Video & Transcript : 'Italian immigrants' :

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 27th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is not about immigration. This is about human decency.
  • This country is built on immigrants. Difference. This country is built on immigrants.
  • America is a nation built by immigrants, and legal immigration remains the cornerstone of our strength
  • But respect for legal immigration depends on respect for the law.
  • A nation... ...immigration depends on respect for the law.
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.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Justice (Part I) Apr 8th, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm with the Texas Immigration Law Council and the Texas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers
  • to adding punishments for federal immigration violations.
  • I'm saying that federal immigration...
  • Immigration law is precluded from the states having their own immigration laws because it's entirely
  • you're basically putting a penalty on someone for their immigration violation.
Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending. SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

April 7, 2025 - 03:00 PM

Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Illegal immigrants that I'm not talking about what Illegal immigrants that I'm not talking about what
  • So this is not just for immigrants.
  • So this is not just for immigrants.
  • It's because of how illegal immigration impacted my family personally.
  • Up next, we have the Florida Immigrant Coalition, waving in opposition.
Summary: The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition. Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's just data collection that allows policymakers to make future decisions on immigration, health care
  • I understand there's a robust debate around immigration status in the state and the country, but I think
  • And so... and they will be an immigrant of this country.
  • I understand there's a robust debate around immigration status in the state and the country, but I think
  • And the interesting thing is that really there wasn't any decrease in usage amongst immigrants in those
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including International Mother Language Day, Arizona Nurses’ Day, Environmental Day, Teamsters Local 104, and Arizona Aerospace Day. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and three excused. The chamber also announced committee meetings, bill referrals, and later adjourned until Thursday, February 12, 2026. The main floor action centered on House Bill 2785, a taxation measure tied to federal tax conformity. Members debated whether Arizona should conform to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing it would validate current tax forms and provide tax relief, and opponents warning it would mainly benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations while reducing state revenue. The bill passed 32-26 with two not voting. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole for two calendars of bills. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2190, HB 2206, HB 2396, HB 2442, and HB 2448, all on health and human services topics, with amendments adopted on the first three. HB 2206 drew extended debate over SNAP payment error rates and whether the bill would impose an unfunded mandate and make benefits harder to access; supporters said it would reduce waste and save money, while opponents said it would set DES up for failure. HB 2396, which would restrict certain SNAP purchases, drew testimony over whether it would improve nutrition or unfairly limit low-income families and create a “food police” system. HB 2442 and HB 2448 also drew criticism over added SNAP work requirements and limits on agency waiver authority during recessions. The Committee later advanced HB 2688, HB 2689, HB 2690, HB 2796, and HB 2797, including bills on government staffing, hospital immigration-status data collection, unemployment benefits, SNAP eligibility/redeterminations, and fraud reporting. HB 2689 prompted sharp opposition over fears it would deter immigrants and mixed-status families from seeking medical care, while HB 2796 and HB 2797 were criticized as adding administrative burdens and duplicative SNAP checks. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, and a motion to amend the report to show HB 2689 failed was rejected 24-32.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I understand there's a robust debate around immigration status in the state and the country, but I think
  • To give their immigration status, they will be so afraid that they will be required to do that, that
  • And so... and they will be an immigrant of this country.
  • I understand there's a robust debate around immigration status in the state and the country, but I think
  • And the interesting thing is that really there wasn't any decrease in usage amongst immigrants in those
Keywords: 1182, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Special Session - Senate Floor Session - Part 2 - 06/09/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • for illegal immigration.
  • We are all the great-great-grandchildren of legal immigration. We need legal immigration.
