Video & Transcript : 'legislative ethics' :
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AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Holy One, as we begin this day of legislating, let us begin by focusing on our breath as we slowly breathe
- Betty Davis, Legislative District 28. Representatives Livingston and Pingerelli.
- I want to echo the comments of my colleague from Legislative District 3.
- I would actually say that the Secretary should have to get some legislative approval, either from the
- Members, I know it's legislative Friday, but pretend like you're listening. Thank you.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Apr 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Frances Lippett, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services.
- I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office. Yes.
- Noah Peterson, I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
- I am Kellan McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
- I am Kellan McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
Summary:
The Joint Finance and Corporation Committee met with a quorum and first approved a $6.5 million federal supplemental appropriation for the Military Division to replace failing climate control systems in Idaho Air National Guard buildings at Gowen Field. The motion passed with a do-pass recommendation after brief explanation that the work would begin with design and contracting and the remaining funds would carry into fiscal year 2027.
The committee then considered Idaho State Police funding tied to the Project Choice Fund. Staff explained three revenue sources supporting a $6.695 million personnel appropriation: a beer excise tax reallocation, a new specialty license plate, and House Bill 967, which would redirect additional liquor account distributions. Members discussed the impact on cities and counties, the need for stable public safety funding, and the fact that the proposal shifts some liquor revenues away from local governments. The appropriation motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation.
Next, the committee took up two Idaho Digital Learning Academy-related language items. The first, a trailer to Senate Bill 1362, was adopted by unanimous consent to resolve a potential conflict with House Bill 940 regarding course fees. The second would have allowed IDLA limited access to PSIF after spending down cash balances, but members raised concerns about financial risk and whether the language was necessary; the motion failed in both chambers. The committee then approved language redirecting about $12 million from the Strategic Initiatives Fund to the local highway distribution formula instead of LTAC grants, after debate over local equity versus larger grant projects.
Finally, the committee adopted language preventing an automatic transfer out of the Budget Stabilization Fund that would otherwise occur because the fund is at its statutory 15% cap. Members debated whether excess funds should instead flow to the general fund given budget pressures, but the motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 25 Mar 18th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Over the past five years, I have been deeply honored to vote on legislation that has positively impacted
- The legislation before you today aims to do a number of things, including spending the FY25 surplus funds
- Overall, this legislation would spend $1.8 billion, $1.3 billion of which is surplus funds from the Fair
- This legislation also takes components of the tax conformity legislation that the governor filed earlier
- Today's legislation would eliminate over two-thirds of this fiscal liability. Roughly $250...
Summary:
The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance, received and placed on file the resignation letter of Rep. Vanna Howard of Lowell, and adopted several routine committee reports. These included extensions of reporting deadlines for the Healthcare Financing and Public Health committees, concurrence with Senate petitions sent to Housing and Public Safety and Homeland Security, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning children involved with DCF. The chamber also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day.
The main business was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. House leaders described the bill as using Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, addressing MBTA reserves, safety and infrastructure, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and childcare, and other deficiencies such as GIC costs, sheriff deficiencies, heating assistance, and World Cup-related expenses. Members also discussed the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce a projected revenue shortfall and preserve competitiveness while delaying some conformity changes.
The House considered several amendments to the supplemental bill. Amendment 43, which would have redirected $100 million of Fair Share funds to a per-capita municipal distribution for roads and schools, drew debate over equity and rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-128. A consolidated amendment was then adopted on a roll call, 148-0, and the bill itself was passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 150-3. The House also adopted an amendment setting the next day’s meeting time and then adjourned to meet the following day at 11 a.m. in informal session.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Permissive legislation that allows a municipality to adopt a firefighters bill of rights.
- Some of this funding will have to be legislated. Uh, but we don't have a timeline.
- </c><00:19:10.880><c> Uh</c> funding will have to be legislated.
- Uh funding will have to be legislated.
- /c><00:19:44.240><c> on</c><00:19:44.559><c> the</c> legislation have any impact on the legislation have
Keywords:
rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Jessica Thomas, legislative liaison for the Arizona State Retirement System, came up to speak.
- Jessica Thomas, legislative liaison for the Arizona State Retirement System: Staff did a great job.
- , Jessica Thomas, legislative liaison for the Arizona State Retirement System.
- Jessica Thomas, legislative liaison for the Arizona State Retirement System: Again, a simple bill.
