Video & Transcript : 'governor powers' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Media Availability 6/4/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, the governor is the one that needs to do that, depending on the work, and that's really where
- Um, the governor is the one that needs to do that, depending on the work, and that's really where we
- Um, but at any point in time when the governor does call that, I think is a possibility that we could
- </c><00:03:15.840><c> Is</c> governor is ready to call that. Is governor is ready to call that.
- I know the governor had said all along that SAF, the sustainable aviation fuel, was a priority.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 3rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Messages from the Governor: there are none. Messages from the Senate: there are none.
- and television has already increased from $330 million to $750 million, and I want to thank the governor
- As the governor said yesterday, there were only two dreams: an American dream and a California dream.
- Immediate transmittal to the Governor. Amendments are concurred in without objection.
- Immediate transmittal to the Governor.
Summary:
The Assembly convened on June 4, 2025, first addressing a quorum call before proceeding with the day’s business. Members handled several procedural motions, including a failed attempt to withdraw AJR 4 for immediate consideration, approval of requests to notice bills pending re-referral, and a successful motion to withdraw SB 119 from Budget and Fiscal Review and place it on third reading. The chamber also rescinded prior action on SB 47, re-referred SB 355 and SB 685 to Appropriations, and authorized notice for a Housing and Community Development hearing on SB 522.
On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 369, a measure on emergency services that increases access to life-saving medication for people with seizure disorders, by a unanimous vote. Members then took up AB 1138, the major film and television tax credit measure, with extensive support from the author and other members who described the bill as a response to California’s declining production and job losses; the bill’s urgency clause and Senate amendments were concurred in, and it was sent immediately to the Governor. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 313 on student financial aid.
The body adopted SJR 2, which urges Congress to protect the rights of classified school employees, after debate emphasizing the importance of paraeducators, bus drivers, custodians, clerical workers, and food service staff. The Assembly then adopted the second-day consent calendar, including SCR 25 on nuclear fusion and several other Senate concurrent resolutions, and added coauthors to SCR 74 on Flag Day. The session concluded with announcements, birthday acknowledgments, and adjournment until Monday, July 7 at 1 p.m.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (02/04/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- very difficult position with a benefit amount that hasn't kept pace with inflation and purchasing power
- okay and one second purchasing power okay and one second representative representative representative
- The last time New Hampshire raised the minimum wage, John Lynch was governor in 2008.
- Lynch was governor in 2008 the average Lynch was governor in 2008 the average rent<04:04:38.239><c> in
- There was one that Governor Greg put together. There was one prior to the Greg study.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Sincerely, Wes Moore, Governor. Excellent. Message having been read is ordered journalized.
- Sincerely, Wes Moore, Governor.
- Sincerely, Wes Moore, Governor.
- Sincerely, Wes Moore, Governor. Governor. Governor.
- Sincerely, Wes Moore,<00:04:26.480><c> Governor.</c> Moore, Governor. Moore, Governor.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 8 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor.
- The message from Her Excellency the Governor will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor submitting requests for making appropriations for the fiscal
- The message from Her Excellency the Governor is referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
- A message from Her Excellency the Governor recommending legislation to build resilient infrastructure
Summary:
The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed four high school juniors visiting as guests of Representative Peisch to observe the legislative process. The Clerk then read several messages from the Governor, including the annual state budget for fiscal year 2025, supplemental appropriations requests, and a proposal related to resilient infrastructure and higher education transformation. These messages were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and the higher education proposal was sent to the Committee on Higher Ed under Rule 30.
The Temporary Committee on Rules reported favorably on a resolution filed by Representative Galvin congratulating Anthony R. Pate on his 100th birthday. Representative Galvin moved to suspend the rules, the motion passed, and the House adopted the resolution. The House also adopted an order to adjourn and then recessed.
Before adjournment, the House ordered that it would meet again Monday at 11 a.m. The chamber then adjourned in informal session.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on H.F. 4252 - Omnibus Higher Education finance and policy - 05/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- , lieutenant governor, House and Senate.
- , lieutenant governor, House and Senate.
- </c><00:41:32.440><c> can</c> a gap right now and the governor can a gap right now and the governor can
- scope of what the governor does and how<00:42:13.080><c> he</c><00:42:13.200><c> appoints.
