Video & Transcript : 'fairness in mitigation' :
Page 353 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (11/10/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- In fairness to you, if you're the accused, you have the right to look me in the eye when I'm saying that
- In fairness to you, if you're the accused, you have the right to look me in the eye when I'm saying that
- In fairness to you, if you're the accused, you have the right to look me in the eye when I'm saying that
- In fairness to you, if you're the accused, you have the right to look me in the eye when I'm saying that
- In fairness to you, if you're the accused, you have the right to look me in the eye when I'm saying that
Summary:
The subcommittee met on HB 510 and HB 112, but the discussion focused almost entirely on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members in disciplinary proceedings at state institutions of higher education. The chair reviewed proposed amendments already approved or being considered, including revised definitions, confidentiality language for grievance information, removal of the adverse-inference language tied to self-incrimination, changes to cross-examination procedures, and narrowing an emergency exception by removing property damage and focusing on immediate threats to physical health or safety. The committee also discussed whether the hearing officer should have discretion to require a third party to conduct cross-examination, with the sponsor saying the word should remain “may” so the officer can respond to the circumstances of each case.
Members opposed to the bill argued that existing campus procedures already provide adequate due process and that the proposal is unnecessary, potentially intimidating to complainants, and disruptive to university policies and collective bargaining agreements. They objected especially to language allowing the accused to be present during cross-examination of an accuser and to the use of the term “victim” before facts are established. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure basic fairness for accused students and faculty, that the language was revised to address concerns, and that the rights listed are appropriate because serious allegations can have lasting consequences even outside the criminal context. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/caucus over the bill language.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- their work in fire suppression in the forest.
- This is only fair.
- This is only fair.
- In sum, we believe that the state has not bargained in good faith.
- increase in pay.
Summary:
The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining met for an informational public hearing on several state employee bargaining units at impasse. The Department of Management Services outlined negotiations for the FDLE special agents, security services/correctional officers, sworn law enforcement officers, Florida Highway Patrol troopers, and Florida State Fire Service units. Across the units, the state said most contract articles had been resolved, with remaining disputes centered mainly on wages, hours of work, grievance language, safety, grooming, travel, and other housekeeping items. The state repeatedly emphasized proposed 2% competitive pay increases plus specialty or special pay increases in some units, insurance held harmless with no added employee cost, and its desire to keep current scheduling practices and remove outdated grievance language referencing the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. No votes were taken.
Representatives for the Florida State Fire Service Association argued that firefighters are being asked to perform work far outside their job descriptions, including major construction, and said the state’s work-schedule and on-call practices unfairly avoid overtime and underpay firefighters. They also sought higher on-call compensation, a stronger wage plan with incentives and certification-based increases, restoration of a pay differential for firefighter-EMTs, and added PPE, decontamination, and cancer-prevention protections. The PBA’s Florida Highway Patrol unit said troopers need a larger career development plan, veteran stipends, updated grooming/tattoo rules, safer and newer vehicles, and better pay to address turnover. The PBA’s law enforcement unit focused on vehicle safety, performance evaluation language to prevent case-presentation quotas, and a $7,000 across-the-board raise, while disputing whether certain articles were timely opened. The security services unit said correctional officers, probation officers, and ISS officers need an $8-per-hour starting pay increase, retention bonuses, special pay for death row and close-management assignments, and overtime pay for lieutenants and captains who currently receive comp time and sometimes work beyond their limits. The committee heard the presentations, asked a brief question about correctional officers’ overtime, accepted written materials from the FOP special agent unit, and adjourned without action.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:16:30.639><c> the</c> um in the negative and then in the um in the negative and then in the positive
- order to set priorities in this state, in reality he's just shifting it to the counties.
- taxes, increase the sales tax by $345 million in the biennium and $439 million increase in taxes in
- :40:56.440><c> the</c> $439 million increase in taxes in the $439 million increase in taxes in the out
- My district is in the heart of lake country in northeastern Minnesota.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services May 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I am very proud that we held the line in at least our part in not absorbing some of those really horrendous
- investments in Cal Food.
- We'll continue to work with the Assembly and the administration in getting this in the final budget.
- In San Diego, for 211 San Diego, we spend about $6 million in outreach and get $54 million in direct
- that different counties are in.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (3-3-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- 2016 to 58.6% funded in 2024.
