Video & Transcript : 'freedom of speech' :

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AL
Transcript Highlights:
  • You are improving the lives of the people of the state of Alabama, and I appreciate it.
  • So if any of these things are of...
  • Which allows us the freedom to develop criteria as we go because one of the things is if you put it in
  • One of the things they do is an analysis of all 50 State of the State addresses.
  • And maybe I've given his introductory speech, but the chairman and I are both members of the commission
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • of the state.
  • freedoms.
  • The purpose of this bill is, will repeal Section 1B of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
  • If it's beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are convicted of a mur of a murder or of a heinous crime
  • , of incarceration, of life in prison.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 29th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • About half of the state, over half of the state's population of prisoners, right?
  • of the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship.
  • free speech ends at the threshold of private property, especially in a house of worship. be adopted.
  • The right of free speech ends at the threshold of private property. unacceptable.
  • The right of free speech ends at the threshold of private property, especially in a house of worship.
Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred House Bill 517. The committee then heard and passed several bills focused on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, gaming promo play, child protection, and criminal penalties related to sexual exploitation and worship-service interference. Senate Bill 118 would require substance use disorder screening for all misdemeanor DUI offenders, with supporters arguing early screening could identify treatment needs and reduce repeat offenses; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 125 increased the wrongful conviction compensation cap from 10 to 15 years and from $400,000 to $600,000, with testimony emphasizing the hardship faced by people who were wrongfully imprisoned for decades; it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 294 allowed gaming operators to allocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite one opposition card. The committee also approved Senate Bill 87, which clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity to address conflicts in child sex trafficking statutes and better reach online solicitation and related conduct. Senate Bill 93 established minimum bond amounts for certain child sex abuse material offenses, and Chair Villio offered an amendment expanding related bail and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm offenses; the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 98 added certain school employees, including school resource officers and security guards, to the definition of educator for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it passed favorably. Senate Bill 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity and required sex offender registration; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 333, which would require the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home or offense location. The author argued this would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, district attorneys, and DOC representatives opposed it as impractical given limited bed space, security needs, and existing placement criteria; the bill was not moved. House Bill 828 would create an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate deaths in custody, but law enforcement and corrections witnesses warned it could interfere with homicide investigations and duplicate existing coroner and agency reviews; the author asked for voluntary deferral, which the committee granted. House Bill 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish sports wagering election, was heard but received no motion and remained in committee. The committee also approved Senate Bill 277, expanding concealed-carry exemptions for certain statewide elected officials in the State Capitol, and Senate Bill 306, creating the crime of obstructing worship services in a church or other place of worship; SB 306 was amended to reduce a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500 after concerns about jury-trial implications. The meeting ended with adjournment after all remaining items were disposed of.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that's the end of my speech. Thank you. Members, any questions for the speaker?
  • You know, hate crimes start with hate speech, which often thrives in times of crisis.
  • And it's well past... ...speech often thrives in times of crisis.
  • You have the freedom of a religion. You want to practice Islam? So be it.
  • You have the freedom of religion. You want to practice Islam peacefully?
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Cause of action for violations of civil rights created 2/24/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , or physical harm in retaliation for free speech in violation of the First Amendment, or, most tragically
  • of all, loss of life in violation of the Fifth Amendment, there must be a remedy.
  • or freedom<00:09:43.279><c> of</c><00:09:43.519><c> religion,</c><00:09:44.560><c> beats</c><00:09:44.959
  • ><c> you,</c><00:09:45.360><c> or</c><00:09:45.680><c> even</c> freedom of religion, beats you, or even
  • freedom of religion, beats you, or even kills<00:09:46.399><c> you,</c><00:09:47.040><c> there's</c>
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Feb 3rd, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • of them total.
  • the United States and of the state of Florida.
