Video & Transcript : 'HOPE Committee' :
Page 44 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, members of the committee. Kim Weidner, staff to the committee.
- Chair, members of the committee. Kim Weidner, staff to the committee.
- Chair, members of the committee, again, Chris Blake, staff to the committee.
- Good committee members.
- We hope you will please pass it out of committee and vote it out of the House.
Summary:
The Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on several bills and a joint memorial. SB 5915 would update the health technology assessment program by adding technologies recommended for Medicare populations or in national guidelines to the review priority list, requiring broader evidence review for life-threatening or rare diseases, and setting timelines for posting and deciding review requests. Supporters, including rare disease advocates and providers, said the current process is outdated and too rigid; the bill was then held for later action. SJM 8002 urged Congress to strengthen original Medicare, oppose privatization, add benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, and reduce Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud. Supporters from labor and senior groups argued it would protect beneficiaries and send a message to federal officials; the memorial was also held after testimony.
The committee also heard SB 5395 on prior authorization. Staff explained it would tighten notice requirements, require a licensed clinician—not AI alone—to deny requests based on medical necessity, add transparency around policy changes, and change how retrospective denials are treated. The prime sponsor and provider groups said the bill was a negotiated compromise meant to reduce delays and inappropriate denials, while insurers were generally neutral but sought a narrow amendment. Testifiers described prior authorization as a major source of delay and administrative burden, and the bill was held after public testimony. SB 5845 would require carriers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 days, set timelines for non-clean claims and information requests, and allow penalties for repeated noncompliance. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems supported it as a way to improve predictable payment, while insurers were neutral and asked for a narrow amendment; the bill was also held.
The committee heard SB 6025, which would change the definition of fetal death so gestational age is calculated using the best clinically accurate age rather than the last menstrual period. Obstetric and nursing witnesses said the current law can force inaccurate records and unnecessary burdens on grieving families, while opponents objected to the bill’s abortion-related definitions. The bill was held after testimony. Finally, SB 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge fees to support that work. The department and the sponsor said the measure would preserve a patient-centered accreditation option amid budget pressure, and the committee closed testimony and held the bill.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Douglas Collins, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jan 21st, 2025
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to this committee.
- It's about having respect for this committee, and that is what I believe this committee is—one of the
- They'll still be there for this committee and the House committee to answer policy questions and to do
- But I think you've brought up a bigger issue that I hope all of the committee members will understand
- I have to get in there first, if confirmed by this committee, which I'd hope to earn votes for.
Committee:
Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the committee, my name is Linda Lauk.
- Thank you, members of the committee. I am Kat O'Pena, and I am the CEO of Housing Hope.
- Thank you, Chair and members of the committee.
- Vice Chair Trudeau and members of the committee.
- Vice Chair Trudeau and members of the committee.
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects.
Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes.
Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/23/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And it would be my hope, Madam Chair, that future committees would see this as a fund that they should
- And it would be my hope, Madam Chair, that future committees would see this as a fund that they should
- All right, committee. Any bill can... All right, committee.
- </c> the committee acts on its adoption? the committee acts on its adoption?
- program. committee, then we're saying this committee, then we're saying this committee<01:36:23.520>
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
Keywords:
eggs, donation, quality assurance, food assistance, charitable programs, agriculture, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, rotational grazing, grazing management, livestock, pasture management, soil health, erosion control
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Executive
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate Executive Committee meeting is called to order as chair of the Senate Executive Committee
- This committee is authorized to meet in a hybrid format.
- Questions from committee members. Senator Pettyjohn. Thank you, Mr.
- Questions from committee members. Senator Pettyjohn. Thank you, Mr.
- Are those committees that are established already?
Committee:
Senate Executive
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Peter Hoekstra, of Michigan, to be Ambassador to Canada, George Glass, of Oregon, to be Ambassador to Japan, and Ronald Johnson, of Florida, to be Ambassador to the United Mexican States, all of the Department o Mar 13th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I hope you'll work with me to resolve this once you can.
- Ambassador Johnson, I hope you.
- Johnson, give us some hope here.
- If you do get some questions, I hope you'll answer them quickly.
- And with that, committee is adjourned.
