Video & Transcript : '119th Congress' :
Page 37 of 237
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 25th, 2025
Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair and members of the committee, S.J.R. 2 urges Congress and the President to enact federal
- So this bill does send a pretty strong message to the President and to Congress that they need to join
- Madam Chair and members of the committee, S.J.R.2 urges Congress and the President to enact federal legislation
- So this bill does send a pretty strong message to the president and to Congress that they need to join
Committee:
House Public Employment and Retirement
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several measures dealing with public employee retirement and school employee rights. SB 301 would prevent CERL-contracting cities and districts from selectively excluding groups of employees from retirement membership, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed in CalPERS law. SB 443 would clarify that employees moving into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status under the same rules whether the transfer occurs when the JPA is formed or later, with supporters citing regional dispatch and flood-management JPAs as examples. SB 494 would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge, similar to teachers and community college faculty, while opponents argued it would override local bargaining and school board authority. SJR 2 urged Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, leave, safety, and workplace voice.
Support for the bills came primarily from the authors, California Professional Firefighters, the City of La Verne, Pajaro River Flood Management Agency, AFSCME, CSEA, and CFT. Opposition to SB 494 came from school boards, county superintendents, school business officials, community college administrators, and county education offices, who said the bill would impose a one-size-fits-all process and shift costs to districts. No opposition was voiced on the other measures.
The committee initially voted to place SB 301, SB 443, SB 494, SJR 2, and the consent calendar items on hold, then later reopened the roll and advanced all of them. Final recorded votes were unanimous or near-unanimous: SB 301 passed 7-0, SB 443 passed 7-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations, SB 494 passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Higher Education, SJR 2 passed 5-0, and consent items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 passed 7-0.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I think there's a lot of folks in Congress that are addressing this issue and making it vocal, but I
- HCR 102 urges urges Congress.
- I think now they understand that Congress and leadership wants them to move much quicker to bring down
- And the most recent amendments were passed by the United States Congress, and they took effect on March
Committee:
House S/C on State-Federal Relations
Keywords:
COFA, Compact of Free Association, Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, COFA islanders, Texas House resolution, commemorative resolution, COFA Day, March 18 2025, Pacific Islands, insular affairs, U.S. territories, federal benefits, SNAP, TANF, FEMA, in-state tuition, veterans, Indo-Pacific
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, March 27, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You control the United States Congress. You control the<00:12:06.560><c> House.
- </c> Congress to be the first amongst equals. Congress to be the first amongst equals.
- </c><00:31:45.519><c> Instead,</c><00:31:46.080><c> House</c> this Congress.
- Instead, House this Congress.
- </c><01:20:45.679><c> cannot</c> because this Republican Congress cannot because this Republican Congress
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (01/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Basically, it should be left up to Congress, and Congress has the opportunity to do this.
- </c><00:13:49.440><c> and</c> it should be left up to Congress and it should be left up to Congress and
- </c><00:17:42.120><c> passed</c> that the United States Congress passed that the United States Congress
- </c><00:18:08.880><c> has</c> Clause it specifically says Congress has Clause it specifically says Congress
- I I do think that Congress is concerned I I do think that Congress is the<00:46:55.640><c> clearest<
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts.
Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs.
Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House panel debates GOP resolution to begin impeachment proceedings against governor, AG Apr 15th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> resolution and and as well as Congress resolution and and as well as Congress and<00:03:06.920><
- </c> It appears he lied under oath before Congress, which is a violation of 18 USC 1621.
- The attorney general lied before Congress. That's no small thing.
- We don't have that privilege of voting in that chamber of Congress or the Senate.
- </c> of Congress or the Senate. of Congress or the Senate.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Special Session 2026 May 6th, 2026
Alabama Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, it talks about it says in the 41st and the 42nd Congress of the United States, and it talks about
- you had a U.S. senator, and you had four congress people as well.
- </c><01:21:37.440><c> prior</c> represented this state in Congress prior represented this state in Congress
- of the United States the 42nd Congress of the United States and<01:22:45.520><c> it</c><01:22:45.760
- </c> congress people as well. congress people as well.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 34 senators present. The chamber then received a House message referring House Bill 1 on primary elections to the Committee on County and Municipal Government, and moved to Senate Bill 1, also dealing with primary elections and tied to ongoing court action over Alabama’s legislative maps. Senator Elliott explained SB 1 as a prospective measure meant to set up a special election if federal courts lift injunctions on the state Senate districts, while opponents argued the bill was being rushed and could disrupt voters, candidates, absentee voters, and election administration.
