Video & Transcript : 'legislative' :

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NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • In the last legislative session, all public employees with the exception of educators, received an 80
  • the LESC report on this issue and hope that the legislature will work with NEA New Mexico to pass legislation
  • already offered to draft legislation.
  • for an eighty-twenty split as coming out of this committee as endorsed legislation.
  • Chair and Director Sena, I do think we should put some stuff together just so we as state legislators
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 31, 2025 - 01:30 PM

Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd like to preface my presentation with a statement that this is the most American piece of legislation
  • When I talk about the collapse in 2020, I was on the phone with legislators, Republicans and Democrats
  • This legislation is going in the wrong direction. We made changes in 2011.
  • What this legislation is going to do, you know, back in 2020, we saw that we couldn't even get through
  • This is legislation that is incredibly American, Rep. Salsman, and is all about freedom.
Summary: The committee took up eight bills and memorials and reported each favorably. It first passed HM 4063, a memorial urging Congress to lay the groundwork for a federal sovereign wealth fund. Sponsor Rep. Anderson described it as a long-term economic security measure, while several members questioned how such a fund would be structured, governed, and balanced against paying down debt. Ranking member Hunschofsky and Rep. Spencer raised concerns about transparency, market disruption, and the lack of specific parameters. The memorial passed on a recorded vote. The committee then approved CS/HB 139, allowing pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms, with SMG testifying in support as a modernization and pro-business change. It also adopted an amendment and passed HB 1157, which tightens reemployment assistance requirements by adding work-search, interview, identity, immigration, and availability checks; the amendment added protection for missed interviews due to emergencies and removed an email reporting requirement. The Florida AFL-CIO and Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy opposed the bill, arguing Florida’s unemployment system is already overly restrictive and that the proposal would further limit access to benefits, while supporters said it would ensure claimants are actively seeking work and verify eligibility. Members also passed CS/HB 497 to create nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans for farmers and ranchers, with support from Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Hospital Association, and the Farm Bureau; CS/HB 729 to authorize veterinary professional associates to perform limited duties under veterinarian supervision, with testimony from veterinarians and advocates citing access and workforce shortages; and HB 311, a right-to-repair bill for motorized wheelchairs, which drew strong support from disability advocates who described long repair delays, high costs, and the impact on independence and health. Rep. Tramont praised the wheelchair repair bill during debate, and the committee voted it favorably. Finally, the committee passed CS/HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill intended to help regulate financial institutions more efficiently, and CS/HB 715, which allows licensed roofing contractors to perform roof-to-wall connections during reroof or repair projects and extends the emergency cancellation window to 180 days after a declared emergency. HB 715 was amended to require a contract notice advising property owners to verify insurance coverage before signing when the work is tied to an insurance claim. Roofing industry groups and home inspection representatives supported the measure as a way to reduce costs and improve wind mitigation. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced the agenda was complete and the committee rose.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Feb 26th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • During the last two legislative sessions, we were able to ensure the University of Houston has received
  • Senate Resolution 152 by Creighton et al. recognizing February 26, 2025 as orange and maroon Legislative
  • Now therefore be it resolved that the Senate of the 89th Texas Legislative hereby honor the Consulate
  • Senate resolution 133 by Paxton et al. recognizing February 25th to 26 2025 as Plano legislative days
  • . legislative day's delegation who is here with us in the gallery and if you would please stand to be
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Republican Media Availability 1/28/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean you guys are sworn legislator I mean you guys are sworn members<00:08:37.320><c> of</c><00:08
  • If you want to talk about just that penalty piece of our legislative salary, yeah, I mean, you know,
  • Being a legislator is not a no-show job.
  • If you want to talk about just that penalty piece of our legislative salary, yeah, I mean, you know,
  • Being a legislator is not a no-show job.
Keywords: 1183, house
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2024-11-19 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Legislation should involve compromise. We don't represent a monolith.
  • We will challenge legislation that marginalizes, discriminates, or divides.
  • So as we prepare for the 2025 legislative session, let us do so with the spirit of purpose and resolve
  • And most importantly, its role as the people's voice in Tallahassee and the legislative engine, which
  • I'm not standing before you today to announce a program of legislation because that's not my job.
