Video & Transcript : 'academic freedom' :

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FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Banking and Insurance Feb 11th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • part in sports and physical activity build stronger mental health, higher confidence, and better academic
  • think at some point, as you are making amendments, you may want to look at how do we protect the freedom
  • At the end of the day, this is a freedom bill, in making sure we empower the people to possess something
Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee took up several bills, beginning with CS/SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and the oversight required. The bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee then heard SB 1256 on pharmacy audits, which would require PBM audits of pharmacies to follow uniform standards and provide due process protections; pharmacists testified in support, describing current audits as burdensome and conflicted. That bill was also reported favorably. Members next considered CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services. An amendment was adopted removing provisions on civil damage caps and phasing out direct disposers, and the bill was then reported favorably. SB 632, dealing with transportation network company insurance, would set coverage requirements for the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup; an opponent argued the existing insurance framework should not be reduced, but the bill passed on a divided vote and was reported favorably. CS/SB 786 on trusts, creating a nonjudicial process to close uncontested trusts and discharge trustees, was supported by banking and legal groups and reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid, health insurance, and HMO coverage for orthotics and prosthetics. A delete-all amendment clarified eligible recipients, and the bill drew extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the high cost of activity limbs and the benefits for children’s health and participation. Several senators praised the testimony and the policy, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1588 on legal tender refined last session’s gold-and-silver law, and SPB 7044 created related public-records exemptions for custodians of gold and silver; both were reported favorably, with SPB 7044 adopted as a committee bill. The meeting ended with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjournment.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Banking and Insurance Feb 11th, 2026

Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • part in sports and physical activity build stronger mental health, higher confidence, and better academic
  • At the end of the day, this is a freedom bill in making sure we empower the people to possess something
  • At the end of the day, this is a freedom bill in making sure we empower the people to possess something
Bills: S0326 , S0598 , S0632 , S0786 , S1110 , S1256 , S1380 , S1588 , S7042 , S7044
Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Banking and Insurance Feb 11th, 2026

Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • part in sports and physical activity build stronger mental health, higher confidence, and better academic
  • think at some point, as you are making amendments, you may want to look at how do we protect the freedom
  • At the end of the day, this is a freedom bill in making sure we empower the people to possess something
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 5th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • It would cripple our nation and our freedom.
  • The imperative is irreversible and our freedom them is in jeopardy.
  • So next, we will hear from the Governor's Small Business Freedom Council.
  • Certainly if that is accompanied with an academic F. academic A, I don't know that I am bothered by that
  • It comes out every year. about the same time that we post A-F academic ratings.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Jan 21st, 2026 at 02:08 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is my 17th year on the faculty, and I served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the
  • I mean, I know, like, in academic terms, that would be like a C, C minus.
  • No, so all law schools have an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
  • The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at all law schools handles that.
  • The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at all law schools handles that.
Bills: SB1 , SB3
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA-EDU, EDU Public Hearings 02-18-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:28:13.840><c> That</c> campus system academic strategy.
  • That campus system academic strategy.
  • <c> programs</c><00:47:20.319><c> and</c> president for academic programs and president for academic
  • </c> no contact order, if they want academic no contact order, if they want academic adjustments,<01:
  • Um so I actually traveled our freedoms.
Bills: SB2003
Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 27th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • When power goes unchecked, our freedoms erode the trust of our institutions.
  • Like the many generations before us who fought for a variety of our freedoms, attendance in this moment
  • We do not defend freedom by violating rights.
  • Now, the ratings agencies and most other government finance experts from around the country and academics
  • This is a significant amendment that allows the railroads the freedom to better control where detection
Summary: The Senate took up a series of third-reading bills covering horse racing, local taxation, consumer financial security, elections, utilities, batteries, sexual health, body-worn cameras, property tax treatment for inherited homes, adoptee birth records, youth housing bonds, workers’ compensation, and civil rights. SB 795 on horse racing, SB 762 allowing Hercules to seek voter approval for a sales tax increase, SB 505 requiring two-factor authentication for money transmitter platforms, SB 46 barring California ballot access for presidential candidates who have already served two terms, SB 73 restricting federal access to voting machines without a court order, SB 327 on utility oversight and ratepayer protections, SB 501 expanding battery producer responsibility, SB 608 on school contraceptive access, SB 691 on EMS-related redaction of body-worn camera footage, SB 288 clarifying Proposition 19 timing for inherited homes in probate, SB 381 giving adoptees access to original birth certificates, SB 492 creating a youth housing bond, SB 555 increasing permanently partially disabled workers’ benefits, and SB 747 creating a civil cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers were all debated and advanced. Most measures passed on roll call, with SB 505 and SB 288 approved by unanimous roll call, and SB 73 carrying an urgency clause that also passed unanimously. Debate on SB 747 was the most extensive and contentious. Supporters argued the bill was needed to hold federal officers accountable for alleged constitutional violations, especially in immigration enforcement, and described it as a civil-rights remedy for people harmed by federal agents. Opponents said existing federal and state remedies already cover such conduct, warned the bill was politically motivated, and argued it could increase litigation and strain law enforcement resources. The bill nevertheless passed on a 30-10 vote, with the urgency clause also approved. SB 492 on youth housing also drew debate over state bonding and debt, with supporters emphasizing early intervention for homeless and foster youth and opponents arguing the state should avoid borrowing and instead fund projects through the budget; it passed 30-9 on both urgency and the measure. Other bills also drew focused testimony. SB 555 was presented as a long-overdue cost-of-living adjustment for permanently partially disabled workers’ benefits, and SB 381 was supported as a way to give adopted adults access to their original birth certificates for identity and medical-history reasons. SB 691 was framed as a privacy measure for patients receiving medical or psychological treatment, while SB 501 was described as closing a gap in California’s battery recycling and safety rules by adding medium-format batteries used in e-bikes and portable power systems. SB 762 was presented as a local option for Hercules to address revenue shortfalls, and SB 46 and SB 73 both centered on election integrity and constitutional questions, with members split over federal-state authority and ballot access.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 27th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • When power goes unchecked, our freedoms erode and the trust in our institutions erodes.
  • Like the many generations before us who fought for a variety of our freedoms, attendance in this moment
  • We do not defend freedom by violating rights.
  • Now, the ratings agencies and most other government finance experts from around the country and academics
  • This is a significant amendment that allows the railroads the freedom to better control where detection
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's about freedom. It's about freedom. The freedom to control our own bodies.
  • </c> patriots who once defended our freedoms patriots who once defended our freedoms now<02:46:51.120
  • and there is no freedom in a funeral.
  • Veterans will die freedom in a funeral.
  • Speaker. believed deeply in freedom, family, and believed deeply in freedom, family, and faith.<07:38
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • make school funding more equitable, The disparities show up in the student experience, access to academic
  • expands on this precedent, establishing that corporations have the same rights as people, including freedom
  • I wonder how that will conflict with the freedom of speech amendment that... ...equal freedom of speech
  • I was not comfortable at all, but under the equal freedom of speech, activities for them to be treated
Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several measures, beginning with SCA 5, which would create an Equalization Reserve Account to help reduce long-standing per-pupil funding disparities between basic aid and non-basic aid school districts. The author and supporters argued the measure would create a stable, endowment-style funding source using only interest earnings, while charter school advocates opposed it, saying the bill would exclude charters and could raise equal protection concerns. After the quorum was established, SCA 5 was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard SJR 18, a resolution condemning Citizens United and urging limits on corporate money in politics. The author argued that unlimited independent expenditures have increased corporate influence and dark money in elections, while there was little testimony in opposition. The resolution was approved and referred onward. The committee also considered two consent items, AB 1736 and AB 2421, which were approved together without debate. ACA 7 generated the most extensive discussion. The measure would revise the state constitution’s application of Proposition 209 in education, with supporters saying it would allow race-conscious tools to address persistent racial inequities in student outcomes and resource allocation, especially for Black students. Opponents argued it would weaken Proposition 209, invite discrimination, and likely fail politically and in court. After lengthy debate, the measure was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved ACA 18, which would add a second student voting seat on the UC Board of Regents, with supporters emphasizing student representation and opponents absent. Finally, AJR 29, opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail administration, was approved and sent onward. All measures on the agenda were ultimately advanced.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate Organization Session Nov 19th, 2024

