Video & Transcript : 'proposed ward' :
Page 45 of 500
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Robbie, Ricks, Ruckty, Semaroff, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward,
- Guthrie, Lent, Ruttee, Ward Engelking, Cedo.
- I recognize you, Senator Ward Engelking, at this order of business as well.
- Ward Engel King? Woodward? Aye. Zido? Siderveld? Rutty?
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal from the previous day. The chamber then received gubernatorial appointment messages for several boards and commissions, including the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board, Idaho Commission on Human Rights, Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, State Board of Education, and Commission of Pardons and Parole. Those appointments were referred to the appropriate committees for confirmation review.
The Senate also received and signed Enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 20. In the motions and resolutions portion, the chamber considered a motion to elect a list of legislative attaches and staff to constitutionally and statutorily provided offices. The list was approved by roll call vote, 33 in favor with two absent and excused, and the attaches were then sworn in by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
During first reading, the Senate introduced Senate Bills 1221, 1222, and 1223, all from the Resources and Environment Committee, dealing respectively with employee definition technical corrections, domestic wells, and water district budgets and administrative fees tied to property transfers. The bills were referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. The session ended with announcements, including ice cream provided by the Idaho Farm Bureau and notice of an optional security training for members, followed by adjournment until the next morning.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 557, HB 71 (06/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:54.800><c> Senator</c><00:04:55.199><c> Ward,</c> come to terms.
- Senator Ward, come to terms. Senator Ward, thank<00:04:57.840><c> you,</c><00:04:58.080><c> Mr.
- Senator Ward is one version.
- </c><02:16:23.199><c> by</c><02:16:23.440><c> the</c> as an amendment to um as proposed by the as an
- amendment to um as proposed by the Senate<02:16:24.239><c> uh</c><02:16:24.639><c> as</c><02:16:24.960
Summary:
The committee of conference first discussed House Bill 557, which concerns information on the school budget ballot. The main issue was how to define and calculate the “average cost per pupil.” House members favored a simple calculation dividing the operating budget by enrollment, arguing that it is clearer to the public and matches how taxpayers think about school costs. Senate members preferred the existing RSA-based definition for consistency across statutes and noted that the current definition was about to take effect. Members also debated whether the ballot language should specify the figure as being for the “preceding year,” and some House members ultimately agreed to that clarification while one member did not.
After discussion, the Senate declined to move off its position on the calculation method, but agreed to a compromise amendment adding “for the preceding year” to the Senate language so it would align with the rest of the ballot information. The committee then agreed to draft the report with that amendment.
The committee then turned to House Bill 71, dealing with restrictions on using public school and higher education facilities to shelter certain migrants, along with a Senate-added provision requiring DHHS contracts to comply with the patient bill of rights. Members generally said they supported the base policy of the bill, but Representative Noble raised a drafting concern about a repeal section that appeared to undo the new contract requirement; the group discussed removing that repeal language and adjusting effective dates. The committee also reviewed Senate-added language creating a donation fund for a proposed accessible pier at Hampton Beach. Supporters said the project would be privately funded through donations, with the state park division managing the fund and any remaining balance eventually transferring to an existing state park donations account if the pier is not built. Members questioned maintenance costs, fundraising responsibility, and whether the account was necessary, but the Senate explained the fund was intended to provide a mechanism for private fundraising and future maintenance support.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Ricks, Nichols, O'Connowitz, here, Robbie, Ricks, Ruckty, Semaroff, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward
- Guthrie, Lent, Ruttee, Ward Engelking, Cedo.
- I recognize you, Senator Ward Engelking, at this order of business as well.
- Ward Engel King? Woodward? Aye. Zido? Siderveld? Rutty?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, Chair Ward and committee members.
- Thank you, Chair Ward and committee members.
- Ward present. Lackey, El-Hawaray, Gonzalez here. McKinner here. Ortega here. Cork Silva here.
- Ward: Aye. Lackey: Aye. Al-Haware: I. Gonzalez: Aye. McKinner: I. Ortega: I. Quirk Silva: I.
Summary:
The committee heard SB 756, authored by Senator Skinner, which would expand reporting and accountability for California’s film and television tax credit program. The senator said the bill is intended to improve equity and transparency by requiring the California Film Commission to collect better demographic and geographic data, including workers’ zip codes and veteran status, using existing payroll and third-party systems without adding new mandates. Supporters said the information is needed to evaluate whether the state’s film incentive benefits California workers and communities, especially in areas like South Los Angeles.