Summary: The House convened for its organization session with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, followed by introductions of guests including state officials, former House leaders and members, and members of the judiciary. The Secretary of State’s certification of the 2024 election was accepted as prima facie evidence of the members-elect’s election, a quorum was established, and the newly elected and returning members were sworn in by Florida Supreme Court justices. The House then formally declared the members duly elected and qualified to serve in the 92nd Florida House. The chamber proceeded to the election of Speaker. Representative Fentrice Driskell was nominated and seconded, and she delivered remarks emphasizing the role of the minority caucus, the need to address issues such as hurricanes, insurance and condo costs, gun violence, education, poverty, and protecting rights. Representative Daniel Perez was then nominated and seconded; after speeches highlighting his leadership and style, the House adopted a motion to dispense with the roll call and record a unanimous vote for him. Perez was sworn in as Speaker and said his priority would be serving the people of Florida, focusing on practical action, fiscal discipline, competition, and reducing barriers for residents and businesses. After the Speaker’s remarks, the House adopted House Resolution 1-0 establishing House rules for the 2024-2026 term, despite opposition from Representative Gottlieb, who argued the rules continued to restrict debate and limit the opposition’s voice. The House also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2-0 establishing joint legislative rules. The chamber then appointed a committee to inform the Senate that the House was organized, elected Representative Wyman Duggan as Speaker Pro Tempore by unanimous vote, and announced party leadership and administrative appointments. The session concluded with motions to authorize technical corrections to the rules, spread the organization session remarks upon the journal, and adjourn sine die.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's easy to say things as a legislator in politics when you're getting into a heated discussion.
  • But second of legislators on what we do.
  • and on legislators and what they're<00:43:00.960><c> looking</c><00:43:01.119><c> at.
  • </c> with with yourselves with legislators with with yourselves with legislators with<00:47:27.920><c
  • that's</c><00:58:30.480><c> a</c><00:58:30.640><c> good</c> legislator me thinking that's a good legislator
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum and first received a maintenance update from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials James Ballinger and John Moore. They described how repeated disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and ice storms, have strained routine road maintenance and forced crews to focus on emergency response, snow and ice removal, pothole patching, ditching, signal repairs, mowing, striping, sign work, and other day-to-day upkeep. They said snow and ice costs have averaged about $60 million to $61 million annually in recent years, disaster response has totaled hundreds of millions of dollars over five years, and the cabinet often must carry those costs until FEMA or FHWA reimbursement arrives. They also said maintenance work is increasingly contracted out because of staffing and resource limits, and that competitive pay is needed to retain employees and contractors for around-the-clock emergency work. Members then discussed traffic roundabouts and other intersection designs. Senator Hickden asked about their cost savings and safety benefits compared with traffic signals, and cabinet staff said they would provide life-cycle cost figures later. They emphasized that roundabouts and related designs reduce serious injuries and fatalities, with serious injuries down roughly 70% to 80% and fatalities over 90% in their experience. Chair Douglas and others asked about roundabout sizing for trucks and farm equipment, and staff explained that designers tailor the inscribed diameter to local traffic needs and context. The committee also briefly discussed red-light running and traffic-light cameras, with members stressing the safety risks of drivers ignoring signals. The committee adopted the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and voice vote. It then heard from Sarah Jackson and Matthew Cole on the Real ID and driver licensing transition. They said the cabinet has expanded from almost no regional offices to 35, grown driver licensing staff from 89 to 400, and now issues about 1.3 million credentials annually. They reported improvements in office capacity, queue management, staffing, and compensation, including added workstations, new or expanded offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown, and the use of contract staff. They said statewide average wait times have fallen to just under 30 minutes, and Kentucky’s Real ID adoption rate has risen to 42.9%. Members asked follow-up questions about driver testing and CDL scheduling. The presenters said all permit and CDL testing is coordinated through Kentucky State Police, with written tests available in most regional offices and CDL testing at a smaller number of KSP locations. Senator Douglas asked when the driver testing requirements were last updated, and the presenters said that was set by KSP. The discussion ended with additional questions about which regional offices lack KSP testing presence, but no further action was taken before the transcript ended.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • But the reality is that this is groundbreaking legislation.
  • And I would like to acknowledge that this is good legislation. This is very good.
  • It's not, legislation is full of intent, right? We know that.
  • This is the third year in a row I'm running this legislation.
  • This was, and is, a broadly supported piece of legislation across our state.
Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.
AK

