Video & Transcript : 'JROTC programs' :
Page 398 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jul 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 616 with Senator Rubio's Community Hardening Commission Wildfire Mitigation Program.
- It has also authorized a long-term program to underground power lines.
- And I do know that a program like this would potentially attract federal grants.
- And I do know that a program like this would potentially attract.
- And I do know that a program like this would potentially attract federal grants.
Summary:
The committee met to hear seven Senate bills, first approving two consent items, SB 352 and SB 804, on motions to do pass to Appropriations. SB 542 (Limón) would require public notice and comment before issuing a financial responsibility certificate for an oil pipeline and require hydrostatic testing before restarting pipelines idle for five years or more; it was supported by the Center for Biological Diversity and passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 616 (Rubio) would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to coordinate wildfire mitigation and insurance-related recommendations; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and several local and industry groups, while water agencies, special districts, and the building industry raised concerns about water infrastructure standards, and it passed on a due-pass motion to Insurance. SB 429 (Cortese), which would establish a public wildfire catastrophe model and related university-based research and education program, received support from the Department of Insurance and outside groups and passed as amended to Appropriations.
SB 256 (Perez) would strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency response by expanding planning, improving PSPS communication, requiring utility coordination with emergency centers, and directing removal of permanently abandoned electrical facilities; utilities and business groups were generally neutral after amendments, while the author emphasized the bill’s connection to recent wildfire losses, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 509 (Caballero) would require specialized training for local law enforcement on transnational repression targeting diaspora communities; it received support from the California Police Chiefs Association and immigrant-rights advocates, but drew extensive opposition from Hindu and civil-rights organizations concerned about bias, implementation, and First Amendment issues. Committee members discussed amendments to clarify cultural competency, diversity, and constitutional protections, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. After the hearing, the committee took final roll-call votes on the bills, with the consent items and SB 429, SB 256, and SB 509 moving forward, while SB 542 and SB 616 were also reported out on earlier motions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Energy Finance Bill Working Group 6/8/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee substitute for Senate Bill 215 creates a digital identification program which allows for
- The Committee substitutes Senate Bill 215 creates a digital identification program which allows for the
- That is the biometric or passcode identification that an individual user has programmed in the phone
- That is the biometric or passcode identification that an individual user has programmed in the phone
- But since 1997, the animal-friendly funded license plate program has funded more than $6 million for
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Transportation heard several bills, mostly local memorial highway designations and transportation-related regulatory measures. Senator Hinojosa presented SB 1351 to designate part of US 281 in Hidalgo County as the Jose Rodriguez Lua Memorial Highway in honor of a Border Patrol processing coordinator killed by a drunk driver; a family member testified emotionally in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 2245 on bonded titles for vehicles when a lienholder has gone out of business, SB 1568 on animal-friendly specialty license plates with a second “spay, neuter, adopt” plate, SB 2589 on handling closed county roads in Webb County, SB 1104 on allowing large retailers to use one fingerprinted employee of record across multiple Texas locations, SB 1423 naming the Bill Stout Parkway in Longview, and SB 1931 naming part of US 83 the Rodolfo Valdez Memorial Highway. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony or were presented as local measures with no opposition.
The committee also took up broader policy bills. SB 215 would create a digital identification program for Texas driver’s licenses and certain other licenses, but the sponsor said he was mainly laying the bill out for discussion and study; testimony was limited and the bill was left pending. SB 2707 would clarify that government entities such as TxDOT and the military remain exempt from fees on oversized/overweight permit authority, though a county commissioner raised questions about road-use impacts and fee revenue. SB 2807 drew the most discussion: it would prevent a motor carrier’s use of safety technology, training, and related practices from being used as evidence that an independent contractor is actually an employee. Supporters said the bill would encourage adoption of safety tools like cameras and braking systems without increasing misclassification risk, while opponents from the trial lawyers’ side warned the wording could conflict with existing labor-code definitions and create litigation. The sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying floor amendments.
After public testimony, the committee voted on the pending bills. All measures were reported favorably on 6-0 votes, with committee substitutes adopted where applicable. SB 1351, SB 1423, SB 1568, SB 1931, SB 2245, SB 2589, SB 2707, SB 2807, and SB 2841 were all sent to the full Senate, and several were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair after completing the votes.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- course, in the course require Friday diploma to generate waited performance funding for the it to program
- Sports Safety program in Jacksonville called the Jacksonville Sports Medicine program.
- And as a parent of a child, this benefiting greatly from these programs.
- Florida's vpk program.
