Video & Transcript : 'fairness in mitigation' :
Page 349 of 500
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 15th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a child right in danger in our own neighborhood.
- enhanced security zone was in place in perpetuity without any end in sight.
- It's a debate over what is fair. I'm happy to try and assist in that.
- Fair between the municipalities in East Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge government?
- We will actually commit to having everything that's in here on the website by Friday. That's fair.
Bills:
HB59, HB74, HB159, HB167, HB175, HB255, HB330, HB364, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB656, HB1033, HB1034, HB1070
Keywords:
public defender, funding, district court, East Baton Rouge, judicial expenses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, missing children, law enforcement, public safety, Spectrum Alert, inmate documentation, post-release employment, special identification card, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, reentry services, veterans, veterans services, lottery proceeds, special fund, grant board
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- There's nothing fair about it, and I do believe that we have the controls in place to make sure that
- There is nothing more sacred in this republic than our right to vote in free, fair, and secure elections
- And instead, every member of the majority party voted against that common-sense effort for fairness in
- It is not fair to allow biological males to compete in competitive sports against biological females.
- We can set fair standards for participation in We can set fair standards for participation in sports,
Summary:
The Senate met, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then handled a series of messages and floor actions. The chamber transmitted a large group of Senate bills to the governor and Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004 to the Secretary of State. It also received House requests to return Senate Bills 1175 and 1198 for reconsideration, which were granted without objection. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House concurrent resolutions.
On H.C.R. 2001, a constitutional referral on election requirements, senators debated a Judiciary Committee amendment and a Hoffman floor amendment that would require voter ID, allow election-day tabulation of early ballots at polling places, and require legislative funding for implementation. Supporters said the measure would improve election security, voter confidence, and speed up results; opponents argued it was vague, could undermine mail voting, and lacked clear implementation details. The amendment was adopted, and after further debate the Committee of the Whole gave H.C.R. 2001 a do-pass recommendation by a 15-12 vote. Later, on third reading, the full Senate passed H.C.R. 2001 by a 16-12 vote and transmitted it to the House.
The chamber also considered H.C.R. 2003, a referral on student athletics and biological sex. Senator Ortiz offered a floor amendment to replace the blanket ban approach with rules based on athletic ability and inclusion; supporters said it would preserve fairness while avoiding discrimination, while opponents said it would gut the measure and weaken protections for girls’ sports. The Ortiz amendment failed 11-16, and H.C.R. 2003 then received a do-pass recommendation in Committee of the Whole and later passed third reading. H.C.R. 2044, a referral on prohibiting preferential treatment and discrimination, also received a do-pass recommendation without recorded controversy. The Senate then adjourned after completing the remaining procedural motions and votes.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 63 Jul 1st, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The House will be in order.
- I'm so being in a briefies, this being in a briefies this. House will be in order.
- House will be in order. House will be in order.
- In this matter, 136 in the affirmative, zero in the negative. The bill is passed to be engrossed.
- , which, combined with the $595 million in funding from the recently passed Fair Share supplemental budget
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I think we've got a fair amount of stolen cars in St. Louis.
- But in this particular case, in order to maintain a level of fairness throughout the state, as you can
- And so I think to put fairness in it, that's the reason for it.
- And so I think to put fairness in it, that's the reason for it, they are going to be approving and distributing
- thefts in the country by volume in 2024 to 9th highest in 2025, with nearly 95,000 vehicles stolen in
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Jun 21st, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
- So we did put in an amendment for that in the fair share budget.
- But we are actually doing our budget in May in the Senate, and we are currently doing the budget in the
- in Lisboa.
- things in our country, so we have to work in partnership.
Summary:
The commission approved the minutes from its March 11 meeting after a motion by Jeannie Costa and a second by Senator Michael Brady, with members noting a few possible corrections to attendance and wording. The meeting then focused on updates about the commission’s timeline and funding. Staff reported that an amendment to extend the commission’s deadline from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 was filed in the Fair Share budget but was not accepted, and members discussed pursuing the extension through other budget vehicles, including the regular budget, a supplemental budget, or other legislation. Commissioners also discussed the need to fill a vacancy left by Julius Brito and to potentially extend the deadline for appointing new commissioners.
