Video & Transcript Research : 'voting accessibility'
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DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections & Government Affairs Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Elections & Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- John Lewis Voting Rights Act, creating a state framework to protect the right to vote and ensure equal
- access to the electoral process.
- Fundamental right to vote.
- when we talk about who's included in that embrace, but the positive approach to voting access, to voting
- And also, I do not think that the corporate vote would overwhelm the vote of the citizens of that town
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Anyone voting no? Anyone voting with reservations? All members present vote aye.
- Anyone voting no? Anyone voting with reservations? All members present vote aye.
- with anyone voting no anyone voting with anyone voting no anyone voting with reservations<01:53:
- ><01:53:53.840>
1410 <01:53:54.920>HD1 vote okay voting on HB 1410 HD1 vote okay voting - Anyone voting no? Anyone voting with reservations? All members vote aye.
Summary:
The committee on Water and Land met on February 13, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of housing, land, and resource bills. Early bills included HB 743 on fiscal sustainability, HB 1318 on affordable housing, and HB 1409 on the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Testimony on the housing measures was largely supportive from agencies and advocacy groups such as the Office of Planning, Hawaii Housing Future, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities, and the County of Kauai, while the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) raised concerns on HB 1318 about public trust duties for ceded lands. On HB 1409, members questioned whether the bill needed updating in light of a separate bill changing the board structure, and witnesses said the measure did not change funding but only the board’s mission and scope.
The committee also heard HB 1410, which would create a supportive housing special fund. Supporters, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Appleseed, argued that predictable dedicated funding is needed for supportive housing, social services, and long-term homelessness solutions. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed tax earmarks in general, saying they subvert the constitutional budgeting process. Members asked how the fund would be administered and who could access it; witnesses said HHFDC and the counties would coordinate the process, but DLNR noted the bill did not provide additional administrative capacity and suggested language to address that.
Later bills included HB 528 on residential leaseholds, HB 1359 on flood mitigation, HB 1087 on historic preservation reviews, HB 868 on disabilities, and HB 1323 on transfer of non-agricultural park lands. HB 528 drew limited testimony, with a Catholic Charities/Hawaii Public Housing Authority representative offering a general example of leasehold development but saying the bill’s exemptions had not been discussed in detail. HB 1359 prompted discussion of homeowner and county responsibilities for drainage and flood damage, with DLNR saying private owners are responsible for drainage on private property and counties for county roads. HB 1087 was supported by DHHL, which said historic preservation reviews currently take about 165 days and the bill could improve timeliness, while Hawaii Historic Hawaii Foundation opposed it. HB 868 drew support from the Disability Rights Center and DCAB, with testimony focusing on beach access and the need for clearer legal authority. On HB 1323, DLNR opposed the bill, saying it did not reflect Act 90 and that some agricultural parcels should remain under DLNR for conservation, watershed, recreation, or fire protection reasons; DOA, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported the measure, arguing that productive agricultural lands should be transferred to agriculture to protect local food production and family ranches.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All those vote. Who desire to vote. All those vote. Who desire to vote. All those vote.
- All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote.
- All those vote who desire to vote, all those vote who desire to vote, all those vote who desire to vote
- All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 8th, 2026
Business, Professions and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Current votes 6 to 0, with the chair and vice chair voting aye. Adagin? Aye. Mejavar? Niello?
- Respectfully asked for an aye vote. All right.
- , only how that access is provided.
- This is not an expansion of access; it's an improvement in how safe, regulated access is delivered.
- It does not expand who can access cannabis.
Summary:
The committee began with announcements about consent items and then heard AB 72, which would create an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County. Supporters said the bill would help bring EV manufacturing jobs and training to the Inland Empire, while some senators questioned whether the state should favor one region over others and whether local economic development groups should handle the effort. The bill was passed on a roll call vote and sent to Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement.
Members then took up AB 685, which would establish the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to support technical assistance and capital infusion programs for small businesses. The author and supporters emphasized the importance of TAP and related programs for women-owned, minority-owned, immigrant-owned, veteran-owned, and rural businesses, while some chambers of commerce raised concerns about amended eligibility language and whether the funding would be truly supplemental. After discussion, the bill was passed and sent to Senate Appropriations.