- for a good cause and re enroll in another vpk program regardless of percentage of time.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/09/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- and the treatment service programs and the treatment programs<00:43:49.359><c> and</c><00:43:49.599>
- <c> recovery</c><00:43:50.079><c> programs</c><00:43:50.960><c> where</c> programs and recovery programs
- where programs and recovery programs where those<00:43:51.520><c> people</c><00:43:51.760><c> might<
- </c> treatment and mental health programs treatment and mental health programs within<00:51:17.520><c
- participate in the 287 program? participate in the 287 program?
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , hydrogen, additional alternative energy, or other programs that we partner with the feds on.
- California invests billions of dollars in food assistance programs.
- The charitable food system in California is not the responsibility of any single department, program,
- SB 1025 does not create another food program.
- SV-1025 does not create another food program.
Summary:
The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns.
The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations.
The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal without Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- reading of a bill: An act to increase the income limit for the town of Ipswich senior tax referral program
- me, third reading of a bill: An act protecting individuals with disabilities in day habilitation programs
- Currently, the law does not apply to MassHealth day habilitation and supervision for PCA programs.
- These programs, funded by MassHealth, offer therapeutic, clinical, and nursing support within a group
- employment in taxpayer-funded MassHealth Day Habilitation Program.
Summary:
The Senate took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with unanimous adoption of resolutions congratulating two Eagle Scouts. It then advanced several local and special acts, including measures on Machado-Joseph disease awareness day, the Ipswich senior tax referral program, Swampscott conservation commission appointments, protections for individuals with disabilities in MassHealth day habilitation programs, continued employment in Brookfield, Marblehead parking fines, Natick’s home rule charter, and Boston affordable housing/branch library space. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committees.
The Senate enacted House bills authorizing additional wine and malt beverage licenses in Lexington and a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Melrose. It also passed Senate Bill 2603 on affordable car rentals after adopting an amendment; supporters said the bill would reduce rental costs by changing Massachusetts’ rental car insurance rules to align with most other states. Senate Bill 1057 on fentanyl test strips was also passed to be engrossed after Senator Creem argued the bill would expand access to a low-cost overdose prevention tool and save lives. Senator Moore then spoke in support of expanding Nikki’s Law to cover MassHealth day habilitation programs, describing the bill as a needed protection for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A major portion of the meeting focused on House 4530, a FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing $234 million for hospitals and community health centers. Senators discussed the Health Safety Net shortfall, rising health care costs, underinsurance, and federal reimbursement; Ways and Means explained that about $93 million was expected back in federal financial participation, making the net state cost about $140 million. The Senate also took up House 4531 on the 2026 state primary election date, rejecting an amendment before passing the bill to engrossment. The chamber later adopted emergency preambles for House 4530 and House 4531, and all three final bills—Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day, the supplemental budget, and the primary election date bill—were enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate adjourned in memory of Ricardo Barbosa after a memorial statement by Senator Miranda.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- , allowing state special schools to offer work-based learning programs, and removing academic program
- Work-based learning programs, removing academic program references to work-based learning activities,
- The program to offer work-based learning activities.
- Districts want to expand youth apprenticeship programs.
- , not just within the narrow work experience education program.
Committee:
House Education
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda May 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- an opportunity to host that program here in Boise yesterday.
- an opportunity to host that program here in Boise yesterday.
- I had mentioned in the past the Freedom Truck is their mobile museum program.
- I had mentioned in the past the Freedom Truck is their mobile museum program.
- I'm the coordinating producer for Idaho Public Television's America 250 and Idaho programs.
Summary:
The America 250 in Idaho Advisory Council met to review progress on statewide America 250 celebrations and preparations for July 4th events. Members approved the May 11, 2026 minutes and received a financial update showing about $54,967.53 currently available to spend, roughly $474,000 in total expenditures to date, and about $17,500 left to disperse in grants. Treasurer Ellsworth reported strong fundraising and broad participation, including 1,900 volunteer ambassadors and co-branding by cities, counties, businesses, schools, and veterans groups across the state.
The council heard updates on numerous commemorative activities, including Liberty Bell-related programming, the Liberty Grove tree-planting effort, the “acts of service” challenge, and local events and exhibits around Idaho. Jesse Barcroft outlined the July 4th Capitol celebration, which will combine a pancake breakfast, parade, flyover, booths, concerts, and Capitol tours, with Josh Ritter as headliner and several food vendors and community booths confirmed. Questions focused on booth participation and ensuring performers’ messaging aligns with the America 250 theme.