- </c> committee doesn't meet, the governor committee doesn't meet, the governor would<00:45:37.640><c>
Summary:
The committee discussed a higher education attainment-goals bill and several related amendments. Members first reached agreement on funding changes: one amendment redirected money for fraud-prevention software for MnSCU and $5,000 for trees in Bemidji, and another moved $570,000 for workforce development-related funding. Members noted the use of general fund dollars to cover a FIG shortfall and expressed support for addressing fraud prevention while also saying MnSCU should be made whole in the next biennium. Both amendments were adopted.
The main policy debate centered on an amendment updating the statewide attainment goal and related P-20 partnership language. Senator Um Ruebain proposed returning the attainment goal from 75 percent to 70 percent, and members discussed whether the bill’s expanded reporting and coordination duties would create costs for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Nonpartisan staff and Commissioner Olsen said the Office of Higher Education and the P-20 partnership expected no costs, while DCYF’s fiscal note assumed reporting and staffing costs. After discussion, DCYF indicated it would absorb the costs, but some members still objected to expanding the partnership and creating additional bureaucracy.
Members also debated whether early childhood and K-12 subgoals should be included as part of the attainment-goals framework. Supporters said aligning early childhood, K-12, and higher education goals is necessary to improve postsecondary attainment, while opponents argued the committee should focus on existing higher education goals and basic K-12 achievement. The committee ultimately adopted the Senate language on the attainment-goals section as amended, including the change back to 70 percent and revisions directed by staff to ensure the correct references were updated. The A12 amendment on pregnant and parenting students was also adopted earlier in the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Leaders React to the New Political Landscape and Share Their Priorities for the Next Session Feb 16th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor has put forth his bonding bill proposal, and it's less than some members of the capital
- </c><00:09:44.240><c> Uh</c> governor can take it up and sign it.
- Uh governor can take it up and sign it.
- produces for his budget or his governor produces for his budget or his supplementary<00:15:25.519><c
- </c><00:19:46.559><c> and</c> more cooperation with the governor and more cooperation with the governor
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider S.93, to amend the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to address harmful algal blooms, S.98, to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective a Feb 5th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- These areas could see a quarter to three-tenths of an inch of ice, which could result in power outages
- At a time of great power competition, we must, as Mr. Lutnick told us, stay in the lead.
- It also continues to be the most reliable form of emergency communication during severe weather and power
- We import 20 billion dollars of goods from Canada, primarily oil, gas, lumber, and electric power, making
- . 1 on my own legislation, the Ticket Act, to address an especially concerning abuse of government power
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- And whereas Sheriff Cunningham has been appointed to several statewide committees by the governor and
- And whereas Sheriff Cunningham has been appointed to several statewide committees by the governor and
- The Alabama Home Educated Day is designated by Governor Ivy and their guest of Representative Nelson.
- It updates the power of attorney language, authorizes clerks to report authorized companies within 30
- initiative, Governor Ivy, and this<02:53:35.680><c> legislature.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> support their loved ones the governor support their loved ones the governor has<00:05:21.160><c>
- This budget that the governor proposed looks to put a 2% cap on future rate increases.
- Governor Walz's budget allocates a huge amount of money for MSOP.
- Chair, members of this committee, not Governor Walz, no one.
- </c> members of this committee not Governor members of this committee not Governor walls<00:27:26.159
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Media Availability on Budget Agreement - 05/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- But the governor thinks that this is a really important tool, and we're going to continue to work to
- But<00:10:21.320><c> the</c><00:10:21.400><c> governor</c><00:10:21.920><c> thinks</c><00:10:22.200><
- c> that</c><00:10:22.320><c> this</c><00:10:22.520><c> is</c><00:10:22.640><c> a</c> But the governor
- The governor, I will say, did insist on one provision, and that's the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St.
- If you're against it, is it Governor Walz, Speaker Daudt who likes the current framework?
Summary:
A Minnesota Senate leader discussed the end-of-session budget deal and said the Senate had passed a comprehensive budget that addresses several recent crises and federal policy changes. He highlighted funding to respond to gun violence, Metro Surge, and the effects of a federal Republican budget bill, saying the package includes retroactive medical assistance coverage, support to keep SNAP functioning, $10 million for food banks and shelves, rental assistance, and aid for counties and property taxpayers. He also said the Senate secured $205 million for HCMC, a $30 million uncompensated care pool for other distressed hospitals, and a $500 million health care stabilization reserve, along with a one-year license tab fee reduction and a $1.2 billion bonding bill.
