Video & Transcript Research : 'state senators'
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LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Womack. Here. Senator Cloud. Senator Boudreaux. Here. Senator Edmonds. Here. Senator Cloud.
- Senator Boudreaux. Here. Senator Edmonds. Here. Senator Fesi. Here. Senator Harris. Here.
- Senator Jackson Andrews. Senator Miguez. Senator Pressly. Here. Senator Selders. Senator Stine.
- Senator Pressly.
- Senator Presley, no. Okay. Senator Presley. that schedule. Thank you. Senator Presley. No. Okay.
Keywords:
inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation, hazardous waste, cleanup fund, environmental protection, state treasury, Consumer Price Index, law enforcement, firefighters, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Rules REVISED: Links Added May 6th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Administrative Rules
Keywords:
Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Rules REVISED: Links Added May 6th, 2026
Administrative Rules
Keywords:
Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval
Summary:
The Administrative Rules Committee met to consider three joint resolutions approving major rules. Chairman Kendricks presented SJR 50 and SJR 52, both related to Oklahoma Health Care Authority rules, and SJR 53, which was clarified to concern the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Members asked why the Health Care Authority rules were split into two separate resolutions, and were told they could have been combined but were being handled separately.
Each resolution was moved for adoption, there was little to no debate, and the committee voted to approve them. SJR 50 passed 10-0, SJR 52 passed 11-0, and SJR 53 also passed unanimously. After the votes, members exchanged brief remarks thanking one another for their work during the year and noting the committee’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy.
A member asked whether suggestions should be raised at that time, and was told that was not the appropriate time. With no further business, the committee adjourned.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 15 April, 2026; 1:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
- The short title for House Bill 1653 states that Section 4 is ...
- But now the Senate has a bill that he vetoed, and it can't have any oversight.
- And so we have over there at the Senate, uh, there is a bill with about rural...
- Somebody said adjourn in memory of the Senate. I don't know about that. We better not do that.
Keywords:
commendation, sports, team achievement, high school, state championship, suffrage, restoration of voting rights, conviction, probation, law-abiding citizen, congressional term limits, constitutional amendments, Article V, state resolution, political reform, Jackson State University, Veterans Memorial Stadium, economic growth, property tax, multi-purpose facility
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/09/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1032 appropriates $1,500,000 from the State General Fund to the Corrections
- I'm in favor of prison oversight and in favor of Senate Bill 1032.
- Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1055 requires the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Those are the challenges families across the state expect you to address.
- But yet the law in the state of Arizona was passed, SB 1070.
Keywords:
corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement first heard SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the State General Fund to the Corrections Oversight Fund in fiscal year 2027 to help administer the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Supporters, including Justice Action Network and a family member who described the death of her son after severe mental health and jail-care failures, argued the office is needed to provide accountability, transparency, and a check on systemic problems in the Department of Corrections. Representative Blackman strongly backed the measure, saying the oversight office would help address lawsuits, staffing shortages, mental health issues, and the state’s federal receivership. The committee approved SB 1032 on a 14-0 vote with one absent, giving it a due pass recommendation.
The committee then considered SB 1107, which creates an alternative certification pathway for honorably discharged U.S. veterans who served as military police to become Arizona peace officers through an abbreviated training process that credits military training and experience. There was no sponsor present and no opposition testimony. Members discussed whether the bill would include equivalent military law enforcement roles from all branches, and staff indicated the bill is intended to track Department of Defense training standards. The bill received broad support as a way to help fill public safety staffing shortages, though one member voted no over concerns about applicants with prior misconduct elsewhere. SB 1107 passed 11-1, with two present and one absent, and received a due pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1055, which requires law enforcement to immediately notify ICE or CBP when an arrested person is unlawfully present in the United States. Supporters said the bill would strengthen cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and help ensure people are not released before federal authorities can act. Opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona and several community speakers, argued it would undermine trust in law enforcement, chill crime reporting, create due process and constitutional concerns, and impose unfunded compliance burdens on local agencies; one speaker also raised concerns about impacts on Indigenous people and families dealing with mental illness crises. A strike-everything amendment offered by Representative Cruz would have replaced the bill with a restriction on DOC inmate telephone contracts so the department could not profit beyond operating costs, but the committee rejected that amendment 6-8. The committee then approved the underlying SB 1055 on an 8-6 vote with one absent, giving it a do pass recommendation.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/03/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Alston? No. Senator Hinkis? Aye. Senator Epstein? Nay. Senator Fernandez? No.