Alaska 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Jun 20th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Alaska House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Will the clerk please certify the journal for the previous legislative days?
  • I certify the correctness of the journal for the 23rd through the 30th legislative days of the second
  • 34th Legislature of the State of Alaska into its third special session in Juneau, Alaska, and the legislative
  • Speaker, what this resolution does is it allows the legislation on the governor's special session call
  • Our body has done substantial work on property tax legislation thus far, and we should keep the momentum
Keywords: 905, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget Apr 20th, 2026 at 04:30 pm

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • I believe there's a committee substitute on the legislation without objection. It's adopted.
  • So, would you agree that we have to, as a legislator, feel like there should be more time to educate
  • the public about one of these than the other, and so having them both in the same bill puts legislators
  • House Bill 4078 is a piece of legislation that covers administrative costs for certain ARP projects,
  • SB1134 is a piece of legislation.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 36 Apr 15th, 2026

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Moore, legislation relative to medication administration in rest homes, severally to the Committee on
  • Jalen, the legislation relative to assisted living residences in the Commonwealth. D.
  • Jalen, the legislation relative to assisted living residences in the Commonwealth, and a petition of
  • Moore, the legislation relative to medication administration in rest homes, severally to the Committee
  • Speaker, I also join my colleague in hoping that the body support this legislation. Thank you.
Summary: The House convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and received a gubernatorial message on fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also approved several resolutions, including honoring Abby Goodman, reaffirming Massachusetts-Taiwan friendship, recognizing the Cambodian American Khmer New Year celebration, and observing Elks National Youth Week. Senate petitions on assisted living residences and medication administration in rest homes were referred to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and the House concurred with those referrals. The main legislative business was House Bill 5279/5375, the transportation bond bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Ways and Means recommended an amended substitute bill, and the House adopted the amendment and advanced the bill to third reading. Later, the House took up the substitute bill, House 5375, and members spoke in support of the Chapter 90 transportation package, emphasizing municipal road and bridge funding, rural road mileage distribution, housing-related infrastructure, lifecycle asset management, DCR deferred maintenance, and MBTA electrified locomotives. A roll call vote was ordered, and the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 155 in favor and 0 against. The House also passed to be engrossed a bill authorizing the grant of easements or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston. In addition, the chamber received the certified returns for the 5th Essex District special election and adopted an order creating a special committee to escort the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Executive Council for the swearing-in of Representative-elect Andrew Francis Robert Tarr. Tarr was then administered the oaths of office by Governor Maura Healey and seated. The House later adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the next day at 11 a.m. in informal session.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 36 Apr 15th, 2026

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Moore, legislation relative to medication administration in rest homes, severally to the Committee on
  • Jalen, the legislation relative to assisted living residences in the Commonwealth. D.
  • Jalen, the legislation relative to assisted living residences in the Commonwealth, and a petition of
  • Moore, the legislation relative to medication administration in rest homes, severally to the Committee
  • Speaker, I also join my colleague in hoping that the body supports this legislation. Thank you.
Keywords: 1212, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Education Oversight REVISED: SB2045 - Added Apr 13th, 2026

Education Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, so there's actually some other legislation that deals with some of that specifically.
  • But on this particular legislation, it is not. It is not done by the free speech committee.
  • Each institution would come up with... ...legislation, it is not.
  • I don't think that would apply under this legislation. Thank you.
  • thank you for follow-up is there a cap apply under this legislation.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced a long series of education-related bills, including measures on school board nepotism rules (SB 843), preserving the Ag in the Classroom program in statute (SB 1410), shifting oversight of technology centers to the State Board of Career and Technology Education (SB 1735), teacher certification and hiring transparency (SB 346), AP exam access (SB 1975), in-state tuition alignment with federal law after a consent judgment (SB 1633), teacher professional development caps (SB 1894), portability of career teacher status between districts (SB 1317), recess requirements and discipline limits (SB 2045), expanding the Teach Forward Program (SB 710), limiting concurrent enrollment to students 21 and under (SB 1477), special education training and parent-record review rights (SB 1489), a teacher induction program for new and emergency-certified teachers (SB 1614), graduate-level teacher training requirements (SB 1726), career assessment test selection and credit transfer authority (SB 1632), OSU-Tulsa governance changes (SB 1593), virtual days for certain high school students not taking the ACT (SB 1630), R&D rebate modernization (SB 1670), AI guardrails in schools (SB 1734), and security fees for student organizations that cannot be based on viewpoint or content (SB 1725). Several bills drew brief questions, especially SB 1633, SB 1489, SB 1477, SB 1614, SB 1726, and SB 1725, but no substantive opposition was recorded beyond a few nay votes on some measures. Most bills were moved by due pass motions and approved by voice or roll-call votes, often unanimously or near-unanimously. Notable recorded opposition included SB 1633 and SB 1725, each passing with a few nays, and SB 1726 passing 7-2. SB 1338 was laid over until Wednesday. The meeting concluded with notice of another committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m., and the committee adjourned.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 27th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate has already announced that they are doing legislation.
  • I think it was this week I saw that they are doing legislation with regards to NIL.
  • Just introduction, Mark Harris, Idaho State Senate, Legislative District 35.
  • There are two legislative tasks we have to do per subsection 40-1310 and also subsection 40-2301.
  • He said that would make them better as a legislative body, particularly for this committee.
Keywords: 989, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Laura Mercer from Legislative District 4. She up here? There she is. Welcome to the House, Dr.
  • She currently lives in Phoenix in the Mountain Resort District of Legislative District 4.
  • State of Arizona legislative proclamation declaring March 25th, 2026, Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.
  • Dated this 25th day of March, 2026, Representative Stephanie Simacek, Legislative District 2.
  • I'm proud that UCP is located in legislative district 2 in my district and wellness district.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Laura Mercer. Members also made several personal privilege introductions, including guests for National Women’s History Month, Father Andres Arango and Interfaith Day participants, Jeremiah Pate, and a proclamation recognizing March 25, 2026, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Representative Simacek and others highlighted United Cerebral Palsy’s work, early diagnosis, and expanded services for people with cerebral palsy. On the floor, the House announced committee substitutions and bill referrals, then moved into Committee of the Whole. Three Senate bills received do pass recommendations: SB 1092, described as ending probation or early release for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children; SB 1097, the annual claimant bill; and SB 1135, a government-related measure. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred those bills to engrossing. The House then took up SB 1430, a tax corrections bill. Representative Calles raised concern that a provision might remove multiple tax exemptions, while Representative Olson said the measure was a technical cleanup and that any policy-changing language had been removed in committee. The bill passed 51-0, with nine not voting, and was sent back to the Senate. The House also received committee meeting announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 24th, 2026