Additional reports highlighted statewide and national partner efforts. Hannah Lori Hine described federal America 250 programs such as the “Our American Story” oral history trailer in Boise, the “America’s Block Party” listing for Idaho events, the Freedom Truck visit June 7-10, the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., and student contests including the American Heroes art contest and 1776 Presidential Award. Stephen Hatcher of the Idaho Commission on the Arts previewed Cowgirl Congress in the Wood River Valley and the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo, both tied to traditional arts and cultural heritage. Idaho Public Television also reported on America 250 programming, including educational materials, statewide event coverage, and an upcoming hour-long special on how Idahoans are celebrating the semiquincentennial. The committee agreed to meet again on June 10 and then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the Youth Services Program Manager at Northeastern Evental Little Program in Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Not that Lawrence High School isn't sending that information, but it's not being, the programs aren't
- Have you considered partnering with the mayoral summer youth employment programs?
- I think that's how long the mayoral programs last in the summer.
- I think that's how long the mayoral programs last in the summer.
Summary:
The Employment Subcommittee of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The main presentation was from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE), a five-year grant project focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence. Presenters described the project’s community conversations, consortium, and four work groups, with emphasis on the family-partnership work group and a family survey designed to better understand engagement barriers and transition needs.
The survey results showed that family participation increased sharply when Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute the survey, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Key findings included barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, and limited understanding of the IEP and transition process. Many families said they wanted their children to pursue college or employment after high school, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, suggesting a gap between expectations and awareness of available services. The Lawrence team also described a bilingual transition website, workshops offered at different times with interpretation and childcare, and efforts to make transition planning more visible and accessible.
Committee members responded with questions and comments about cultural barriers, early transition planning, college and community college pathways, trades, summer youth employment, and how to reach families earlier, especially in middle school. Presenters said Lawrence has a strong transition team and existing resources, but needs more real-world work experiences and better communication so families understand and use them. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, a note that committee members would meet with SEED later in the week about Massachusetts as a model employer, and an announcement that the May meeting would feature the Office of Veterans Affairs.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Today marks the second day of our 2026 Senate Education Week program, and I am pleased to welcome the
- Senate Youth Program Delegates, and recipients of the Hawaii Association of School Librarians Awards.
- ><00:03:39.720><c> US</c><00:03:40.200><c> Senate</c><00:03:40.640><c> Youth</c><00:03:40.960><c> Program
- </c> the Year, the US Senate Youth Program the Year, the US Senate Youth Program Delegates,<00:03:42.440
- ,</c><00:10:32.080><c> she</c><00:10:32.320><c> has</c> As a 2015 program alumna, she has As a 2015 program
Bills:
HB1166 , HB389 , HB644 , HB1509 , HB1692 , HB1842 , HB1878 , HB1926 , HB1949 , HB2116 , HB2581
Keywords:
HB1166, automated speed enforcement, speed cameras, traffic enforcement, road safety, traffic safety, Department of Transportation, state highway fund, special fund, appropriation, fiscal year 2026-2027, camera enforcement, speeding citations, automated traffic enforcement, highway safety, HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- big program that we put a lot of emphasis on.
- But we've got Cal Mentor and Mentor Protegé programs, and these two programs are really geared on taking
- our small businesses and pairing... ...programs, and these two programs are really geared on taking
- There have been a couple of pilot programs so far in the state.
- Caltrans didn’t operate those programs.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several governor’s appointments, bill referrals, a rule waiver, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved multiple appointments not required to appear, including members of the Board of Behavioral Science, the Contractors’ State License Board, and the Medical Board of California, with most votes either 3-2 or 5-0. It also approved a reference of bills to committees, a waiver of SR 55 to allow guests on the Senate floor for an adjourn-in-memory of former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgments, all by 5-0 votes.
The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Dina El-Tawansy as Director of Caltrans. In her opening remarks, she emphasized her 28 years at the department, and said her priorities would be safety, equity, climate resilience, economic prosperity, workforce development, and a multimodal transportation system. Senators questioned her on a range of transportation issues, including impacts from federal and state disputes over immigrant truck drivers, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane, DBE certification changes, asphalt recycling and waste disposal, climate adaptation on coastal infrastructure, and the future of road funding as electric vehicles reduce gas tax revenue. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is pursuing project prioritization, climate vulnerability assessments, partnerships with local governments, DBE reevaluation guidance, recycling efforts, and research into road user charges.
