Video & Transcript Research : 'LA FIRST'

Page 31 of 500
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Housing Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is it okay if he just goes first? Okay. Thank you very much for your flexibility.
  • La Cooperativa and its members are the federally designated farm worker agencies.
  • So our first concern about AB 2050 is that...
  • Oh, I wish to let Cabaldon speak first because he has better insights.
  • Oh, I wish to let Cabaldon speak first because he has better insights.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with AB 2002, which would clarify and extend the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 1.0) grant program to support regional governments, cities, and counties with housing element planning and technical assistance. Supporters from SCAG and CalCOG said REAP helped jurisdictions meet housing obligations and build capacity, while the California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended over concerns the bill could create additional local constraints. The committee discussed accepted amendments, including emergency and permanent regulations, suballocation to subregions, and a three-year expenditure deadline. The bill was moved on a do-pass-as-amended basis and kept on call, along with the consent calendar. AB 1684 would bar homeowners associations from restricting a homeowner’s ability to install, use, or replace a home cooling system. Supporters argued cooling is a health and safety necessity during extreme heat, especially for vulnerable residents, while opposition from the Community Associations Institute said the bill needed more clarity on electrical capacity, permits, and common-area placement of equipment. Committee amendments were summarized to require licensed electrical contractors where permits are needed, preserve HOA authority over unpermitted or unsafe installations, and require disclosure to buyers. The bill was approved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Senate Judiciary and kept on call. AB 1710 would extend SB 330-style vesting protections to state and regional agencies so housing projects are not subject to later regulatory changes after the entitlement process begins, except for certain health, safety, and environmental exceptions. Supporters said it would reduce delays and costs in housing development, while special districts and water agencies opposed unless amended, warning the bill could improperly freeze later state, regional, or federal requirements. Senators raised concerns about overbreadth and operational conflicts, but the bill was moved do-pass as amended to Senate Local Government and kept on call. The committee also heard and advanced AB 2263, authorizing the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to develop employee housing with a preference for employees and annual reporting; AB 2270, which would adjust tax credit scoring for farmworker housing to reflect rural realities; AB 2118, which would refine AB 2011 streamlined approval rules for mixed-use and affordable housing; and AB 2050, the HOA reserve-funding bill, which would require associations to build reserves over time and add notice and safeguards, but drew opposition over enforcement and foreclosure concerns. Each of those bills was moved forward with amendments and kept on call for absent members.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Labor and Industrial Relations May 7th, 2026

Labor & Industrial Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • First, please silence your cell phones.
  • First, please silence your cell phones.
  • First of all... First of all, they're going to see the arrest.
  • And what does LA Works do with it?
  • And what does LA Works do with it?
Keywords: 965, house, all
Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/23/2026 - House Rules

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • At its core, the idea here, though, raises the issue for us under, I think, the First Amendment.
  • to protected speech and whether there has to be parental consent first.
  • Representative De La Santos? Representative Mathis? Speaker Montenegro? Aye.
  • Representative De La Santos? Representative Memphis? Mr. Chairman. Please proceed. It's...
  • Representative De La Santos. Representative Mathis. Aye. Speaker Montenegro.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The committee considered a series of bills for constitutional and proper-form review, with the Rules Attorney flagging a few issues for possible floor amendments. House Bill 2313, dealing with teachers’ strikes and work stoppages, was found to raise a pension-rights problem under the state constitution if it would take away retirement benefits; the attorney said removing the words “or former employment” would cure the issue. House Bill 2697, concerning opioid overdose emergencies and related immunities for use of opioid antagonists, was flagged for an anti-abrogation issue based on recent Supreme Court guidance about how statutory immunities are drafted. House Bill 2912, on Corporation Commission integrated resource plans for electric utilities, raised uncertainty about the boundary between legislative authority and the Commission’s rate-making power, though the bill was still recommended with a note that a clarifying amendment might help. Each of these bills was ultimately recommended as constitutional and in proper form by recorded votes. The committee also reviewed House Bill 2991, which would require parental consent for minors to create social media accounts. The Rules Attorney said the measure raises unresolved First Amendment concerns and is still a work in progress, while the sponsor said stakeholders are continuing to negotiate language. Despite that debate, the bill was recommended as constitutional and in proper form. House Bill 4010, regulating genetic counselors, was said to be generally fine except for a provision barring adverse action or even threats of a lawsuit against counselors for conscience-based refusals; the attorney said a floor amendment removing the “threatening-to-sue” language would resolve the issue, and the bill was recommended. The committee then took up House Bill 4115 and House Concurrent Resolution 2051 together. Both measures were deemed generally constitutional, but the attorney said a petition-circulator disclosure requirement likely conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s Buckley decision and should be removed by amendment; the sponsor indicated such an amendment was planned. Both measures were still recommended. Finally, the committee approved a large mass motion covering many additional bills and resolutions, which the Rules Attorney said had been reviewed and were constitutional and in proper form. The committee adjourned after a 6-0 vote on the mass motion, with two members absent.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Dec 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • But that's really the first place that you need to start.
  • Family First nurses, and also aging.
  • I think they've received their first quarter of funding.
  • First of all, well, maybe this one isn't.
  • First of all, well, maybe this one isn't.
Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee May 28th, 2025

Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our, uh, first presentation for the afternoon, Charles and Eric, please. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • The first are mandatory spending programs.
  • Or we should do first, what would they be? Entitlement reform.
  • We have a proposed work program I'd like to talk about first.
  • It's your meeting, so Las Cruces. Well, we're doing Las Cruces then in October.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Apr 1st, 2026

Finance and Taxation Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Clerk, call the first bill. House Bill 517 by Representative Lomax."
  • Clerk call the first bill. Clerk call the first bill.
  • LA, Chicago, Atlanta LA, Chicago, Atlanta are<00:13:09.939> [clears throat]<00:13:09.960> far
  • The first part is all the um substitute.
  • Let me say that first.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Finance May 18th, 2026

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're going to take up HB 12 first, by Representative Villa.
  • It's almost, when it comes out of the same fund, it winds up being almost a first-come, first-served
  • It also adds referees to LA Wallet right now. Coaches are on there; referees are not.
  • to get on LA Wallet.
  • All right, we'll take HB 220, no, 145 first. No, 145 first.
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 12th, 2025

Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We had food trucks; Las Cruces, city of Las Cruces brought their balloons, so it was kind of a nice event
  • Las Cruces and Doña Ana County is Las Cruces Public Schools, which fund both the Challenger Center, a
  • They have a Challenger Center in Las Cruces.
  • First up we have Senator Maestas.
  • These are first-time homeowners.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 02:41 pm

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We actually had our first work group meeting on December 16th.
  • Having BHSD staff that are going to be out in Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell, and Las Vegas so that
  • The first was our application phase.
  • We've started the process with Las Cruces and Region 3.
  • Now, how do we get their priorities and their first needs?
Bills: HB1
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome to the first hearing.
  • That first, those first couple of days, people were not given any food for full-on 14 to 16 hours.
  • I will pass it off to my colleague first. Thank you.
  • The first is, as legislators, I believe that our fundamental responsibility is to first do no harm.
  • In LA County alone, the system is comprised of 58.5% Latinos.
Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/29/2026 - House Rural Economic Development

Rural Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • They left out La Paz County. I know, and I appreciate that. This is very simple.
  • They left out La Paz County.
  • This is my first time here as a ranking member and, you know, bear with me.
  • The first process of this is, as all appropriation bills, they have to go through a committee first and
  • then still go through appropriations first and then be hashed out on the budget.
Summary: The Committee on Rural Economic Development met briefly, adopted its committee rules, and heard several bills focused largely on Apache Junction, La Paz County, broadband, transportation, and rural economic development. HB 2258 would add La Paz County to Area 4 for representation on the Tourism Advisory Council and was described as correcting an omission; it passed unanimously 7-0. HB 2065 appropriates $9.5 million for Apache Junction housing infrastructure, rehabilitation, and blight abatement; members discussed statewide housing shortages and the need for targeted rural-adjacent investment, and the bill passed 6-1. The committee then considered HB 2066, which appropriates $8 million for broadband and fiber optic expansion in Apache Junction. The sponsor emphasized rural connectivity and safety concerns, especially for the Navajo Nation and students, and expressed openness to federal BEAD funding and amendments; the bill passed 6-1. HB 2106, an emergency measure to direct undistributed county transportation excise tax revenues to ADOT for Pinal County road projects, was explained as a way to use escrowed funds for the voters’ intended purpose after litigation over the tax; it passed unanimously 7-0. Finally, HB 2071 would appropriate $15.5 million for a rural business and workforce hub, infrastructure revitalization, and a rural health and community services facility in Apache Junction. Members discussed whether the proposal should be broadened to other rural areas and the need for accountability and possible amendments, including for the Navajo Nation; it passed 6-1. The chair noted that one remaining bill would be held for the next agenda, and the committee adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 31, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • resolution that we'll be hearing first resolution that we'll be hearing first and<00:04:38.160><
  • La,<00:16:49.600> last. La, last. La, last. >> Aquarius. >> Aquarius.
  • First, we have the Judiciary.
  • Uh, first, no, first Rep. Cochran. Uh, Mr. Perreira. HRP. Yes, Rep. Cochran. Hello. Hi.
  • First<01:05:59.160> up,<01:05:59.560> we<01:05:59.880> have First up, we have First
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