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Keywords:
U.S. foreign policy, Mexico relations, Japan relations, border security, trade agreements, drug trafficking, ambassadorial nominations, intergovernmental communication
Summary:
The meeting of the committee focused on critical discussions concerning U.S. foreign policy, particularly relationships with Mexico and Japan. Notable attention was given to border security, trade agreements, and implications of drug trafficking. Ambassadorial nominees discussed their strategies to strengthen ties with these nations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in addressing mutual challenges, particularly concerning security and trade. The committee engaged in extensive dialogue, highlighting the urgency of improving intergovernmental communications to deter drug trafficking and support democratic governance.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Jun 21st, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- committee, which is on arts, culture, and music.
- committee, which is on arts, culture, and music.
- , the history and culture committee.
- We of course encourage everybody to join at least one committee.
- And we hope to see many, many of you on Friday.
Summary:
The Cape Verdean Cultural Commission met to approve the May 11 meeting minutes and receive a legislative update. The commission reported that Senator Miranda’s FY27 budget amendment secured $125,000 for the commission, pending final conference committee and gubernatorial approval, with funds expected to become available in the fall if retained. A separate part of the amendment that would have allowed commissioners to be appointed at any point in the commission’s history was not adopted, leaving one vacancy unresolved for now.
The commission then finalized its subcommittee structure. Members discussed the originally proposed communications and outreach, survey and data collection, and fundraising/resource development groups, but after discussion and a motion, the body voted to establish four subcommittees: Communications and Outreach, Survey and Data Collection, Organizational Development, and History and Culture. Members also raised ethics concerns about legislators serving on the fundraising-related group, and the title was broadened to organizational development. The chair asked members to sign up within about two weeks so subcommittees could meet before the next full commission meeting.
The meeting also focused on an upcoming visit by President José Neves of Cabo Verde. Commissioners were invited to attend a smaller 10:30 a.m. meeting with the president and delegation, followed by a larger community gathering from 11 a.m. to noon, with capacity limited and RSVPs encouraged. Members emphasized using the visit to reinforce support for the cultural center project and to highlight the importance of Massachusetts’ Cape Verdean diaspora. In public comment, members discussed gathering event listings for Cape Verdean summer celebrations, including Independence Day events, and suggested future meetings could include presentations from other cultural institutions about how they developed their projects. The commission adjourned after a motion and vote.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee will now come to order.
- Welcome to the committee.
- Welcome to the committee. today. Welcome to the committee.
- And<00:18:55.520><c> I</c><00:18:55.640><c> hope</c><00:18:56.200><c> to</c> And I hope to And I hope
- Welcome to the committee. Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the committee.
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think as the bill moves along, presumably out of this committee or hopefully out of this committee
- I hope that you’ll continue to work with the opposition as you navigate other committees through both
- Chair, members of the committee.
- Chairman, members of the committee.
- I hope all of you will take five minutes out of your day, stop by the Public Safety Committee, which
Summary:
The committee heard AB 82, which would expand privacy and safety protections for patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care. The author and supporters said the bill is needed because of rising harassment, doxing, and threats, and because sensitive health data could be used by hostile actors; opponents argued it would create constitutional problems, enable abuse of safe-at-home protections, and improperly shield providers and records from scrutiny. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many advocates in support and many privacy, civil liberties, and anti-trafficking or sex-based policy groups in opposition. The bill was moved on a due pass recommendation and remained on call.
The committee then heard AB 331, which would clarify that county election certification is a ministerial duty, prohibit misleading ballot return envelopes, and require voter information guides to be delivered to jails in an acceptable format. The Department of Justice and several good-government groups supported the measure, the Secretary of State had no position after amendments, and a committee member noted ongoing concerns but supported it after the changes. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations and was placed on call.
AB 1178 followed, proposing to protect undercover peace officers’ names, images, and likenesses in public records while preserving disclosure of sustained misconduct records. Law enforcement and public safety groups supported the bill as a needed safety measure, while journalists, transparency advocates, and civil liberties groups opposed it, saying existing law already protects officers and the new language could lead to overbroad withholding. After discussion about the scope of undercover status and the need for judicial discretion, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar.