A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to brainstorming the commission’s community engagement plan for the proposed Cape Verdean Culture Center. Members revisited a three-part approach involving site visits, traditional listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, while also emphasizing historical accuracy, youth engagement, visibility, and regional collaboration. Commissioners suggested using surveys, canvassing, social media, a website, and other digital tools to reach people across the diaspora, including those unable to attend in person. Several members recommended specific locations and institutions for engagement, including New Bedford, Brockton, Boston, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island, with references to museums, historical societies, clubs, and cultural organizations already doing related work.
Testimony and comments also addressed funding and organizational structure for the future center. Legislators described possible funding sources such as House and Senate earmarks, a bond bill, and a nonprofit structure that could later support fundraising and operations. Members discussed examples from other cultural institutions, including the Holocaust Museum, the African American History Museum, and the Haitian Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center, as models for governance and public support. The group also raised the possibility of future collaboration with the Cape Verdean government and institutions in Cabo Verde, though one member urged waiting until after upcoming elections there before making formal contacts. No additional votes were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Apr 7th, 2026
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- the bond market in the fall again with the CTF credit. ...to be ready to be in the bond market in the
- There's a program in there also called FAIR, which is specifically targeted at bridges that are either
- And that's a new program that's enabled by the expansion of the CTF through Fair Share, and it is in
- And I would ask, is the Fair Share—does that play in as well as warranting special obligation bonds?
- So, a quick thing: are we still taking in about $700 million a year in diesel and gas tax?
Bills:
H5279
Keywords:
municipal roads, bridges, transportation bond bill, infrastructure financing, capital spending, bond authorization, general obligation bonds, special obligation bonds, Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act, road resurfacing, road repair, bridge repair, pavement, culverts, stormwater management, climate resilience, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian infrastructure, transit modernization, commuter rail
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jun 16th, 2026
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Generally, in the past, with similar transfer bills, we expected them to result in increased cost to
- Yep, please join in, Kate. Yep, please join in, Kate. Hello, I'm sorry.
- Is that fair?
- That was penciled in for July.
- Fair enough. All in favor? Okay, good.
Summary:
The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics.
Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation.
The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options.
The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
- to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
- to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
- to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
- to grow in our state, we have to find a fair, balanced process.
Bills:
HF2434
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Mar 5th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- So that's currently already in statute, and it's what the VPO has set in place, already put in place,
- Usually, if it's in current statute, it's not underlined in the bill, and this is underlined in the bill
- up in the Senate.
- But what I care about is on line 12, in all cases in which there are minor children in the house, the
- I own properties in Tulsa and in Ma County, two Very different places.
Bills:
HB2650, HB3277, HB3386, HB3419, HB3430, HB3742, HB3791, HB3835, HB3905, HB3968, HB4119, HB4153, HB4408
Keywords:
probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, vehicle inspection, title registration, salvage vehicles, ownership, Oklahoma Statutes, evictions, forcible entry, mediation, residency proof, children, housing law, corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Number one, you need to own a property in the HOA, and you need to live in the HOA.
- is in there.
- A fair point.
- This is the Fair Banking Act.
- But you're correct in noting that none of the banks in Oklahoma come close to that threshold.
Bills:
HB1245, HB2588, HB3024, HB3172, HB3279, HB3919, HB3306, HB3383, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB3883, HB3942, HB4193, HB4203, HB4303, HB4311, HB4484
Keywords:
retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, owners associations, membership requirements, property ownership, board governance, residency requirements, salary increase, state employees, public finance, bonus limits, job performance, Fair Banking Act, financial institutions
Summary:
The Government Oversight Committee met with a quorum and heard a series of bills, beginning with HB 3942, which tightens the state’s incentive evaluation process; it passed 11-0. HB 4203, allowing the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission to explore guidelines for small multifamily housing of eight units or fewer and four stories or less, passed 10-1. HB 2588, which requires HOA board members to own and live in the HOA, passed 12-0, and HB 3024, limiting large agency pay raises/stipends to 10% unless reported through OMES, passed 12-0. HB 3383, limiting state employees to 14-hour shifts in a 24-hour period with emergency exceptions, passed 10-2, and HB 3279, a cleanup bill related to last year’s government corruption legislation, passed 12-0.