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently in this legislation, it would be 50,000 people and less would nominate one person.
  • This was the number that was put into the legislation, and then LSO kind of messed around with it, and
  • And I'm here today to oppose this legislation. And I just want to relate my own experience.
  • I know, speaking for District 11 in Caldwell, where we do have a very large legislative district, not
  • I know, speaking for District 11 in Caldwell, where we do have a very large legislative district, not
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 892, sponsored by Representative Harris, which would change the number of nominees submitted to fill a midterm county commissioner vacancy based on county population. Under the bill, counties with 50,000 or fewer residents would submit one nominee, counties between 50,000 and 100,000 would submit two, and counties over 100,000 would continue to submit three. Harris argued the change would help small counties that struggle to find enough willing candidates and would preserve local control by letting county central committees make the selection. Jennifer Reby, a Payette County commissioner, testified in opposition. She said her county has had strong applicant pools for commissioner vacancies and argued that reducing the list to one nominee would effectively turn the central committee’s role into making the appointment itself, rather than preserving a meaningful choice for the governor. In discussion, several members raised concerns that the 50,000 threshold was too high and would affect most counties, while others supported the bill as a practical response to difficulty filling local vacancies. Some members suggested the bill went too far and should be revised rather than adopted as written. The committee then voted on a motion to send HB 892 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The motion passed 8-6, and the bill was reported to the floor.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/03/2026 - Senate Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The main provision this legislation would add is that applicants would be asked to outline their plans
  • The main provision this legislation would add is that applicants would be asked to outline their plans
  • I will note this legislation only makes this change for cesspool remediation.
  • So that is how this legislation came about.
  • This is a priority for our association this legislative session.
Bills: HB2029, HB2096, HB2116
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 2nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • This legislation would allow churches to better serve their communities and congregations, so I would
  • This proposed legislation is an agency bill, but I fully support it.
  • Excuse me, on this legislation. Representative Crane: Thank you, Chairman and Representative Birch.
  • Representative Crane said this legislation would be great, really helpful. We appreciate it.
  • On the SOP it actually is correct, but in the legislation here.
Summary: The committee first approved the February 20, 2026 minutes, then heard a series of RS introductions from Representative Jordan Redmond tied to interim housing committee recommendations. Those measures would: allow small apartment buildings to use a single stairway with added safety requirements and sprinklers; reduce barriers for manufactured housing while preserving local lot-type compatibility; let faith-based organizations use underutilized land for housing and related services with several guardrails; and permit multifamily housing in commercial zones subject to design, siting, and safety standards. Members generally supported introducing these RSs, though several asked about stakeholder input, local impacts, parking, and fire-safety concerns, and all four were introduced by voice vote. The committee also considered RS 33553, an agency bill extending confidentiality protections for people involved in executions by firing squad, including medical personnel, escort teams, and technical assistants. Representative Skaug said the purpose was to protect participants from doxing and align the statute with Idaho’s current execution method. Representative Rubel and Representative Birch raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill would limit judicial review or broader disclosure; despite those objections, the motion to introduce passed, with Rubel, Birch, and Church recorded as nays. Next, the committee introduced RS 33360C1, which would allow single-county highway districts to continue serving streets when a city grows into another county, prompted by the City of Star’s growth toward Canyon County. Members noted city support but suggested counties should also weigh in. Finally, the committee introduced RS 33465, a commemorative measure honoring Lyndon Bateman and Idaho Day, with a recommendation that it go to the second reading calendar; the sponsor also corrected two drafting errors on the bill. The committee then adjourned, noting an upcoming transmittal deadline.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 25th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • support of House Bill 712 and thank Representative Veeley and the other sponsors for bringing this legislation
  • Chairman, that is essentially the gist of the legislation, proposed legislation.
  • Chairman, that is essentially the gist of the legislation, proposed legislation.
  • There have been some excessive fees charged, and then this ties in with this other piece of legislation
  • And then this ties in with this other piece of legislation where, unbeknownst to the parents, sometimes
Summary: The House Education Committee first agreed by unanimous consent to hear RS 33413C1 before House Bill 712, and then introduced RS 33413C1. The proposal, presented by Rep. Byswinger, would allow students to participate in sports at the school they attend, including flexibility for homeschool and charter school students to play different sports at different schools if needed. Members asked about how the arrangement would work across multiple schools and whether there was a funding mechanism; the sponsor said eligibility limits by the IHSAA would remain intact and that no funding mechanism was attached. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee then heard House Bill 712, a voluntary “seal of excellence in civics” for graduating students. Rep. Veeley said the bill would let students earn a civics endorsement on their diploma, special graduation cords, and allow schools to be designated as civics-excellence schools if they meet certain standards involving GPA, civics coursework, research, and volunteerism. Rep. Nelson noted the bill could provide a useful pathway for senior projects. During testimony, Edward Clark of the Idaho Family Policy Center supported the bill, saying it would help strengthen civics instruction and patriotism. After questions about who would pay for seals and cords, the committee voted to send House Bill 712 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Next, the committee introduced RS 33400, presented by Rep. Ehart as a parental-rights measure requiring parental permission to enroll a student in a school district. Rep. Nelson raised concerns about how the proposal might affect custody disputes and school responsibilities when parents are separated. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee also introduced RS 33461, another Rep. Ehart proposal aimed at clarifying homeschool students’ ability to participate in school activities such as sports and band, while allowing schools to charge fees. Rep. Nelson questioned what would count as a reasonable fee. That RS was also introduced. The meeting ended with a visit from Fruitland’s mayor and members of the city’s new mayoral youth council, who described their meetings, community service projects, and an upcoming 5K event tied to America 250 celebrations.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Oral History Committee Feb 23rd, 2026