- Senator Judy? You may.
- It just seems like we're trying to hollow out state government, and I say no. Senator Leach?
- The rest of the states it flows to the legislature. And without our vote... Senator Werner? Aye.
- Senator Benjamin. Senator Huey. Explain my vote. You may.
Keywords:
federal funding, state budget, appropriation, block grants, noncustodial funds, legislative authority, Arizona attorney general, Department of Public Safety, DPS, consumer fraud revolving fund, consumer protection fund, gang and immigration intelligence team enforcement mission fund, public safety appropriation, supplemental appropriation, outside counsel, state agency legal representation, legal services, state settlement proceeds, general fund, A.R.S. 41-192
Summary:
The Committee on Appropriations, Transportation and Technology heard a presentation on advanced air mobility, featuring video and remarks about new aircraft technologies, including drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing craft. The presentation emphasized potential uses such as medical delivery, rescue operations, passenger and cargo transport, quieter flight profiles, and the need for coordination among industry, government, NASA, the FAA, and other partners. Members also noted an upcoming display of a Pivotal aircraft on the Senate lawn.
The committee then considered House Bill 2148, which would grant the legislature authority to appropriate non-constitutional federal monies and require the legislature to specify the purposes for which those funds are spent, with a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. Supporters described it as a transparency and separation-of-powers measure, while opponents argued it would interfere with existing federal funding structures and state programs. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-4 vote.
House Bill 2993 was also heard. It would appropriate $6.4 million from the Consumer Protection/Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund to the Department of Public Safety for FY 2026 and exempt DPS from the statutory restriction on employing legal counsel without approval. Testimony from the Arizona State Troopers Association supported the funding as an emergency need to avoid cuts to recruit classes, overtime, and patrol car purchases, but several members objected to combining the appropriation with the outside-counsel policy change. The committee approved the bill on a 6-4 do-pass vote. The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming committee events and adjournment.
WY
Keywords:
teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse, active duty military, teacher shortage, career and technical education, CTE teacher, background check, disciplinary records, licensure portability, multistate commission, education regulation, school staffing
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
GVO DEFER, GVO, GVO-EIG, GVO Public Hearings 02-10-2026
Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Son Hashimoto. >> Aye. >> Senator Moriwaki. >> Aye. >> Senator Awa. >> No.
- it's in state facilities. it's in state facilities.
- >> Senator<00:27:08.400>
Morwaki. >> Senator Morwaki. >> Senator Morwaki. - >> Senator<00:27:10.799>
Aa. >> Senator Aa. >> Senator Aa. >> Hi. - Senator Dit is excused. Senator Richards, aye. Senator Filla, aye. Recommendation is adopted.
Keywords:
state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies
Summary:
The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments.
The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543.
The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 6th, 2026 at 04:27 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm very happy to report that after the passage of Senate Bill 5 last session, our state wildlife agency
- The state wildlife agency recently completed its state wildlife action plan.
- New Mexico became a state in 1912.
- State land is state trust land.
- , as many other states are doing.
Keywords:
general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 31st, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Keywords:
Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- state and pass House File 3169.
- The state of Minnesota would be at the forefront of a growing proactive approach by state agencies to
- Deputies have always been state.
- I believe, again, as was stated, the language came from admin, from the State Patrol.
- I believe, again, as was stated, the language came from admin, from the State Patrol.