The committee also approved ACR 173 on a 7-0 vote, and consent items AB 375 and AB 1587 were adopted 10-0. Later, AB 1760, a Dental Practice Act cleanup bill, and AB 1637, which would limit who may alter physician-authored medical records, both passed unanimously. AB 1785, allowing online sales of pseudoephedrine products with existing safeguards, also passed 10-0. AB 1973, expanding abortion-care authority for advanced practice clinicians, drew strong support and opposition and passed 7-3 after senators raised safety and training questions. AB 2025, requiring disclosures for digitally altered rental listings, passed 8-1, and AB 2697, allowing locally approved drive-through cannabis sales with security requirements, passed 7-3. The committee then heard AB 2249, which would tighten cannabis packaging rules to reduce child appeal, and the author described it as a response to poison-control calls and an audit finding that current law is too vague.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HWN, HWN Public Hearings 02-17-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- chair votes I. chair votes I.
- Chair votes<00:03:04.000>
I. votes I. votes I. - Chair votes aye. >> Members, we are voting on SB 2924.
- Anyone voting with reservations or no? Hearing none. All members vote aye.
- chair votes eye. chair votes eye.
Summary:
The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Department of Hawaiian Home Lands measures. SB 2635 would appropriate funds for DHHL land development, land purchases, and mortgage or rental subsidies to address the wait list; DHHL and five supporters testified in favor, and the committee later recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, with the measure adopted as amended. SB 2924 would authorize funding for a capital improvement project for the Kaneili Community Hall, access road, and parking lot; DHHL stood on testimony in support, Randall Ao and another online testifier spoke in favor, and the committee later amended the bill to shift the funding structure from general obligation bonds to general funds before passing it. SB 3127 would raise the state liability cap for DHHL-related borrowing and guaranteed loans from $100 million to $500 million; DHHL testified, no other testimony was offered, and the committee passed it with amendments, including a date defect.
The committee also heard SB 3248, which establishes labor requirements for Aleha Products. No testifier from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Board was present, and there was no additional testimony or questions during the hearing. During decision-making, the chair noted there was both support and some opposition but recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The meeting concluded after all three decision-making votes were completed and the committee adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It prevents the tampering with voting equipment and obstructing access to polling places.
- We don't know how they vote people, but we had access that we could police, much like campaign finance
- I'm voting for this amendment because I am committed to making voting secure, accessible, and fair to
- We need to make sure all Minnesotans have access to the identification that they need to vote, and the
- We need to make sure all Minnesotans have access to the identification that they need to vote, and the
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote... ...vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, first dealing with quorum and routine procedural matters before moving through a series of third-reading bills, many focused on immigration enforcement, worker protections, child care, and school or voting-site safety. Early measures included AB 2393, AB 1994, AB 1929, AB 1633, AB 1650, AB 1655, AB 1851, AB 1896, and AB 2230, with authors and supporters arguing these bills would provide accountability, protect immigrant communities, preserve access to benefits and services, and limit intimidation by immigration enforcement. Opponents repeatedly argued the bills were anti-law-enforcement, unconstitutional, or based on exaggerated or nonexistent threats. Several bills passed by recorded vote, including AB 2393 (41-15), AB 1994 (58-0), AB 1929 (41-17), AB 1650 (44-19), AB 1655 (50-14), AB 1851 (56-0), AB 1896 (41-19), and AB 2230 (42-15). AB 1633, a 54-vote bill imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, was debated at length but the roll was not completed in the excerpt and the item was moved on from temporarily.
After a caucus break, the House returned and took up additional bills. AB 2379 would require child care providers to be informed of constitutional protections and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed 59-10 on both the urgency and the measure. AB 2460 would direct the education department to update referral protocols so schools can better respond to students affected by immigration enforcement trauma and family deportation; it passed 52-8. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on unfair immigration-related practices by employers, making immigration-related threats unlawful in workplace disputes; it passed 50-15. Throughout the day, debate was highly partisan and often heated, with repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real harms or were political messaging, but the Assembly ultimately advanced the measures that came to a vote.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 086 Apr 10th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Ask for a no vote.
- Ask for a no vote.
- Ask for a no vote.
- uh maybe more accessible. uh maybe more accessible.
