Video & Transcript : 'major' :

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MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 2/23/2026 #1

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Majority Leader moves that the reading of the bills be considered.
  • The Majority Leader moves to be considered the reading of the bond initiatives.
  • The Senate Democratic Caucus will meet tomorrow, February 24th, at 9 a.m. in the majority caucus room
  • </c> majority caucus room. majority caucus room.
  • </c> session recognizing the majority leader. session recognizing the majority leader.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 2/4/2026 #1

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • With our majority leader, minority leader present for this pro forma session, the Maryland is now back
  • Senator Ellis, public health, baby food testing, definition of baby food finance. >> Majority leader
  • &gt;&gt; Majority<00:01:43.600><c> of</c><00:01:43.600><c> their</c><00:01:43.759><c> move</c><00:01:
  • 44.000><c> be</c><00:01:44.159><c> considered</c><00:01:44.320><c> the</c> &gt;&gt; Majority of their
  • Recognize the majority leader. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 1

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll just tell you that probably the two major changes in here is we took out the field trip component
  • The second thing, major kind of more major, is we did change the definition to grooming somewhat, tightened
  • The<00:15:59.000><c> second</c><00:15:59.360><c> thing</c><00:15:59.960><c> major</c><00:16:00.720><c
  • > kind</c><00:16:00.880><c> of</c><00:16:01.000><c> more</c> The second thing major kind of more The
  • second thing major kind of more major<00:16:01.720><c> is</c> major is major is we<00:16:03.000><c> did
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Election Laws Feb 10th, 2026

Joint Committee on Election Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • At its core, this is about local control and majority outcomes.
  • If no one earns a majority, the lowest-performing candidate is eliminated and votes are redistributed
  • based on next choices until one candidate has majority support.
  • In a city as diverse as Boston, majority outcomes matter.
  • My name is Bryn Garrity, and I'm a Boston University student majoring in political science.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked choice voting, focusing primarily on H. 4262 for Boston and H. 4916 for Bedford. Committee chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Keenan opened the hearing, limited testimony to three minutes per person, and heard from a long list of advocates, local officials, and organizations. The hearing ended with no further registered speakers and the committee adjourned after inviting additional written testimony. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of ranked choice voting. Supporters included RepresentWomen, Reclaim Roxbury, the Boston Teachers Union, Veterans for All Voters, MassVOTE, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, Our Revolution Massachusetts, and Bedford residents and organizers. Speakers argued that ranked choice voting would reduce the spoiler effect, encourage coalition-building and less negative campaigning, improve majority support for winners, and expand voter participation and representation, especially for women, young voters, and historically marginalized communities. Several speakers emphasized local control and said Boston and Bedford should be allowed to decide for themselves through their home rule petitions. Boston City Councilors and the City Council president also testified in favor, describing the city’s low municipal turnout, the council’s approval of the petition, and the fact that Boston voters previously supported a statewide ranked choice voting measure. Councilor Rutsi L. Jean explained the petition’s development through council hearings and working sessions, while Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said the proposal would be subject to a binding referendum if enacted and urged the legislature to let Boston residents pursue top-four ranked choice voting. Bedford speakers similarly said their town meeting supported the idea but that legislative approval was still needed. No opposition testimony or votes were taken during the hearing.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Election Laws Feb 10th, 2026

Joint Committee on Election Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • At its core, this is about local control and majority outcomes.
  • If no one earns a majority, the lowest-performing candidate is eliminated and votes are redistributed
  • based on next choices until one candidate has majority support.
  • In a city as diverse as Boston, majority outcomes matter.
  • My name is Bryn Garrity, and I'm a Boston University student majoring in political science.
Bills: H4916 , H4262
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 28th, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Have we received a constitutional majority?
  • Have received a constitutional majority? There have received a constitutional majority.
  • Having received a constitutional majority, Senate Bill 535 is declared passed.
  • Having received a constitutional majority, Senate Bill 535 is declared passed.
  • Having received a constitutional majority, Senate Bill 5000 is declared passed.