Much of the debate focused on whether the bill would effectively change election rules too close to an election and whether it conflicted with a 2022 statewide amendment requiring election-related changes to take effect at least six months before a general election. Supporters said the bill simply preserves the legislature’s enacted maps and responds to recent court rulings, while opponents said it could disenfranchise voters, especially military, elderly, absentee, rural, and Black voters, and that the underlying litigation and federal Voting Rights Act issues remained unresolved. Several members also referenced a Brennan Center report and broader concerns about racial turnout gaps and minority representation in Alabama.
Senator Coleman offered an amendment to give the state discretion rather than mandate a special election, arguing it would better align with the current court order; the Senate rejected it on a roll call vote, 8 yeas to 25 nays. Senator Vivian Figures then offered a notice-focused amendment requiring adequate public notice before any election changes, arguing that voters need time to learn new dates, polling places, deadlines, and ballot information; that amendment also failed on a roll call vote, with the clerk announcing it did not pass. The transcript ends with further discussion beginning after the failed amendment votes.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-01-28 (4:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress must deal with the immigration system.
- We are here as a state, not to play as the United States Congress.
- That's up to Congress, ladies and gentlemen. I did not run for the United States Congress.
- I didn't run for Congress. I ran for state rep.
- If I wanted to run for Congress and dictate and determine federal issues, I'd have run for Congress.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, pledge, quorum call, approval of the journal, and adoption of the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B, the immigration bill, and members were told they would have one opportunity to question the sponsor on both the House version and the anticipated Senate changes. Representative McClure described the bill as a major immigration-enforcement package creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, a local law enforcement grant program, a state immigration council, and new penalties and enforcement tools. He also outlined anticipated Senate language, including stronger 287(g) participation requirements, enhanced penalties for unauthorized aliens, a mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses, and additional coordination with federal agencies.
The bill drew extensive questioning from Democrats about due process, constitutional issues, school and workplace impacts, and the treatment of people whose immigration status changes over time. Members asked about birthright citizenship, TPS, asylum seekers, pretrial detention standards, the lawful basis for detaining someone based on suspected status, and whether teachers, social workers, school resource officers, and even children could be required to cooperate with immigration enforcement. McClure and Representative Garrison repeatedly said the bill would require cooperation with federal authorities, that status determinations would be handled under existing court procedures, and that the Senate death-penalty language was intended to fit within Hurst by requiring a jury finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was an unauthorized alien. They also said the bill did not provide DMV funding, did not address teacher shortages, and included appropriations such as $25 million for the local law enforcement participation incentive program and broader funding for enforcement and training.
Several amendments were considered. Representative Chambliss offered an amendment to protect schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; supporters argued it would preserve trust in sacred and educational spaces, but the amendment failed. Representative Escamani offered an amendment to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers; supporters emphasized the educational and economic contributions of Dreamers and the hardship of higher tuition, but that amendment also failed. The debate ended with no bill vote in the excerpt, but the House completed the amendment votes and continued consideration of the immigration measure.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-02-13 (12:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the time that Congress needs to finally show up and do their...
- That Congress needs to finally show up and do their job.
- So Congress needs to do their job. They need to work this out... So Congress needs to do their job.
- I think we need to make Congress do what they're supposed to.
- “Some of us sound like Congress people right now, because this is a bill that should be debated in Congress
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and adoption of the special order report for the day. The chamber then moved into a special-order agenda focused almost entirely on immigration-related measures, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. The memorial was adopted 85-27 after brief debate, with supporters arguing Florida should help maximize federal immigration enforcement and opponents saying Congress, not the state, should fix immigration policy.
The House next took up Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses for illegal entry and reentry by adult unauthorized aliens and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members debated constitutional concerns, due process, racial profiling, fiscal impacts, and whether the bill intruded on federal immigration authority. Several amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to extend protections to Venezuelans with TPS, to remove the mandatory death penalty, to protect certain long-term immigrant workers and teachers, to expand exemptions for Haitians and humanitarian parole recipients, and to create a task force on best practices for immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive locations. A final amendment to strip the bill as unconstitutional was also rejected. The bill then passed 85-29.