Public testimony was limited. Dylan Hoffman, on behalf of California Arts Advocates, testified in support. No opposition testimony was presented. Committee members, including Assembly Member Quirk-Silva and Assembly Member McKinnor, voiced support and emphasized the need for standardized data collection and stronger oversight of the tax credit program. The author also noted recent staffing increases at the Film Commission to help monitor the program.
The committee moved the bill on a motion and second, and SB 756 passed out of committee with a due pass recommendation to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call was recorded as 8-0, with one member not present in voting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Brittany Ward, third-grade teacher and president of Twin Rivers United Educators here in Sacramento,
- We discussed a similar proposal last year, and I see our witness in opposition. If you'd like to...
- SB 414 lacks a proposal to resolve this key issue.
- However, SB 414 proposes no new methods to ensure authorizer accountability to that end.
- However, SB 414 proposes no new methods to ensure authorizer accountability to that end.
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum.
Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum.
Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations.
The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- or the legislation that's proposed, at a baseline it's more broad than the existing legislation that
- These proposals are not abstract.
- But those proposals were postponed and only revisited after the damage was done.
- But those proposals were postponed and only revisited after the damage was done.
- it does not propose to do.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone.
The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters.
Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- "This is regarding House Bill 803, and what this legislation is proposed to do would be to clarify that
- This is regarding House Bill 803 and what this legislation is proposed to do would be to clarify that
- Nine, to accompany and assist a family member, a minor child, a legal ward, or someone in need of assistance
- I was denied entry to the maternity ward when I was nine months pregnant and scheduled to be induced
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/04/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, there is one proposed amendment. I’d be happy to explain.
- Madam Chair, there is one proposed amendment.
- Senator Ward? Aye. Six ayes, zero noes, one not voting.
- Senator Ward. Aye. Six eyes, zero no, no.
Keywords:
informed consent, surgical procedures, healthcare professionals, patient rights, regulatory compliance, child welfare, dependency hearings, foster care, court procedures, parental rights, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing, monitoring, administrative burdens, basic first aid, good samaritan, medical licensing exemption, Arizona medical board, A.R.S. 32-1421
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair lays out HB 3691 and recognizes uh Representative Ward Johnson to explain the bill.
- The new proposed bill does not include an election identification certificate or their license to carry
- Ward Johnson to close on the bill. Thank you so much.
- And then number 4, there's no parity of clerks proposed for the signature verification or early voting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair lays out HB 3691 and recognizes Representative Ward-Johnson to explain the bill.
- The new proposed bill does not include an election identification certificate or their license to carry
- Ward-Johnson. I'm asking to close on the bill. Thank you so much.
- And then number four, there's no parity of clerks proposed for the signature or early voting ballot board
Keywords:
Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Rep Ward Johnson. quorum Mr. President.
- , Vice Chair Flores, Rep Cole, Rep Dayala, Rep Kerwin, Rep Martinez Fisher, Rep Orr, Rep Basu, Rep Ward
- Ward Johnson. Hang on.
- Thank you, Representative Ward Johnson. Members, any questions?
- Thank you, Representative Ward Johnson.
Bills:
HCR6
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Apr 1, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Education, and the Department of Transportation of the County of Maui to collaborate to propose
- Department of Education, and the Department of Transportation of the County of Maui to collaborate to propose
- of the county of Maui to<00:18:29.520><c> collaborate</c><00:18:30.080><c> to</c><00:18:30.320><c> propose
- </c><00:18:30.760><c> viable</c> to collaborate to propose viable to collaborate to propose viable solutions
- </c><00:57:46.119><c> at</c> in the Cancer Ward at in the Cancer Ward at capani<00:57:48.280><c> I</c
Summary:
The House Committee on Education met on April 1 at 2:04 p.m. and first heard HCR 129/HR 125/HD1, which asks state and county transportation and education agencies to work together on pedestrian safety and traffic congestion around Haiku Elementary School. The Department of Education said it stood on its written testimony, and no other testimony was offered on that measure.
The committee then took up HCR 173/HR 169/HD1, urging the Department of Health to begin education outreach and vaccination drive efforts at schools with vaccination rates under 30 percent, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Education and Department of Health both supported the resolution and stood on their written testimony. Support also came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Nurses Association, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Health Committee, and Free Citizens of Malua.