The committee also advanced HB 3919, reducing county fair board size from nine to five members at county option to address quorum problems, and HB 3883, which imposes utility-system inspection, notice, and backflow-preventer-related requirements on governing bodies in exchange for reducing litigation exposure; both passed 12-0. HB 4193, as amended, would restrict state contracts and taxpayer funds from going to foreign adversaries or related entities, with exceptions and purchasing-director discretion; it passed 9-3. HB 3431 expanded foreign-adversary property restrictions to critical rare earth minerals and passed 13-0. HB 3435, a municipal bond single-subject bill, passed 12-0, and HB 4352, a Uniform Law Commission mortgage refinance update, passed 13-0.
Later, HB 4484, allowing Corporation Commission employees to take state vehicles home for travel purposes under existing-style oversight, passed 13-0. Committee members then presented HB 1245, moving certain DHS Inspector General law enforcement officers into hazardous pay retirement coverage; it passed 13-0. HB 3172, the Fair Banking Act, would limit adverse banking actions against lawful economic activity at large banks and create a complaint/reason-request process; after extensive questions about thresholds, exceptions, and constitutional issues, it passed 11-3. HB 3306, increasing transparency requirements for campaign statement-of-organization reporting with a $400 threshold and a delayed effective date, passed 14-0. The committee laid over HB 4303 and HB 4311 until the next meeting and adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- These companies can afford to pay their fair share. Google has $30 billion in profits.
- We can have facilities that offer jobs and pay their fair share in taxes.
- </c><00:51:30.839><c> share</c><00:51:31.079><c> in</c> that they should pay their fair share in that
- they should pay their fair share in taxes<00:51:31.640><c> and</c><00:51:31.799><c> follow</c><00:51
- loopholes in the state sales tax would help raise needed revenue, and I appreciate that fairness is
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- is close to being revenue neutral, if not net positive, in later years. actually pay their fair share
- </c> in 2025. in 2025.
- </c> billion in US income in just 2025. billion in US income in just 2025.
- We support this policy because it raises needed revenue in a fair and targeted way from corporations
- </c> needed revenue in a fair and targeted needed revenue in a fair and targeted way<01:24:07.840><c>
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Keep us in your care. We ask God in Jesus' name.
- You brought our destination in the fog.
- I would like to deal with it here in committee. What was the amendment?
- Oh, the ball games are in here as well. I did not see that.
- </c> So it's summed up right there in So it's summed up right there in section. section. section.
Keywords:
HB454, Alabama, local law, local legislation, legal notice, public notice, legislative notice, publication requirements, Section 106, constitutional notice, tampering with legislative record, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, House Judiciary, bill advertising, sponsoring legislator, unauthorized alteration, legislative process, new crime, publisher liability
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:15:57.680><c> here</c> of trouble in in uh in legal cases here of trouble in in uh in legal cases
- would you feel this was fair? In my would you feel this was fair?
- In the in the meantime, Hampshire.
- Um, I think their primary concern is can we get a fair, neutral, impartial person in there and get this
- in Mont Vern in was with my ex, we lived in Mont Vern in New<02:48:40.560><c> Hampshire.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Mar 24th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, you could take that information and use it in a way that would definitely eliminate fair chase
- in.
- In 2023, [they] took $17,000 in per diem, more than we make in a year.
- This is just about being fair and equitable in terms of Care of very well.
- This is just about being fair and equitable in terms of what we as legislators are required to adhere
Keywords:
court reporter, official court reporter, courts, judicial system, ethics, post-employment restrictions, cooling-off period, two-year waiting period, rehiring, reemployment, contractual services, former public employee, public employer, Louisiana ethics law, R.S. 42:1121, Act 532, lobbying, public service, statewide officials, compensation
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Authors can sign in at the sergeant's desk in Room 126.
- However, the question of how to trace lineage in a fair, accurate, and consistent way... ...the question
- of how to trace lineage in a fair, accurate, and consistent way was left unanswered.
- So it would be fair, it would be credible, it would be based in scholarship.
- Are there witnesses in support in the hearing room?