Later, AB 981 was heard, creating a five-county pilot program requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for certain reckless driving convictions. Supporters, including traffic safety advocates and crash victims, said the bill could reduce repeat speeding and save lives; opponents raised concerns about cost, installer oversight, liability for automakers, and the breadth of the pilot. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 22, which would repeal Proposition 57 and restrict release of sexually violent predators and certain sex offenders, drew strong opposition from youth justice, public defender, and civil liberties groups who said it would be unconstitutional and harmful; the chair recommended no, no motion was made, and the bill was held. Finally, AB 897, a squatter-removal bill, was presented with the author arguing it would protect property owners through a faster due-process process; the transcript cuts off during early support testimony and does not show a final action on that measure.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the committee, my name is Linda Lauk.
- Thank you, members of the committee.
- Thank you, Chair and members of the committee.
- Notably, we hope that you'll invest $8.1 million Notably, we hope that you'll invest $8.1 million into
- Vice Chair Trudeau and members of the committee.
Bills:
SB6003
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 6th, 2026 at 11:27 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assigned committee, refer it to the committee’s committee and other appropriate committees, and change
- committees committee staff.
- If determined to be germane, the committee report will indicate the committee or committees’ referrals
- If the standing committee passes the committee substitute, the committee process and committee report
- Committees Committee, second, the Senate Rules Committee, and third, the Senate Judiciary Committee.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nominations of Warren Stephens, of Arkansas, to be Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Thomas Barrack, of Colorado, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Tilman Fertitta, of Apr 9th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I hope you will commit to working with me. with this committee as you advance progress in the foreign
- Members of this committee went with me.
- I hope I'm wrong and you're right.
- I just hope that this committee will uphold its responsibilities and require the administration to report
- And with that, the committee is adjourned.
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Keywords:
Senator Flinstone, HB22, SB4, amendments, public testimony, legislation, environmental impact, economic implications
Summary:
The meeting featured a thorough examination of various bills, including substantial discussions on HB22 and SB4. Key points included amendments proposed by committee members, particularly from Senator Flinstone, who emphasized the need for clarifications on certain provisions. The committee actively engaged with several witnesses providing public testimony, some in favor of the proposed legislation while others highlighted concerns and potential implications. The discussions were vibrant, showcasing different perspectives, especially on the environmental and economic impacts of the bills in question. The meeting concluded with a consensus to reconvene after a recess to further address the outstanding issues related to the bills.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Stephen Vaden, of Tennessee, to be Deputy Secretary, and Tyler Clarkson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, both of the Department of Agriculture. Apr 8th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'm depending on the Ag Committee to do this.
- I know it's been noted before the committee that I serve in my church on the finance committee of First
- I know he will soon be before this committee.
- I hope that this committee will confirm him quickly as well so that he can aid Secretary Rollins as she
- Clarkson for appearing before our committee and our committee members for their participation in today's
Keywords:
USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy
Summary:
The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 3/9/26
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the committee, Judge O'Malley.
- It underscores the importance of the work of this committee and other committees taking place now in
- , and someone external as part of that committee.
- So I hope that they will indeed join us.
- I'm not on the Human Services Committee, and I'll let members of that committee review a proposal regarding
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I know it's coming to my committee next, and so, um, I would really, um, you know, hope that we can look
- I know it's coming to my committee next, and so, um, I would really, um, you know, hope that we can look
- I know it's coming to my committee next, and so, um, I would really, um, you know, hope that we can look
- I know it's coming to my committee next, and so, um, I would really, um, you know, hope that we can look
- I know it's coming to my committee next, and so, um, I would really, um, you know, hope that we can look
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Autonomous vehicles regulated 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I know it’s coming to my committee next and so um I would really um you know hope that we can look at
- I know it’s coming to my committee next and so um I would really um you know hope that we can look at
- I know it’s coming to my committee next and so um I would really um you know hope that we can look at
- I know it’s coming to my committee next and so um I would really um you know hope that we can look at
- I know it’s coming to my committee next, and so um I would really hope that we can look at this as a
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- For those reasons, I hope this committee will sort of. in order to abuse their powers and mistreat people
- For those reasons, I hope this committee will sort of. Trust of all law enforcement.
- For those reasons, I hope this committee will support this bill and unmask these abuses.
- I hope they do, and I hope I'm wrong.
- Anyone else hoping to be heard on the bill? Okay, we'll turn it back to the committee.