- </c> 56.4% funded in 56.4% funded in 2016<00:04:46.880><c> to</c> 2016 to 2016 to 58.6%<00:04:49.440>
- <c> funded</c><00:04:49.960><c> in</c> 58.6% funded in 58.6% funded in 2024<00:04:52.039><c> to</c><00
- in recent recent in fully fund pensions in recent recent in recent<00:05:59.840><c> address</c><00:06
- </c> legislation will not res result in legislation will not res result in significant<00:10:13.920><
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up Senate Bill 193, described as a simple measure to restore a wallet card for jailers to carry when outside the jail. The chair noted the fiscal impact was essentially zero, there were no questions, and the committee voted to pass the bill 9-0.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 9, a proposal focused on the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS). The sponsor argued TRS remains underfunded despite large state contributions, cited rising unfunded liability and negative cash flow, and said the bill is intended to standardize and limit what sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave can count toward retirement calculations. The bill would generally cap TRS retirement credit at 10 sick days and 2 personal days per year, prevent annual leave from being rolled into sick leave, require more uniform reporting and oversight from participating districts and agencies, and shift costs to districts that offer benefits beyond TRS limits. The sponsor also said the bill would add 30 maternity leave days, allow voluntary supplemental contributions for Tier Four teachers, and include a floor amendment directing the state auditor to audit TRS and report on agency leave policies.
During the presentation, the sponsor emphasized fairness, transparency, and accountability, and used a hypothetical high-salary administrator to illustrate how leave payouts can increase retirement benefits and create additional unfunded liability. Senator Mills thanked the sponsor and said members had been working to understand the issue, but no committee action on Senate Bill 9 was completed in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/21/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We are in Room G15 in the State Capitol, and a quorum is present.
- Without a fair pension to plan on, I'm not sure that I could stay in St. Paul.
- So, thank you for uh, a decrease in the employ in the uh, a decrease in the employ in the uh,<00:26:27.440
- </c> fact, I was in in an, uh, meeting fact, I was in in an, uh, meeting earlier<00:28:43.600><c> today
- In in the four-year cola protection.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Senator Mayes Middleton Aug 4th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- spaces like restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and in family violence situations in prisons.
- We know that school is starting very soon in our state, and we know how prevalent this issue is in our
- Privacy, fairness, and dignity. Brooke joined the Riley Gaines lawsuit in 2020.
- I served almost five years in the Central California Women's Facility, the largest women's prison in
- Women in prison already live in conditions where privacy is almost non-existent.
Keywords:
real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And in California And in California, how they avoided going to court and having this tied up in long
- Only fair.
- This closes a change in policy that occurred in 2021.
- in tax bills.
- This is an increase in insurance rates in this state.
Bills:
HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial branch supplemental funding 3/5/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> a ding-dong ditch in our house in the a ding-dong ditch in our house in the middle<00:25:35.840>
- </c> equate to the investment that we make in equate to the investment that we make in in<00:26:23.120
- </c> in the judicial branch. So thank you. in the judicial branch. So thank you.
- </c> hear anything in our budget in your hear anything in our budget in your budget<00:30:34.799><c>
- </c> So, that's why we're in this position. So, that's why we're in this position.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- How do you maintain predictability in business law while ensuring fairness and accountability on both
- If I get up every day with the goal of doing my job in a way that, as you say, is predictable, fair,
- But that kind of like presumes that the game is being played fair in the first place.
- That kind of presumes that the game is being played fair in the first place.
- front... fair in the first place.
Summary:
The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format and first considered two gubernatorial judicial appointments. Morgan T. Zurn, nominated to the Delaware Supreme Court, described her background in public service, the Court of Chancery, DOJ, and federal clerkship, and answered extensive questions about judicial philosophy, precedent, statutory interpretation, access to justice, AI and deepfakes, corporate law stability, civility, social media, and public confidence in the courts. Christy N. Vitola, nominated to be Commissioner of Family Court, discussed her Delaware upbringing, legal career in family law and child support, and experience with pro se litigants and high-volume dockets; she was questioned about handling family court cases efficiently, the best interests of the child, and correcting calculation errors. No votes on the nominations were taken during the portion shown.
The committee then moved to legislation. House Bill 443, concerning background checks for volunteers and mentors in the Department of Education’s mentoring program, was presented as a technical update to allow DOE to continue receiving wrap-back reports and to ensure mentors undergo state and federal criminal background checks. There was no public comment or committee debate on the bill. House Bill 431 with House Amendment 1, sponsored by Representative Bush and Senator Hoffner, would allow composting of yard waste, food residue, and other organic materials to divert waste from landfills, extend landfill life, reduce disposal costs, support farmers by returning nutrients to the soil, and reduce methane emissions; it also preserves county/local control over siting and inspection. Senator Townsend asked whether composting was currently allowed, and Senator Hoffner explained that the bill would authorize it under the stated controls. No public comment was offered on either bill.
