Video & Transcript : 'freedom of expression' :
Page 30 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a ton of studies out there on the irony of the celebration of freedom, if you will, and the impacts
- </c><01:30:07.440><c> religious</c><01:30:08.200><c> freedom</c> right of religious freedom right of
- </c> My country is a land of freedom.
- amendment right of freedom of<01:40:05.960><c> religion</c> of religion of religion and<01:40:07.640
- </c><01:43:51.960><c> as</c><01:43:52.120><c> we</c> freedom of religion and worship as we freedom of
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
Keywords:
fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It's part of the Secretary of State's election security package of legislation, which further strengthens
- I know we've done some legislation to take care of some of that, but it's a slow process of weaning it
- of the OMV.
- of the voter.
- They do an evaluation process of each of our...
Bills:
HR118 , HR196 , HR237 , HR285 , HCR85 , HB442 , HB443 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR63 , SB25 , SB202 , SB319
Committee:
House House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Jan 28th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- the state of Alabama in working towards solutions that will benefit the people of Alabama.
- </c> morning to all of you. morning to all of you.
- systems, of both of our two school systems, whether<00:09:39.120><c> St.
- Uh, but in light of that Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.
- of the STEM hub.
Committee:
House Ways and Means Education
Keywords:
HB130, Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists, Sunset Law, sunset review, licensure board, professional geologists, geology, geologist licensing, board appointments, congressional district representation, gubernatorial appointments, state boards and commissions, professional licensing, regulatory board, Alabama Code 34-41-4, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, mining industry, petroleum industry, geological sciences
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Apr 16th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We believe in freedom of religion. More freedom, not less, is always the answer. So, uh, Mr.
- And the first thing that came out of the mouth of some of the kids was that, you know, they ain't going
- of...
- That has been expressed very seriously by some of my instructors, especially in particular at the school
- HB459 addresses the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees.
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
Keywords:
SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education, local board of education, attendance credit, core curriculum, religious education, Bible class
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Dean Sauer, of Missouri, to be Solicitor General of the United States, and Harmeet Dhillon, of California, and Aaron Reitz, of Texas, both to be an Assistant Attorney General, all of the Department of Justice. Feb 26th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- job of keeping me out of trouble.
- Next, I express my deep gratitude to my former bosses, Senator Hawley and Senator Schmidt, both of whom
- Will you make sure that people of faith are protected in the religious expression of their most deeply
- I've led efforts to protect voters' access to the polls and the security of our elections, the freedom
- You know, to all of you, let me express what is a concern I think Many of us have.
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion
Summary:
The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Media Availability 2/6/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This agreement upholds the will of the voters as expressed in a free and fair election.
- That said, I would like to express my gratitude for all of the members of the final negotiating team
- </c> like to express my gratitude for all of like to express my gratitude for all of the<00:02:00.479
- She rules all of your amendments out of order, and you move to override the ruling of the speaker.
- </c> sorts of well we have the messy power of sorts of well we have the messy power of the the the filibuster
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Retirement and Government Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- kind of pushed out of a cola.
- Of kind of kind of pushed out of a cola.
- of the Department of Human Services, office of Inspector General and the Resident Care Specialist for
- of service.
- these out of OES.
Bills:
SB134 , SB1356 , SB1407 , SB1611 , SB1639 , SB169 , SB1722 , SB182 , SB1870 , SB2039 , SB432 , SB609 , SB715 , SB716
Committee:
Senate Retirement and Government Resources
Keywords:
retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, and in lieu of—you got a copy of that...
- care of this... ...care would take care of this situation.
- types of vaccines. ...and different types of vaccines.
- rape of a child under the age of 12 and sodomy of a child under the age of 12 to potential punishment
- of being capital.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
vaccination, parental consent, minors, medical consent, guardian approval, criminal procedure, split sentencing, probation, Class A felony, Class B felony, minimum confinement, HB49, Alabama criminal code, capital offense, capital punishment, death penalty, rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, sexual torture, child sexual abuse
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SB 936?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for Senate Bill 941?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SB 941?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SCR 118?
- I think on behalf of all of us on the committee, we express our deepest condolences for your loss, and
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard presentations on several bills and one resolution, with testimony largely focused on public safety, criminal justice, and victim/survivor protections. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would restrict retail sale of larger nitrous oxide canisters to curb youth misuse and impaired driving; supporters included prosecutors, local officials, cities, counties, and environmental groups, while the ACLU opposed the bill unless amended to rely on regulation rather than criminal penalties. Members raised concerns about overbreadth and possible amendments, but the author said the bill would be narrowed and emphasized it would not create jail time, only escalating fines. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would cap commissary markups in private federal immigration detention facilities, mirroring a prior prison commissary law; it drew strong support from immigrant justice advocates and civil rights groups, with no opposition heard, and members expressed support for the measure.
SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files and greater transparency for survivors. The author and CAST testified in support, emphasizing survivor trauma and accountability; one committee member voiced concern that the resolution could imply facts not yet established and said he would likely abstain, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile hall and would favor less restrictive alternatives; supporters included youth defenders, former system-involved youth, and many advocacy organizations, while probation and district attorneys opposed it, arguing it would limit judicial discretion, strain resources, and could jeopardize public safety. Members were split, with some emphasizing the harms of detention and others warning about home-environment risks and implementation challenges.
AB 46 by Assembly Member Nguyen would revise mental health diversion law to give judges clearer authority to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Support came from prosecutors, probation, and crime survivors who described cases where diverted defendants later committed serious violence; opposition from public defenders and civil rights groups argued that judges already have discretion, diversion is rarely granted, and the bill would reduce access to treatment and worsen outcomes. The author said the bill was a balanced compromise developed with stakeholders. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegean would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days; supporters from Brady and youth gun-violence prevention groups cited accidental shootings and child deaths, and the author noted possible future amendments on timing for new residents. Throughout the hearing, the chair repeatedly noted the committee lacked a quorum, so no votes were taken during the transcript.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Performance Audit Oversight Committee (05/22/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> except for the case of of reimbursement. except for the case of of reimbursement.
- Um, I'm going to express my frustration going back to the very beginning of this process, which has been
- I think the problem the Attorney General expressed was not that the Department of Education couldn't
- </c> part of it. part of it.
- Just a question of<00:38:50.600><c> procedure.</c> of procedure. of procedure.
Summary:
The committee received an update from the LBA on three audits related to education programs. Christine Young reported that the special education audit is in report-writing, with 44 of 81 observations completed, and that a draft is expected early in the third quarter with a final report later in the summer. She also said the doorway program audit has a draft report with 12 observations, auditee responses were received May 14, an exit conference was held May 18, and the report is now expected to be presented at the June fiscal committee meeting.
The bulk of the discussion focused on the education freedom accounts audit and a proposed expansion of scope. Beulah Skids explained that the original audit, required by the 2022 law creating the EFA program, would be expanded to examine whether students were New Hampshire residents at enrollment and throughout participation, and whether records of educational attainment satisfied program requirements. She described the current work, the draft cooperation agreement being developed with the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the department’s concerns about the audit period and the term "educational progress," which the LBA said it would revise. The committee discussed that the expanded work would depend on a written agreement giving the LBA access to needed records, policies, and staff, with the Department of Education potentially serving as an intermediary for data access.
Members raised concerns about the scope period and data access. Senator Lang asked that the residency review be limited to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, rather than the broader 2022-25 period, because those years captured the major program expansions; the committee appeared to agree, with clarification that the reference was to school years, not fiscal years. Members also discussed reconciliation of EFA funds, noting that the department has agreed to reopen rulemaking to make reconciliation more frequent so unused funds can be returned to the state sooner. Several members expressed frustration that access to data had been delayed, while LBA staff said the cooperation agreement is intended to prevent further roadblocks and that the AG’s office could review it if needed.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- the state of Alabama.
- of the state<00:02:18.319><c> of</c><00:02:18.480><c> Alabama.
- Alabama's losing some of the money just because of how it moves.
- some of the money just because of losing some of the money just because of how<00:06:20.960><c> it</c
- some of the students were not paid until the end of the semester.
Committee:
House Ways and Means Education
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- any kind of distribution of child pornography.
- I'm going to the constitutional justice of the intent of this type of bill.
- , when the school becomes aware of a student's change in the student's gender identity or expression,
- and goodness of the great author of our being and father of mercies, end quote.
- This ensures safe spaces for worship, upholding our values of freedom and order.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Was it the number of schools? It was number of students and number of something else?
- expression of legislative interest in further expanding the existing programs for that aim.
- Patrick Murphy, superintendent of the Olympia School District, testified that the district’s Freedom
- We partnered with GRUB, and that led to the Freedom Farm coming out of GRUB, which still exists.
- GRUB is on the west side of town, Freedom Farm is on the east side of town.
