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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs Apr 23rd, 2026
Veterans and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This is our final Veterans and Military Affairs Committee meeting for the 2026 legislative session.
- To present the nomination of Ted Perry to serve on the Oklahoma Veterans Commission at the pleasure of
- Senior Chief Thomas George has been appointed to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission.
- to honorably discharged veterans and their dependents.
- So make no mistake about it, all I want to do is serve, serve veterans, and serve veterans under your
Summary:
The Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met for its final meeting of the 2026 legislative session and considered two executive nominations to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. Senator Green presented Ted Perry, and Senator Standridge presented Senior Chief Thomas George. Both nominees spoke briefly about their military service and desire to serve veterans; supporters praised Perry’s work with young athletes and George’s 25-year naval career and leadership in youth training.
Committee members voiced support for both nominees, and Senator Hines offered debate in favor of Perry. The committee voted 9-0 to advance Perry to the full Senate and 8-0 to advance George. During discussion of George’s nomination, members noted the commission had been deliberately and fully staffed after a long vetting process, and Secretary John Nash thanked the committee and said it was his last Senate meeting.
At the close of the meeting, Senator Peterson commended the chair, vice chair, and Senator Stanley for improving the commission’s condition over the years. The committee then adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/18/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> they're like geez you got that veterans they're like geez you got that veterans tax<00:50:47.240
- the regular veterans tax credit, the disabled veterans tax credit, and then the combat tax credit.
- If you're a combat veteran, you get the veterans credit plus the combat credit.
- </c> that the disabled 100% disabled veteran that the disabled 100% disabled veteran gets<00:56:04.599
- </c> others and to have the combat veteran others and to have the combat veteran one<00:57:26.200><c>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> position be held by a Minnesota veteran. position be held by a Minnesota veteran.
- ,</c> are already serving veterans, are already serving veterans, organizations<00:23:02.800><c> working
- House File 3467, a bill for an act relating to veterans, allowing the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
- the Commissioner of veterans allowing the Commissioner of Veterans<00:24:34.920><c> Affairs</c><00:24
- agency Veterans Affairs to direct agency resources<00:24:36.679><c> to</c><00:24:36.800><c> veterans
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 064 Mar 19th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> local World War I veterans, local World War I veterans, and<00:28:14.760><c> whereas</c><00:28:
- In Boulder County, civic and veterans groups envisioned a Road of Remembrance stretching from Lafayette
- In Boulder County, civic and veterans groups envisioned a Road of Remembrance stretching from Lafayette
- Uh, the honoring of our veterans, um, I have not only learned what these pillars were built for, but
- In Boulder County, civic and veterans groups envisioned a Road of Remembrance stretching from Lafayette
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from the previous day, and heard several announcements about committee schedules and visiting groups, including Greeley Day at the Capitol and students from Wildcat Mountain Elementary. Committee notices covered upcoming hearings in Judiciary, Business Affairs and Labor, Education, Transportation/Housing/Local Government, Health and Human Services, and Capital Development.
The main floor action was consideration of House Joint Resolution 1022, which designates a portion of Arapahoe Road in Boulder County as the “Road of Remembrance.” Sponsors and supporters described the history of the World War I memorial effort, the stone pillars at Arapahoe Road and US 287, and the current effort to preserve and relocate the pillars while marking the roadway. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing veterans’ remembrance and historic preservation.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 60-0, with five excused, and Representative Bottoms was added as a co-sponsor. Afterward, the House heard additional recognitions for advanced placement students and an announcement that the majority leader had paid outstanding fines. The chamber then laid over the balance of the calendar until the next day and recessed later in the day.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER Public Hearings 02-18-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> approved PTSD medications, and veterans approved PTSD medications, and veterans face<00:04:31.120
- Edith Garcia continued: I'm a veteran, a patient advocate, and the co-founder of the Big Island Veteran
- </c> Please support this bill so veterans Please support this bill so veterans like<00:14:47.040><c>
- </c><00:15:52.880><c> So,</c> veteran too. I'm glad we got vets. So, veteran too.
- Veterans for their service.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 3025, relating to medical debt, with multiple organizations and individuals, including the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Queens Health Systems, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Aloha Care, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction, Hawaii Data Collaborative, and Hawaii Appleseed, all speaking in support. No opposition was heard, and the member present had no questions.
The committee then took up SB 3199, which would establish a mental health emerging therapies task force. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers including veterans, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups describing personal experiences with PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, and treatment-resistant conditions, and arguing that Hawaii should prepare for regulated access to emerging therapies such as MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine. The Department of Health and some medical organizations provided comments, and one opposition witness was called but not present. The chair noted broad support, especially from veterans, and no vote was taken during the excerpt.