  • The vagueness of the language of this bill allows the direct suppression of opposing political views,
  • By using ambiguous standards, this proposal removes the free exercise of speech and association guaranteed
  • By using ambiguous standards, this proposal removes the free exercise of speech and association guaranteed
Bills: S0002
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a long agenda of bills, including several claims bills and policy measures. It heard and approved, mostly unanimously, bills on curators of estates (SB 326, as amended), remedies under the Florida Civil Rights Act (SB 1096), a claim for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland (SB 28), a DCF-related claim for L.E. (SB 6), trust administration reform (SB 786, as amended), a Broward County claim for the estate of a deceased minor (SB 18, as amended, 10-1), a DOT claim for the estate of Mark Legata (SB 26), veterans’ courts (CS/SB 50), extracurricular activities in public K-12 schools (CS/CS/SB 538, as amended), and pet sale protections for dogs and cats (SB 1004). The committee also considered the sovereign immunity claims bill (SB 1366), which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House and was reported favorably after testimony from local government, hospital, and school representatives who urged the Senate to hold to its current lower cap levels. The committee later approved a claims bill for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV (SB 2). The meeting included repeated roll calls and favorable reports on each measure, with the only recorded no vote on SB 18 from Senator Osgood. Several bills drew testimony from supporters and, in some cases, objections. SB 50 on veterans’ courts received broad support from veterans’ groups, criminal justice organizations, and community advocates who said it would expand problem-solving court options for veterans dealing with service-related issues. SB 538 on extracurricular activities drew support and opposition, and was amended to address home education eligibility, a school activity fee issue, technical conforming changes, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was presented as consumer protection legislation aimed at retail pet dealers, requiring disclosure of animal health records and financing terms and creating a private right of action for violations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 1178, which would create a foreign interference restriction and enforcement framework targeting foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations. Supporters described it as a national-security measure to limit foreign influence, protect critical infrastructure, and restrict gifts, contracts, and sister-city ties; the sponsor withdrew one amendment and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1632, dealing with ideologies inconsistent with American principles, prompted substantial questioning about due process, domestic terrorist organization designations, Sharia law references, student discipline, and notice procedures. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect constitutional principles and target conduct rather than belief, but the transcript ends while public testimony on that bill is still underway.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee, March 2, 2026 AM

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • of speech is an anomaly and it's our responsibility as the state protectors of the people to ensure
  • /c><00:05:03.919><c> anomaly</c><00:05:05.040><c> and</c> our freedom of speech is an anomaly and our
  • freedom of speech is an anomaly and it's<00:05:06.240><c> our</c><00:05:06.560><c> responsibility</c
  • To use a what I would call a perverse definition of the internet to claim ownership of that speech inside
  • </c><02:18:25.040><c> public</c> speech related to a matter of public speech related to a matter of public
Bills: HB0070 , HB0043 , HB0103 , HB0157 , HB0092 , SF0092
Committee: Senate Judiciary
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 2, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our nation was founded on the ideals of freedom, including religious freedom.
  • of the House of Pursuant to the order of the House of January<00:05:48.320><c> 3rd,</c><00:05:48.880
  • ><c> every</c> the lives of millions of Americans every the lives of millions of Americans every year
  • </c><00:08:52.240><c> freedom,</c> founded on the ideals of freedom, founded on the ideals of freedom
  • </c> impact in terms of HR1 because of the impact in terms of HR1 because of the massive<00:13:32.240
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • of hiring real workers.
  • supporter of the bill.
  • of women were created, most of which consisted of AI-generated pornography.
  • Despite the federal and state constitutional right to freedom of speech, administrative subpoenas are
  • And the Supreme Court has actually found that anonymous speech is part of the fundamental protection
Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on AI-related consumer protection, child safety, and privacy bills. Members first adopted the consent calendar, then took up SB 1050, which would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Common Sense Media, and labor groups, said consumers should know when an ad depicts a non-human performer and that the bill protects both consumers and workers. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, could burden accessibility uses and short audio ads, and created litigation risk. The committee voted the bill out on a party-line-leaning roll, with several members noting concerns but supporting continued work on the measure. The committee also approved SB 1111, which creates liability and remedies for non-consensual digital replicas using a person’s voice or likeness, and SB 1146, which targets deceptive AI-generated health advertisements that depict synthetic health care providers. Both measures drew support from consumer, labor, medical, and child-safety advocates and faced no formal opposition. Members emphasized the need to prevent deepfake abuse, especially in health-related ads where consumers could be misled into trusting fake doctors or medical endorsements. Several child- and privacy-focused bills were also heard and advanced. SB 867 would place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children, with supporters warning about harmful content, addictive design, and privacy risks; some opposition raised definitional concerns and asked for clearer standards. SB 1247 would give child influencers the right to delete monetized content posted during their minority, and it moved forward without opposition. SB 1000 updated California’s AI Transparency Act to align content provenance rules with newer technology and international standards, with support from Google and Adobe and no opposition. Finally, SB 957 would require social media companies to notify users when the federal government seeks their data through administrative subpoenas, give users time to challenge the request, and report disclosures; supporters framed it as a First Amendment and due process protection, while one member opposed it as an overreach against federal law enforcement. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, with several rolls left open for absent members.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • Approval of the minutes. If there are no... Approval of the minutes.