Legislative Oral History Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Order of the Legislative Oral History Committee, first order of business. What's that? Microphone.
  • So, Senator, all of the oral histories are included on the Legislative Oral History Committee website
  • Do we have an update on kind of when we expect the website to be kind of in the new legislative website
  • You mentioned PVR as a legislator, and that's over, coming up on 30 years ago.
  • In my legislative district that actually do oral histories. I mean, this is their bread and butter.
Summary: The Legislative Oral History Committee met to elect officers for the coming year, unanimously selecting Senator Schessler as chair and Ramos Santos as vice chair by voice vote. Staff then updated members on completed and in-progress oral history projects, including the printed oral history of former House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, which has had interviews completed and is now being edited with photographs added, and the Mary Margaret Howgan project, for which staff is still seeking a contractor to finish the work. Members discussed where completed oral histories are stored and learned they are posted on the committee website, with some additional printed copies available and the website itself being redesigned. The committee also reviewed its finances, hearing that the account balance was $79,639.20, though members noted inconsistencies in the report and asked staff to provide a fuller accounting later. Staff said typical oral history projects cost about $10,000 to $15,000 each. The committee received an update on TVW-produced video projects, which are complete and will be posted once the oral histories web page is ready. Staff identified the topics as the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, early legislative technology, and the PDC/party-switch history involving former legislator P.V. Reichertbauer. Members then brainstormed future projects, including campus history, leadership-focused histories, interviews with departing members, and oral histories of women and former staff who became legislators. By motion and voice vote, the committee approved conducting oral histories of former Representative Barb Lisk and Senator Hargrove, and also established a program to interview the longest-serving retiring member of each caucus every biennium. Members discussed possible interviewers, including staff, TVW, and university-based or other nonprofit oral history practitioners, and asked staff to explore options and report back.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • We finally have gotten to that point by working with the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, who
  • is given By working with the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, which was given the statutory
  • Follow up: Okay, in your legislation, did you also include the fact that the legislature...
  • First, what we've got to do is make sure the first thing we can do before we choose, as a legislative
  • Regina Burchum, Executive Director of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency.