Video & Transcript : 'Washington State University' :
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Mar 24th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- and said, hey, they recognize this issue across the state and we've opened it up to the entire state
- In most other states, that's $40 to $50.
- In most other states, that's $40 to $50.
- We also have, in terms of the highest per diem, than any other state in the United States.
- Others also tend to go to Washington, D.C., for D.C. Mardi Gras.
Committee:
House House and Governmental Affairs
Summary:
The committee took up several House bills dealing mainly with ethics, elections, and legislative procedure. HB 858 by Rep. Riser, creating a public records exception for GPS data on wildlife and aquatic life held by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, was reported favorably without objection. HB 661, which expands existing nepotism exceptions to allow school board members and superintendents to hire immediate family members as paraprofessionals and janitors, drew support from members concerned about staffing shortages in schools; the Ethics Administrator noted the board’s concern that repeated exceptions erode the nepotism rules, but the bill was still reported favorably without objection. HB 359, a cleanup bill on the death of a non-major-party primary candidate, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 258, which clarifies that volunteer firefighters are not subject to dual office-holding restrictions and allows retired judges to serve on certain boards while still being available for ad hoc judicial service, passed on an 8-4 roll call vote.
Rep. Newell’s HB 705, which would strengthen contempt of the legislature penalties and add provisions addressing disorderly conduct and interference with legislative proceedings, generated the most debate. Members raised concerns about the proposed jump in fines from $1,000 to $50,000, due process, and the breadth of language that could be read to cover ordinary advocacy or passionate testimony. After discussion, the author agreed the bill needed more work, and it was voluntarily deferred in committee.
The committee also heard HB 177, allowing retired court reporters to return on a contractual basis to address shortages, which was amended and then reported favorably without objection. HB 238, which would remove a waiting period and population-based restriction for former school board members or certified psychologists to return to work in school districts, prompted a lengthy debate about the judiciary and per diem rules because of related ethics concerns raised in the discussion; the author ultimately asked to voluntarily defer the bill, and the committee agreed. Finally, HB 398, which would cap lodging, meal, and incidental expense reimbursements for state officials and employees at GSA rates and limit emergency exceptions, drew sharp opposition from several members and a retired judge who argued the current judicial per diem is reasonable and tied to safety and travel needs. The author said he would work on amendments and voluntarily deferred HB 398. The committee then began discussion of HB 752, which would move the timing of regular legislative sessions into joint rule and change the session start/end dates, with the author explaining it was intended to give the Legislature more flexibility without needing constitutional amendments.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- The state of Idaho, including any department, division, bureau, agency, or state of Idaho shall not include
- There are 36 other states that have their civil asset forfeitures recorded at the state level.
- The State Controller's Office is a great place to do this because the state... ... ...
- It's state agencies.
- It's anyone that would fall under state officer, department, division, bureau, agency, of state.
Committee:
House State Affairs
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Dec 2nd, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- So Sandy Creek State Forest, this is a brand new state forest.
- Cary State Forest is our oldest state forest.
- That's a picture of a nice walking bridge there on Point Washington State Forest.
- the state.
- With our state lands and especially our parks around the state.
Committee:
Senate Environment and Natural Resources
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present and took up SB 302 by Senator Garcia, which would promote nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. Garcia said the bill would direct DEP to adopt statewide guidelines, encourage local restoration projects through existing grant programs, streamline permitting for green and hybrid infrastructure, support workforce training, and require a study on flood-risk and insurance benefits. Senator Harrell asked about implementation, existing statutory authority, and possible fiscal impacts. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying that hybrid infrastructure need only combine green and gray elements, not prove superiority over either alone.
The committee heard supportive testimony on SB 302 from Katie Bauman of Surfrider Foundation, who said nature-based approaches such as dunes, wetlands, and mangroves are cost-effective and protective, and several organizations waived in support, including the Environmental Defense Fund of Florida, the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, and 1,000 Friends of Florida. Senator Harrell said she supported the concept but remained concerned about the breadth of rulemaking and the fiscal implications of workforce funding. After closing remarks from Garcia, the committee voted to report CS for SB 302 favorably.
The remainder of the meeting consisted of informational presentations on land management. Brian Bradner of DEP reviewed Florida State Parks management, including prescribed fire, invasive species removal, hydrologic restoration, cultural resource preservation, visitor use, and budgeted land-management activities. Melissa Tucker of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission described wildlife management areas, emphasizing habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, ranch infrastructure, public access, and the economic value of the system. Rick Dolan of the Florida Forest Service outlined state forest management funded through a $20 million appropriation, including road and facility work, recreation upgrades, invasive species control, reforestation, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, and boundary marking. Senators praised the agencies’ work and noted the ongoing cost of managing state lands. The committee then adjourned without further action.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/13/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to the states and from our state to the states and from our state government<01:45:57.840><c> to
- You had stated that state and county owned lands by and large are purchased with state and county funds
- <c> our</c> state.
- We're a state um that enjoys our state.