House Chamber - Thu Apr 16, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 45

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • La Chica? >> Here. Mr. Lee? >> Here. Ms. Lowen? >> Here. Ms. Martin? >> Here. Mr. Matayoshi?
  • First, Yvonne Yoro, my office manager, if you could please rise.
  • First, I'd like to They're good people.
  • Representative<00:21:48.040> La<00:21:48.160> Chica.
  • Madam Speaker, Representative La Chica.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Commerce and Economic Development Jan 28th, 2026 at 02:54 pm

House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative De La Cruz? Here. Representative Hernandez? Representative Lente? Here.
  • All righty, our first bill of this session for Commerce, we'll start with HB 27.
  • Representative De La Cruz. Yes. Representative Hernandez. Yes. Representative Lente.
  • So, Representative De La Cruz. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • Representative De La Cruz. Representative Hernandez. Yes. Representative Lente. Yes.
Keywords: 996, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Sorry, my first hearing of the year.
  • Our first panel is the California Military Department.
  • LA fires.
  • First, it all goes back to readiness.
  • He was about to have his first child. He had no job.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thomas Diaz de la Rubia. Thomas Diaz de la Rubia.
  • Madam Chair, first, thank you so much for your presentation.
  • The first is very similar to ICANN.
  • When we first got here, when I was first elected, I was issued a computer in Microsoft Office 2016.
  • And our PII is floating around there in La La Land, and I discussed some of the breaches that we had
Bills: HB2809
Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology heard two informational presentations before taking up its only bill, HB 2809. The first presentation, from the University of Arizona, focused on fusion energy research and commercialization. The presenter described fusion as a clean, safe, long-term energy source with major potential for Arizona, emphasized growing U.S. and Chinese investment in the field, and argued that Arizona could become a hub for fusion supply chains, talent, and deployment. Members asked about timelines, regulation, and how fusion might compare with small modular reactors and other energy sources; the presenter said fusion could be commercially deployable in roughly 12 to 15 years if public-private investment continues. The second presentation, from XRDNA, described a spatial-temporal addressing system for physical objects and events, aimed at improving coordination across space, infrastructure, logistics, and defense. The company said it is testing with Space Force and launch providers, uses AI provenance tools, and sees its main near-term use case in logistics and space operations. HB 2809 would require state agencies handling sensitive data, including elections, public safety, benefits, finance, and infrastructure information, to implement post-quantum encryption meeting or exceeding CMMC 2.0 validation, using a U.S.-based vendor and U.S.-developed, manufactured, or maintained components. An amendment clarified that agencies would not be required to connect offline systems to the internet to install encryption, and that agencies could use offline methods such as removable media. The sponsor argued the bill is needed because Arizona’s legacy systems are vulnerable, cited prior cyber incidents and audit findings, and said the bill would secure data even on older systems while keeping the encryption key with the Auditor General. Members generally supported the concept but raised questions about implementation, costs, the Auditor General’s role, and the need for more stakeholder input. No one signed in opposition; the Secretary of State’s office was noted as neutral. The committee adopted the Pingarelli amendment and then passed HB 2809 as amended on a 9-0 vote, giving it a due pass recommendation. Several members explained their yes votes as support for the bill’s goal while emphasizing the need for careful implementation and broader discussion. The meeting then adjourned.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 12th, 2025 at 10:30 am

Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd like to call the first bill, HB 159. Chairman L, it has. The first bill, HB 159.
  • Comm. examiners, members of the board, and their employees under the LA, and we passed a 2010 LA that
  • Under the LA, and we passed a 2010 LA that...
  • First is a second. All in favor? Second. First is a second. All in favor? Any opposed?
  • Creps, you're up first. Everybody knows we don't make things personal.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Rep. Joe Schomacker (R - Luverne) departing member remarks 5/18/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so, that's when I first met Pat Murphy when he was just the deputy.
  • <00:17:53.200> And the same LA for several years. And the same LA for several years.
  • And the best thing, because first here.
  • In my first term as the chair of things.
  • When we first, when she first took over as committee chair, she invited me in to talk about legislative
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Representative Schomacker delivered a lengthy farewell-style floor speech reflecting on his path into public service, from growing up around news and debate, to starting a teenage Republican group, serving as a page, and eventually being unexpectedly recruited to run for office. He described being elected despite early polling that had him far behind, and said the experience taught him to hold competing viewpoints at once and to focus on getting work done rather than ideological tests. He then reviewed major policy accomplishments from his legislative career, especially in health and human services. He highlighted work on the Lewis and Clark water project for Luverne, the competitive workforce factor in disability waiver rates, expansion of bed capacity at Regions Hospital, and, most prominently, the overhaul of long-term care nursing home funding to a value-based reimbursement system. He emphasized that these efforts required extensive research, negotiation, and input from stakeholders, and said they helped support local care, businesses, and communities. Schomacker also spoke about the importance of long-term care in his district, the aging population, and the role nursing homes play in emergencies. He thanked family, staff, colleagues, mentors, and friends for their support over 16 years in the Legislature, sharing several personal anecdotes and expressing gratitude for the relationships built across party and committee lines. The speech ended with applause and well-wishes; no formal vote or bill action occurred in the excerpt.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House & Governmental May 19th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • list, either two things from the first list or one from the first list and one from the second list,
  • things from the first list or one from the first list and one from the second list, which are not pictured
  • Let's get the first question answered first, and then we'll go to your second question. Okay.
  • The first Apple iPhone was introduced in 2007.
  • When y'all expecting to see the first raise, on the first paycheck in July, in January?
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 319, which would tighten and standardize voter identification rules at polling places. Senator Presley and Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the bill replaces the current “generally recognized” photo ID standard with a specific list of acceptable IDs, removes the affidavit-only option, and allows voters without a photo ID to cast a conditional paper ballot at the registrar of voters office or during early voting if they later provide approved documentation within two days after the election. Supporters argued the bill improves consistency, election integrity, and poll-worker guidance while still preserving access through alternative documents and free state IDs; opponents warned it could create confusion and burden seniors, students, homeless voters, and others without easy access to the required documents. After debate, the committee reported SB 319 favorably by a 7-2 vote. The committee then approved Senate Bill 202, which adds one day of compensated meeting time for parish boards of election supervisors in certain elections, and Senate Bill 25, which revises the compensation schedule for registrars of voters and related staff. SB 25 was amended to remove outdated step references and make conforming technical changes, and supporters said the pay structure has not been updated since 2007 despite increased duties and workload. The committee also adopted and reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 29, creating a legislative study committee on water quality in the Chafalalaya Basin, and House Concurrent Resolution 85, creating a task force on illegal dumping, both with technical amendments. In addition, the committee advanced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which asks the legislative auditor to review how fiscal notes are prepared during session, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 33, which creates a work-based learning coordination task force to improve alignment among education, workforce, and employer partners. SCR 33 was amended to change the appointing authority for two members. The committee also approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and House Resolution 196, which creates a study committee on the impact of fallen trees on residential property and insurance issues. Several of these measures were supported by agency representatives or outside groups, and the committee adopted technical amendments where needed before reporting the bills and resolutions favorably.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Feb 13th, 2026 at 09:07 am

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I would first like to recognize Senator Pope for my first point of personal privilege.
  • I first, like Senator Pope, would like to take my first point of personal privilege.
  • They look at the first day of school, and they experience the first day of school together.
  • First time, I'm a little disappointed.
  • First, it sounds like there was an extra mic on, and so I would first like to reach out to the audience
Bills: HB30, HB120, HJR1, SB210, SB306