The final measure discussed was SB 3324, relating to Medicaid. The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, and numerous care-provider and aging/disability organizations testified in support, while one witness was in opposition and several others offered comments. The discussion then moved to SB 2563, relating to homelessness, where the Department of the Attorney General offered comments on specific sections and recommended adopting suggested amendments if the bill proceeds. Additional testimony on SB 2563 began with support from several individuals, including Shelby Pikachu, who emphasized the severity of homelessness and related social problems in the community.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- She said there are not enough VSOs, or veteran service organizations, to serve veterans.
- Senator Sears concluded by saying private companies do not touch veterans' back pay and that veterans
- She said she met with the state commander of the Arizona Veterans of Wars and Retired Air Force veteran
- She also spoke to the House veterans caucus and veterans within her district.
- Senator Gallen said the Arizona veterans group has come on board and that many veterans back home support
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture - 02/25/2026
Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's a question on the veterans program.
- We really focus on making sure that veterans are in a cohort with other veterans because we found that
- particularly with veterans...
- Veterans are in a cohort with other veterans because we found that, particularly with veterans who are
- with military veterans who've been farming for a couple years.
Summary:
The Senate Agriculture Committee met and first took up five bills. It reported S.593 (land used in agricultural production), S.879A (the Garden Protection Act), S.3277 (transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements), and S.4754 (creating an Office of Urban Agriculture). S.1529A, the Carbon Farming Act, was moved to the Finance Committee. The committee briefly discussed S.4754, with Senator Borrello asking about its status and members noting strong support for urban agriculture and food-system resilience; the bill was then reported to Finance by voice vote.
The committee then heard from Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant Affairs at Cornell CALS, who described Cornell’s role in research, extension, and public service across New York agriculture. She highlighted Cornell’s economic impact, growth in FFA participation including new urban chapters, dairy investment, and the potential of the maple industry, while emphasizing the need for continued agricultural science funding to address climate change, invasive species, and market challenges. She also pointed members to Cornell programs supporting food entrepreneurs, soil health, small farms, veterans entering agriculture, and community integrated pest management.
Members asked questions about tick increases, with Suarez attributing them to deer, rodents, climate change, and invasive species, and said Cornell’s community IPM program offers landscaping and prevention guidance. She also explained Cornell’s land-grant and contract-college structure, including its statutory mission and state support. The meeting ended after members expressed interest in further outreach and informational sessions, and the committee adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (03/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:12:09.440><c> home</c> the commandant of the veterans home the commandant of the veterans home
- We think we can meet the needs of the veterans at 150 veterans with our current staff.
- have another four Veterans and we have another four Veterans schedule<00:14:59.320><c> to</c><00:14:
- </c> needs of the veterans uh at 150 veterans needs of the veterans uh at 150 veterans with<00:15:24.440
- Most often, our veterans pass.
Summary:
Division 3 opened a work session focused on direct care agencies, with the chair saying the day would center on the Veterans Home and other state hospitals and homes. Members first discussed the upcoming Finance Committee process, including how many bills would be assigned to Division 3, whether they would appear on the House calendar, and how much time would be allowed for each bill. The chair said the division would likely spend about an hour on each bill, then return for a second day of review before making recommendations. Staff later identified three bills expected on the calendar: House Bills 704, 751, and 54. Members also raised a question about the use of educational trust fund money in the budget, but that issue was deferred.
The main presentation came from Kim McKay, commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home, who described the facility as a long-term care intermediate facility serving eligible veterans. She said the home is licensed for 250 beds, budgeted for 225 veterans, and currently has 135 residents with four more scheduled to arrive. McKay highlighted improvements over the last two years, including a reduction in the admission wait list from more than a year to about three to six months, the creation of an LNA training program, energy-saving and Wi-Fi upgrades, and a new electronic learning management system that will provide mandatory training and continuing education units for staff. She said the home’s long-term goal is to return to a 225-bed census, but staffing remains the biggest hurdle.
Members asked about admissions, wait times, staffing, vacancies, and the home’s use of contract nurses. McKay explained that the wait time is measured from the initial application date, not from a completed packet, and that staff now help families gather records and paperwork more quickly. She said the home averages about 45 deaths per year, residents stay about 2.5 years on average, and the vacancy rate is around 35 percent, though some positions are intentionally held open until census grows. She attributed staffing shortages largely to retention problems, citing higher private-sector pay, bonuses, and more flexible hours, and said the home has a handful of contract nurses, mainly on second shift. On finances, she said pharmacy services are contracted, the VA reimburses some medication costs based on disability, and the home is pursuing federal changes to cover high-cost medications and catastrophic disability cases. The discussion also covered the home’s off-book donation account, which is overseen by the state and transferred into the state system when funds are spent.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Veterans Day. Veterans Day.