Members also asked about toll lane agreements, homelessness encampments and litter on Caltrans property, and the Los Angeles-San Diego rail corridor and broader transit integration. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is moving toward more consistent statewide toll agreements, has signed or is negotiating delegated maintenance MOUs with local agencies to address encampments and litter, and is expanding rail and transit planning. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with representatives from transportation agencies, contractors, local governments, labor, and technology firms backing the nomination. The committee voted 5-0 to move El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation, and then adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It includes AED training as part of the program, and it's only about 10 minutes.
- The American Red Cross has no problem using the AED program and the majority of programs.
- HB 288, program language acquisition grant. ATT and Government.
- HB 2960, Veterans Court Fund grant program. MABS and ATT.
- HB 2960, Veterans Court Fund grant program. MABS and ATT.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So what House Bill 788 does is we intended to set it up as essentially a pilot program.
- The sunset language would essentially end this pilot program on July 1, 2030.
- Burnbaum's words, are a might, might, might, that it might make the program cost more, that it might
- This bill is crafted in a pilot program narrow fashion for that very reason so that it cannot become
- a runaway program.
Committee:
Senate Health and Welfare
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Preston Griffith, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary, and Dario Gil, of New York, to be Under Secretary for Science, both of the Department of Energy. Apr 10th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- of Science's Science and Technology Advisor to oversee the Department's research and development programs
- The strength of our national labs lies in the diversity of their science and engineering programs.
- Unfortunately, that program didn't do as much as we had hoped in the last administration.
- The Tribal Energy Financing Program closed its first tribal loan guarantee this past September.
- Office, Transmission Facilitation Program. as helping us meet that demand.
Keywords:
nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation
Summary:
The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- programs, refugees, and humanitarian parole programs, that could be at risk if something like this were
- is part of their program.
- </c> our higher ed um teacher prep programs our higher ed um teacher prep programs because<01:08:55.520
- You mentioned that the school uses the data to improve programs or to work with programs.
- You mentioned that the school uses the data to improve programs or to work with programs.
Summary:
The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on House Bill 71, which would bar public elementary and secondary schools and higher education facilities from being used as shelters for certain non-citizens, with a stated exception for short-term emergency sheltering of up to 72 hours and for community-wide emergency use. Prime sponsor Rep. Juliet Harvey-Bolia said the bill was modeled on federal and out-of-state proposals and was prompted by examples in New York and Massachusetts where schools or other facilities were used as shelters, causing disruption. She argued the bill does not truly “ban” anything, but instead places a condition on receipt of state funds, and said the fiscal note’s projected loss of federal funding was unsupported and should have been described as undeterminable.
Committee members questioned the bill’s scope and practical effects, including whether it would apply to vacant school-owned buildings, schools used during summer, charter schools, and situations where other states send people without advance notice. Harvey-Bolia said vacant buildings not functioning as schools would not be covered, and that the bill would still allow short-term emergency sheltering and community-wide use during weather events. She also said the bill would not prevent remote learning, and that its purpose was to avoid displacing students. Several members pressed her on the fiscal note and whether any federal or state program would actually be at risk; she said she found no evidence that funding would be lost and that DHHS had not identified a real threat.
A witness from the New Hampshire Association of School Administrators, Jerry FW, raised practical concerns about who would determine eligibility at a shelter site, how the 72-hour limit would be enforced, and whether the bill would apply to charter schools. He also noted that remote learning is no longer an option in New Hampshire, making one of the bill’s stated concerns less relevant. The discussion also included clarification of the terms “refugee” and “asylum seeker,” with members and the sponsor debating the distinction and whether refugees are vetted. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 38 Apr 9th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that is funding a program that this legislative body has passed and directed that authority to
- An additional 16% was passed through to the OPRA's program.
- Langston's extension program is really good at microfarming and then also with the honey bees, which
- We want to expand that program across the state of Oklahoma to make sure that people in McAlester and
- This program has the ultimate accountability.
Keywords:
education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Human Services Subcommittee Feb 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 3638 introduces the summer EBT program because hunger does not take a summer vacation.
- The hunger is there, and this program would help.
- The schools have had some summer programs.
- But those programs, they don't have to check for whether that child is SNAP or not.
- This would be a stable program.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2949, as amended by a PCS, which would relax child care staffing ratios in an effort to improve the economics of day care centers and expand availability. Representative Tedford said the bill came from an interim study on child care deserts and that he was open to further changes, including tightening the infant ratio back to 4:1 and possibly reducing the toddler ratio. Members raised concerns about safety, learning, and the lack of data on how the changes would affect staffing and children. After discussion, the committee vote ended 2-2, and the bill did not pass.