  • Do you have any other examples of a similar nature of fraudulent... ...examples of a similar nature of
  • transgender adults, and of course I went up in arms, wrote my speech, and went with the intention of
  • So, you know, turning scientific judgment into a legal question will chill research, chills freedom of
  • Our America's core values include public safety, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, cost of living
Summary: The committee first took up SB 1066, which would allow the Attorney General or a county attorney to sue researchers for knowingly or recklessly publishing fraudulent scientific research, and would let injured parties recover damages. The sponsor and a supporting witness argued the bill would create personal accountability for deliberate research fraud and cited examples of retracted or manipulated studies; opponents warned that peer review and existing scientific processes already address bad research and that the bill could chill research and speech. The committee later passed SB 1066 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard SB 1015, which would impose strict personal liability on providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors for later detransition costs and related injuries. Supporters, including the sponsor, a doctor, a detransitioner, and a parent, said the bill would protect children, create accountability, and help families seek redress for irreversible harm. Opponents from the ACLU and others argued the measure discriminates against transgender patients, would likely chill care by making providers uninsurable, and could function as a backdoor ban; the committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote. SB 1049, as amended, limited spousal maintenance to four years and adjusted eligibility and guideline factors. The sponsor and a family law attorney said the bill would curb overly long awards and better account for assets and income, while the Judicial Council explained the existing guideline work and noted the new calculator was intended to add uniformity; one senator objected that the cap was arbitrary and ignored case-specific context. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 4-2. The committee also unanimously passed SB 1189, allowing campaign funds to be used for candidate and family security, and SB 1133, eliminating a duplicate financial disclosure filing for candidates who already filed an annual statement. Finally, the committee heard SB 1081, which would bar a DCS attorney from appearing before a judge after appearing before that judge in any of the attorney’s previous five DCS cases, and advanced it 4-3 after debate over judicial familiarity and rural-court impacts. The committee also heard SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional referral to end early voting the Friday before the election, require proof of citizenship and government ID, and restrict mail ballots to voters who affirmatively request them; supporters framed it as an election-integrity measure, while ADOT testified neutrally but warned that free IDs could cost tens of millions in lost revenue and affect road funding. The transcript ends during testimony on SCR 1001, before any vote on that measure.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, members of the committee. This is a bill about speech and debate.
  • In fact, the story of Florida speech and debate started great, but then really took some hits as we went
  • , to welcome other students to be a part of speech and debate because of what it shows and how it helps
  • you. ...to be a part of speech and debate because of what it shows and how it helps us grow, not just
  • I want to state that we support SB 1062 and the expansion of speech and debate education in Florida schools
Bills: S1062 , S1718 , S7038
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/02/2026 - Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse

Transcript Highlights:
  • She had all of her paperwork, all of her care plan. We have a great family.
  • Out of hundreds of complaints, a handful were founded. Yes.
  • And by the way, your articulate speech has really kind of framed up one of the things that we want to
  • So it would be outside of statute of limitations. Yeah, okay.
  • Like at the start of the year of 2022, it was $1,800,299.12.
Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • [Music] Freedom, safety, support, and services — freedom, safety, support, and inclusion.
  • money, the governor—who's not really part of any of this.
  • ><c> you</c><00:07:16.680><c> know</c> the tales of of challenge you know the tales of of challenge you
  • </c><00:18:45.720><c> Inspector</c> creation of an office of the Inspector creation of an office of the
  • </c> the support of a majority of minnesotans the support of a majority of minnesotans in<00:23:54.120
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, June 27, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • /c> for one minute speeches on each side of for one minute speeches on each side of the<00:08:38.159>
  • But peaceful protest and freedom of assembly gave way to chaos in Los Angeles.
  • In future speeches, I will recognize leaders in the Bronx and along the Hudson River communities of Westchester
  • In future speeches, I will recognize leaders in the Bronx and along the Hudson River communities of Westchester
  • </c><01:52:02.800><c> of</c> continue the fight for full freedom of continue the fight for full freedom
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Sep 12th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • This would harm, encouraging censorship and freedom of speech. Good morning.
  • I'm a strong advocate of free speech.