- I ask for an I vote. Is there any me. I ask for an I vote.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, approved the journal, and then proceeded out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026, as Home Education Day in Colorado. Senator Pelton spoke in strong support of home education, describing it as a parent-led choice that benefits students and families. The resolution was adopted on a 30-0 vote, and the current roll was added as co-sponsors.
The chamber then took up the consent calendar and passed House Bill 1229, House Bill 1244, and Senate Bill 153. HB 1229, which concerns the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health, drew three no votes from Senators Pelton, Zamora Wilson, and Baeza; the other two measures passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over third reading of bills until Friday, April 10.
In Committee of the Whole, senators considered Senate Bill 72, which increases criminal penalties for assaultive conduct involving a motor vehicle and adds causing death with a motor vehicle to criminally negligent homicide. The committee adopted the report and advanced the bill on second reading. Later, the chamber laid over Senate Bill 134 and House Bill 1084 until April 10, and then took up Senate Bill 140, which would exempt certain rare disease and plasma therapies from review by the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Sponsors and supporters argued the bill protects access for patients with rare diseases and prevents harm to treatment development, while opponents said it would weaken the PDAB’s affordability work and was too broad. Senators Weisman and Gonzales spoke against the bill, with Weisman citing concerns about the federal definition used and Gonzales defending the PDAB’s role in lowering drug costs; the debate continued in the transcript without a final vote shown.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- IT'S SAYS VOTING POWER IN AGREEMENT OR A CONTRACT.
- SENATE BILL 1606 IS A PATIENT ACCESS TO RECORDS.
- PATIENT ACCESS.
- AND ADDITION ACCESS IS WHAT IT DOES IS ALLOW THIRD PARTIES TO GET ACCESS AND IT'S BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE
- I WILL CHANGE MY VOTE TODAY TO A NO VOTE.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- California's youth deserves access.
- The bill has 6-0 votes, and we'll leave the roll open for votes. Thank you.
- So with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- Voting? Aaron's? Aaron's aye. Bonta. Castillo. Castillo not voting. Garcia. Lowenthal.
- and we ask for your aye vote.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I urge a red vote on this amendment so we can ensure that every motan can access the health
- Members, I urge a red vote on this amendment so we can ensure that every motan can access the health
- Members, I urge a red vote on this amendment so we can ensure that every motan can access the health
- Members, I urge a red vote on this amendment so we can ensure that every motan can access the health
- Members, I urge a red vote on this amendment so we can ensure that every motan can access the health
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Apr 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Access to the portal would be up to... ...access to the portal would be up to the patient, whether or
- Even a proxy, somebody who has proxy access for a family member, gets proxy access to the portal through
- In fact, I had to vote no on it last time, and it's going to be a delight to vote yes on it today.
- You're not just voting on a policy.
- You're not just voting on a policy.
Summary:
The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. The sponsor explained that the bill, as amended, would align Florida law more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” requiring providers to furnish requested records within set timeframes, allowing a limited extension with notice, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several members asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill affected meaningful-use rules or post-mortem access. Multiple witnesses opposed the bill, arguing it could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with existing privacy rules, and burden providers; supporters said it would improve patient access and consistency. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.
The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. The bill would direct DEP to establish rules for synthetic turf and limit local governments from banning it if state rules are followed, while also addressing change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor work, building code updates, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and single-trade inspections. Amendments removed the pool and spa contractor provisions and the tall mass timber language. Testimony on the bill centered heavily on the pool industry, with contractors and the Florida Swimming Pool Association opposing expansion of scope to general and building contractors, while some speakers supported other parts of the bill. After adopting the amendments, the committee reported the bill favorably.
Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. The bill would allow minors to be tested for STDs without parental consent but require parental consent for treatment, expand parents’ rights to access records and control certain health decisions, and restrict health care services, medical procedures, and biofeedback devices for minors absent consent or an exception. An amendment moved survey and questionnaire provisions into the education code, added an explicit court-order exception, clarified DNA and biofeedback provisions, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions. The committee heard extensive public testimony both for and against the bill, with supporters emphasizing parental authority and opponents warning it could delay STI treatment, mental health care, and other services for vulnerable minors. The transcript ends during public testimony on the bill, before any final committee action is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 19th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote.
- desire to vote all members vote who desire to vote all members vote who desire to vote.
- All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote. All those vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill has 6-0 votes, and we'll leave the roll open for votes. Thank you.
