, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Many of our peer states and many states all across the country have a dedicated economic development
  • How do we simultaneously have a state structure where there's an integrated state economic development
  • or non-union states.
  • , involved utility, involved the state universities, involved national labs, some cases involved the
  • Can we help you stay in the state of California and grow in the state of California?
Keywords: 987, senate, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Julie Ellsworth, and I’m the Treasurer of the State of Idaho. Thank you very much.
  • And I look forward to working together and getting these resources out to the state.
  • My name is Hannah Laurie Hine, and I am the State Historian with the Idaho State Historical Society,
  • opportunity in Washington, D.C., from June 25 until July 10.
  • Every state is being invited to participate, and all five U.S. territories plus Washington, D.C.
Summary: The America 250 and Idaho Advisory Council met to approve prior minutes and authorize several funding items tied to Idaho’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Members approved January 19 minutes and a reimbursement of up to $20,882 to the State Superintendent of Public Education for additional Spirit of U.S. box materials for schools. They also approved a broader America 250 budget proposal that includes the July 4 Capitol celebration, ambassador programs, and authority to solicit and accept private donations, with funds to be managed separately by the treasurer’s office and the A250 subcommittee. Representative Galaviz and Treasurer Ellsworth outlined plans for the July 4 celebration at the Capitol and Cecil Andrus Park, including a parade, concert, bands, family activities, and open Capitol offices and exhibits. They described cost-sharing with the We the People parade organizers, who are covering most parade-related expenses, and discussed related projects such as the Liberty Bell carriage, go bags for ambassador materials, the Veterans Mustang Ride, challenge coins, heritage fountain plans, flags across Idaho, Liberty quilts, and the service challenge. The treasurer reported strong statewide participation, including 1,100 ambassadors across cities, counties, businesses, schools, and veterans groups, and noted that service challenge participation had surpassed 11,000 acts. Director Gallimore gave a task force update on statewide and national America 250 efforts, including the Idaho Lottery’s planned scratch ticket, the Moments That Made Us downloadable exhibit, Reading the Republic, the Four Score exhibit opening, and a complementary exhibit later in March. She also noted coordination for events at Signature Point and the Old Pen, and said the museum would be open on July 4 with free admission. Hannah Laurie Hine reported on federal America 250 initiatives such as the White House’s Freedom Truck mobile museums, the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., a prayer-focused event, the Presidential 1776 Award civics contest, and other national story-collection and volunteer efforts. The committee agreed to meet again on March 9 and then adjourned.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Redistricting Feb 25th, 2026

Special Committee on Redistricting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some states do it differently.
  • In some states, there's a bipartisan commission or however other states do it.
  • Congress in Washington, D.C.
  • Now, theoretically, a state could choose to have different requirements for the federal and the state
  • Some are done by state.
Summary: The Special Committee on Redistricting held a public hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 48, which urges support for the federal SAVE Act. Representative Michael Davis presented the resolution, explaining that the bill would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, photo identification to vote, and additional procedures for absentee voting and name-change issues. He argued the measure would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizens from voting, while noting that the resolution simply expresses support for the federal legislation already passed by the U.S. House. Committee members from both parties questioned Davis extensively. Supporters said the proposal would add a needed citizenship verification layer and cited examples of non-citizen voting or mistaken registration. Opponents argued that Missouri already requires voter ID, that non-citizen voting is rare, and that the SAVE Act would create burdens, costs, and potential disenfranchisement for married women, students, rural residents, elderly voters, disabled voters, military families, and others who may lack easy access to birth certificates, passports, or other documents. Several members also raised concerns about federalism, the cost to election officials, and whether the resolution belonged in a redistricting committee. The committee then heard public testimony. Witnesses opposed to HCR 48, including representatives of the League of Women Voters and several individual voters, said the measure would make voting harder and could require duplicate or repeated documentation, affidavits, or separate systems for different election types. One witness testified in favor, saying proof of citizenship is easy to provide and would help ensure fair and honest elections. After all testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing; no vote or other action was taken in the transcript.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And the United States is losing its moral leadership on the climate stage, just like the United States
  • The state may need to submit amendments to its Medicaid state plan, and counties will need to be given
  • Are there ways in which the state could, excuse me, that the state could...
