Video & Transcript : 'West Virginia' :

Page 34 of 431
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Representative Lydia Hernandez, and I represent Southern Glendale and West Phoenix, a community
  • and dominate the West and establish an Islamic government on Earth.
  • The organization has been embedding itself in the West, including in the United States, for over 60 years
  • The organization has been embedding itself in the West, including in the United States, for over 60 years
  • West Virginia ran a pilot program years ago on blockchain voting.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • What is your interest in the University of West Florida?
  • We're talking about University of West Florida. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. University of West Florida.
  • relative to all the appointees for University of West Florida.
  • The joke about West Florida is the only thing left about it is that we're on the west side of the state
  • The joke about West Florida is the only thing left about it is that we're on the west side of the state
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • That kind of employer back into Virginia?
  • That kind of labor force back into Virginia, that kind of employer back into Virginia.
  • I've grown businesses in Virginia, successful large businesses. I've sold businesses in Virginia.
  • Because Virginia charges unemployment, Because Virginia charges unemployment insurance tax on only the
  • Federal law also does not prevent Virginia from investing in the VEC and Virginia Works to ensure that
Summary: The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave. Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 10th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • What is your interest in the University of West Florida?
  • We're talking about the University of West Florida.
  • to all the appointees for University of West Florida.
  • The joke about West Florida is the only thing left about it is that we're on the west side of the state
  • I do have a question of why University of West Florida.
Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We represent about 320,000 units throughout the state of Virginia, minus Northern Virginia, which is
  • Nationally, many states, including Virginia, Nationally, many states, including Virginia, have enacted
  • Laura Dodds with HomeA, Virginia.
  • Laura again with HOME of Virginia.
  • So we have maintenance fees in Virginia. Good. So we have maintenance fees in Virginia.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:51:23.040><c> especially</c><00:51:23.359><c> in</c><00:51:23.440><c> the</c><00:51:23.640><c> west
  • </c><00:51:24.640><c> that</c> this country especially in the west that this country especially in the
  • I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlelady from West Virginia, Ms. Miller.
  • Without objection, the gentleman from Virginia is recognized for one minute.
  • thousands of miles from the Virginia thousands of miles from the border<06:58:11.958><c> is</c><06:58
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 29th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sandra Kirkpatrick; Scott Kirkpatrick, who lobbies here; Kirk Kirkpatrick; Laura Jane Kirkpatrick; Virginia
  • John the Baptist, and West Baton Rouge..." "St. John the Baptist and West Baton Rouge Parish.
  • John the Baptist and West Baton Rouge Parish.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received a prayer and pledge, adopted the journal, and heard messages from the House reporting final passage of several Senate bills and concurrence in SCR 86 and 87. The chamber also observed personal privileges honoring the lives of Edith K. Kirkpatrick and Susan Ann Traylor Bidick, with family members present and a moment of silence held for Bidick. The House later refused concurrence on Senate amendments to HB 42 and HB 159. The Senate then took up a series of resolutions, most of which were adopted without objection. These included studies on energy infrastructure and modernization (SR 174, amended to add an alternative energy industry representative and a consumer advocate), breast pump Medicaid reimbursement (SR 175), digital student IDs (SR 176), lethality assessment protocols in domestic violence cases (SR 177), problem gambling prevention (SR 178), community water system grading (SR 179), condolences for Sharon Courtney (SR 180), and expansion of the Louisiana Tumor Registry (SR 181). The chamber also adopted SCR 85 honoring the Sam Houston High School Broncos baseball team after a recorded vote of 36 yeas and 8 nays. On bills returned from the House, HB 1222 on grocery initiative grants failed on final passage by a vote of 18 yeas and 19 nays. SB 312 had House amendments rejected, SB 348 and SB 485 had House amendments concurred in, and SB 121 on congressional redistricting was the subject of extensive debate over racial gerrymandering, district configuration, and expected litigation before the Senate concurred in the House amendments by 28 yeas and 10 nays. The Senate also concurred in several House concurrent resolutions, including studies or reports on flooded corn and migratory waterfowl, deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, support for a Senator Kennedy letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service, boating safety reporting, and subsurface data review. Finally, HB 944 creating a Women’s Health Consortium within the Department of Health was amended to address funding concerns and convert it into a more task-force-like structure, then passed 37-0 with nine coauthors. The Senate then recessed until 1:30 p.m. to continue work, including conference committee reports.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 13th, 2026