- The bill has 6-0 votes, and we'll leave the roll open for votes. Thank you.
- The bill has 6-0 votes. And we'll leave the roll open for votes. Thank you.
- Voting? Arreguín aye. Bonta. Castillo. Castillo not voting. Garcia. Lowenthal. Lowenthal aye.
- we ask for your aye vote.
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student health, access, equity, and career preparation. SB 608 by Sen. Menjivar would expand access to condoms and related sexual health resources for students in grades 7–12 and direct the Department of Education to align with the California Healthy Youth Act. Supporters argued the bill would help address high STI rates among youth and remove barriers to access, while opponents raised concerns about parental authority, local control, and encouraging early sexual activity. The bill was approved on a 6-1 vote and sent to the Health Committee.
SB 965 by Sen. Blakespear would prohibit libraries from requiring a parent to be physically present for a 16- or 17-year-old to obtain a library card, while still allowing libraries to require parental consent or signature. Supporters said the current rule creates unnecessary barriers for teens and school research projects, and the California Library Association said it was now neutral after amendments. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations.
SB 998 by Sen. Gonzalez would define and expand the duties of discrimination prevention coordinators in the state’s Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability coordinator and deputy coordinators focused on anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Latino, and anti-Native American discrimination. Testimony emphasized the need to address rising hate incidents and discrimination in schools, especially for Black, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and other marginalized students. The bill was approved and sent to Judiciary with amendments to be processed there. SB 845 by Sen. Perez, which expands work-based learning and youth apprenticeship opportunities, also received broad support from education, workforce, and industry groups and passed unanimously to Labor and Employment. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills and adjourned after all items were acted on.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 4, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, Vice Chair, please take the vote. then Vice chair for the vote voting on then Vice chair for the
- /c><01:38:21.520>
239 <01:38:22.320>chair's vote please voting on HB 239 chair's vote please - vote vote please<01:38:49.400>
voting <01:38:49.679>on <01:38:49.840>HB <01:38:50.560 - members then Vice chair for the vote members then Vice chair for the vote voting<01:40:00.639>
- ><01:44:10.440>
chair's vote voting on HB 1081 chair's vote voting on HB 1081 chair's recommendation - ><01:44:10.440>
Summary:
The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EIG-HHS, EIG-GVO Public Hearings 04-01-2025
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Vice chair for the vote. Okay. Voting on STR 58, SR 42. Wakai votes yes.
- Vice chair for the vote. Okay. Voting on STR 58, SR 42.
- We are adjourning this joint committee. vote. Okay. Voting on STR 58 SR42. vote. Okay.
- Voting on STR 58 SR42.
- Um, I vote I. Senator Moriwalki I. Um, I vote I.
Summary:
The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Health and Human Services heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 58 and Senate Resolution 42, which urge counties to install special-needs recreational playground equipment in parks and playgrounds. Testimony came from the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability Rights Center, Autism Moms of Kona, and a Pacific Disability Center representative, all supporting the resolutions. Several testifiers asked that the term “special needs” be replaced with “access and functional needs,” and one requested language broadening the measure to explicitly include developmentally and intellectually disabled youth. A committee member also discussed the need for inclusion and the benefits of accessible play for all children.
After questions, the chairs said they would adopt amendments from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Autism Moms of Kona, and Tina Marie Kira, along with technical, non-substantive changes. Both committees then voted to recommend passage of SCR 58 and SR 42 with amendments, with members voting aye and some excused.
The committees then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 163 and Senate Resolution 132, which request counties to adopt flexible setback requirements for state buildings and facilities to improve land use efficiency and public service delivery. Testimony in support came from the Grassroots Institute and the Department of Accounting and General Services. The chairs moved the resolutions forward with technical, non-substantive amendments, and both committees adopted recommendations to pass SCR 163 and SR 132 with amendments before adjourning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The chair recommends an aye vote. We have a motion. The chair recommends an aye vote.
- Current vote six to zero. Aye. Alanis. I. Calderon. Tongapa. I. Current vote, 6 to 0.
- Not voting. Current vote, 5 to 0. File item 7, SB 1077. Current vote is 4 to 0. Alanese.
- Current vote: 4 to 1. Alanise, aye. Calderon. Current vote: 5 to 1. Calderon. Current vote: 6 to 0.