Keywords:
suicide prevention, transportation, mental health, bridge safety, data collection, state law, bridge inspection, active transportation, truck parking, public safety, vehicle registration, fee structure, full-service providers, Capitol security, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, Minnesota State Patrol, State Patrol compensation, trooper salary
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, Senate Bill 169 increases the annual amount of longevity payment awards to state employees by
- Senator Weaver, Woods, haste. Senator Hall, W ayes, zero nays. Senate Bill 1992 having.
- Senate Bill 1427 and Senate Bill 1566 Will be laid over.
- Do pass by Senator Howard, seconded by Senator Prieto. Senator Prieto, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- Senate Bill 1360 directs the State Department of Education to establish a three-year pilot program putting
Keywords:
longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee Feb 9th, 2026 at 10:30 am
A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Is this bill using any state funds or requesting any state funds? No, it does not.
- We've got to get studying it right here in our own state.
- It's just impossible to do and would cost the state enormously.
- There is not a state statute that I'm aware of. DEQ does all the licensing and permitting.
- The EQ handles all of it in our own state. You recognize [name] for follow-up.
Keywords:
education funding, concurrent enrollment, school aid, Oklahoma State Regents, permanent school funds, higher education, revolving fund, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, community development, infrastructure, economic development, local government, financing, pooled finance, Oklahoma Emission Reduction
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator, I teleported over here and became Senator Paxton.
- By the number of states required, and it was done when Senator King had 707 in front of us.
- Capable of doing well, the state courts are capable of deciding state cases, but giving a state court
- The 34th state would have been Wisconsin, and it failed narrowly in their Senate.
- Senate and recognizes Senator Birdwell to lay out the bill.
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Good evening, Chairman Hughes and members of the Senate State Affairs Committee.
- But could you speak to the fact that, you know, I mean, I'm a state senator.
- State your name, who you're with, and your position on the bill, please. Thank you, senators.
- State your name, and you have two minutes to state your position on the bill. Hello, Senators.
- I'm very excited that now that it is in Senate State Affairs, Texas will join 16 other states that have
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Good evening, Chairman Hughes and members of the Senate State Affairs Committee.
- I want to be judicious with time and say, again, thank you, Senate State Affairs, because Texas is leading
- senator.
- State your name and who you're with, and your position on the bill, please. Thank you, Senators.
- I'm very excited that now that it is in Senate State Affairs, it will join 16 other states that have
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 186, which would require social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing account creation. Invited witnesses in support, including Mary Elizabeth Castle and David Dunmoyer, argued the bill would protect children from harmful algorithms, addictive design, bullying, sexual exploitation, and mental health harms, and emphasized parental rights and the idea that minors should not enter binding contracts with platforms. Committee members questioned them about how algorithms work, whether parents could realistically monitor content, and whether the bill would still allow educational use; the witnesses said the bill was narrowly aimed at harmful social media use and not educational content.
Public testimony on HB 186 was largely in opposition, though several student witnesses said they supported the bill’s goals but wanted the age lowered to 16 or the bill amended to allow parental consent or joint accounts. Opponents argued the bill would be ineffective because teens could bypass age checks, would cut off access to educational tools, school communications, recruiting and NIL opportunities, and would burden free speech and privacy. Some witnesses also said social media helps teens with mental health, community, and creative or professional opportunities, while others warned the bill could disproportionately harm disabled and marginalized users. After public testimony closed, HB 186 was left pending.
The committee then heard House Bill 5138, which Chairman Hughes said would respond to a court ruling limiting the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes unless invited by local prosecutors by changing the statute to require AG prosecution. Public testimony on HB 5138 was brief and opposed by at least one witness who argued it would further erode local control and expand state preemption. The bill was left pending after testimony.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3225, a library bill aimed at keeping sexually explicit books and materials out of children’s sections in municipal libraries and requiring age verification for checkout, including digital access, with parental consent and other revisions added in the House. Supporters said the bill would protect children from explicit material and keep such content in adult sections, while opponents argued it would amount to censorship, be costly and difficult to implement, and could be used to target LGBTQ+ or other marginalized content. Library workers, parents, students, and advocates testified that existing library sections already separate age-appropriate materials and that the bill could reduce access to books, burden libraries, and infringe on parental choice and free expression.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 28th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Apr 16th, 2025
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- Isn't that pretty risky for the state to ... Isn't that pretty risky for the state to be invested?