  • states that states are not eligible for reimbursement if they restrict federal enforcement activities
  • It permits states to use payment error rates from federal fiscal year 2025 or 2026 to determine the state
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held its fifth hearing of the year to examine the newly enacted federal H.R. 1 and its effects on California. Members and the chair described the law as a major threat to state health, food, education, and climate programs, and emphasized that California would not be able to fully backfill the federal cuts. Several members also highlighted the bill’s tax provisions, including temporary deductions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, while warning that the largest benefits flow to higher-income taxpayers and that major cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and clean-energy incentives are delayed or phased in over time. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance presented detailed overviews of the bill’s likely impacts and implementation timelines. They identified the main affected areas as health care coverage and financing, food assistance, higher education, personal income taxes, and clean-energy/electric-vehicle credits. They explained that H.R. 1 limits provider taxes used to finance Medi-Cal, adds work and redetermination requirements, restricts CalFresh eligibility and increases state costs, changes student loan and Pell Grant rules, extends and modifies federal tax provisions, and phases out many clean-energy credits. Finance also noted major rescissions of Inflation Reduction Act funds, new border and immigration enforcement spending, and the possibility of PAYGO sequestration if Congress does not act to offset the deficit increase. During member questions, the committee focused on likely enrollment losses, administrative burdens, and fiscal exposure for the state and counties. Witnesses said many details still depend on federal guidance, but they estimated significant impacts on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and graduate/professional student borrowing, and noted that California’s high CalFresh error rate could increase state costs. UC testified that the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans would affect thousands of professional students, especially in health, law, and other high-cost programs. Members asked for follow-up data on county, health, and tax impacts, and staff agreed to provide additional tables and estimates as implementation guidance becomes clearer. Public commenters from counties, early childhood advocates, health coalitions, disability rights groups, immigrant-rights organizations, and other stakeholders urged the Legislature to mitigate the law’s effects. They warned of higher county costs, reduced access to health care and food assistance, increased administrative burdens, and harm to children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Several urged new state revenue solutions and stronger protections for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, and home- and community-based services. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with a commitment to continue monitoring federal guidance and to work on state responses in the budget process.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • And the University of North Dakota and East Grand Forks.
  • state aid.
  • Trevor stated that he supports more funding for all transit agencies in the state, and that the agencies
  • They all said, we want the state to step in. We want the state to help. We did last session.
  • They all said, we want the state to step in. We want the state to help. We did last session.
Summary: The Government Finance Transportation Study committee heard detailed presentations from transit officials in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan (Bisman Transit), and Fargo about fixed-route and paratransit service. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s routes, fare structure, ridership recovery after COVID, fleet replacement needs, and rising costs, noting fares cover only a portion of expenses and that the system relies on local, state, federal, and university funding. Bisman Transit outlined its history, service hours, route structure, recent expansion of hours, fare levels, ridership growth, funding sources including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue, and major challenges such as aging buses, driver recruitment, and the need for more stable operating support. Fargo’s representative briefly reinforced the importance of public transit and asked the committee to consider additional funding for urban fixed-route systems.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Five - Thursday, May 7

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She graduates next week from Missouri State University, and I'm so proud of her, because in two weeks
  • They are ranked class two state championship in speech and debate, state championships, and they are
  • across the state, is crucial.
  • Charles state rep... ...with the St. Charles State Rep, St. Louis is the best.