At the close of the meeting, the chair noted that the bills and nominee backers had been circulated for signatures. Senator Hocker moved to adjourn, Senator Townsend seconded, and the committee adjourned without objection.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- to meet in a hybrid format.
- Yeah, graduated in '77. Yes, I graduated U.D. in '77. Yeah.
- I speak in opposition.
- I want to be clear, we are not opposed to a fair and accurate system, but what happened in the fall is
- This legislation helps them stay in their homes and in their communities.
Bills:
HB371
Keywords:
HB371, Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, farmland preservation, agricultural lands, agricultural preservation district, Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, county advisory board, Delaware Foundation, Department of Agriculture, DNREC, planning and zoning, growth zone, open space, land use, farmland protection, rural land preservation, agribusiness, active farmers
Summary:
The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from its June 17 and June 18 meetings, and considered several nominations and bills. The committee heard testimony from Michael T. Skeuse for the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and Jay Eric Fearwald for the University of Delaware Board of Trustees; both nominees described their backgrounds and qualifications, and no objections were raised. The committee then moved to legislation focused largely on property tax reassessment and related school-tax issues, along with a technical constitutional corrections bill, an agricultural lands preservation cleanup bill, and a child-safety/service-letter bill.
A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 350, which would create a third multifamily residential tax classification at 1.2 times the residential rate. Supporters argued apartments are housing and should not be taxed as commercial property, emphasizing relief for renters and fairness after reassessment. Opponents, including county and school officials, warned the bill would reduce local revenues, complicate tax administration, and create unintended consequences for counties, municipalities, school districts, and agriculture. Similar themes carried into House Bill 462, which would make the split-rate school tax structure permanent and lower the nonresidential cap to 1.85, and House Bill 463, which would align New Castle County senior school-tax exemptions with county exemption rules; both bills drew discussion about shifting burdens, fiscal impacts, and timing.
The committee also heard House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320, a technical corrections bill to the Delaware Constitution, with one public commenter objecting to charter-related changes being included in a correction bill. House Bill 371, which removes the requirement for county farmland preservation advisory boards under the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, was presented as a streamlining measure and had support from the Department of Agriculture and public comment in favor. House Bill 438, expanding service-letter requirements to a broader set of child-serving facilities and requiring reporting when employers fail to respond, was described as a cleanup bill closing a safety loophole. After public comment and committee discussion, the meeting ended with a motion and unanimous adjournment; no recorded votes on the bills were taken in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/23/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- We believe in fairness and equality for everyone, with no exceptions.
- Minnesotans believe in freedom, fairness, and equality for everyone, no exceptions.
- A belief in democracy, individual liberty, fairness, and equality.
- In Minnesota, we believe in freedom, fairness, and equality for everyone with no exceptions. everyone
- ><c> freedom,</c> Minnesota, we believe in freedom, Minnesota, we believe in freedom, fairness,<00:23
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/12/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh they want fair Motans value fairness.
- ><c> here</c><00:09:15.760><c> in</c> in the health industry here in in the health industry here in Minnesota
- In 2023, we passed the Digital Fair Repair Act, which ensures that owners and independent repair technicians
- And today I'm testifying in support of SF 2484, which would add motorcycles to Minnesota's digital fair
- This in four key areas in the NIC space.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So have you found yourself in a cage at some point? In a ring, yes. Did you? Yes, sir.
- In 2002 and then again in 2020 boxing.
- What value does it offer to the state of Idaho in this arena, in this area? Mr. Lanham.
- Fair matchmaking, fair oversight on weight cutting, and the health of the fighters.
- Well, thank you for coming in.
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first approved the January 30, 2026 minutes on a motion by Senator Adams, seconded by Senator Thames. The committee then considered the gubernatorial appointment of Ryan Lanham to serve as state athletic commissioner through October 1, 2026. Lanham described his background in combat sports, including more than 20 years as a coach, participant, and corner, ownership of a boxing gym in Meridian, and prior amateur boxing matches. Members asked about his experience, the role of the athletic commission, and his views on the future of combat sports in Idaho; he emphasized athlete safety, fair matchmaking, and support for regulated expansion of sports such as boxing, Muay Thai, and bare knuckle, while expressing skepticism about “Power Slap.” The committee did not vote on the appointment, noting it would likely be taken up at a later meeting.