Summary: The Senate opened with a ceremonial welcome for the Washington National Guard, including a color guard, prayer, and a resolution recognizing the Guard’s service. Senate Resolution 8668 was adopted unanimously, with members praising the Guard’s flood response, election support, counterdrug work, youth programs, and community assistance. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Eliza Munoz Estee to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865 on garnishment forms after adopting an amendment delaying the effective date to May 1, 2027. The chamber also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5855 on law enforcement face coverings after rejecting several amendments that would have broadened or clarified exceptions, including proposals related to timing after transport, warrants, and other scenarios. Debate centered on federal immigration enforcement, public safety, accountability, and whether the bill would affect local law enforcement; the bill ultimately passed on a 30-19 vote. The Senate then passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105, with a technical amendment, to address explicit depictions of minors and AI-generated or altered child sexual abuse material. It also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, updating community custody provisions for unlawful firearm possession after a date-fixing amendment. Engrossed Senate Bill 5081, revising unattended motor vehicle rules for remote starts, passed unanimously. Senate Joint Memorial 8002, urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud and supporting original Medicare, also passed unanimously. Finally, the Senate advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure to reduce impaired driving, while opponents argued it would have limited effect and that enforcement and staffing issues were more important. The bill was debated at length and then passed 38-11.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 28th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Have received a constitutional majority? I have received a constitutional majority.
  • Having received the constitutional majority, Having received the constitutional majority, Second Engrossed
  • Having received a constitutional majority, Senate Bill 535 is declared passed.
  • Have received constitutional majority. Senate Bill 535 is declared passed.
  • Having received a constitutional majority, Senate Bill 5000 is declared passed.
Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial honors for the Washington National Guard, including the presentation of colors, a prayer, and recognition of Major General Welsh and other Guard members in the chamber. Senators then adopted Senate Resolution 8668, which praised the Guard’s service in emergencies, disaster response, elections support, counterdrug training, and youth programs. Several members spoke in support, citing recent flood response efforts and the Guard’s work during COVID, and the resolution was adopted unanimously with all members’ names added as co-sponsors. The chamber then confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Elisa Munoz Estes to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College. Each confirmation passed by wide margins or unanimously after brief supporting remarks about the appointees’ education, military service, and community involvement. The Senate also considered and passed several bills. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865, concerning garnishment forms, was amended to delay implementation and then passed 46-3 after supporters called it a technical fix and opponents focused on timing. Substitute Senate Bill 5855, dealing with face coverings by law enforcement officers, drew extensive debate and multiple failed amendments; supporters framed it as a transparency and accountability measure aimed at masked federal immigration enforcement, while opponents argued it was overbroad, ineffective against federal officers, and harmful to state and local law enforcement. The bill passed 38-19. The Senate also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 on explicit depictions of minors, after an amendment clarifying liability and defenses, and Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268 on community custody for unlawful firearm possession, after a date update amendment. Finally, Engrossed Senate Bill 5081 on unattended motor vehicles and Senate Joint Memorial 8002 urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud were both adopted unanimously or by large margins. Later, the Senate took up Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05; the bill drew strong support from the sponsor and law enforcement-focused supporters, but also criticism that the lower threshold would not address the most dangerous impaired drivers and might have limited practical effect.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Majority Leader. I want to thank everybody for being here this afternoon.
  • California has made major strides, and TK is a cornerstone of our progress.
  • Like the majority of Californians, in particular those that we make so...
  • in every major indicator of well-being.
  • Madam Majority Leader. Thank you, Assembly Member Nguyen.
Summary: The California Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its third hearing focused on transitional kindergarten (TK) and how it fits within the state’s mixed delivery early learning system, with an emphasis on the Central Valley. Opening remarks stressed that TK and community-based child care are both needed to serve families, especially working and low-income households that need full-day, year-round care, transportation, and flexible hours. Committee members said the goal was to understand what is working, where gaps remain, and how to better coordinate TK with other programs to support children, families, and the workforce. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Every Child California, and Early Edge California. Testimony reviewed TK’s expansion to all four-year-olds, growth in enrollment, and changes to program requirements, while also noting related shifts in state preschool eligibility, reimbursement rates, and the option for programs to serve two-year-olds. Witnesses argued that TK should be treated as part of a broader continuum that includes state preschool, Head Start, family child care, and voucher-based care, and they called for easier local partnerships, shared facilities, aligned funding and oversight, better compensation, and permanent support for serving younger children. Committee members and witnesses discussed the strain on home-based providers and centers, the need for more vouchers and higher reimbursement, and the fact that many TK programs are part-day and do not meet full-day family needs. Public comment and the second panel reinforced concerns about affordability, access, and equity. Parents described the benefits of high-quality child care and TK for children’s development and for their own ability to work, while a parent from Oakland said TK was transformative for her child and essential to her career, but that her younger child still faced a wait for a TK spot. Children Now and Stanford researchers presented data showing that awareness of TK is uneven, especially among lower-income families, and that enrollment and access are stronger in more affluent areas. They recommended broader outreach, full-day/full-year options, and a true mixed delivery model that includes community-based providers, family child care homes, and Head Start. The California Department of Education said TK and state preschool work best as a shared opportunity and noted ongoing mixed-delivery grants and local coordination efforts, while public commenters from county offices, providers, and nonprofit organizations emphasized the need for continued funding, stable rates, and protection for community-based programs affected by TK expansion.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 01/07/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to acknowledge our esteemed Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
  • To Deputy Majority Leader Senator January, thank you.