The committee then heard House Bill 3052, the Sir Major White Bullock Child Protection and Family Notification Act, which would require a more structured DHS response when there are repeat fentanyl-related births, including broader family notification and earlier involvement of extended family. Representative Stewart emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on fentanyl, did not criminalize mothers, and did not mandate automatic removal. Members discussed whether the bill should also address drug dealers or other drugs, but Stewart said separate legislation would address penalties for fentanyl suppliers. The bill passed unanimously, 5-0.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 3638, with a PCS, to create a summer EBT program and revolving fund to help provide food support for children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Vice Chair Guys said the program would supplement existing SNAP benefits and summer meal efforts, and would be funded through a mix of public and private sources. Members asked about overlap with food pantries and school meal programs, and about federal matching and administrative costs. The committee approved the bill 5-0. The meeting then adjourned after all House bills were heard.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senator Manka Dhingra Press Conference Feb 13th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- It simply maintains the life-saving, evidence-based, trauma-informed programs that exist today.
- If we fail to act, programs will close, and when programs close, people fall through the cracks.
- It simply maintains the life-saving, evidence-based, trauma-informed programs that exist today.
- If we fail to act, programs will close, and when programs close, people fall through the cracks.
- You're talking about red states. ...survivor program. It was replicated in Tennessee.
Summary:
Washington State Sen. Manka Dhingra opened a press conference focused on survivor-centered policies and funding for victim services, saying the state should continue supporting survivors despite a difficult budget climate and reduced federal support. She highlighted prior state actions such as extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault, restricting firearms for abusers, protecting survivors from discrimination, easing access to protection orders, and addressing female genital mutilation, while emphasizing the need to fund services that are trauma-informed and victim-centered.
Much of the event focused on the request to restore about $21.38 million in victim services funding. Colleen McIngles of the King County Children’s Justice Center warned that without the funding, programs statewide would close, eliminating forensic interviewers, advocates, and coordinated response teams. Kate Garvey of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center said agencies have already laid off staff and are triaging clients, and that the money would only maintain existing services. Several speakers tied the need for funding to broader public safety and survivor support, including references to federal VOCA cuts and the national reckoning over the Epstein case.
Legislators also discussed several bills. Sen. T’wina Nobles described SB 5169, which would reduce the need for child victims and witnesses to repeatedly relive trauma in court. Rep. Jamila Taylor and Rep. Roger Goodman discussed HB 1591, which would provide mitigating treatment, resentencing options, and possible vacatur for survivors whose criminal conduct was connected to coercion or abuse. Rep. Chris Stearns and Sen. Tina Orwall discussed court-process reforms in SB 6017 and related efforts to prevent retraumatization of sexual assault survivors, along with recognition of female genital mutilation as sexual assault. Rep. Lauren Davis shared her personal experience with domestic violence and argued that cuts to system-based victim advocacy have left many survivors without support. The press conference also celebrated unanimous Senate passage of the Ebony Alert bill, which advocates said is needed to improve responses to missing Black women and girls; speakers urged the House to pass it next.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
2026 Session preview with House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) Feb 6th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And we need to make sure that these programs are doing what they're intended to do and serving those
- So we'll be very focused on eliminating fraud and strengthening those programs so they can do the important
- Is this an area that state programs.
- And we need to make sure<00:04:25.680><c> that</c><00:04:25.840><c> these</c><00:04:26.160><c> programs
- so they can do the those programs so they can do the important<00:04:37.199><c> work</c><00:04:37.440
Summary:
House DFL leader Stevenson said the tied House will require cooperation, noting the caucus has tried to model bipartisan work through co-chairs and that he has a good working relationship with Speaker Damuth. He highlighted the three new DFL special-election winners—Xp Lee, Shelley Buck, and Meg Luger-Nikolai—as bringing health, tribal leadership, nonprofit, labor, and education experience to the chamber.
On policy, Stevenson said DFLers want to push back against certain federal immigration enforcement tactics, including masked officers and warrantless entries, and tied the issue to the murder of former Speaker Melissa Hortman. He also said the caucus will pursue gun restrictions such as bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, binary triggers, and ghost guns, while acknowledging that Republican leadership would need to allow a floor vote for any bill to advance. He added that DFLers are open to and will lead on fraud prevention, especially in programs serving vulnerable Minnesotans, and said those who steal public funds should face prison.
Looking ahead to the second year of the biennium, Stevenson said he hopes for a large bonding bill focused on statewide infrastructure needs, but warned he will not support using bonding as leverage for unrelated policy concessions. He also said affordability will be a major focus, especially food, energy, housing, and health care costs, and argued Minnesota should try to counter rising premiums and hold insurers and pharmaceutical companies accountable.