The final measure discussed was Senate Bill 2C, which creates a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establishes grants and incentive bonuses for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, repeals the fee waiver for undocumented students beginning July 1, 2025, and appropriates more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as a broad enforcement package, while questions from members focused on the impact on current students who receive in-state tuition and whether the bill would remove incentives for those already enrolled. The transcript ends during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Code, so there is not a qualifier in there that it had to be an act of Congress or it had to be an act
- of Congress or it had to be an act.
- So any that are designated by Acts of Congress. Additional question, Senator Pizzo. Yes. Yes.
- The amendment makes Florida a leader in doing what Congress should have done years ago but hasn't had
- But yet we have members of the United States Congress who have notoriously increased their net worth
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- House Concurrent Memorial 2001, a concurrent memorial urging the President and Congress of the United
- A concurrent memorial urging the President of the United States, the United States Congress, the Department
- Members, this postcard to Congress asks that the federal authorities come to the legislature for approval
- action and transmit the bill to the House. 8CM 2001, a concurrent memorial urging the President and Congress
- And that was all before he called for a member of Congress to be executed.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items.
In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended.
The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I want to be clear, this was established in Congress, and these folks are here legally and have followed
- This resolution will send a clear message that California stands with these families and calls on Congress
- Temporary Protected Status, established in 1990, repeatedly supported by bipartisan majorities in Congress
- Education Committee to present Assembly Joint Resolution 19, a resolution urging the President and Congress
- And so I urge members on both sides of the aisle to support AJR 19, To urge Congress to stand up to defend
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a long consent and concurrence calendar. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding prior action on SB 863, and later taking up additional items that had been passed temporarily. The chamber also heard several guest introductions recognizing a young dance champion, district staff, and an intern, along with announcements about peaches gifted to members and reminders to secure floor managers for Senate bills.
The floor then considered a series of concurrence items and resolutions on topics including water infrastructure (AB 580), telehealth access (AB 688), insurance (AB 815), housing approvals and ADU enforcement (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), environmental quality (AB 1139), immigration and temporary protected status (AJR 8), federal education policy and IDEA funding (AJR 19), Deaf Awareness Month (ACR 112), and Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid cuts (AJR 3). Most measures passed with little or no opposition; AJR 8 drew debate over TPS and immigration policy and was adopted 49-7, while AJR 19 passed 53-2 and ACR 112 was adopted by voice vote.
The Assembly also passed several Senate bills on criminal procedure, local government, retirement, taxation, community colleges, public health, public employment, alcohol licensing, fairgrounds compensation, and the Delta Reform Act, among others. Notable contested items included SB 301 on retirement contract restrictions, which drew criticism over pension costs but passed 56-2, and SB 276 on regulating resale of stolen goods in San Francisco, which passed 57-1 despite concerns about added permitting and criminal penalties. Urgency measures SB 227 and SB 276 both cleared the required threshold, and SB 395, SB 650, SB 493, and SB 8 also passed with strong margins.
The session ended with adjournments in memory honoring former Assembly clerk Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, followed by adoption of the consent calendar and adjournment until the next morning.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine S.222, to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools that participate in the school lunch program to serve whole milk. Apr 1st, 2025 at 09:00 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Last Congress, the House passed this legislation by an impressive vote of 330 to 99.
- In and outside Congress, equally important is the engagement from everyone working on these programs,
- to hearing from our witnesses and putting their advice into action as we continue this work this Congress
- You know, we all came to Congress with a reason.
- But today, I'd like to talk about the This dollar is allocated by Congress for school meals, in my opinion
Bills:
SB222
Keywords:
whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction
Summary:
This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine research security risks posed by foreign nationals from countries of risk working at the Department of Energy¿s National Laboratories and necessary mitigation steps. Feb 20th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Congress and this administration must act immediately to close the gaps, tighten security, and ensure
- So I look forward to hearing about how Congress can best support DOE's efforts in safeguarding our research
- These actions were supported by the security directives from Congress, thank you, and administrative
- What authorities, directives can Congress use to help on that mission?