- I'd like to start by thanking Representative Way for sponsoring this legislation, and you, Mr.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee approved the February 16, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 2173, which would let tax officers and taxpayers communicate electronically about proposed property tax corrections or claims unless certified mail is required. County and assessor representatives supported the bill as a modernization measure, and the committee voted 6-0 to give it a do pass recommendation.
The committee then considered several Arizona State Retirement System-related measures and nominations. It recommended confirmation of Thomas J. Connolly as a public member of the ASRS Board and Charles Essex as a retired member, both by 6-0 votes. The committee also passed House Bills 2089, 2090, and 2092, which clarified ASRS health subsidy eligibility, changed the disability determination timing for long-term disability benefits, and adjusted the waiver window for new eligible members age 65 or older. Each of those bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support.
Members next approved House Bill 2693, as amended, which revises Arizona’s association health plan and multiple employer welfare arrangement rules to align with current federal law and adds a study by the Department of Administration on state and school employee health insurance options. Supporters said it could expand affordable coverage for small businesses, while Senator Epstein raised concerns about consumer protections, preexisting conditions, and prior fraud issues; the bill passed 5-1. The committee also passed House Bill 2120, allowing Social Security disability determination letters to help certify eligibility for the property tax exemption for disabled persons, and House Bill 2138, clarifying workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters traveling directly to or from duty, both with some discussion but no opposition.
Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2273, which creates a one-time $300 income tax rebate for certain Pinal County residents using remaining escrow funds from the county transportation tax litigation, though members debated whether the money should instead go to roads. The bill passed 3-2 after comments from the sponsor, a Pinal County mayor, and senators who said they wanted the funds directed to transportation projects. The committee then passed House Bill 2786, exempting income from renting required college textbooks from transaction privilege tax, and adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The legislation you have before you today is the Merit-based Health Care Act, and that applies those
- So the purpose of this legislation revises procedures So the purpose of this legislation revises procedures
- The legislation also requires that The legislation also requires the department to maintain written documentation
- I think it is good legislation. I would like to see the bill advance as it is written.
- So this piece of legislation basically saves the state $410,000.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- You're trying to watch every word that comes through because we all know that in legislation, one word
- That in legislation, one word matters, right?
- There is no perfect legislation in this building. It doesn't exist.
- So I think that this bill, this kind of legislation addresses that.
- So I think that this bill, this kind of legislation addresses that.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 16, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- This opposed legislation provides our intent to address those issues by providing funding through cash
- You are doing your part as a legislator to make sure the committee may be made whole again.
- This is like sexual predation moving into a category of special interest for us as a legislative body
- This is like sexual predation moving into a category of special interest for us as a legislative body
- This is like sexual predation moving into a category of special interest for us as a legislative body
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation does not promote or endorse use.
- The concern raised nationally is not with the natural leaf kratom, which this legislation seeks to preserve
- Recent FDA actions have focused on high-potency 7-OH, not the natural kratom leaf, and this legislation
- Thank you, legislators, for your support for this program. I'll turn it back to Director Weaver.
- The bottom table summarizes the budget reduction plans that our agency submitted to Legislative Services
Summary:
The Senate Agricultural Committee began with a visit from a BYU-Idaho agribusiness class, whose students and faculty were welcomed and briefly introduced themselves. The committee then took up a rule docket, 02-0601-2501, and approved it with an exception: section 112, new subsections 01 through 05, which incorporated documents by reference without a specific date. The committee adopted findings that this was inconsistent with the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act and directed the agency to return with a compliant rule in the future.
The committee next considered RS 33272, presented by Senator Tammy Nichols, which would create standards for kratom products. Nichols said the proposal was intended to preserve lawful access to natural leaf kratom while prohibiting adulterated, synthetic, or artificially enhanced products, requiring limited third-party testing, setting an age restriction, clarifying supply-chain responsibilities, and establishing penalties without creating new licensing or fees. The committee voted to send the RS to print. Senator Todd Lakey then presented RS 33226, the Idaho Direct to Consumer Act, which would reduce regulation on small-scale homemade food and non-alcoholic drink sales made directly from producer to consumer, preempt more restrictive local rules, and include labeling and record-keeping requirements, including for certain direct meat sales. The committee voted to send that RS to print as well.