- the amazing work of the court and their support team for veterans and how much they help veterans and
- </c><00:31:48.320><c> the</c><00:31:48.640><c> veterans</c> with all the me the veterans with all the
- ><c> and</c><00:35:26.320><c> then</c><00:35:26.480><c> veterans</c> veterans and and then veterans veterans
- </c> I sat next to Bruce in a and veterans I sat next to Bruce in a and veterans for<00:49:22.480><c>
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So I too respect and honor our veterans. My grandfather was a veteran.
- If we truly cared about veterans, we wouldn't have homeless veterans.
- , we love our veterans.
- If we truly cared about veterans, we wouldn't have homeless veterans.
- We support our veterans. We love our veterans. Mr.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- At minimum, we take care of veterans.
- I'm a veteran myself. I'm a family man.
- I come to you today as the life of a veteran, a combat veteran whose life has been vastly improved by
- Veteran suicide will increase.
- We want healed veterans.
Keywords:
hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process
Summary:
The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- firearm, creating criminal offense referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans
- and Veterans Affairs, HB 382 by Bella Kaufman relating to an exemption of Advil taxation and the total
- Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs for 397 Lilani.
- under the state, referred to the Committee on Subcommittee on Defense and Veterans Affairs, HB 451 by
- Safety and Veterans Affairs.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you... that's going to be one that will help veterans in their... help veterans in their life of transition
- To establish the Alabama Veterans Resource Center Act, to create and designate the Alabama Veterans Resource
- Like many states, Alabama faces a troubling rate of veteran... ...troubling rate of veteran suicides.
- with veteran housing options.
- He was also appointed by Siegelman for Veterans Affairs, but he's... ...Siegelman for Veterans Affairs
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, Charlton McGinley, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Both of my parents are Vietnam veterans. My mother is no longer with us.
- But we also have a lot of friends and first cousins who are also veterans.
- I'm the Executive Director of Military Veterans Advocacy.
- That's all we're trying to do is just protect veterans. I sure thank you, Senator Kathy.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard a series of bills, mostly from the Senate, covering military affairs, courts, veterans’ services, tobacco/vape regulation, and emergency alerts for missing persons with disabilities. Several measures were described as cleanup or modernization bills, including SB 317 adding the House and Senate military committee chairs to the Louisiana Military Advisory Council, SB 357 updating court administration and appellate e-case management provisions, SB 421 modernizing electronic records language, and SB 232 and HB 597 addressing judicial compensation and related funding/commission issues. The committee also heard SB 164, which would add public works employees to the definition of first responders, and SB 510, which would regulate certain licensed establishments that allow on-premises consumption of hemp/THC products and related age restrictions. These bills were generally presented as technical updates or alignment with existing practices, and the committee reported them favorably after brief questions and, in some cases, amendments.
A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 208, which revises Louisiana’s law on services provided to veterans after a prior version was struck down. Senator Kathy and LDVA representatives said the bill is intended to protect veterans from unaccredited “claim sharks” by limiting fees and creating state-level safeguards, while an opponent argued the issue is preempted by federal law and should be left to Congress and the pending appeal. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 34, which would create “Bryan’s Call” emergency alerts for missing children and adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities, including wireless alerts and responder training. Family members and disability advocates described fatal risks from elopement and drowning, and supporters said the bill would fill a gap between Amber and Silver Alerts; the committee moved the bill favorably. Another bill, HB 302, sought to restrict vape sales near schools; the sponsor and Alcohol and Tobacco Control discussed possible language changes, and public health testimony supported broader protections for youth. Several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 1190, HB 1097, and HB 374-1, and the committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tourism Feb 4th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Special Committee on Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- The Missouri National Veterans Memorial opened in 2019 in Perryville, Missouri.
- We had veterans coming into ours that were in a lot of pain.
- , such as the upkeep of our veterans' homes and cemeteries.
- The intent is not to take anything away from the Veterans Commission.
- The intent is not to take anything away from the Veterans Commission.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the Florida Senate's Veterans Package.
- the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
- I am a retired Air Force veteran from the Vietnam era.
- of Veterans Affairs.