A number of testifiers opposed the measure, arguing that vaccination efforts do not belong in schools, that the proposal would pressure families and undermine parental rights and religious freedom, and that it could create liability and misuse public funds. Several opponents also raised concerns about informed consent, government overreach, and vaccine safety. One supporter, Kye Swan, said vaccines are the way to fight infectious disease and asked the committee to pass the resolution so children could be vaccinated before the school year starts.
No vote or final committee action on the resolutions was announced in the portion of the transcript provided.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Judiciary Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1272 aims to address a fundamental issue with adult wards are unfairly separated from their
- This bill will establish reasonable limitations on guardians power to prevent contact between adult wards
- However, it will address the bad actors to exploit wards.
- What's the what's the benefit your propose billing?
- And I don't think it's going to offer the legislation that we propose.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Mon Mar 17, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 33
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Ward excused, Mr. Woodson, Mr. Yamashita. Item number three, messages from the Governor. Mr.
- <00:12:02.079><c> excused</c><00:12:03.079><c> Mr</c> Ward excused Mr Ward excused Mr Woodson<00:12:05.240
- They're visiting their ward legislators today.
- They're visiting their ward legislators today.
- They're visiting their ward legislators today.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 40 Apr 29th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- would members and guests and employees please rise for a moment of silence in memory of the former Ward
- He served 18 years as Lynn's Ward 7 councilor, a true family man.
- We heard over the last two days a lot of times when we were offering some tax proposals that those cuts
- At first glance, this proposal may sound like simple common-sense tightening of eligibility.
- This body has already considered the proposal in this amendment.
Summary:
The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions congratulating three Eagle Scouts, then concurred in Senate amendments to House bills affecting the town of Milford’s alcohol licensing law and the town of Middleton’s charter. It also passed to enact a Senate bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester and engrossed a House bill allowing Plymouth to create a special revenue account for land acquisition. The chamber later observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard “Rick” Ford, Portuguese American community leader Louis Pedroso, and Quincy veteran Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guest groups and dignitaries, including students from Fall River, D.A.R. Good Citizen award recipients, and a British minister visiting the State House.
Most of the floor session centered on FY27 budget amendments, especially housing and shelter policy. Members debated and rejected multiple Republican amendments that would have tightened eligibility for the HomeBASE and emergency shelter programs by requiring citizenship or limiting access to U.S. citizens with Massachusetts residency, with supporters arguing the changes would reduce costs and opponents saying the programs already have strict eligibility rules and that the proposals would exclude lawful residents and vulnerable families. The House also rejected an amendment to block Housing and Livable Communities grants from being conditioned on MBTA Communities Act compliance, with supporters calling it a reprieve for noncompliant towns and opponents saying the law is helping address the housing shortage. A consolidated housing/environment amendment was then adopted 154-0, funding major housing, shelter, clean water, climate, and food assistance accounts.
The chamber also defeated amendments to create a data center commission and to eliminate the vocational-technical school admissions lottery, though the latter was withdrawn after debate. Another rejected amendment would have suspended public policy and public benefit charges on electric and gas bills; opponents said that would eliminate low-income and senior bill relief. The House then turned to education-related amendments, rejecting proposals to change special education reimbursement formulas and to raise the reimbursement rate from 75% to 80%, with opponents arguing the ideas needed committee review and cost analysis. Finally, the House began debating an amendment to fully fund regional school transportation by removing “subject to appropriation,” but the transcript ends before any final vote on that item.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- District 18, Janie Ward-Engelking. District 19, Melissa Wintrow. Thank you. Janie Ward-Engelking.
- Lenney, Lent, Nichols, O'Connowitz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking
- Ward Engel King? Wintrow? Woodward? Aye. Ziderfeld? Addams.
Summary:
The Idaho Senate convened for the second regular session of the 68th Legislature with a full roll call showing all 35 senators present. The chamber received the Secretary of State’s certification of the Senate membership, then held opening ceremonies including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, presentation of the colors by the Idaho State Police Honor Guard, and a performance of the national anthem. The Senate also formally recognized the Idaho state flag tradition for legislative sessions.
The body then moved through organizational business, appointing committees to notify the Governor and the House that the Senate was organized and ready to conduct business, and receiving the House’s message that it was likewise organized. The Senate later took up House Concurrent Resolution 20, which provides for a joint session of the House and Senate to hear the Governor’s message. The chamber suspended the rules by a unanimous roll call vote, adopted HCR 20 by voice vote, and returned the resolution to the House.