  • of say is the objective of this and some other portions of the bill that have been part of the dialogue
  • And so there was a lot of conversation to get to this Office of Civil Rights and a lot of just kind of
  • Do you have any idea about the funding of this, the timing of the funding of this particular piece of
Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held an informational hearing on AB 715, followed by discussion of SB 48. AB 715 was presented by Assembly Members Zbur and Addis as a response to rising anti-Semitism in California schools. They described incidents involving harassment, swastikas, biased classroom materials, and students feeling unsafe, and said the bill would create an Office of Civil Rights with coordinators to address anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination, provide prevention resources, and support school districts. Witnesses in support, including a rabbi and a student who described personal experiences with anti-Semitic harassment, urged immediate action to protect Jewish students. Opposition testimony came from the California Teachers Association, county superintendents, school board groups, labor organizations, civil liberties advocates, ethnic studies educators, and many community members. Their main concerns were that the bill was rushed, had not been fully vetted in the Assembly Education Committee, and could chill classroom speech or create constitutional problems, especially around language requiring instruction and materials to be “factually accurate” and not based on advocacy, bias, or partisanship. Several opponents argued that anti-Semitism should be addressed through education, training, and restorative practices rather than new statutory restrictions. Some witnesses also raised concerns about the bill’s impact on ethnic studies and free speech. Committee members then debated the bill’s process and substance at length. The authors said the bill had been narrowed through negotiations with education stakeholders and the Senate, that some disputed provisions would be revisited in cleanup language, and that the urgency of anti-Semitic incidents required action now. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal but criticized the late release of the final language and the lack of consultation with the Assembly committee. Others emphasized the need to protect Jewish students immediately and argued the bill was a necessary response to a real crisis. The transcript does not show a final vote on AB 715 in the portion provided.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 5th, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the State of New Mexico.
  • That in recognition of the contribution of the FFA to the state, and in celebration of the achievements
  • Another round of applause for all of our FFA members for joining us today.
  • I always stand up in support of this day because of that reason.
  • the time prior to the final action of the Senate. action of the Senate.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-06 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a lot of barriers, a lot of hardships. You get out of jail.
  • middle of the from the trauma of the beatings, of kids disappearing in the middle of the night, not
  • of unlawful use of marijuana.
  • of the body of work I've been involved in.
  • of speech, freedom of association, the equal protection clause, the single-subject law.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and doctor-of-the-day introduction, then moved through a long special-order calendar. Early proceedings included a resolution honoring former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also heard several member introductions and recognitions before taking up bills. The most substantial debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758 on public assistance and Medicaid/SNAP reforms. The bill would strengthen fraud enforcement, impose a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid pharmacy purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Senators Berman, Smith, Bracy Davis, Osgood, and others argued for Medicaid expansion and added protections for vulnerable SNAP recipients, while Gates defended the bill as a compliance and cost-saving measure. Multiple amendments were offered, including Berman’s Medicaid-expansion condition and Osgood’s SNAP photo-ID safeguards; both were defeated. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading after extended questioning. The Senate then passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions before final vote. These included tax conformity legislation (7031/7048), technology and computer science education (1503/1694), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public-records measures (1443/1684), designation of the SS American Victory as the official state flagship (249/1656), electronic payments for local governments (967/1612), legal tender and related public-records exemptions for gold, silver, stablecoins, and virtual currency kiosks (1311/1588/1087/7044/1568), local government finance and spending transparency (1329/1566), digital voyeurism (1536), insurance customer representative licensing (1343/1504), and medical freedom legislation (1756) with amendments on anti-kickback rules and vaccine information materials. Most bills passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with several amendments adopted and some withdrawn; the medical freedom bill was still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session 26-07-03

Michigan Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the founding of the United States of America.
  • Amendment rights, our freedom of association, our freedom of speech.
  • It's taking away our freedom of speech. These bills are an egregious violation.
  • It's taking away our freedom of speech.