Committee:
House Education
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SB 936?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for Senate Bill 941?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SB 941?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SCR 118?
- I think on behalf of all of us on the committee, we express our deepest condolences for your loss, and
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SB 936?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for Senate Bill 941?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SB 941?
- Are there any other members of the public wishing to express support for SCR 118?
- I think on behalf of all of us on the committee, we express our deepest condolences for your loss, and
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, with no quorum at the start and throughout much of the hearing, so bills were presented and discussed but no final votes were taken. The committee heard SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales, SB 941 on commissary price caps in private immigration detention facilities, SCR 118 urging release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, SB 1009 on juvenile detention standards, AB 46 on mental health diversion, and SB 948 on firearm safety training and registration for new residents. The chair explained public comment procedures and noted that SB 891 was on consent, but the transcript focused on the other measures.
SB 936 drew strong support from the author, prosecutors, local officials, and public health/environmental groups, who described rising misuse of flavored large nitrous oxide canisters, youth targeting, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and waste disposal costs. Opposition from the ACLU argued the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory rather than criminal approach, warning about overreach into ordinary household items. Members generally expressed support, though some asked for narrowing amendments to avoid unintended coverage.
SB 941 was presented as a cap on markups for commissary goods sold to detainees in privately run federal immigration detention facilities, modeled on prior prison commissary limits. Supporters described severe price inflation for basic necessities and the burden on families, while no opposition testified. SCR 118, calling for full release of unclassified Epstein investigation files, was supported by the author, a survivor statement, and anti-trafficking advocates; one member objected that the resolution could implicate people without full facts, while others emphasized transparency and survivor accountability. SB 1009 and AB 46 both centered on criminal justice discretion: SB 1009 would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth and was supported by defenders and youth advocates but opposed by probation and district attorneys who warned about public safety and resource constraints; AB 46 would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk, with prosecutors and victims’ families supporting it and public defenders, ACLU, and behavioral health groups opposing it as an unnecessary restriction on treatment. SB 948 would expand firearm safety certificate requirements to include live-fire training and require new California residents to register firearms within 60 days; the author and gun-safety advocates supported it as a common-sense safety measure, and the hearing moved into support testimony as the transcript ended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here to express my strong support for the people of the United States.
- And it reinforces what the traffickers tell their victims, that they are... are unworthy of freedom,
- of their victimization of trafficking.
- survivors in every corner of the country, as well as around the world. to express my support and to
- Prosecutors have expressed that under current law, the prosecutor must choose a specific date of an incident
Bills:
SB251 , SB608 , SB487 , SB535 , SB761 , SB955 , SB957 , SB958 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a mother, a lifelong Texan, and president of the Texas Freedom Network.
- I'm the Texas State Director of Citizens Defending Freedom, the Latino Faith, and I represent a large
- Neither of my children fit the bathroom gender expression requirements set by Passing SB7.
- You, under the old law, subpoena the records, freedom of information, and you get a list of 20 different
- Subject to the Freedom of Information Act?
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Together, the three prongs of the Freedom to Move Act will help us... Here.
- Together, the three prongs of the Freedom to Move Act will help us achieve our emission reduction obligations
- So I think that a lot of thought went into the first portion of this bill to account for that kind of
- There are many tools of the efficacy of the program.
- And I think that having more options for people that give them that freedom of choice is really important
Summary:
The committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy heard testimony on several transportation and clean-fuel bills. Supporters of H. 3535 argued for delaying or pausing enforcement of Massachusetts’ zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, saying the current ACC2 timeline is unrealistic given low ZEV sales, limited charging infrastructure, dealer inventory concerns, and potential economic impacts on dealerships, consumers, and tax revenue. Opponents of that approach, including automakers and clean transportation advocates, said the state should stay on course with electrification and that the mandate is necessary to meet climate goals. The committee also heard support for H. 3570/S. 2326 to update vehicle emission standards for municipal and utility fleets, with municipal utility representatives saying current electric truck technology, charging access, and costs make the rules impractical for critical public services.