- Final vote, 7 to 0. So file. Aye. Calderon, aye. Final vote, 7 to 0.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on homelessness, child care, food security, public assistance, immigration legal services, and veterans’ benefits. SB 479 would allow city-based local health jurisdictions, including Berkeley and Oakland, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; supporters said the change would improve coordination and outcomes, and no opposition testified. SB 902 would allow electronic signatures for child care and development services paperwork while preserving paper options; supporters said it would reduce burdens on families and providers, and the bill passed to the Assembly Education Committee 4-0.
The committee also heard SB 1025, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance efforts, and SB 1030, repealing the CalWORKs “man-in-the-house” rule. Supporters of SB 1025 said the state’s food system is fragmented and needs a coordinated strategy; SB 1030 supporters argued the rule is outdated, redundant, and rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. Both bills received no opposition testimony and were approved on 4-0 votes, with SB 1025 sent to the Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee and SB 1030 to Appropriations.
The committee then approved SB 1077, which would require CDSS to create a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions during federal government shutdowns, including a public webpage and planning for state-funded benefits; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1194 would codify the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project to expand immigration legal services in underserved areas, and supporters emphasized the need for legal representation in rural and Central Valley communities; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1201 would seek federal waivers to protect veterans from CalFresh time limits, require referrals to county veterans service officers, and adjust treatment of job-search expenses; it passed unanimously 6-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The consent calendar, including SB 557 and SB 1051, also passed unanimously. After all items were heard, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Tongue Pah: not voting. That measure is five ayes, one not voting.
- Tongue Pah, not voting. Tongue Paw, not voting. That measure has five ayes, noes, and not voting.
- Tongue-Paw, not voting. Thank you. Tongue Paw, not voting.
- Tongue Pah, not voting. Tongue Paw, not voting. That measure has five ayes, noes, and not voting.
- Tongue-Paw, not voting. Thank you. Tongue Paw, not voting.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs.
The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (3-13-25) - Upon Recess
Transcript Highlights:
- When explaining your vote, first cast your vote, then explain the first item on the agenda is House Bill
- May I explain my yes vote? Mr. Chair, yes, please. I'm going to vote yes.
- May I explain my yes vote? Mr. Chair, yes, please. I'm going to vote yes.
- Chairman, I vote yes.
- I vote no.
Keywords:
This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est.
Meeting Start: 00:03
Attendance Roll Call: 00:12
HB 321 (Rep. Johnson): 00:49
HB 340 (Rep. Hampton): 05:10
HB 520 (Rep. Fugate): 08:55
Adjournment: 32:26, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered three bills. House Bill 321, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson and supported by the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Realtor Association, was amended by committee substitute and adopted unanimously. As amended, it extends training deadlines for planning commission and board of adjustment members and adds required training on how planning and zoning policies affect housing supply and accessibility. The committee substitute also limits appeals of final board of adjustment actions to persons or entities claiming injury who own real estate in the same zone as the affected property. The bill passed 8-0, and a title amendment was adopted.
House Bill 340, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton with support from law enforcement and federal security representatives, would create a new section of KRS Chapter 13 to require criminal justice agencies to provide criminal history records for federal suitability or fitness background checks and allow a $25 fee for records requests reimbursed by the federal government. It also conforms juvenile records law to the new process. The committee approved the bill 9-0 with no opposition.
House Bill 520, sponsored by Rep. Chris Fugate and backed by the Kentucky Sheriff's Association, Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, and Kentucky League of Cities, generated the most debate. The bill and committee substitute would exempt certain open police investigation records from disclosure under the Open Records Act when an agency says release could harm an investigation or reveal informants or witnesses. Several senators raised concerns that the “could” standard was too broad and could weaken transparency, while supporters argued it was needed to protect ongoing investigations, witnesses, and officers. The committee initially failed the bill 6-4, then after additional vote changes and discussion, reconsidered it and advanced the amended bill with favorable expression 6-4 to the floor.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I appreciate your work in helping Texans access the process of voting in the state.
- vote is able to vote.
- Access and verifiability are also important rights of voter privacy and anonymity in your personal voting
- Switching from precinct-only voting to countywide voting depending on early voting and voting day.
- During early voting, she can vote anywhere she wants to vote.