The Idaho Department of Water Resources, speaking in its role with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, gave an agency update on conservation district support, CREP, WACPA, and related programs. Officials reported on district funding distributions, landowner assistance, conservation acres served, and performance measures, and discussed budget requests including a proposed miscellaneous revenue fund and additional appropriations to address future CREP matching needs. In response to a question, the department said WACPA was not included in the governor’s budget. The Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts then presented on the value of locally led conservation districts, emphasizing volunteer governance, the return on state investment, education efforts, and local projects such as flood recovery and rangeland fire protection. Committee members asked about EPA coordination, and presenters said working through state agencies and local districts remained preferable and generally effective. The meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 3rd, 2026 at 08:29 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation provides.
- Austin Davidson from the Legislative Finance Committee, and we also have Ismael Torres from the Legislative
- My name is Zoe Barker and I'm the Legislative Director with Conservation Voters New Mexico.
- do not do lobbying, but we gather legislators together.
- I don't know if this would be a benefit or if it would hurt your legislation or your memorial.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So I kind of see that happening through our ability as legislators to appropriate money or not.
- It does say legislative action. We could define that however we want.
- I just am not understanding what legislative action exactly what that entails.
- I just am not understanding what legislative action exactly what that entails.
- You can't go into agreements without legislative oversight. So that's kind of how I see that.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, Andrew Engel, Seventh Legislative District, which is northeast and north central Washington.
- Zach Hall, good to be here with you all, representing the Fifth Legislative District, Issaquah, down
- All right, Representative Janice Zahn, serving the 41st Legislative District.
- Representative Deborah Entenman from the 47th Legislative District, Kent, Covington, and Auburn, parts
- Adison Richards, I have the privilege of representing the 26th Legislative District from Gig Harbor to
Summary:
The Transportation Committee met for an organizational session and received a presentation from Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Ferries staff on recovery from the December atmospheric river storms. Committee members were introduced, and staff outlined a new process for submitting proviso and project requests through an online app, with members directed to work through their caucus policy staff. The chair also announced caucus meetings and noted staff changes for the session.
WSDOT and WSF described emergency response operations, including statewide activations, damage assessment, and the use of emergency declarations to speed repairs. Staff explained how they pursue federal reimbursement through FHWA Emergency Relief and, separately, FEMA for debris removal, while noting that permanent repairs still require environmental clearances. They reported more than 50 emergency work orders, 16 emergency contracts, about 107 road sites closed at one point, and an initial damage estimate of roughly $30 million.
Examples of storm damage and recovery included US 2 near Skykomish and Tumwater Canyon, US 12 near Naches, Highway 410, Highway 42 near Mount Baker, I-90 shoulder damage, and a major US 101 slope failure near Forks that will require longer-term geotechnical work. Members asked about environmental permitting, bridge impacts, flood coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, and whether emergency declarations allow broader actions; staff said the declaration mainly speeds stabilization and contracting, does not change tolling authority, and does not waive environmental requirements. No votes were taken.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- pieces of legislation that repeals an existing chapter and then creates a new chapter that's intended
- I think Alice is right that it's a big, it's a bit of a challenge when there's a piece of legislation
- or even multiple pieces of legislation that reputees. legislation or even multiple pieces of legislation
- The legislative policy is different.
- Each legislative project ends up differently here. And do you have comments?
Summary:
The Statute Law Committee met on December 10, 2025, approved the June 10, 2025 minutes, and received a publications update noting that the 2025 RCW volumes and session laws are available, with sales continuing a gradual decline but generally tracking prior years. The committee also heard that the office remains fully staffed and financially stable, with projected year-end funds remaining and a healthy publications fund balance.
A major discussion centered on a proposal from retired Judge Ann Levinson to make the code more reader-friendly when chapters are repealed and recodified, especially after the civil protection orders reform in E2 SHB 1320, which consolidated multiple protection order laws into new chapter 7.105 RCW. Levinson argued that current disposition-table language such as “repealed by” can be confusing to the public and may appear to signal legislative disapproval, and suggested adding a simple pointer to the new chapter. Code revisers explained their current practice, the limits of their editorial discretion, and the technical and policy concerns involved, while expressing support for some form of “see also” guidance and noting that hyperlinking session-law citations in disposition tables may also help readers find the new law.