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety measures. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as part of efforts to curb ghost guns. Supporters, including Brady Campaign and the California Police Chiefs Association, said barrels are a key unregulated component used in ghost guns; opponents argued the bill would burden lawful gun owners and would not meaningfully stop criminals. The bill was held for a later vote because the committee did not yet have a quorum when it was heard.
SB 258 by Senator Wahab would remove the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability. Support came from prosecutors, sheriffs, and disability service organizations, while disability rights groups and public defender organizations opposed or sought amendments, warning the bill could worsen misunderstandings about consent for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After extensive testimony, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 258 to Appropriations.
Senator Umberg presented SB 27, which would make CARE Court more efficient and expand eligibility to some people with schizophrenia-like conditions and certain mood disorders with psychotic features, including some misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial. Supporters said it would improve treatment linkage and reduce jail cycling; opponents, including county behavioral health directors and many disability advocates, argued it could make CARE Court more coercive and expand a program they view as ineffective. The committee passed SB 27 on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 36, a price-gouging measure with a proposed search-warrant expansion, and SB 571, which increases penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and looting during disasters; SB 571 passed on a 4-0 vote, while SB 36 was held on call after mixed testimony and a vote. Later, SB 627 by Senator Wiener, which would restrict masking by law enforcement and federal agents with exceptions for safety and undercover work, drew strong support from immigrant-rights and civil liberties groups and strong opposition from police associations; the transcript ends during that hearing before any final action is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Suspend House Rules to take up HF3412 3/2/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today I rise in support of this motion and hope to appeal to the humanity in the room and hope to appeal
- </c> conversations we've had in committees conversations we've had in committees outside<00:10:04.720
- </c> have connected on some values and I hope have connected on some values and I hope that<00:10:11.760
- And I would hope that there police.
- , and I certainly happened in committee, and I certainly hope<00:37:47.599><c> does</c><00:37:47.760>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Investing in People / Supporting Small Businesses / New Senator Elected May 4th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, Senator, through your work on the jobs and economic development committee, you hear from a variety
- So, Senator, through your work on the jobs and economic development committee, you hear from a variety
- So, Senator, through your work on the jobs and economic development committee, you hear from a variety
- </c> intersection between these committees intersection between these committees and<00:07:55.039><c>
- ><00:14:11.040><c> it</c><00:14:11.199><c> was</c> during a committee hearing, it was during a committee
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/12/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Reports of standing committees. Reports of select committees.
- REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES.
- immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
- I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
- THE REPORT OF THE RULES COMMITTEE IS ACCEPTED.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the journal, and took up a series of motions to discharge identical Assembly bills to the Third Reading Calendar, along with committee reports and amendments. The chamber also received an introduction from Senator Gonzalez honoring Maria Raine and her advocacy for guardrails on AI chatbots after the death of her son, and later adopted a Rules Committee report sending several General Business Law bills directly to Third Reading. The resolution calendar was adopted with some exceptions, and the Senate recognized several previously adopted resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Barnabas McHenry, Arthur Jones Jr., Floyd Todd Peterson III, the Lexington School for the Deaf, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Apraxia Awareness Month, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Prevention Week, Physician Anesthesiologists Week, and Golf Day in New York.
The Senate then considered and passed numerous bills, many on consumer protection and public policy topics. Measures included bills on General Business Law, Public Health Law, Correction Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Executive Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Public Officers Law, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, Public Housing Law, Education Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills were laid aside, including a Public Health Law bill by Senator Fernandez and a Public Service Law bill by Senator Parker. The chamber also passed a concurrent constitutional resolution by Senator Stec proposing an amendment to Article 14.
During floor debate, senators explained votes on several measures. Senator Ramos spoke in support of paid sick leave for domestic workers, describing the bill as a long-overdue labor protection for a workforce historically excluded from such rights. Senator Fernandez described her bill as the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, aimed at requiring notice and public disclosure of certain pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements to improve transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing. Senator Ryan and Senator Martins supported a bill restricting hidden algorithmic price manipulation online, and Senator May supported a bill limiting excessive rental car fuel charges as part of a broader consumer protection package. The Senate also passed a memorial highway bill naming a portion of Route 19 in LeRoy for Lieutenant Gary A. Scott, with Senator Borrello explaining the veteran’s service and sacrifice.