- of Veterans Affairs.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 108 on administrative procedures. That bill, as amended, would require agencies to review all rules on a five-year cycle, submit regulatory plans and annual reports, publish intended agency action within 90 days of new rulemaking authority, improve public access to incorporated materials, and streamline rule publication and correction procedures. After brief testimony from the Florida Bar’s Administrative Law Section and support from Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute, the committee adopted two amendments and reported CS for SB 108 favorably.
The committee then approved several other measures, including the Senate veterans package (CS for CS for SB 116), which made technical changes and was supported by veterans and advocacy groups; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempts local barriers while preserving state and federal law and building codes; CS for SB 126 allowing mail distribution of prescription hearing aids after a Florida-licensed professional examination; CS for SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” making it a third-degree felony to abandon restrained animals during declared disasters; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice expansion for complex cardiac conditions; SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure; CS for SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property; CS for SB 348 on ethics, addressing false military rank claims and delinquent ethics fines; SB 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day; CS for SB 160 expanding CPA licensure pathways and clarifying administrative outsourcing; and CS for SB 50 promoting nature-based coastal resilience measures. Most of these bills received supportive testimony and were reported favorably.
The committee also considered and reported favorably the annual reviser bills SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42, which adopt the 2025 Florida Statutes, conform statutory names, remove expired provisions, and clean up obsolete language and cross-references. Throughout the meeting, members asked questions on a few bills, but no roll-call votes were recorded as opposed; each measure was approved and reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested that a few missed affirmative votes be recorded, and the committee adjourned without objection.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty One - Tuesday, April 14
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For over 368,000 veterans, I want to say one word, and that is thank you.
- There were 27 veterans in the entire state of Missouri that qualified for that.
- , but should the veteran pass away, it provides that same benefit for the spouses of those veterans.
- It's been said before, but these are veterans.
- So the last thing I want to leave with you is that when you see a veteran, when you see a Vietnam veteran
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (01/22/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a disabled veteran.
- </c> earlier so the providers that veterans earlier so the providers that veterans can<01:55:19.840><
- </c> the concept of supporting our veterans the concept of supporting our veterans and<02:04:05.679><
- </c> disadvantaged and as we know veteran disadvantaged and as we know veteran status<02:10:31.679><c
- </c><02:17:14.240><c> services</c> military Affairs and veteran services military Affairs and veteran
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- That includes, let me make this very clear, the veterans.
- all of our veterans.
- The beginning of great things for our veteran community.
- We have sat down with veterans. We have heard from them.
- Um, today we've got a few veterans that are here in the gallery.
Bills:
SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40, SR 61, SR 91, SR 97, SR 103, SR 104, SR 112, SR 115, SR 116, SCR 16, SB 26, SB 26
Keywords:
bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, Texas Music Advocacy Day, music industry
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (2-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to welcome everyone to the first meeting of the 2025 session House Standing Committee on Veterans
- </c> State veteran State veteran cemeteries<00:06:52.479><c> representing</c><00:06:53.000><c> Wesley
- for National Guard members in our five state veteran cemeteries.
- </c> allows Kentucky and the state veteran allows Kentucky and the state veteran cemeteries<00:07:43.520
- </c><00:07:59.879><c> that</c> National Guard and Reserve veterans that National Guard and Reserve veterans
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members, announced a 24-hour rule for committee amendments, and reviewed basic meeting procedures. After roll call confirmed a quorum, members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. The chair also recognized Representative Thomas for his service to the committee and presented remarks of appreciation as he moved into other duties.
The committee then considered House Bill 191, which would extend burial eligibility in Kentucky state veterans cemeteries to certain National Guard and Reserve members who were honorably discharged but never activated under Title 10. Testimony from Rep. Aaron Thompson and KDVA officials explained that the bill aligns with the federal Burial Guard Reserve Act of 2022 and would cover some long-serving Guard and Reserve members, including those who served during disasters such as the Eastern Kentucky floods and western Kentucky tornadoes. Members voiced support, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation after adoption of a title amendment.
Next, the committee took up House Bill 152, which would create a supplemental Medicaid payment program for public EMS agencies through voluntary intergovernmental transfers, with no general fund dollars used. Rep. Michael Meredith and EMS chiefs testified that the measure would help public agencies recover more of the cost of Medicaid transports; one example cited was a local agency that could increase reimbursement substantially under the program. In response to questions, witnesses said the existing program for public and private agencies is mandatory, while this bill creates an additional voluntary enhancement for public agencies only, and that the program could be affected if Medicaid match rates change. The committee approved the bill with a favorable recommendation and a title amendment. The meeting ended with announcements about Military Kids Day on February 25 and a Kentucky National Guard Association reception and dinner on February 15, followed by adjournment.