  • Legal immigration we to your senses. Legal immigration we desperately<00:49:22.760><c> need.
  • That's not why people immigrate.
  • That's not why people immigrate.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm in support with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, CHIRLA, in strong support of the Community
  • Alliance. our undocumented communities, our immigrant communities to know that we are standing with
  • They turned the immigration officers away.
  • The immigration community is correspondingly devastated by a psychological aftershock.
  • Thank you Monica Madrid on behalf of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Chirla proud co-sponsor
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Immigration detention is not just one person's crisis.
  • With federal immigration rates elevated, what's the current demand for immigration legal services?
  • With federal immigration rates elevated, what's the current demand for immigration legal services?
  • A question for the immigration center: Where are you located?
  • Hi, good afternoon, Jackie Gonzalez's immigrant defense advocates.
Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Immigration detention is not just one person's crisis.
  • With federal immigration rates elevated, what's the current demand for immigration legal services?
  • With federal immigration rates elevated, what's the current demand for immigration legal services and
  • A question for the immigration center: Where are you located?
  • Jackie Gonzalez's immigrant defense advocates.
Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on the Office of the State Public Defender, civil legal aid funding, and Judicial Branch operations. The State Public Defender requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the workload has grown substantially through retroactive capital-case briefing, habeas proceedings, data requests, and related statistical analysis. She also presented findings from a public defense workload and staffing report showing that California’s county-based public defense system is under-resourced, with too few attorneys, investigators, and support staff, especially in rural counties, and that statewide standards and funding are lacking. Committee members asked about the scope of racial bias claims, the impact of collaborative courts and Prop. 36, and the need for statewide cost estimates and phased funding options. The committee then heard from legal aid advocates and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in support of increased civil legal aid funding. Witnesses described the Equal Access Fund, homelessness prevention services, health care access, and immigration detention defense as cost-effective ways to prevent evictions, stabilize families, and reduce downstream public costs. They requested a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, along with additional targeted investments from the California Access to Justice Commission. Testimony emphasized the severe shortage of legal aid attorneys, the high demand for immigration representation, and the role of legal aid in domestic violence, housing, and family law matters. Senators asked for more information on service locations, outreach, funding losses, and how the requested amounts were calculated. In the Judicial Branch overview, Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including a $70 million increase for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel and case processing. They said the money is needed to offset inflation, supply chain costs, and staffing pressures, and to preserve access to justice. Senators pressed the branch and Department of Finance on interpreter shortages, midyear funding flexibility, courthouse facilities needs, and judgeship needs in inland counties. Finance officials said they were aware of the broader facilities backlog, and the committee requested follow-up information on the full capital and maintenance needs, interpreter funding, and updated judgeship and workload data. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 013 Jan 27th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are witnessing right now the conflation of immigration status, dissent, and criminality.
  • Now, that number is important because it attempts to do three things in the legal immigration process
  • That's why 1.2 2 immigrants low enough.
  • </c> Reports of mistreatment of immigrants Reports of mistreatment of immigrants and<00:56:01.599><c>
  • Whether you're an immigrant in fear, um, worshiping in a place of your choosing to worship and being
Keywords: 981, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Liza Ryan Gill for Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights on Zoom. to 364 days and specifies that as a
  • Liza Ryan Gill for Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Coalition - Yes, good morning. - Good morning.
  • Liza Ryan Gill with the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights.
  • It's a very, very tiny little tweak, but it can help our immigration attorneys who are doing pro bono
  • My name is Leilani Sta, and I'm the immigrants' rights attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes. The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses. HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Judiciary Apr 7th, 2026