Summary:
The committee heard several higher education bills. It first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 67 and SB 619. The main discussion centered on SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters said the bill fills a gap left by the Reparations Task Force and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process; opponents argued genealogy methods already exist, the bill would waste money and delay action, and some raised constitutional concerns. The committee took a vote on SB 437, but the roll was left open after the initial tally showed three ayes and three noes.
The committee then heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters said the bill would improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses and help California institutions compete more effectively by reducing the burden of seeking separate state approvals. Opponents, including University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not actually secure California’s entry into the agreement. The committee voted 3-1 to pass SB 790 as amended to the Business and Professions Committee, with the roll left open.
The committee also heard SB 391, which would authorize the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge fees for research partners seeking access to data. Supporters said the office is absorbing significant unfunded workload from data requests and that fees would help recover costs; opponents, including the California Teachers Association community college association, warned the fees could create barriers for faculty and smaller researchers. Members discussed possible exemptions and implementation details. The committee voted 5-1 to pass SB 391 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said it would help students cover housing, food, and transportation costs and reduce dropout risk; members asked about eligibility and implementation, and the author explained the bill would use McKinney-Vento homelessness designations and target students at risk of “summer melt” and college homelessness.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 14th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I think this bill just does, uh, does just that, strengthens notice requirements in Texas, fair
- I'm not a threat to anybody in this room or in in any society.
- It's not fair to the millions of people in Texas who are considered nonviolent felons.
- them in 1950.
- In our state and in our country.
Bills:
HB259
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jul 21st, 2026
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- interim with a more in-depth educational session on. in a future interim with a more in-depth educational
- Is that fair? More than fair. Okay. All right. Mr. Chair? Yes, go ahead.
- All in favor? Yes, please. Okay, everybody's in favor.
- And then resolve this issue of cost and how we pay for this in October. Is that fair? Okay.
- Is that fair? Yeah.
Summary:
The Executive Committee of the State Committee on Pension Policy approved the June minutes and received updates from staff and counsel. The attorney reported on two class action matters: the Fowler/Probst Fowler teacher interest case, where a court ordered the state to pay $118 million and the state has appealed and sought a stay, and the Dawson case challenging last year’s HB 2034 related to the LEOFF 1 plan, where the complaint was amended and the state plans to move to dismiss. The actuary also provided a brief update on asset smoothing and offered to provide additional education on the topic.
The committee then focused on interim work planning and the September agenda. Members discussed an ad hoc COLA for PERS and TRS Plan 1 retirees, with staff explaining options for making a COLA part of the base budget or otherwise structuring it. The committee agreed to move forward with a bill for a Plan 1 ad hoc COLA and to have it considered in October, with a request for fiscal analysis. The committee also heard from a Washington State Patrol Troopers Association representative about survivor medical benefits, and staff said a cost estimate could be prepared for October if the proposal included retroactive coverage.
For September, the committee set the agenda to include PERS eligibility for animal control officers, a LEOFF 1 medical study update with possible action, and the Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item. Staff said the work plan would also add the ongoing Plan 1 COLA and survivor medical topics to October, along with preliminary 2027 meeting dates. The meeting ended with informal approval of the September agenda and adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Jan 12th, 2026
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- We're here today in respectful but firm opposition to AB 647.
- Angeles County and 14 in Alameda County.
- AB 1241 asks a basic fair question: How do we ensure all motorists pay their fair share, or mile-based
- AB 1421 asks a basic fair question: How do we ensure all motorists pay their fair share, Question: How
- In 2025, I had the opportunity to hold four regional transportation funding town halls in Fresno County
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- to live in the HOA.
- So if there aren't any Any people on the board that currently own in the HOA or live in the HOA.
- A fair point.
- My only fear is somebody lives in Klam or lives in Yukon with cars in Oklahoma City, but they're going
- But you're correct in noting that none of the banks in Oklahoma come close to that threshold.
Bills:
HB1245, HB2588, HB3024, HB3172, HB3279, HB3919, HB3306, HB3383, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB3883, HB3942, HB4193, HB4203, HB4303, HB4311, HB4484
Keywords:
retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, owners associations, membership requirements, property ownership, board governance, residency requirements, salary increase, state employees, public finance, bonus limits, job performance, Fair Banking Act, financial institutions