- And should we be addressing that as Congress as well?
Keywords:
national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security
Summary:
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Apr 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The confusion has come in with the separate category that Congress put in a while ago that deemed some
- And I think I heard you say that’s a designation from Congress or FDA.” “Congress. From Congress.
Summary:
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee heard SB 1094 by Senator Weber Pearson, which would expand pharmacist and health plan authority to substitute biosimilars for reference biologic drugs in order to lower prescription drug costs. The author and supporters, including Blue Shield of California, Sharp HealthCare, and several business and health groups, argued that biologics are a major driver of rising health care spending and that biosimilars can provide substantial savings while maintaining safety and efficacy. The bill also included transparency provisions and committee amendments, including notice requirements and clarifications around substitution and exceptions.
Opposition came from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the California Rheumatology Alliance, and Biocom, who said the bill was not scientifically justified, could undermine FDA standards, and might lead to unwanted switching, side effects, or delays in care for patients with chronic conditions. They emphasized that pharmacists can already substitute interchangeable biosimilars and that non-interchangeable products can be changed with prescriber contact. Committee discussion focused on patient safety, the meaning of “do not substitute,” the 30-day notice provisions, and the distinction between biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars.
After debate, the committee adopted a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Health Committee. The bill passed the committee on a 10-0 roll call vote and was sent onward.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Aug 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Forward slash Congress, forward slash 73, forward slash plan C-2308.
- and type in plan C 2308, you'll be able to find it, but it's dvr.capitol.texas.gov forward slash Congress
- But out of courtesy to the public, since we had set this day aside for the Congress, we really appreciate
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We can't do that one closed and Congress open.
- We can't program an election where we allow no-party voters to vote in Congress, but not in RPEC.
- So we have new closed party primaries, as you all know, and it's Congress, Supreme Court, Bessie, PSC
- , and both, you know, houses of Congress.
- But where we're going to run into a problem in 2028 is if we allow no-party voters to vote in Congress
Summary:
The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 20, 2026, with a quorum present and no minutes available for approval. The committee first heard HB 181, which would let the legislative auditor review income tax data to verify eligibility for Medicaid and, at LDH’s request, SNAP. The auditor said the work would be limited to internal data testing under sharing agreements and not disclosed to third parties. After questions about privacy and duplication, the bill was reported favorably to the floor without objection.
The committee then took up HB 906 on presidential preference primaries and party nominating petitions. The Secretary of State and bill author said the measure would let major parties decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in their primaries, with 180 days’ notice to the state, and would keep party rules consistent within presidential years so elections can be programmed properly. Several senators raised concerns that the bill would disenfranchise no-party voters and give parties too much control, but supporters said both major parties had approved the approach. The committee voted 4-3 to report the bill favorably.
Members also advanced HB 398, which would require the judiciary to use the federal GSA meal per diem rate instead of the current higher state judicial rate; HB 1052, which strengthens confidentiality protections for child abuse investigations handled by child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams; HB 1245, which protects witness criminal history records from unintended public release in clerk of court records; HB 202, which requires state civil service or hiring agencies to notify applicants when a vacancy is filled or they are rejected; HB 540, which requires disclosure of paid digital election advertising; HB 9, designating stuffed shrimp as a Louisiana specialty; HB 1057, extending the validity of absentee-by-mail applications for military voters from one year to two; HB 225, proposing a constitutional amendment to limit governors to two lifetime terms; HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to contract with former public employers; and HB 459, requiring disclosure when campaign materials use AI, with amendments adopted after discussion of First Amendment and campaign finance concerns. The committee also rejected an amendment to HB 1057 that would have expanded Sunday early voting in certain parishes. After the bills, the committee held confirmation hearings for James Kelly and Charles Wilkinson to the Board of Supervisors of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, both of whom described education and workforce development backgrounds and were favorably received.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- We can't do that one closed and Congress open.
- We can't program an election where we allow no-party voters to vote in Congress, but not in RPEC.
- So we have new closed party primaries, as you all know, and it's Congress, Supreme Court, Bessie, PSC
- , and both, you know, houses of Congress.