- </c> state agency would ever enroll any state state agency would ever enroll any state land,<03:27:13.359
Committee:
House Municipal and County Government
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And next, we have a presentation by the Honorable Cord Burr, the Secretary of State of the State of Florida
- Every state operates the same.
- states, because when I talk to our secretaries of state around the country, we see most of the transient
- The challenge becomes, voters sharing with other states? Sure.
- states, because when I talk to our secretaries of state around the country, we see most of the transient
Committee:
Senate Ethics and Elections
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Florida Commission on Ethics on several proposed legislative changes. The commission asked for changes to the Whistleblower Act to better cover ethics complaints, a public records exemption for commissioners’ and staff members’ sensitive personal information, an expanded gift-disclosure family definition to include foster relationships, and a first-time waiver of fines for late financial disclosure filers. Staff also requested technical fixes, including treating a timely postmarked appeal as filed on time, clarifying Form 6 filing requirements for appointees to elected seats, extending ethics-training requirements to municipal appointees filling unexpired terms, and clarifying where Form 10 gift disclosures are filed. Commission staff reported high electronic filing compliance rates, the rollout of automated fines, and an average of 92 days for completed preliminary investigations in 2025. They also updated the committee on two federal court challenges involving the in-office lobbying ban and the Form 6 requirement for elected municipal officers.
The committee then heard from Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who outlined preparations for the 2026 election cycle and several policy proposals. He discussed work with new supervisors of elections, ongoing election-crimes enforcement, cooperation with federal agencies on citizenship verification, and data-sharing agreements with other states. Byrd also proposed a statewide pre-certification audit system with grants for smaller counties, a more streamlined process for checking voter citizenship status after registration, and a modernization fix for voter records affected by randomized driver’s license numbers. Members asked about special elections, election-crimes investigations, returning-citizen voting determinations, chain-of-custody procedures, and interstate data-sharing agreements. Byrd said special election timing is controlled by the governor, the elections-crimes office investigates but does not arrest, returning-citizen applications are resolved within 90 days, and he is confident in current chain-of-custody practices.
The committee also considered gubernatorial nominations. By unanimous vote, members approved a block of nominees, then separately took up Joshua Kellum’s nomination to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The committee heard sworn public testimony from Robin Blevins, who urged rejection of Kellum’s appointment and criticized his background and past involvement in FWC-related advocacy. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve Kellum’s nomination as well.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So we can't necessarily look at our state and our people through the same lens as every other state.
- And so we can't necessarily look at our state and our people through the same lens as every other state
- AB 2011 enshrines protections in state law, so state regulators can continue to enforce parity requirements
- Many states like Colorado, Washington, Maryland, and Virginia have taken similar steps to prevent the
- While the Fed sent out an encouraging non-enforcement order to states, states currently have the right
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Health heard presentations on several bills, beginning with AB 1734, which would expand California Health Interview Survey food insecurity data collection to households up to 400% of the federal poverty level. The author and supporters from food banks, AARP, county governments, and nutrition groups argued the bill would improve California’s ability to measure hunger amid federal cuts; there was no opposition. The committee also heard AB 1949, which would treat acupuncture as its own Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. Supporters said the current two-visits-per-month cap limits effective treatment and can increase reliance on medications; the bill drew broad support and no opposition. AB 1910, a postpartum pelvic floor health bill, was presented as an education and awareness measure encouraging patients to discuss pelvic floor concerns with providers, with no opposition. AB 2011 would codify federal mental health parity standards into state law; supporters said it would preserve enforcement if federal rules are rolled back, while insurers opposed it as premature given ongoing federal litigation and possible new rules. AB 2706 would modernize California’s cannery law to align with federal food safety standards and reduce duplicative requirements for food processors, with support from the dairy industry and no opposition. AB 2041 would require certain public safety agencies to report compliance with 911 dispatcher pre-arrival instruction training requirements, building on prior legislation; it also faced no opposition.
After quorum was established, the committee voted on the bills. The consent calendar bills AB 1571, AB 1864, and AB 1956 were approved 6-0. AB 1734, AB 1910, AB 1949, AB 2041, and AB 2706 all passed the committee unanimously or near-unanimously and were re-referred to Appropriations or Education as applicable. AB 2011 passed 8-2, with some members expressing concern about federal litigation, implementation costs, and the timing of codifying the 2024 parity rule into state law. All bills were placed on call after the votes, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It depends on the state.
- Some of those states are Louisiana, New Mexico, Connecticut, Washington State, and North Dakota.
- And some states also, two states state that if you have prior military service and you are a permanent
- A United States citizen is basically a person that is born in the United States or the territories.
- However, the Supreme Court stated that it leaves that burden on the state where you have to be a citizen
Committee:
House Crime and Public Safety
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Pamela Bondi, of Florida, to be Attorney General, Department of Justice. Jan 29th, 2025 at 08:00 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- She was also clearly the twice-elected Attorney General of her home state. state.
- That includes funding for my home state and all of yours that the Department of Justice, state and local
- Attorney General. as the United States Attorney General.
- States affected by that disaster.