He said some priorities were left out or rejected in negotiations, including small business relief, low-income rent, energy assistance, rural EMS stabilization, a manufactured home bill of rights, a social media platform data collection tax, and proposals to block private equity from nursing homes and single-family homes. He also said the House Speaker had promised but not brought a gun vote to the floor, and he expressed disappointment that immigration-related action and some gun control measures did not advance further. He defended the rental assistance as available to Minnesotans regardless of documentation status and said it was not tied only to Operation Metro Surge.
The leader also addressed concerns about payment withholding and program integrity in human services, saying the goal was to fight fraud without cutting services. He said hospitals seeking access to the stabilization reserve would need to show distress and financial need, and that both the governor and a legislative advisory committee would have to approve. He closed by saying the process had been difficult and too much negotiation had moved into backroom settings, but that the chambers were working toward an orderly conclusion and that he expected the remaining bills to be finalized and sent to the governor.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And these are the state parks that are under the lieutenant governor, because I do know that I think
- Was this—did you consult with the lieutenant governor?
- But if the lieutenant governor wants to take on the burden, he needs to make that clear to everyone.
- This here will have impact on the lieutenant governor, or it could possibly, as the fiscal notes say,
- So you're saying the lieutenant governor would not do it?
Summary:
The House Municipal Committee met at 12:09 p.m. with a quorum present and heard several local government bills. HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, supported by Jefferson Parish, would extend lien/privilege authority for unpaid sewerage and water service charges to Jefferson Parish, including issues involving multifamily properties with master meters. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the committee reported the bill favorably with no objection.
HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use certain inmates to cut grass in a private cemetery, drew significant concern from members about using unpaid prison labor on private property, the lack of clear ownership/contact with the cemetery board, and whether the property should instead be acquired or otherwise addressed. After discussion, the author withdrew the motion and the committee voluntarily deferred the bill to a later meeting. HB 893 by Rep. Knox, concerning the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, and HB 1007, creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in New Orleans Parish, were both reported favorably without objection.
HB 1153 by Rep. Coates would allow parishes and municipalities to declare and enforce burn bans. The committee adopted amendments clarifying publication, lifting bans when risk subsides, and adjusting penalties, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 1215 by Rep. Baham, dealing with the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of State Parks, was amended to require coordination rather than imposing costs solely on local governments, but members raised concerns about fiscal impact, local zoning authority, and the need for the lieutenant governor’s staff; the bill was voluntarily deferred for two weeks. HB 362 by Rep. Newell creating the Regency Park Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District was reported favorably, while HB 484 on the New Orleans Regional Business Park was deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment and board appointment changes. Several other bills and resolutions were also deferred, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next agenda would include the deferred items.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And these are the state parks that are under the lieutenant governor, because I do know that I think
- Did you consult with the lieutenant governor? Is it something that he would like to have done?
- But if the lieutenant governor wants to take on the burden, he needs to make that clear to everyone.
- The municipality and the parish and the lieutenant governor, because we simply wouldn't know.
- So you're saying the lieutenant governor would not do it?
Summary:
The House Municipal Committee met and first advanced HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, which would extend existing lien/privilege authority for unpaid utility service charges and user fees to parishes, sewerage districts, and waterworks districts, including Jefferson Parish. Lyons explained it was intended to address master-metered multifamily properties and align Jefferson Parish with other parishes. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the bill was reported favorably without objection.
The committee then heard HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use inmate labor to cut grass at a private cemetery known as the Zachary Public Cemetery. Members raised concerns about using unpaid prison labor on private property, whether the cemetery was abandoned, and whether the bill should be narrowed. The author and city representative explained the city already contracts with DCI for inmate work and that the bill was meant to clarify legality. The motion to advance was withdrawn, and the bill was voluntarily deferred to a later meeting for further work.
Several other bills were advanced, including HB 893 by Rep. Knox on the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, HB 1007 creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in Orleans Parish, and HB 1153 by Rep. Coates establishing a clearer local burn-ban framework with amendments on notice, lifting bans, and penalties. The committee also considered HB 1215 by Rep. Baham on the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments; after amendments and extensive questions about costs, coordination with the lieutenant governor’s office, and local zoning authority, the bill was voluntarily deferred. Later, HB 362 and HB 484 by Rep. Newell were handled, with HB 362 advanced and HB 484 deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment to the New Orleans Regional Business Park board. Several other bills and resolutions were announced as deferred or not heard, and the committee adjourned after scheduling a larger agenda for the next meeting.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 13th, 2026
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And second by the Chair, I just would like to remind the nominee that although the governor has made
- Our organization, Americans for Abigail, was founded by Governor Rick Perry from Texas.
- Our organization, Americans for Ibogaine, was founded by Governor Rick Perry from Texas.
- Mississippi, their governor just signed this very similar bill just two weeks ago.
- Mississippi, their governor just signed this very similar bill just two weeks ago.
Bills:
HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee first considered three executive nominations. Shonda Lasseter was reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, with discussion focused on pharmacy staffing shortages, PBMs, and broader health care workforce challenges; she was advanced 11-0. Dr. Lane Sabara was renominated to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, where members discussed rural physician shortages and training pipelines; he was advanced 12-0. Dr. Paul Wright was nominated to fill an unexpired term on the same commission and was advanced 12-0 after questions about his availability and experience supporting rural medicine.
The committee then heard several health-related bills. HB 3767, which adds 14 chemicals used to enhance fentanyl to Oklahoma’s controlled substances schedules, advanced 10-0. HB 3934, a dentistry workforce and cleanup bill updating insurance-claim and billing language, advanced 11-0. HB 4199, creating a three-year tri-share workforce pilot program for the Department of Commerce, was amended to change eligibility language and then advanced 9-2. HB 2947, allowing supervised behavioral health interns to bill Medicaid, advanced 10-1. HB 3834, authorizing the Department of Health to begin stage-one clinical trials for ibogaine and creating a revolving fund for that purpose, drew extensive testimony about veteran and first responder treatment, safety, funding, and state liability, and advanced 10-2.
Additional measures also moved forward. HB 4302, after amendment, advanced 12-0 on a juvenile oversight reporting and law enforcement notification issue. Committee member bills included HB 495, reinstating the 211 Collaborative advisory council, which advanced 11-0; HB 3287, requiring domestic violence and human trafficking signage in health facilities, which advanced 11-0; HB 3649, allowing the Mental Health Department to sell underused property and keep the proceeds in its trust, which advanced 12-0 after amendment; HB 4430, clarifying malpractice coverage for APRNs and PAs at state facilities, which advanced 12-0; HB 2059, creating a mechanism to reimburse medication costs for incarcerated people in county and municipal jails, which advanced 12-0 after questions about continuity of care; and HB 3647, creating an all-payer claims database and transparency board, which advanced 10-2. The committee adjourned after announcing another meeting the following week.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendment will remove one Governor senior advisor position at an SPC 11, lowering the total authorized
- Council... ...recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Council as
- One of the same board members that was adamant that the Governor not have influence on their position—I
- But in the interim, he continues to do his job as an advisor to the governor. I understand that.
- And just to make sure, if I may, just that members are clear, the governor is making no request of you
Committee:
All JBC-PERSONNEL
Summary:
The committee met and took several budget-related items out of order. It first approved a revised Auditor’s Office letter and amendment that reduced requested salary and match increases to 10 percent for operations and UCP, and then approved a revised Lieutenant Governor’s Office request that kept positions at line-item maximums while revising regular salary and match appropriations to a total increase of $99,876. Both items passed without objection.
The committee then considered a member amendment from Senator Rice to Senate Bill 30 affecting the Governor’s Office. The amendment would eliminate one Governor senior advisor position, reducing authorized positions from 59 to 58 and cutting regular salaries and matching funds by a total of $264,895. Senator Rice argued the change was warranted because of concerns about former Corrections Secretary Joe Profury’s conduct, transparency, and refusal to appear before Joint Performance Review. Members debated the relevance of the amendment to current duties, whether the governor could still hire the individual in another role, and whether a Board of Corrections member could speak. After discussion, the committee rejected the amendment on a roll call vote.