- But where we're going to run into a problem in 2028 is if we allow no-party voters to vote in Congress
Bills:
HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB202 , HB225 , HB398 , HB459 , HB540 , HB906 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1245
Committee:
Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development May 7th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- So they don't need to... they don't need Congress to do it. They can actually do it.
- So they don't need to, they don't need Congress to do it. They can actually do it.
- Members, House Resolution 188 by Chairwoman Butler memorializes Congress to oppose any provision in the
- And so I decided to file this HR to urge and request Congress to look at this amendment and pull it out
- But I think, you know, memorializing Congress to let them know that as it comes back from the Senate,
Summary:
The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met with a quorum, adopted the minutes from its October 3, 2024 meeting, and Chairwoman Butler noted that HCR 82 would be voluntarily deferred in favor of continuing work on HCR 77 related to a pilot program for landscaping and crawfishing. The committee then considered HCR 205, which urges the USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Representative Kerner and Commissioner Mike Strain described the shrimp industry’s low prices, full cold storage, and the need for urgent federal action to support shrimpers and move product into schools, nursing homes, and food banks. Members discussed domestic sourcing rules, enforcement against imported seafood, and marketing challenges; HCR 205 was reported favorably without objection.
The committee also took up HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill provision that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs. Chairwoman Butler and Commissioner Strain explained that the concern centered on vague language in a farm bill section that could be interpreted to restrict hunting dogs used for tracking or field trials. Members agreed the language should be removed if it remained in the bill, and HCR 188 was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then heard a presentation from Orlando McMeans of the Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture, along with Dr. Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, extension, and academic programs, including enrollment growth, dual-enrollment efforts, 1890 scholars, JAG Stars scholarships, beef cattle and aquaculture research, viticulture, precision nutrition, and food access initiatives. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed disaster-safe shelter. Members asked about butcher training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s potential uses, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- want to remind people that not too long ago there's a lot more in-depth and actually a proposal by Congress
- So there's a lot more in-depth and actually a proposal by Congress, not just the president opining.
- We mobilize support across the country for resolutions of this type to signal to Congress that there's
- Brian Boyle: So the amendment language that we are sort of workshopping right now with Congress tries
- The bottom line is, for this resolution: wake up Congress, wake up United States Election Commission,
Summary:
The Committee on Elections first met in executive session and took up a committee substitute for H.J.R. 122, which combined H.J.R. 122 with related measures H.J.R. 104 and H.J.R. 149. Representative Banderman offered and the committee adopted an amendment limiting leadership terms in the resolution from three terms to two for the House speaker and from two terms to one for the Senate president. The committee then adopted the revised substitute and voted the combined resolution do pass by a 9-1 vote.
In public hearing, the committee heard HB 1987, a technical fix to local filing deadlines for declarations of candidacy when the deadline falls on a holiday. Representative Hinman explained the bill was requested by city and school clerks to avoid requiring offices to open on holidays such as New Year’s Eve or Christmas Day. Testimony from city, municipal, and county clerk organizations was unanimously supportive, and no opposition was offered.
The committee also heard HCR 23, which urges Congress to recognize state authority over election laws and campaign finance. Sponsor Representative Perkins and supporting witnesses argued the resolution is a federalism measure grounded in the Tenth Amendment and noted that similar resolutions have passed in 24 other states. Some members questioned whether the resolution could conflict with federal election policy or allow inconsistent state approaches, but the sponsor said the measure simply affirms state authority and does not mandate any specific policy.
Finally, the committee heard HB 1802, which would allow poll challengers and watchers to be present during in-person absentee voting in first-class and charter counties, with procedures for advance notice. The sponsor said the bill was intended to create consistency after differing county practices and to address issues seen in St. Charles County during the 2024 election. The St. Charles County election director supported the bill as a clarification of existing law, while some members raised concerns about unequal treatment of counties and the potential for disruption. The hearing concluded without a vote on HB 1987, HCR 23, or HB 1802.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 02/18/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- He said you cannot just issue an executive order to take money that has been appropriated by Congress
- He said you cannot just issue an executive order to take money that has been appropriated by Congress
- I was at the signing, and I went to Congress numerous times as AG to defend the statute.
- I was at the signing, and I went to Congress numerous times as AG to defend the statute.
- They don't go through Congress. They don't go through a rulemaking procedure.
Committee:
Senate State and Local Government