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now our schools can focus less on bureaucracy and more on academics, the basics of education.
  • We also know the droves of people coming here for freedom and opportunity pose a serious risk to the
  • I believe we give glory to God by leading justly, by serving honorably, and by ensuring that the freedoms
  • Together we will strive for justice, freedom, and trust.
  • Together we will strive for justice, freedom, and truth.
Summary: The Florida Senate convened for its organizational session with prayer, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, followed by a moment of silence for the mother of Senator Fine. The chamber then received special guests and administered oaths to newly elected senators after reading certificates of election from the Secretary of State. Tracy Campbell Cantella was nominated and unanimously elected Secretary of the Senate, then sworn in. Ben Albritton was nominated, seconded, and elected as President of the Senate for the 2024–2026 term, and Jason Brodeur was later nominated, seconded, and elected President Pro Tempore. Both leaders were sworn in and delivered extended remarks about faith, service, Florida’s economy and education, hurricane recovery, insurance, rural communities, agriculture, water quality, Israel, veterans, and the need for data-driven, accountable government. After the leadership elections, the Senate adopted its rules for the new term and authorized the Secretary to make technical and conforming changes. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 2-O-RG, which establishes the joint rules of the Florida Legislature for 2024–26. A committee was appointed to notify the House that the Senate had convened for organization, and the committee later reported back that the House had been informed. The Senate then received a communication from the Democratic caucus certifying that Senator Jason Pizzo was elected Democratic leader and Senator Tracie Davis Democratic leader pro tempore for the term. The session included additional remarks recognizing Senate staff and security personnel, as well as tributes to the late John Pasidomo and a moment of silence for him. The meeting concluded with a performance of “Amazing Grace,” brief closing comments, and an attempted motion to adjourn sine die that was briefly tabled until the House confirmed it was convened and ready to transact business. The Senate then adjourned sine die.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 30th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Doctor Reg graduated from Ada High School with accomplishments in academics and choir.
  • Young Americans for Freedom and holistic health is their passion.
Bills: SR34
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Veteran Affairs Apr 29th, 2025

Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • When making their schedule, students must carefully coordinate their academic schedules with their military
  • And these are for spouses of people who are serving in our military, protecting the freedom so that we
Bills: HB 102 , HB300 , SB2255 , HB102 , HB300
Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard three measures focused on military-connected students, service members, veterans, and their families. House Bill 102 would give eligible students in military-related university programs early registration privileges, similar to existing accommodations for expectant mothers and student athletes. House Bill 300 would modernize the Texas Armed Services Scholar program by increasing scholarship funding, clarifying the student employment agreement, and creating a scholarship coordinator at THECB to help students and families navigate the program. Senate Bill 2255 drew the most discussion and testimony. The bill would streamline occupational licensing for military members, spouses, and veterans by allowing Texas licensure based on an out-of-state license in good standing with a similar scope of practice, removing the Texas residency requirement, and shortening agency processing time from 30 days to 10 days in the committee substitute. Supporters from the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations, the Texas Association of Business, the Institute for Justice, TDLR, and the VFW said the bill would reduce bureaucratic delays, improve employment opportunities, and help military families maintain income during relocations. TDLR also described current licensing confusion between state and federal rules and said the bill would improve alignment and data collection. No witnesses testified against any of the bills. After public testimony closed on each measure, HB 102, HB 300, and SB 2255 were left pending in committee. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (02/10/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I would like to acknowledge that SB 465 is founded by an academic poster.
  • For context, freedom is the bill.
  • I'm the owner of Hope to Freedom Recovery Homes in Claremont, New Hampshire.
  • </c><03:14:22.239><c> Recovery</c> was linked to Hope to Freedom Recovery was linked to Hope to Freedom
  • Um, because Freedom is not FDA approved, there's no established safe dose.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • The question was then reframed: whether the father's freedom of speech would be relevant here.
  • The witness answered yes, saying a host of freedoms covered under the First Amendment to the Federal
  • </c> topic okay so you think his uh freedom topic okay so you think his uh freedom of of of speech<01
  • </c> I think I think a host of uh freedoms I think I think a host of uh freedoms covered<01:01:51.319
  • </c><01:01:57.880><c> of</c><01:01:58.119><c> speech</c><01:01:58.880><c> and</c> including freedoms
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials. Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And so with that, in our 2025-26 academic year, our tuition rates are under $5,000 for the average full-time
  • in our... ...enrolled in our basic education for adult programs and about 40% are enrolled in our academic
  • So, you know, we're looking at shared governance, tenure, academic freedom, so that higher education
  • new strategy: we're in a new year, we're almost halfway through the new year, but we're in a new academic
  • We're in a new year, we're almost halfway through the new year, but we're in a new academic year.
Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant. The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability. Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied. The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2026