  • of the state or of the United States.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Sep 10th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, SB 509 addresses one of the greatest emerging threats to American freedom and democracy: transnational
  • Protecting freedom of speech is so very important as a person that's been threatened very many times
  • We have to protect our freedom of speech and protect all communities that come here and escape authoritarian
  • , For the people of the state of California, for the left out, for the left for dead, for the least of
  • And so, of course, when he was here in this chamber, one of the things that he changed and one of the
Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and began with prayer and a moment of silence in response to the shooting of Charlie Kirk, with members and the presiding officer condemning political violence and urging decorum. The body then recessed briefly for caucuses and later resumed floor business, including a series of procedural motions to move bills to the inactive file, suspend rules, and allow committees to meet on specified measures. No substantive committee votes were taken in the opening portion beyond those procedural suspensions and referrals. The main floor action was on Senate third-reading bills and later concurrence items. Members approved a wide range of measures covering consumer protection and privacy (SB 709 on self-storage contracts, SB 683 on unauthorized use of name/image/likeness, SB 361 on data brokers), family and health issues (SB 450 on adoptions, SB 418 on health care coverage and hormone therapy, SB 313 on birth certificate confidentiality), public safety and government operations (SB 47 on the State Bar exam audit, SB 509 on transnational repression, AB 1370 on legislative NDAs), energy and environment (SB 630 on state parks acquisitions, SB 500 on Energy Star alternatives, AB 527 on geothermal projects), labor and education (SB 578 on the Workplace Outreach Program, AB 563 on child care planning, SB 472 on Holocaust and genocide education), and transportation, taxation, and elections-related bills. Several measures were passed unanimously or with broad bipartisan support, while others drew some opposition, including SB 630, SB 825, SB 418, and SB 578. The Assembly also took up multiple concurrence items from the Senate, including AB 64 on diacritical marks in vital records, AB 260 on reproductive health care, AB 288 on collective bargaining rights, AB 515 on civil procedure, AB 524 on agricultural land, AB 543 on Medi-Cal and field medicine, and AB 1370 on transparency and NDAs. Most of these were concurred in by comfortable margins. The chamber also adopted several rule waivers and committee meeting notices, and moved some items to the inactive file at the request of authors. Toward the end of the session, the Assembly paused for adjournment-in-memory tributes honoring Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey, with members highlighting their public service, community advocacy, and lasting impact. After the memorials, the House recessed and later returned to continue concurrence votes on additional bills, including SB 472, SB 820, SB 243, and a series of Assembly bills, with recorded roll-call votes generally showing passage and concurrence in Senate amendments.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Sep 10th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, SB 509 addresses one of the greatest emerging threats to American freedom and democracy: transnational
  • Protecting freedom of speech is so very important as a person who's been threatened many times during
  • We have to protect our freedom of speech and protect all communities that come here and escape authoritarian
  • And so, of course, when he was here in this chamber, one of the things that he changed and one of the
  • In the state of California, you can be convicted of torturing a child and be out of prison in just seven
Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then returned to session with prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following news of his shooting. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules, moving several bills to the inactive file, re-referring bills to committees, and authorizing committee meetings. The chamber also observed adjournments in memory for several individuals, including Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey. On the floor file, members considered and passed a long list of Senate bills, largely on bipartisan or unanimous votes. Topics included consumer protection and transparency for self-storage contracts (SB 709), adoption jurisdiction (SB 450), privacy and name/image protections (SB 683), an audit of the February 2025 bar exam (SB 47), data broker transparency (SB 361), used-car buyer protections (SB 76), state parks land acquisition streamlining (SB 630), cemetery work group deadlines (SB 777), financial enforcement authority (SB 825), utility outage reporting and reliability planning (SB 292), vital records confidentiality (SB 313), health care coverage and hormone therapy access (SB 418), workplace outreach (SB 578), Holocaust and genocide education (SB 472), county jail treatment for misdemeanor incompetency cases (SB 820), and AI companion chatbot safeguards for minors and self-harm risks (SB 243). Most measures passed with little or no opposition, though SB 578 drew sharp debate over the workplace outreach program and its funding. The Assembly also took up concurrence items and approved numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. These included transparency in legislative nondisclosure agreements (AB 1370), affordable faculty/staff housing provisions at community colleges (AB 648), tribal youth foster care reforms (AB 1378), EV charger payment regulations (AB 1423), technical Political Reform Act changes (AB 1511), diacritical marks on vital records (AB 64), reproductive health protections with urgency (AB 260), union and collective bargaining protections (AB 288), bench trial statement-of-decision streamlining (AB 515), agricultural land stewardship (AB 524), geothermal exploratory project rules (AB 527), Medi-Cal field medicine changes (AB 543), tobacco-related provisions (AB 573), social media platform rules (AB 656), state parks transaction reporting (AB 679), professional licensing changes (AB 742), and child care staffing and assistant teacher pathways with urgency (AB 753). Votes were generally strong, with several measures passing unanimously or near-unanimously.