  • or the state level currently.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the House Journal by a 125-0 roll call vote. Members then spent a large portion of the morning recognizing special guests, interns, students, and constituents, including school groups, interns, a Savannah Bananas player, and several birthday and personal privilege announcements. On legislation, the House agreed to conference on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1421. The chamber then took up Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1000, a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the Missouri Tourism Supplemental Revenue Fund and continue support for the Division of Tourism and Missouri Film Office. Supporters from both parties emphasized tourism’s economic importance statewide; the bill passed 136-6. The House next debated House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1020, an omnibus Department of Revenue bill covering fee office contracting, vehicle registration penalties, Real ID document retention, and other DOR changes. The body adopted an amendment lowering late registration penalties, making document retention opt-in, and restoring a five-year plate option, followed by a second amendment removing cosmetic damage as a basis for rejecting rebuilt-vehicle inspections. The bill then passed 130-10. Later, the House began debate on a combined judiciary/civil legislation bill involving insurance assignment-of-benefits restrictions, anti-SLAPP protections, workers’ compensation and court administration changes, and expungement-related funding; members adopted a title change and several amendments, including one to make attorney-fee awards more even in anti-SLAPP motions, while also debating a proposed St. Louis police legal expense fund amendment and whether it had been properly vetted.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Transcript Highlights:
  • ..at the University of Massachusetts of similar kinds of behavior.
  • It is the state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
  • . ...across the state.
  • I’ve been to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.
  • I was at a national conference of states, with panelists and public officials from states all over the
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The commission held its 16th and final meeting to review and vote on revisions to its draft report on combating antisemitism. After roll call, members approved the prior meeting minutes, adopted a procedure for handling substantive and technical edits, and authorized limited technical corrections after the meeting. Senator John Velis’s letter was read into the record noting his military deployment and support for the final report, and the commission discussed the scope of the report, including its 118 findings and recommendations and the large volume of testimony received over the year. Members then worked through a series of amendments to the report. The chair’s prefatory statement was revised to restore language and data about Massachusetts Jews’ relationship to Israel and the impact on the commission’s work. Commissioner Liken’s proposal called for DESE guidance and teacher training to support intellectually diverse K-12 classrooms; members debated how to ensure it could not be used to justify biased or false material, and the amendment passed with discussion about existing guardrails. Commissioner Hay’s technical edits were adopted, and commissioners also discussed whether DESE’s new reporting system should anonymize data; the language was revised to specify anonymized data and approved. Additional amendments were adopted on public safety and higher education, including clarifying support for nonprofit security grants and personnel grants, refining language on academic boycotts, and adding references to Zionist identity and presumed Zionist identity as possible bases for antisemitic treatment. Commissioner Kipnis’s revisions to the prefatory statement were also considered, with some members objecting to the removal of language about minimization and traumatic invalidation and others supporting a more concise, fact-driven tone. The commission also approved language strengthening recommendations by changing several “should” statements to “must.” Treasurer Deborah Goldberg then delivered closing remarks praising the commission’s work and sharing personal family history to illustrate the persistence of antisemitism in Massachusetts. She said the report offers a practical roadmap, including bias reporting in schools, security coordination, and broader anti-discrimination training, and emphasized that the recommendations will help all communities. Commissioners thanked her for her leadership and testimony. The meeting continued with further amendments, including one on law enforcement security grants and another on higher education findings and recommendations, and the commission repeatedly voted by roll call, generally approving the revisions unanimously.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 2/18/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • veteran cemeteries across the state.
  • We have eight veterans homes and four state veteran cemeteries across the state.
  • State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony. the front thank you state your name for
  • </c><00:16:36.120><c> some</c> in partnership with the university some in partnership with the university
  • </c><00:52:47.480><c> of</c> we provide for the state of we provide for the state of Minnesota<00:52:
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And we're bigger, more than 50% bigger than the next largest state, a state that considers itself the
  • And we're bigger, more than 50% bigger than the next largest state, a state that considers itself the
  • to go to Washington.
  • We welcome people to our state.
  • We welcome people to our state.
Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard presentations from Go-Biz and the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation on the Governor’s budget proposals. Go-Biz described California Jobs First, the state’s 10-year economic development strategy, and emphasized support for small businesses, workforce development, and targeted investment in sectors such as ag tech, life sciences, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. Members raised concerns about federal policy changes, tariffs, tourism, housing, child care, and whether state incentives are truly additive; Go-Biz responded that it tracks federal actions closely, works with chambers and advocates, and uses programs like California Competes to target jobs that would not otherwise come to California. The committee then reviewed the proposal to restore the California Competes grant program with $60 million. Go-Biz said the grant would help businesses that cannot use the nonrefundable tax credit, and explained the program’s five-year contracts, milestone-based awards, and recapture provisions. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the grant could be effective but recommended stronger oversight and clearer eligibility criteria, while also noting the 30% cap in trailer bill language may be too restrictive given the smaller funding level. Public testimony supported the grant and suggested considering refundability or transferability for the tax credit to broaden access for smaller and startup businesses. Members also heard the CHIPS-related proposal for $25 million to support Natcast’s semiconductor design and collaboration facility in Sunnyvale. Go-Biz and public witnesses argued the state investment would help secure a major federal research facility, retain engineering talent, and leverage billions in broader investment, while the LAO recommended rejecting the item because of its dependence on uncertain federal funding and the state’s budget condition. The committee also considered a $17 million continuation of CA RISE, which supports employment social enterprises; Go-Biz and several grantees cited strong job placement and workforce outcomes, while the LAO recommended rejection absent a more rigorous evaluation, noting prior LA RISE evidence did not show long-term employment gains. Finally, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented budget requests for IT security and rent increases, and a trailer bill to raise fees across several programs. DFPI said decades-old fee schedules, inflation, and new regulatory responsibilities have created a structural deficit and warned the department could face insolvency without adjustments. The LAO recommended approving the fee increases only on a three-year limited-term basis and asked for more detailed revenue plans for programs not covered by the proposal, so the Legislature can assess actual collections and market impacts before making the changes permanent.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • supports a strong national defense, but the Army does not have at its option ignoring the United States
  • of Washington.
  • The company employs over 67,000... people in the state of Washington.
  • of Washington and...
  • I served in the state of Delaware as head of state personnel, and so I understand the challenges and
Summary: The meeting primarily focused on significant safety concerns surrounding Boeing and its compliance with federal aviation standards. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the Army's failure to provide requested operational transparency regarding helicopter operations near Washington, D.C., amid recent incidents indicating a strained air traffic control situation. Several members called for reform in Boeing's oversight, emphasizing the need for a robust safety culture and mandatory safety management systems to prevent future disasters like the 737 MAX crashes. The discussions were passionate, with survivors and families impacted by past accidents present, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the issues at hand.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Apr 28th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some examples of that: universities in the United States, also in Louisiana, are using Pentagon grant
  • There are universities across the United States here in Louisiana as well, who have official partnerships
  • We have more public universities than states that have three times our population.
  • Because we have so many universities in the state.
  • Because we have so many universities in the state.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Rules Feb 17th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, Washington was actually a federal city, and it was named for Washington while he was president
  • Eric McClure, state court administrator, waives in support for the state court system.
  • State or federal law.
  • If there are exceptions for the state level, it still can be done at the state level.
  • We are a diverse state.
Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • For example, both the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University offer minors in bilingual
  • New Mexico State University embeds the TESOL or bilingual endorsement option into their bilingual prep
  • Universities across the state are Collaborating to create New Mexico's first undergraduate degree in
  • Is anything like that going on in our state?
  • While I was an undergraduate at the University of Washington I thought I was going to build a career
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-02-12 - 1:00PM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • buildings, and state buildings have been enacted as a protection like this in other states and upheld
  • c> government</c><00:15:44.880><c> uh</c> state buildings, government uh state buildings, government
  • </c> state offices. state offices. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:16:21.680><c> you</c><00:16:22.000><c> Mr.
  • </c> include state buildings um and state include state buildings um and state [clears throat]<00:16:
  • </c> on state matters. on state matters.
Keywords: 927, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 20th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • LeMay plays an active role in strengthening ties between Quebec and the United States. Mr.
  • Welcome to the California State Senate.
  • She'll be a strong advocate for the 1.6 million veterans in the state.
  • deeply connected to the university and its football program throughout his life.
  • was deeply connected to the university and California in 1969 and was deeply connected to the university
Keywords: 987, senate, all