A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2246, the Freedom to Move Act, which would require MassDOT and regional planning agencies to set vehicle miles traveled reduction goals and align transportation spending with climate targets. Supporters said the bill would better coordinate transportation planning, encourage transit, biking, and walking, and help Massachusetts meet emissions goals while saving money and improving public health. Some committee members raised concerns that the bill could duplicate existing transportation climate mandates and could disadvantage rural residents who must drive long distances; witnesses responded that the bill is meant to add coordination and flexibility, not impose a one-size-fits-all solution.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3448, which would set deadlines to electrify school buses and public fleets and create programs for private fleet electrification. Advocates said fleet electrification is a practical way to cut emissions, improve air quality, and save money over time, especially for schoolchildren exposed to diesel exhaust. Several witnesses also supported low-carbon fuel standard bills H. 3576 and S. 2251, arguing they would reduce fuel carbon intensity and generate revenue for charging and clean-fuel investments. Others, including a coalition opposed to private jet expansion, objected to the bills’ treatment of sustainable aviation fuel, saying it is not scalable, is expensive, and could create land-use and food-supply tradeoffs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's like a lot of freedoms, right? Freedom isn't free. People have paid for our freedom.
- And this is a type of freedom, educational freedom, that has been secured in Texas by kind of the blood
- SB 2, so with the language of HB 2674, it just codifies into law that the freedoms that homeschoolers
- Are you guys involved in any of that? Witness: I'm not aware of any of those, sir.
- , but I am given the discretion to grant my students access to their phone for the express purpose of
Bills:
HB322 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB1481 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB 121 , HB2243 , HB3627 , HB 1178 , HB367 , HB5515 , HB126 , HB121
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met to hear testimony on a full agenda of education-related bills. Several measures were laid out and left pending, including HB 322 to allow JET Grant funds to be used for subscription-based and ongoing technology costs for career and technical education; HB 3062 to require fentanyl and drug-poisoning prevention instruction for entering college students; HB 121 to update school safety laws, including TEA peace officer commissions, annual renewal of certain safety exceptions, new reporting requirements, and special education behavior threat assessment changes; HB 3627 to let the State Board of Education chair employ staff; HB 5515 to curb inflated shipping and handling charges on instructional materials; HB 2674 to prohibit new state regulation of homeschool programs; HB 2310 to require a statewide strategic plan for early learning and inclusion for young children with disabilities; HB 367 to standardize documentation for excused absences due to serious illness; HB 1178 to speed certification for out-of-state educators and military spouses; and HB 1481 to expand cell phone restrictions to the full school day.
Testimony was generally supportive on most bills, with some concerns raised on HB 121 about school district police departments investigating misconduct and on HB 2674 about how it would interact with the new ESA program in SB 2. HB 5515 drew support from instructional materials coordinators who described extreme shipping invoices and argued the bill would restore transparency and fiscal responsibility. HB 2310 was supported by disability advocates and early learning groups, who said a coordinated state plan would improve access and inclusion for children with disabilities. HB 367 was presented as a simple clarification to reduce confusion for medically vulnerable students and families, and HB 1178 was described by TEA as a modest pathway that would help bring experienced out-of-state teachers into Texas schools more quickly.
HB 126, updating Texas’ NIL law to align with the pending House settlement and allow direct payments and pre-enrollment NIL agreements, received extensive testimony from university counsel and committee questioning about the settlement, recruiting, and future college athletics rules. HB 1481, expanding school cell phone restrictions from instructional time to the entire school day, drew strong support from parents, students, educators, and advocates who linked phones to distraction, cyberbullying, and mental health harms; one teacher asked for flexibility so phones could still be used for limited academic tasks. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee then recessed to attend the floor session.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Heavenly Father of all, each day with the gift of freedom, you place before us the opportunity to choose
- So one of the vaccines that we talk about quite often when we talk about freedom of choice is the hip
- Often, when we talk about freedom of choice, it's the Hib vaccine.
- When I hear people say things like freedom of choice, yes, you have a freedom to choose.
- We give them freedom of choice right now.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then devoted most of the first part of the meeting to a farewell-style recognition of Senator Joe Gruters. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising his loyalty, political instincts, family involvement, and work as a legislator and as incoming Republican National Committee chair. Gruters responded with remarks about his background, including overcoming a childhood speech impediment, his service in the Legislature, and major policy efforts he highlighted such as alimony reform and the undergrounding of utilities. A ceremonial gift was presented to him recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety/immigration bill, and the Senate adopted a motion to spread his remarks upon the journal before recessing briefly.
After the recess, the Senate returned to regular business. No committee reports, governor’s messages, House messages, or reconsideration matters were reported. The chamber then moved to third reading and temporarily postponed CS/CS/CS/SB 354, relating to blue ribbon projects. The next bill, CS/CS/SB 1758, relating to public assistance, was taken up, and Senator Gaetz explained that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system previously discussed by the Senate. Debate was about to continue when the transcript ended.