Under regular business, the committee approved an OPM request to reinstate a labor market rate at the crime lab so it can recruit two medical examiners, with pay up to $300,000 for those positions. Members also approved Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s request for 11 positions tied to the new veterinary medicine school, including clinic, lab, communications, mental health, and administrative roles. The meeting then adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 18th, 2025
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So just to be clear, what this bill does is it gives the governor eight appointments to the board, it
- It puts the governor as a voting member of the board, which will be the 17th member.
- I think the increase is... ...I think the increase is the addition of the governor as a voting member
- letting the governor be a voting member.
- That 17 is going again, adding the governor as a voting... ...governor as a voting member.
Committee:
Senate County and Municipal Government
Keywords:
archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, SB142, Alabama, voting, voter registration, election law, Secretary of State, board of registrars, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, National Change of Address, NCOA, voter roll maintenance, address change, voter list cleanup, inactive voter
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Joint Policy Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sorry, Senator Powers. I'm glad to clarify. I'm sorry, Senator Powers. I'm glad to clarify.
- Senator Powers? Aye. Senator Roers? Aye. Senator Meerdahl? Aye. Senator Powers? Aye. Senator Roars?
- Okay, Senator Powers. Thank you, Chairwoman.
- Senator Powers: Thank you, Chairman.
- Senator Powers. Chair. Senator Powers. On the House side, Representative Dressler.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote.
The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote.
The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill.
Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/04/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- That's uh, Power. Sure. Chair and members of the committee.
- ' energy usage originate from our large power customers.
- Uh Minnesota Power is one of the them.
- </c><00:43:14.319><c> These</c><00:43:14.640><c> industries</c> power customers.
- These industries power customers.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Fri Apr 17, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- DBED has received a letter from the governor of Yamaguchi.
- governor governor uh<00:11:18.480><c> of</c><00:11:19.080><c> Yamaguchi.
- The governor also of Okayama do that.
- Uh, I believe a lot of it is dependent upon the governor of that particular state. Thank you.
- </c><00:20:43.920><c> to</c> then your office and the governor to then your office and the governor to
Committee:
House Economic Development & Technology
Summary:
The committee met in Room 430 on April 17 at 8:30 a.m. and heard several resolutions focused on Hawaii’s sister-state and international relationships. Measures discussed included SCR 184, SCR 169 SD1, SCR 47, SCR 57 SD1, SCR 170 SD1, and SCR 163 SD1. Testimony generally supported expanding or formalizing ties with Japanese prefectures and other partners, including Yamaguchi, Okayama, and Aotearoa/New Zealand, as well as maintaining the Hawaii-Taiwan relationship. DBED’s Dennis Ling explained that sister-state agreements provide a framework for broader government, nonprofit, and private-sector relationships, and cited existing exchanges in transportation, health, education, culinary rice development, biosecurity, and food innovation. Catherine Stanway of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife supported the Aotearoa measure for predator control, biosecurity, and conservation cooperation. Jerry Chang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office testified in support of the Taiwan resolution, noting 33 years of sister-state ties and ongoing cooperation in education, culture, economy, and disaster management.
One witness raised a concern about language in SCR 57 SD1 related to double taxation, saying that portion did not relate to the sister-state relationship, but the committee chose not to amend the measure to avoid possible delay or conference issues. A committee member also asked about how sister-state relationships work and whether other states have similar country-level arrangements; Ling said Hawaii has an MOU with Israel and mentioned Singapore as another possible partner, while noting that such arrangements often depend on the governor and are not standardized across states.
After testimony, the committee voted to recommend passage of all measures as is. SCR 184, SCR 169 SD1, SCR 47, SCR 57 SD1, SCR 170 SD1, and SCR 163 SD1 were all adopted by the committee without amendments. Some members were excused during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Mar 4th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- the National Guard may be presented awards for certain accomplishments in service by order of the governor
- This bill would also prescribe that certain awards may be presented by the governor and that certain
- <c> bill</c><00:02:00.720><c> would</c><00:02:00.840><c> revise</c><00:02:01.320><c> the</c> the governor
- This bill would revise the the governor.
- and that certain awards may the governor and that certain awards may be<00:02:19.120><c> presented</
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
Keywords:
retired law enforcement, retirement benefits, employment, firemedics, salary cap, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, school board policy, church-state separation, parochial education, Bible class, faith-based instruction, student release, attendance credit, State Board of Education, local school board, parental consent