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Essentially, ibogaine is a psychoactive compound derived from the iboga plant in West Africa.
  • Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound derived from the iboga plant in Equatorial West Africa.
  • just passed their law, Oklahoma has active legislation, Tennessee has active legislation, Missouri, West
  • Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, and I miss a couple states.
Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee first considered three executive nominations. Shonda Lasseter was reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, with discussion focused on pharmacy staffing shortages, PBMs, and broader health care workforce challenges; she was advanced 11-0. Dr. Lane Sabara was renominated to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, where members discussed rural physician shortages and training pipelines; he was advanced 12-0. Dr. Paul Wright was nominated to fill an unexpired term on the same commission and was advanced 12-0 after questions about his availability and experience supporting rural medicine. The committee then heard several health-related bills. HB 3767, which adds 14 chemicals used to enhance fentanyl to Oklahoma’s controlled substances schedules, advanced 10-0. HB 3934, a dentistry workforce and cleanup bill updating insurance-claim and billing language, advanced 11-0. HB 4199, creating a three-year tri-share workforce pilot program for the Department of Commerce, was amended to change eligibility language and then advanced 9-2. HB 2947, allowing supervised behavioral health interns to bill Medicaid, advanced 10-1. HB 3834, authorizing the Department of Health to begin stage-one clinical trials for ibogaine and creating a revolving fund for that purpose, drew extensive testimony about veteran and first responder treatment, safety, funding, and state liability, and advanced 10-2. Additional measures also moved forward. HB 4302, after amendment, advanced 12-0 on a juvenile oversight reporting and law enforcement notification issue. Committee member bills included HB 495, reinstating the 211 Collaborative advisory council, which advanced 11-0; HB 3287, requiring domestic violence and human trafficking signage in health facilities, which advanced 11-0; HB 3649, allowing the Mental Health Department to sell underused property and keep the proceeds in its trust, which advanced 12-0 after amendment; HB 4430, clarifying malpractice coverage for APRNs and PAs at state facilities, which advanced 12-0; HB 2059, creating a mechanism to reimburse medication costs for incarcerated people in county and municipal jails, which advanced 12-0 after questions about continuity of care; and HB 3647, creating an all-payer claims database and transparency board, which advanced 10-2. The committee adjourned after announcing another meeting the following week.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I represent a West Texas district with nearly 8 gigawatts of installed and planned wind and solar projects
  • to ensure that an incident in East Texas doesn't change the laws, liberties, or lives of people in West
  • transmission capacity needed to expand the electrification of oil and gas and other vibrant industries in West
  • Virginia.
Committee: House State Affairs
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 5th, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Crystal Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln County Legislative Reception at the Irv Wine Bar, 139 West
  • youth leadership organization in New Mexico for more than 80 years, and whereas it was started by 33 Virginia
  • In the fall of 1968, I was a sophomore in high school, growing up in a little West Texas town.
  • Group, 3D Securities Investigation Services, and the TriSky Foundation, New Mexico, which are based in West
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • John West for House Bill 6. Caleb Atwell for House Bill 6.
  • John West and Caleb Atwell already spoke on House Bill 498.
  • Yeah, West Virginia.
  • Yeah, West Virginia, you still have waterway access there where you can get to a port of export.
  • John West, Vernon Parish.
Summary: The committee took up public comment on a package of similar local-option bills related to carbon capture and sequestration, including House Bills 5, 6, 497, 498, 501, and 504. The bills would let parishes, or in some cases specific parishes such as Rapides and Livingston, decide by local vote whether Class VI wells, CO2 sequestration, and related pipeline infrastructure could be permitted. The chair grouped the bills together for testimony, adopted a three-minute public comment rule, and noted that the bills were not yet under consideration for a vote during the public-comment portion. Supporters, including Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, parish officials, local activists, and residents, argued that communities affected by carbon capture projects should have a direct voice through local option elections. They said the bills were about self-determination, local control, and allowing residents to decide whether the risks are worth the benefits. Several speakers said their parishes had passed resolutions opposing carbon capture or asking for local choice, while others emphasized concerns about eminent domain, aquifer protection, lack of public understanding, and the need for more information about project impacts and financial benefits. Some supporters also said a local vote would force industry to engage more directly with communities and could improve transparency. Opponents, including representatives of the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, warned that the bills would create uncertainty, undermine Louisiana’s primacy over Class VI permitting, and invite litigation under federal preemption and the Supremacy Clause. They said the state already has a strict permitting process with public input and technical review, and that allowing parish-by-parish approval could delay or block billions of dollars in investment, jobs, and export-related projects. The department testified that if the state adopted a local-option referendum system, EPA could determine Louisiana was not implementing the program consistently and could move to remove primacy. No committee vote was taken in the portion provided.
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

March 05, 2026 - Regular Session

Virginia House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Bless the people of Virginia.
  • Bless the people of Virginia.
  • Growing up in Southwest Virginia, I saw resilience on display every day.
  • Their sacrifices have made Virginia soar.
  • and reenact various sections of the Code of Virginia repeal several others, all relating to the Virginia
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Housing Committee Jun 10th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • in support of AB 956 and to answer any questions is Stephanie Gutierrez, an ADU strategist with ADU West
  • I'm an ADU strategist with ADU West Coast, a Southern California design and build firm, and I'm also
  • Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware all ended homelessness... ...over the last 12 years.
  • Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware all ended homelessness among veterans altogether.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing met without a quorum at first and operated as a subcommittee, then later established a quorum and took up several housing-related bills. Early presentations included AB 2390, a cleanup bill on housing streamlining and project modifications, which was described as clarifying that minor and subsequent modifications are reviewed under the standards in effect when the original application was filed; there was no opposition, and the bill was moved on a due pass motion but held on call for absent members. AB 1890, which would increase state matching support for Napa County farmworker housing centers from $250,000 to $500,000 annually and extend the program through 2036, drew strong support from Napa County officials, the Farm Bureau, hospitals, and vintners, and was also moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 956, an ADU bill allowing more flexibility in how accessory dwelling units are built and clarifying application of ADU law in common interest developments, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from the League of California Cities over density, infrastructure, and local control concerns; the committee discussed amendments to avoid triggering density bonus law, then passed the bill as amended to Local Government, with some members expressing reservations or abstaining. The consent calendar, including AB 739, AB 2162, AB 2320, and AB 2692, was also acted on and held on call for absent members. Later, the committee heard AB 939, which would remove a 180-day resale restriction for certain income-restricted ownership units when a nonprofit affordable housing organization is ready to buy and sell them to qualified low-income buyers. Supporters, including Habitat for Humanity and California YIMBY, said the bill would reduce vacancy, carrying costs, and delays in getting affordable homes to buyers; the California Association of Realtors opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could limit buyer choice, codify first-right-of-refusal provisions, and reduce wealth-building opportunities. Members questioned those concerns, and the author said amendments were being worked on; the bill was moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act, would require state housing agencies to develop a fiscal analysis and long-term financial plan for ending homelessness and addressing housing affordability; it received broad support from supportive housing, civil rights, and homelessness organizations, with no opposition filed, and was moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 1184, an HOA transparency bill requiring more notice and access around litigation and recordings, was moved to Judiciary after discussion about whether it duplicated existing HOA law and whether the proposed amendments were too broad. AB 2035, a narrowly tailored bill for Laguna Woods Village to lower the vote threshold needed to petition a court to amend outdated CC&Rs, was supported as a one-time fix and moved to Judiciary. Finally, AB 1573, pulled from consent, would add survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to housing element target populations; supporters said these groups are overrepresented among people experiencing housing instability and should be explicitly included in local housing planning.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jan 13th, 2026

Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Transcript Highlights:
  • I grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia, right next to the Washington Works DuPont plant that made PFAS
  • I grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia, right next to the Washington Works DuPont plant that made PFAS
Bills: S2542
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Oct 8th, 2025

Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • West Virginia teachers is a good one.
  • When I began monitoring public pension funding levels in about 2000, the West Virginia Teacher Retirement
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • where we have our largest problems with non-reciprocity and deficit countries, it's mostly in the West
  • In my state, the Port of Virginia accounts for $124 billion in trade.
  • We've got 800,000 small businesses in Virginia. These tariffs are going to wallop them.
  • countries a break. because we're trying to actually get their economies functioning, make them look to the West
Summary: The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 19, 2025 - 10:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Like, we're not sending CSV files to Maryland or West Virginia. They don't have any...
  • We're not sending CSV files to Maryland or West Virginia. They don't have any access to our data.
Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, then returned to its ongoing budget workshop with the Department of Management Services. DFS’s Division of Risk Management described its role as the state self-insurance fund, covering about 200,000 employees and 27,000 vehicles, paying roughly $150 million in claims last year, and managing a pilot ETS treatment program for veterans and first responders that had 49 patients and 804 treatments as of the latest report. The Division of State Fire Marshal outlined its fire prevention, training, emergency response, and grant programs, including hurricane deployments, the Florida State Fire College, and several capital and grant requests for roof, courtyard, memorial, and equipment needs. The Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation explained how it handles insolvent insurers under Chapter 631, currently administering 14 estates with $1.2 billion in assets and $3.7 billion in liabilities, and said no new receiverships had been opened since February 2023. Members asked about grant backlogs, fire truck procurement delays, memorial repairs, and whether affiliate transfers were occurring in insurer liquidations. Secretary Griffin then updated the committee on DBPR’s implementation of House Bill 1021 on community associations. He said the department had used the new authority to expand education, complaint handling, and ombudsman services, including 10 free standardized courses, a new condo website, and a four-hour board certification course that had already drawn more than 12,000 attendees. He reported that outreach to condominium communities had increased by more than 60%, that complaint filings were up 39% while jurisdictional dismissals dropped to 11%, and that about 81% to 82% of the 65 new positions had been filled. Members pressed him on whether the department had enough authority and funding, how condominium counts are determined, how self-reported structural integrity reserve study data is verified, and whether more public-facing complaint tracking and better reporting from local governments or developers would improve the system. The committee then resumed questioning Secretary Allende of DMS about outstanding budget and operations issues. Members focused on the delayed People First contract extension required by statute, with the secretary saying the delay involved technical and contractual complexity in moving a legacy hard-coded system to the cloud. They also revisited the state data team and data catalog project, asking why a statutory 2022 deadline had not been met, how the four-person team and broader data staff were organized, how many applicants were considered for key positions, and what each role was doing. The secretary said the catalog work was being simplified into six metadata fields and supported by a broader community of practice, but no firm completion date was given during the exchange.
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session

Virginia House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The team is from Virginia Beach, located in House District 97.
  • Delegate from Virginia Beach, Delegate Fagan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • Speaker, paid leave makes life more affordable for Virginia families.
  • It relates to a Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank established report.
  • of Virginia has said very clearly they cannot enforce.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Tourism and Gaming Working Group (TGWG) - Wed Apr 15, 2026 @ 11:30 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • look left and look right because it's situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to both east and west
  • conversations on not just the jurisdictions sort of to the east, but also the jurisdictions to the west
  • Paul and our group have been working hard in Virginia on this particular issue on these machines.
  • was based out of the Bronx, but the robberies occurred at various locations in Pennsylvania and Virginia
  • was based out of the Bronx, but the robberies occurred at various locations in Pennsylvania and Virginia
Bills: SCR145 , SCR132 , SCR31 , SCR110
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • East Texas, including the greater Harris County region, and Tuesday, West Texas, including the El Paso
  • Adam Kincaid, and I talked a little bit about him on the floor the other day, he is the... ...the Virginia
  • non-Texan, Virginia resident who drew the current map.
  • of Austin, the history of San Antonio, industries in DFW and the Gulf Coast, and the oil fields of West
  • of Austin, the history of San Antonio, industries in DFW and the Gulf Coast, and the oil fields of West