- So the state would be made...
- I see the state auditor back there, Andrew Serell.
- A lot of states don't have property tax.
- And this would require the state to... And this would require the state to do the same thing.
Keywords:
firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hied Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Please uh state your question. Please uh state your question.
- state college back then. state college back then.
- and for the State Grant Program. and for the State Grant Program.
- The Senate was on board. I got the Senator Fateh over there. We got the letter signed.
- And she's stating the fact.
Keywords:
undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, state grants, college affordability, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Grant, need analysis, expected family contribution, student aid, grant formula, living and miscellaneous expense allowance, dependent student, independent student, parental contribution, student contribution, surplus appropriation, biennium
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, I'm sorry, Senator Talbot. My fault, Senator. That's okay. I'm sorry, Senator Talbot.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Senator Price.
- Senate Bill 11 accelerates the debt payment and retirees for the Louisiana State Police Retirement System
- Next bill, Senator? Senate Bill 14. All right, staff will read in Senate Bill 14. Thank you, Mr.
- Senate Bill 477 reclassifies the Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state
Bills:
SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB416, SB455, SB456, SB477
Keywords:
Municipal Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana, participation, employer, retirement, SB 10, Act 222, Louisiana State Police Retirement System, state police retirement, retirement system funding, employer contributions, actuarial gains, amortization, Permanent Benefit Increase, PBI account, benefit increase reserve, supplemental permanent benefit increase, public retirement systems, state pension, pension funding
Summary:
The Retirement Committee met on April 29, 2026, established a quorum, and heard a series of retirement-related bills, mostly cleanup or technical measures affecting various public retirement systems. SB 22 would extend Municipal Employees Retirement System eligibility to certain positions in the Second City Court constable’s office in New Orleans. SB 17 would create a funding deposit account for cost-of-living adjustments for registrars of voters’ employees’ retirement system. SB 455 would allow certain district and parish courts to participate in the Parochial Employees Retirement System. SB 456 would update compensation rules for assigned retired judges, and SB 8 would add the Louisiana Asset Management Pool as a participating employer in MERS. All of these bills were described as aligning statutes with current practice or expanding participation options, and each was reported favorably without objection.
The committee also heard several Louisiana State Police retirement bills. SB 10 would repeal outdated priority allocation and retiree raise rules and adjust handling of surplus employee contributions; SB 11 would increase the funding cap for benefit increases from 2.5% to 3.5%; and SB 12 would update membership and definition language to reflect the State Police Commission rather than the Civil Service Commission. SB 18 would repeal a special exception allowing certain MERS retirees to return to part-time work while collecting full benefits, while protecting roughly 30 current participants. SB 20 and SB 21 would update actuarial gain/loss and unfunded liability funding rules for school employees’ retirement and LASERS, respectively, in light of the new permanent benefit increase funding structure. Each of these bills was supported by system officials as cleanup or modernization measures and was reported favorably.
The committee spent the most time on education and return-to-work issues for teachers and public employees. SB 16 would reduce annual trustee training requirements for retirement system boards from 16 hours back to 12 hours, which witnesses said would better fit smaller systems and match the original intent of the law. SB 13 would similarly update TRSL’s actuarial funding rules after the sunset of the experience account. SB 14, based on a 2025 study work group, would consolidate and simplify TRSL return-to-work rules and expand options for retired teachers, with witnesses emphasizing teacher shortages and the need to retain experienced educators. All three were reported favorably. Finally, SB 416 would allow certain Department of Public Safety and Corrections retirees to return to critical shortage positions after one year, and SB 477 would classify the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state employee for retirement purposes. Both bills drew questions and discussion, especially SB 416, and both were reported favorably. The chair announced the committee’s next meeting would be moved from Monday to Tuesday, and the meeting adjourned.