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • I resigned nine months ago at the conclusion of the 24-25 academic year.
  • Does it take away the freedom of many Floridians? This bill will hurt Floridians all over Florida.
  • This bill takes away those freedoms as a nurse and as a teacher.
  • Stop the infringement on my freedom.
  • I'm a military veteran in the Navy, served in Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Bills: S0332 , S0464 , S0576 , S0830 , S0964 , S0984 , S1096 , S1296 , S1298 , S1612 , S1656
Summary: The committee first heard a committee substitute for SB 332, which creates a narrow public meetings and public records exemption for certain pre-suit settlement communications in Bert Harris claims involving local governments and private property rights. The sponsor said the change is intended to allow confidential legal strategy and negotiation during the 90-day pre-suit period while keeping settlements and outcomes public. The strike-all amendment was adopted, supportive testimony was waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved several other measures, including SB 464 requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday; SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, which was amended to add a statement of important state interest and reported favorably after testimony from firefighters both supporting the bill and urging a longer benefit window; SB 576 on local government cybersecurity, which was amended to route the program through the Florida Digital Service and strengthen state-local coordination; SB 964 clarifying how certain gift and honoraria disclosures are filed with the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with a delayed effective date; SB 830 creating public records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096 clarifying the filing deadline for employment discrimination complaints; and SB 1656 designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. All were reported favorably. The committee also considered a slate of appointments, including a separate vote on Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employees Relations Commission, which was recommended favorably after Senator Polsky objected to the appointment and cited concerns about political ties and prior work. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 1296 on the Public Employees Relations Commission, as substituted by a committee PCS. The PCS would change union certification and recertification rules, require stronger showing-of-interest and voting thresholds, limit paid union leave in some cases, require equal access to employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for state-funded salary increases. The bill drew extensive testimony, with supporters arguing it would improve accountability, transparency, and taxpayer fairness, and opponents—many of them teachers, bus drivers, and other public employees—saying it would weaken collective bargaining, burden workers, and function as union busting. Members raised constitutional concerns about the single-subject rule and collective bargaining protections, and debate was ongoing at the end of the transcript.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

SENATE CONVENES Apr 21st, 2026

Arkansas All Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You can't have freedom without responsibility.
  • And if public schools are failing academically or financially, the state can take those over.
  • accounts, because that's what they're about: freedom.
  • Freedom. Thank you, Madam Pris. Thank you, Senator Mark Johnson.
  • And this thing of continued, this is not as much about school choice or the freedom.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House State Government Committee Mar 4th, 2026

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • c><00:18:54.800><c> And</c><00:18:55.000><c> so,</c><00:18:55.159><c> that</c> protects religious freedom
  • And so, that protects religious freedom.
  • Public school is meant to be a safe space for academics.
  • And I would make the argument that because of that, people have known more freedoms and opportunities
  • </c><00:29:56.640><c> and</c> people have known more freedoms and people have known more freedoms and
Bills: SB271 , HB511 , SB271 , HB511
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 9th, 2026 at 11:52 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And thank You, thank You for the freedoms that allow us to gather openly in this chamber and to open
  • Thank You for the freedoms that allow us to gather openly in this chamber and to open with a word of
  • They were awarded the Team Academic Award, which recognizes teams that maintain outstanding academic
  • So your amendment will take that freedom away from the local school boards to decide how they are going
  • We have the worst freedom index in the United States of America.
Bills: HB111 , HB61 , HB43 , HB156 , HB70 , SB3 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HB247 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50