  • And now let's recognize Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for opening remarks.
  • We see the role of the Senate, led by the majority, that we must play.
  • WE SEE THE ROLE OF THE SENATE, LED BY THE MAJORITY THAT WE MUST PLAY.
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and briefly closed out the 2025 legislative session by adopting a concurrent resolution on adjournment. The chamber then reopened for the 2026 session with a quorum present, a prayer by Bishop Mark O’Connell, and opening remarks from the Lieutenant Governor, Minority Leader Rob Ortt, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The remarks focused on the responsibilities of the new session, the need to listen to constituents, and broad priorities such as affordability, public safety, rights protections, and working across party lines. Governor Kathy Hochul’s message requesting the Senate’s presence for the 2026 State of the State address was read and filed. In their remarks, Ortt emphasized affordability, keeping more money in New Yorkers’ pockets, energy choices, and public safety, while Stewart-Cousins highlighted rising costs for housing, groceries, utilities, health care, and child care, along with defending voting rights, equal rights, and immigrant communities. Both leaders said their conferences were prepared to work with each other and with the Governor. The Senate then adopted two organizational resolutions: one appointing Senators Bynoe and Chan to inform the Governor that the Senate was organized and ready to proceed, and another appointing Senators Ryan and Wildcat to inform the Assembly that the Senate was assembled and ready to proceed. No substantive legislation was debated, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, January 12, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Jun 26th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Employment levels of all the major agencies we're sitting at about the same levels as we were back in
  • And so you can see the federal major, major federal entitlements on slide 10 make up the vast majority
  • And, and if you're in the majority then, you hope you're in the majority again, uh, with, uh, uh, your
  • majority partner in the White House and then have discussions about making it permanent.
  • The vast majority of New Mexicans who get job training or go to work don't participate in.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Marty Clear the vote. 92 aye, zero nay, have received the majority of votes.
  • ADi 9 nay have received the majority of those present. The bill has passed.
  • Have received majority voters. As council, house bills were passed. Mr.
  • Seen majority vote. Clear the motion to reconsider to have passed.
  • Having failed to receive a majority of voters, the bill has failed. Mr.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 3/6/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> Recognizing the deputy majority leader. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
  • majority is declared passed.<00:05:16.600><c> The</c><00:05:16.680><c> clerk</c><00:05:16.919><c> will
  • majority is declared passed.<00:07:46.400><c> The</c><00:07:46.480><c> clerk</c><00:07:46.720><c> will
  • majority is declared passed.<00:09:48.320><c> The</c><00:09:48.400><c> clerk</c><00:09:48.680><c> will
  • Recognizing the majority leader. Thank you, Madam Speaker. You're welcome.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 26th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And this would exclude the majority of the workforce that does this work.
  • The majority are women of color.
  • That received a constitutional majority.
  • That received a constitutional majority.
  • Majority Substitute House Bill 2269 is declared passed.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 042 Feb 25th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Majority Leader.
  • Majority Leader.
  • Majority Leader.
  • Majority Leader. &gt;&gt; Mr. Majority Leader.
  • Majority Leader. Thank &gt;&gt; Excellent. Mr. Majority Leader. Thank you,<01:06:31.599><c> Mr.
Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the February 23, 2026 journal, and received several committee reports. Education recommended Senate Bill 67 be amended and sent to Appropriations, and Judiciary recommended Senate Bill 70 be amended and sent to Appropriations. The Education Committee also recommended confirmation of several Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board appointments, and later the chamber confirmed a consent calendar of governor’s appointments, including members of the GOCO Trust Fund board, the Colorado Agriculture Development Authority, and the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed several bills. Senate Bill 85 and Senate Bill 25, both on the consent calendar, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 5, concerning state court remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights during immigration enforcement, passed on a 20-11 vote after a brief reconsideration mix-up and was then repassed. Senate Bill 18, concerning legal protections for a minor and sealing a related name-change record, passed 20-11. Senate Bill 31, concerning lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I controlled substance, passed 29-2. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole and took up Senate Bill 46, a property tax administration cleanup bill. After a Finance Committee report and adoption of amendment L003, the bill passed second reading and was ordered engrossed. The committee also laid over Senate Bills 53, 43, and 84 until February 25. Later, the Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 52, concerning coal transition communities and just transition money, and then repassed it. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report and recessed until 11:00 a.m. after announcements and personal privilege remarks recognizing the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and Musical Therapist Day.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • And thank you, Major.
  • Thank you for that, Major.
  • Major. I just have to say Major Burgess, sir. Yeah. Yeah.
  • Major. I just have to say Major Burgess, sir. Yeah. Yeah. Major.
  • I just have to say Major Burgess, sir. Yeah. Yeah.
Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • Major ongoing projects for a total of $92 million.
  • Online, but we also generate the majority of our revenues at the Raton and Gallup ports of entry.
  • And that has become a major issue because you'll see traffic back up for miles.
  • That's a major concern of ours.
  • For federal funding, the majority of...
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/02/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Majority Leader. Mr.
  • Majority Leader, please move. Mr. Majority Leader, thank you, Mr. Chair.
  • Majority Leader.
  • Majority Leader. Mr.
  • Majority Leader, Mr.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received House messages and first-read bills. The chamber moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a range of measures on solar energy, public safety, insurance, health care, agriculture, gaming, education, child welfare, and real property. Several bills were retained on calendar, while many others were advanced with committee amendments and floor amendments. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors drew the most debate. A floor amendment by Sen. Sundareshan sought to require utilities to protect ratepayers from costs associated with large energy users such as data centers; supporters argued it would help keep electricity affordable, while opponents called it a hostile amendment. After a division vote, the amendment failed 12-15, and SB 1419 was reported do pass as amended. SB 1498 (DPS appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also advanced. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, but a later attempt to add the failed Sundareshan amendment to the report on SB 1419 was defeated 13-14. On Calendar 1, the Senate advanced SB 1165, SB 1206, SB 1212, SB 1215, SB 1290, SB 1291, and SB 1347, mostly with committee amendments. SB 1178 on naturopathic physicians and prescription drug pricing saw a contested Sears floor amendment aimed at stopping price gouging on essential generic drugs; supporters said it would lower drug costs, while the sponsor objected that it was not germane. The amendment failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1186 on document retention and donations also drew a Sundareshan amendment on transparency and implementation; it failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1286 on veterinary visits and electronic prescriptions advanced after a proposed Kavanagh floor amendment was defeated on division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and moved on to additional calendars. On Calendar 4, the chamber passed SB 1004 on ESA students and interscholastic activities, SB 1116 on AHCCCS access/behavioral health, SB 1162 on health care institution licensing complaints, SB 1179 on developmental disability/health monitoring, SB 1475 on school district governing boards and eligibility, SB 1821 on DCS training and child placement, and SCR 1012. A request to hold SB 1475 for a reinstatement process was rejected. The Senate also took up an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1077, SB 1479, and SB 1566; SB 1077 advanced with a Payne floor amendment, SB 1479 advanced with a Carroll amendment classifying certain forged real-property recordings as a class five felony, and SB 1566 began consideration with a Petersen amendment to remove part of a prior amendment. Throughout, the chamber repeatedly adopted committee reports and advanced the bills for further action.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 024 Feb 6th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:47:06.640><c> Today,</c> every major war and conflict. Today, every major war and conflict.
  • </c> Latinos have fought in every major Latinos have fought in every major American<01:18:06.000><c>
  • Majority Leader. >> Mr. Majority Leader. >> Thank you, Madame President.
  • At the time, you was a major.
  • Okay, Madame Majority Leader.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • You're in the majority.
  • Legislators are in non-white majority districts.
  • Instead, you added three majority-white districts.
  • Why are the majority of Americans so deeply cynical about politics?
  • Berkeley, majority, minority communities.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/20/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Majority Leader. Mr.
  • Majority Leader. Mr.
  • Majority Leader. Mr.
  • Majority Leader. Mr.
  • Majority Leader.