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the Director of the Immigration Impact Unit at CPCS.
  • Furthermore, because of the way the immigration system works, immigration judges use those open state
  • court cases to deny immigration bond and lawful status, resulting in deportation.
  • Civil immigration arrests in courthouses create a chilling effect on our justice system.
  • Civil immigration arrests in courthouses undermine fundamental constitutional values.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Apr 8th, 2026

Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Anti-immigrant national rhetoric has emboldened bad-faith employers to increasingly deter immigrant workers
  • or perceived immigration status.
  • fear of immigration enforcement.
  • fear of immigration enforcement.
  • As you can see, immigration-based coercion is not new, but bad actors are feeling emboldened to use immigration
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Edgar Ortiz on behalf of the California Immigrant Policy Center in support. Thank you.
  • Edgar Ortiz on behalf of the California Immigrant Policy Center and support. Thank you.
  • Edgar Ortiz, with the California Immigrant Policy Center, continued: “...of SB 1132.
  • As an immigrant and as a caregiver, this is not just a job. It is my survival.”
  • Good morning, Daniela Rodriguez, with Immigrants Rising, also in support. “Good morning.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several labor, workforce, and public works bills. SB 1166 would place AC Transit employees under PERB jurisdiction for unfair labor practice disputes; supporters said it would reduce costly court litigation and align AC Transit with other transit agencies, while AC Transit was neutral. The bill passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1054 would add wage-data elements to state reporting systems to improve Medi-Cal/Calfresh verification and workforce-program accountability; supporters emphasized reducing administrative burdens and improving data for education and training outcomes. It passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1149 would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person” and align it with other California family-leave laws; supporters cited chosen-family and LGBTQ+ concerns, and the bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 909, which would raise and index public works contractor registration fees and prevailing-wage penalties and direct more penalty revenue to enforcement. Supporters argued stronger penalties and funding are needed to deter wage theft and backlogs, while contractor groups warned of higher costs, uncertainty, and no fix to staffing delays; it passed 4-1 to Judiciary. SB 1132 would require a standardized know-your-rights curriculum in the workforce development system, with supporters saying workers need labor and immigration rights information at job-entry points; it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1241 would strengthen enforcement of skilled-and-trained workforce requirements on public works projects by defining substantial compliance plans and limiting repeated noncompliance; labor supporters said it closes loopholes, while contractor groups argued the market lacks enough workers and the bill is too rigid. It passed 4-1 to Appropriations. The committee later took up SB 1038, which would require CalPERS to notify unions when employer audits are initiated so they can help members respond to potential pension or pay corrections. Supporters said members need representation when audit findings can create repayment obligations, and there was no opposition. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. After a brief recess, the committee returned and formally closed the roll on SB 1038, then adjourned.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Session (05/15/2025)

New Hampshire Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> New Hampshire to comply with immigration New Hampshire to comply with immigration detainers<00:33
  • illegal immigration.
  • and not illegal lawful immigration and not illegal immigration.<00:42:51.920><c> And</c><00:42:52.079
  • </c> with our federal immigration with our federal immigration uh<00:47:14.240><c> uh</c><00:47:14.400
  • </c> immigrants. Thank you, Madam President. immigrants. Thank you, Madam President.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 3/2/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are sending masked agents in response to fraud, which is not an immigration problem.
  • Are there to enforce the law against immigrants.
  • All in the name of our immigration enforcement. All done by men in masks.
  • Let's ban masks on our federal agents. immigration problem. We know what this immigration problem.
  • </c> All in the name of our immigration All in the name of our immigration enforcement.<00:16:05.199>
Keywords: 1183, house
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 24th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Over 10 million immigrants live in California, and they contribute significantly to our state.
  • We need consistent, legal, and safe interaction with immigration enforcement.
  • And so abusers in particular will use immigration, for example, as a weapon to keep them cursed.
  • SB 841 recognizes that immigrant survivors already face major barriers when accessing care.
  • of the way that we are seeing immigration enforcement take place on the ground.
Summary: The committee heard several bills from Senator Umberg and Senator Allen, with testimony from supporters and opponents before roll-call votes were taken once quorum was established. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two-year notice for substantial changes to the bar exam, including vendor changes, and returning to an older delivery method for the upcoming exam; it was presented as a response to recent State Bar problems and the February bar exam failure. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would require certain merger parties to provide California’s attorney general the same Hart-Scott-Rodino materials filed federally, so state antitrust review can occur in parallel with federal review; supporters said this would reduce delay and uncertainty, while members questioned whether it would add another layer of review. SB 36 would strengthen price-gouging enforcement after the January 2025 Southern California firestorms by requiring rental-listing platforms to report suspected gouging, expanding consumer and prosecutor remedies, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; supporters said it would close loopholes, while opponents from business groups raised concerns. All three bills were later approved on roll call, with SB 36 and SB 413 placed on call before final passage and SB 253 and SB 25 moving forward on committee votes. The committee also heard SB 413, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by or on behalf of the youth who is the subject of the file, allowing attorneys to use heavily redacted records without first petitioning the juvenile court. Supporters, including Los Angeles County counsel and county associations, said the current petition process is costly, slow, and routinely granted, creating delays in civil litigation and court congestion. Opponents, including the Youth Law Center, argued the bill would weaken longstanding juvenile confidentiality protections by bypassing judicial review and could expose sensitive information unnecessarily. After discussion about redactions, sealing, and the scope of access, the bill was passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the notice period for nonpayment of rent from three days to 14 days. Supporters, including tenant advocates, legal aid groups, and several local governments, argued the change would reduce unnecessary evictions, give renters more time to obtain assistance or a paycheck, and help prevent homelessness. Opponents, including apartment associations, property owners, and the California Association of Realtors, said the bill would burden landlords, especially small owners, and could unintentionally affect commercial leases; members also raised concerns about repeated late payment and the lack of stronger guardrails. The author said she would work on clarifying commercial coverage and safeguards, and the bill remained under discussion as the hearing continued.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 8th, 2025

Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:
  • Today I'm proud to present AB 667 in partnership with the California Immigrant Policy Center, Immigrants
  • I'm the Economic Justice Policy Manager for the California Immigrant Policy Center.
  • Immigrants whose first language is not English, and their loved ones who translate for them, be it in
  • Ileana Perez, I serve as the Executive Director of Immigrants Rising.
  • Yes, I think it's really important to also note that I am the daughter of immigrants.
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Mar 18th, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • And my father was an immigrant. From St.
  • So I understand where y'all are coming from, those who do have immigrant parents, or those who are immigrants
  • status based on a single factor of their immigration status.
  • . attorney, I'm sorry, by an immigration judge.
  • Texas chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee Jun 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • These were U.S. citizens, by the way, during an immigration enforcement action.
  • Pecta Breda with the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, proud to co-sponsor SB 1004.
  • , over 18,000 arrests were recorded in our state around immigration enforcement.
  • The Attorney General already collects information regarding immigration enforcement.
  • Health care... ...fear-inducing and disruptive activities by immigration enforcement.
Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took testimony on each, with members often noting amendments and continuing negotiations. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require juvenile courts to find that less restrictive alternatives are unsuitable before ordering detention, and would require periodic review of continued detention and consideration of alternatives at disposition. Supporters argued it would reduce unnecessary youth detention and improve transparency; probation, judges, and police groups opposed it as an undue limit on judicial discretion and potentially unsafe in serious cases. The chair said he would recommend an aye with amendments, but the bill was held pending quorum and later remained on call. SB 1130 by Senator Gomez Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, requiring consent before recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and banning devices or accessories designed to defeat recording indicators. Supporters said the bill addresses secret recording and invasive surveillance; opponents from tech and hospitality groups sought clarification to avoid unintended liability for businesses and exempt workplace communication devices. Members discussed those exemptions, and the chair recommended an aye, but the measure also remained on call. Senator Blake Spear presented SB 99, which would let courts consider military protective orders in domestic violence proceedings and require better communication between civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Supporters from the Department of Defense, local officials, and military representatives said it would close protection gaps for military families; the ACLU opposed it on due process grounds because MPOs are issued without judicial process. The chair and author emphasized that the bill only allows consideration of MPOs and does not require civilian enforcement of them. The bill passed out on a vote, though it remained on call for additional members. The committee also heard SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, restricting flashbang use for crowd control and banning flashbangs and explosive breaching charges in immigration enforcement, and SB 1022, creating a statewide anti-trafficking task force. SB 937 drew support from civil rights and community groups and opposition from police and sheriffs over the use-of-force standard and limits on tactics; it passed out on a vote but remained on call. SB 1022 was supported by survivor and faith groups and opposed by public defenders and sex worker advocates who raised concerns about racial disparities and enforcement harms; it also passed out on a vote. Later, SB 1395, extending criminal protective orders for certain felony sex offenses against minors up to 20 years, and SB 1230, increasing penalties for repeat illegal dumping, were both heard with mixed testimony and were held on call after committee votes. The committee also adopted a consent calendar and several bills were moved forward with amendments.