The committee also heard RS 33216 from Senator Guthrie, which would phase in an increase in alcohol, beer, and wine licensing fees over three years rather than imposing the full increase at once. After brief discussion, Senator Harris moved to introduce the RS, Senator Den Hartog seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting ended with notice that the committee likely would not meet again on Monday, and the committee adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Press Conference: Senator Mayes MiddletonRegarding Senate Bill 7, relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to biological sex. Note: due to technical difficulties, there are audio quality issues in the recording. Aug 4th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's just one man in your space, it's Kim Schlusser: just one man on your team, it's just one man in
- Girls in Texas deserve the right to privacy, safety, and fairness.
- women's prison in our country.
- Women in prison already live in conditions where privacy is almost nonexistent.
- to codify this in state law.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 22 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- join me in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
- All those in favor say aye, all those opposed name. Mr.
- House Bill 3212, an act relative to ensuring fairness and equity in the assessment of the value of property
- House Bill 3212, an act relative to ensuring fairness and equity in the assessment of the value of property
- House Bill 3212, an act relative to ensuring fairness and equity in the assessment of the value of property
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Rules Committee reports. Members adopted resolutions congratulating Auburn on the 100th anniversary of the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket launch and welcoming Boston’s new National Women’s Soccer League team, the Boston Legacy, to Massachusetts. The House also adopted orders extending the reporting deadlines for the Committee on Revenue on two House documents into 2026.
The chamber suspended joint rules to allow several petitions to proceed, including proposals on social media regulation for minors, a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee, retirement credit for a probation employee, taxation of certain foreign government pension benefits, and naming the American lobster the official crustacean of the Commonwealth. The Steering, Policy and Schedule Committee then listed bills for consideration, including measures on private road maintenance in Gloucester, property valuation and assessment fairness, municipal tax collectors, preservation of historic resource information in community preservation funds, and Salem liquor license changes.
The House advanced those bills through second and third readings, then passed to be enacted local bills involving compensation for a Revere widow, a Wellesley senior tax deferment change, and a Hopkinton library trustees charter amendment. It also engrossed a bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific applicant, Edney Joseph. The session ended with a moment of silent tribute to Adrian Dolan of South Boston and an order to adjourn until the next Thursday morning in informal session.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 4th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- March in perfect unison.
- CalTax has always supported policies that promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in tax laws
- Caltax has always supported policies that promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in tax laws
- That promote transparency, fairness, and accountability in tax laws.
- in San Mateo.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband May 2nd, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- That is a wholesale change in current law. and would result In the loss of $10 million in cable franchise
- This is a tactical move in an attempt to gain a leg up in litigation.
- You're, you're in the, in the red 2000.
- , uh, per year in right away fees and another million in the peg fees.
- that in a, uh, in a, in a fair and effective way for the most part.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- They will certainly get fair compensation through the caps that we have in place, six million dollars
- And as the legislator having to make the final decision, I felt it was a fair compromise to go in between
- That's the environment that we created in New Mexico that is arguably the most fair legal structure in
- for the players In a casino, the casino is going to adjust to that fairness.
- I'm just going to put that in general terms. Is that fair?
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Alex Fair, staff.
- in the subsequent biennium.
- So running in the primary in the district, you represent them and then you go into a general.
- So I think this is a more fair way to get elected in district.
- A lot of money doesn't get in school board elections. I see this in a much fairer way.
Summary:
The Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee began with a clarification about a prior budget bill affecting Running Start, emphasizing that it would reduce per-student funding to colleges but would not reduce student participation in the program. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6277, which would promote educational stability for children of military families by easing enrollment rules, extending proof-of-residency deadlines to 90 days, allowing conditional enrollment before arrival, and requiring timely transfer and implementation of IEPs and 504 plans. Support came from the bill sponsor, students, school psychologists, military family advocates, and veterans groups, while school district representatives raised concerns about accelerated special education timelines and related costs. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then moved into executive session on a first packet of bills. It adopted a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5992 creating a youth development fund account and prioritizing tribal and American Indian/Alaska Native youth, and advanced the bill to Rules. It passed Senate Bill 6078 on child care provider supports, advanced Senate Bill 6089 on P20W education data with a substitute that added stakeholder intent language, limited nonprofit authority, and FERPA protections, and adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 5918 increasing school materials, supplies, and operating costs funding, then sent it to Ways and Means.
In the second packet, the committee considered Senate Bill 5861 on school board director districts, but rejected an amendment that would have required candidates to be elected only by voters in their director district rather than at large. It then adopted a substitute and advanced the bill. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 6118 requiring cardiac emergency response plans in schools, with a substitute making implementation contingent on state funding; Senate Bill 6065 allowing certain financially distressed districts to use transportation vehicle funds under limited conditions; and Senate Bill 6052 directing development of a statewide digital transcript exchange system, which was sent to Ways and Means. The meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled executive action was completed.