Afterward, the Senate agreed to go at ease for the joint session to hear the Governor’s State of the State and budget message, with plans to reconvene 15 minutes after that address. The Senate then advanced to miscellaneous business and adjourned until 11 a.m. on January 13, 2026.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- District 18, Janie Ward-Engelking. District 19, Melissa Wintrow. Thank you.
- Janie Ward-Engelking, District 19. Melissa Wintrow, District 20. Josh Keyser, District 21. Treg A.
- , Lent, Nichols, O'Connowitz, Robbie, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward-Engelking
- Ward Engel King? Wintrow? Woodward? Aye. Ziderfeld? Adams.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee to Study Reducing the Number of School Administrative Units in the State (10/29/25)
Transcript Highlights:
- proposal proposal over<00:39:15.760><c> that</c><00:39:16.079><c> bienium.
- based</c><00:40:16.240><c> on</c> vetted proposal, not a proposal based on vetted proposal, not a proposal
- So um structure uh to so I I put these<01:30:23.920><c> proposals</c> these proposals these proposals
- </c> bienium to fine-tune the proposal. bienium to fine-tune the proposal.
- </c><01:58:41.360><c> joint</c> we really need this proposed joint we really need this proposed joint
Summary:
The meeting focused on reviewing and amending draft minutes and then discussing a draft report on SAU consolidation and school administration efficiency. Members first corrected a disputed statement in the minutes about who starts charter schools, and agreed to mark it as disputed. They also noted a donation figure mentioned in the meeting but not reflected in the notes, and then approved the minutes as amended.
The committee then reviewed supporting materials, including a Census Bureau education spending table and a 1993 report on eliminating SAUs. The chair argued New Hampshire ranks very high in administrative spending and used that as evidence for reducing administrative costs. Other members pushed back, noting that education costs are largely borne locally and that the committee should stay focused on its charge. Several members also objected to characterizations of SAU boards and to relying heavily on an old report or on the School District Governance Association’s proposal.
The draft report itself drew repeated edits. Members objected to language suggesting the testimony from associations was simply that change was not needed, and proposed more neutral wording about concerns over the impacts of changes. There was also disagreement over a proposed model in which a county-level school administrator would be elected; some members said that would be inappropriate and premature, while others argued the committee had not yet fully developed a consolidation model. The discussion ended with a call from some members for more time and for a future joint legislative committee to continue refining any proposal before legislation is introduced.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Together, the revenues generated from these proposals would have allowed us to address backlogs, meet
- I commend you for identifying efficiencies in your proposal that address the projected budget deficit
- The House health budget. proposes to eliminate all long COVID grants and administrative appropriations
- We also appreciate the proposed increase in medical assistance payment rates for ambulance services.
- I am here this morning in opposition to the proposed social media warning labels.
Bills:
HF2435
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- There's growing attention on this issue not just in Idaho but across the country, so this proposal is
- Senator Ward Engel King. Thank you, Mr.
- Senators, we heard a proposal similar to this last year on the floor, and I was a no on that proposal
- I was a no on that proposal.
- I appreciate the superintendent coming back this year with a revised proposal and finding some money
Summary:
The Senate convened with 31 members present, heard a prayer and pledge, approved the prior day’s journal, and adopted several routine committee reports and referrals. Committee actions included printing and referral of Senate Resolution 116, referral of various newly printed bills, and transmission of House bills and enrolled measures between chambers. The chamber also received messages from the House and advanced several bills through first and second reading calendars.
On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1276, which removes a sunset on a public employee retirement provision allowing certain retired employees to return to work, after supporters said it helps address teacher shortages and does not harm the retirement system. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1291, a Title 33 education code cleanup bill tied to prior task force work; supporters said it repeals obsolete or unused provisions, while no opposition was recorded. Senate Bill 1292, revising foster parent training requirements, passed on a shared roll call vote after supporters said it sets basic training expectations and improves foster care placement quality. Senate Bill 1293, which clarifies that crime victims’ compensation is not treated as a public benefit under prior legislation, also passed unanimously on a shared roll call vote.
The most debated measure was Senate Bill 1288, creating the Idaho High Needs Student Fund to reimburse districts for unusually high special education costs above $30,000 per student, using $5 million in one-time funds. Supporters argued it would help districts meet federal obligations, reduce local levy pressure, and provide targeted relief for the most expensive cases; opponents said it was a patchwork fix, could become an ongoing obligation, and should wait for broader funding formula reform. After extended debate, the bill passed 22-1 and was sent to the House. The Senate then reordered the third reading calendar, moved to miscellaneous business, heard several introductions and announcements, and adjourned until the next day.