The committee also discussed office operations, including a planned move from the modular offices back into the rebuilt Pritchard building, expected in late 2026, with improved space, storage, and enclosed offices. Staff proposed changing regular Monday-through-Thursday office hours from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. to 8 a.m.–7 p.m., with exceptions for active work, client requests, and floor action; the proposal was supported by a chart showing that many evenings have no work after 7 p.m., though late nights would still occur during busy periods. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of retiring staff, including editor Barb Sage after 37 years of service, and a farewell to Vice Chair Sam Thompson, whose successor had just been selected.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Huffman for her leadership and support of this important legislation.
- I'd like to start off by thanking Senator Perry for laying out this legislation and those co-authors
- My name is Rick Thompson, legislative director with the County Judges and Commissioners Association.
- This legislation will greatly help our... Texans and rural communities.
- The TAA is looking forward to working with the legislators and help advance Senate Bill 1377.
Keywords:
SB 868, rural volunteer fire department assistance program, volunteer fire department assistance fund, Texas Government Code, wildfire, wildland fire, high-risk wildfire area, fire suppression, rural fire departments, volunteer firefighters, emergency response, public safety, grant allocation, appropriations, disaster preparedness, tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
- When sudden cardiac events take place, timely intervention is That is why the legislation unanimously
- On behalf of the California Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.
- Thank you, and on behalf of the AAPI Legislative Caucus, I ask for your aye vote on HR 23.
- Moving to announcements, this is a reminder for all legislative staff.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:22.960><c> affairs</c><00:04:23.520><c> and</c> as their head of legislative affairs and as
- their head of legislative affairs and he<00:04:23.960><c> also</c><00:04:24.360><c> back</c><00:04:24.479
- Mahalo to each of you for your leadership and for being here to engage in the legislative process.
- These young leaders seek the opportunity this afternoon to attend hearings and meetings with legislators
- to learn how they can with legislators to learn how they can make<00:14:57.800><c> a</c><00:14:58.000
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- We are here to discuss eligible legislatively directed spending items, also known as LDS.
- To discuss eligible legislatively directed spending items, also known as LDSIs.
- These community investments, which we now know as legislatively directed spending items, or LDSIs, or
- to give more insight into legislative spending, with the time needed to provide feedback.
- Before we include any LDSIs in our final budget, a sponsoring legislator must submit a disclosure form
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present, adopted the April 23, 2026 minutes, and then held a discussion focused on eligible legislatively directed spending items (LDSIs) for the FY 2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee was part of a new transparency process requiring legislators to publicly disclose LDSI requests, including the recipient, amount, and purpose, and noted that the forms must be posted publicly for at least 45 days before inclusion in the budget. He said Senate members submitted more than 500 eligible LDSI forms and House members submitted 750, for over 1,250 total proposals made available online.
The chair emphasized that the process is intended to increase accountability and public awareness of how tax dollars are spent, and encouraged the public to review the posted forms on the Senate and House websites. During the meeting, four cards of support were read into the record: Wendy Fallow supported the Literacy Center of West Michigan project; Graham Filler supported the H.H.W. request on behalf of Kalamazoo County; and Mayor David LaGrand and Rob Verhulen both supported the aquarium request.
No committee questions were raised, no substantive votes were taken on the LDSI items, and the committee moved through routine procedural actions. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, supported and adopted without objection.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/04/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> problematic it would be non-legislative problematic it would be non-legislative but<00:33:30.200
- </c><01:02:09.400><c> to</c> to introduce this legislation to to introduce this legislation to us<01:
- </c> perspective if this legislation perspective if this legislation basically<01:40:46.480><c> said<
- legislation to our federal legislation legislation to our<02:08:51.800><c> governor</c><02:08:52.400
- </c> Kat McGee to introduce this legislation Kat McGee to introduce this legislation on<04:03:29.239>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council 5/27/26
Transcript Highlights:
- . legislators perhaps you those questions. legislators perhaps you can<00:21:01.600><c> weigh</c><00:
- to get legislators at meetings of the council during the legislative session.
- to get legislators at meetings of the council during the legislative session.
- to get legislators at meetings of the council during the legislative session.
- </c><01:41:43.040><c> legislatively</c><01:41:43.679><c> named</c> four legislative legislatively named
Summary:
The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured.
A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council.
The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- or I'm sorry not the the legislative or I'm sorry not the legislative<02:05:40.719><c> the</c><02:05
- idea to legislate it into this bill.
- idea to legislate it into this bill.
- idea to legislate it into this bill.
- Thank you very much. have had successful legislations I think have had successful legislations I think
Summary:
The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken.
The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure.
House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt.
The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.