- Unfortunately, we have seen every town become a border town and every state a border state.
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It really states the sole purpose of this, and really that second one.
- This is already what the state board has established.
- I'm the chief of staff of the State Department of Education.
- I'm the chief of staff of the State Department of Education.
- Typically, we will look at a state, a couple of states, as a model for what those content standards should
Committee:
House Education
Summary:
The House Education Committee heard Senate Bill 1336, a late-session education measure centered on civics, American history, and American government instruction in Idaho public schools. The bill’s sponsor and supporters said it is intended to codify and strengthen civics education ahead of America 250 by requiring instruction in core civic virtues, foundational documents, the principles of the U.S. republican form of government, and selected totalitarian ideologies. It also would require secondary students to take two credits each in American history and American government, add related English language arts instruction when appropriate, encourage patriotic curriculum materials, and allow the State Board of Education to grant exemptions to charter schools with unique missions.
Dr. Samuel Lair and Greg Wilson of the State Department of Education testified that the bill largely aligns with recently adopted social studies standards and existing civics requirements, and that the language was developed after extensive stakeholder discussions. They emphasized that the bill is meant to provide statutory durability and broad guardrails rather than micromanage local curriculum. Several members raised concerns that the bill’s detailed requirements, especially the long list of documents and the English language arts component, could be too burdensome for schools and difficult to fit into existing high school schedules. Multiple representatives also objected to the charter-school exemption, arguing that alternative and magnet public schools with similarly unique missions should have access to the same relief.
After debate, Representative Marmon moved to send Senate Bill 1336 as amended to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took a roll call vote and the motion passed 8-6. Representatives Nelson, Pickett, Veeley, Matthias, and Galavis voted no, while the bill advanced to the floor.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- That is the primary role that I have as ESF-1 for the state.
- That is the primary role that I have as ESF-1 for the state.
- All of our EOCs were activated, as well as the state EOC.
- The state EOC was activated from December 8th through January 2nd.
- So there is still a 13.5% or 10% state match that we have to pay.
Committee:
House Transportation
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Meeting on state administration's hearing to review matters concerning state regulations, land bills,
- I am the Vice President of State and Local Government Affairs for Suffolk.
- and comparable states like New York. ...lagging behind the overall rate of the United States and comparable
- states like New York and Illinois.
- Please just state your name and organization for the record. Good morning.
Summary:
The joint committee held a public hearing on several bills covering state administration, land/public housing redevelopment, construction safety, memorialization, records management, rural grant equity, and animal research. Testimony in support of H. 3329 described an inequity in the Governor’s Council reimbursement statute, which currently cuts off travel, meals, and lodging reimbursement after four terms; the witnesses argued this disproportionately burdens members from western Massachusetts and creates geographic and economic barriers to service. The Boston Housing Authority supported legislation for the Brighton/Faneuil Gardens area, saying it would allow a mixed-use redevelopment that replaces all existing public housing units one-for-one, adds new affordable housing, creates replacement rehearsal space for displaced musicians, and preserves prevailing wage standards.
A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2112, a construction safety bill. Suffolk Construction, Boston building trade representatives, and local inspectors testified that the measure would strengthen training, site safety standards, oversight of high-risk work, and enforcement, while helping protect workers and the public and improving retention and recruitment of inspectors. Witnesses said the bill would align Massachusetts more closely with higher safety standards in other states and build on lessons from past construction-related incidents. The committee also heard support for S. 2162, which would create a COVID-19 memorial; the witness emphasized the scale of pandemic deaths in Massachusetts and the educational value of public memorials.
Other testimony addressed H. 3321, which would modernize records preservation for registers of deeds by reducing reliance on costly microfilm in an increasingly electronic system; the witness said current law is outdated and expensive. H. 3311, aimed at advancing equity for rural communities receiving state grants, drew support from town officials in Leyden and Ashfield, who said small towns lack staff for grant writing and should be evaluated more on need and regional impact, especially for climate and public safety projects. Finally, S. 2117, concerning animal research, was supported by an animal welfare advocate who urged prohibiting state funds for animal experiments and shifting to non-animal research methods. After the hearing concluded, the chairs noted that additional hearings and polling votes would follow, and the committee then adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities May 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That total rating is often the key to several state benefits.
- The rest go to other states. We're missing an opportunity there.
- Are other states doing...
- So I'm just wondering if other states are doing a good job and what is our state doing about that?
- There are other states that are doing much more for veterans.
Summary:
The Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on May 18, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard an introductory announcement about ASL interpretation procedures for the Zoom meeting. The first presentation was an update on the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit from MassAbility. The speaker explained that the credit, created in 2022, offers employers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,000 in later years for hiring and retaining certified employees with disabilities. The certification process was described as intentionally simple, relying largely on self-attestation and an online application that screens applicants in through participation in disability-related programs or receipt of certain benefits. Members asked about employer awareness, the website and application process, available data, and whether credits can be carried forward; the speaker said outreach is ongoing, one employer had used the credit in the prior tax season, and some implementation questions would need to be directed to the Department of Revenue.
The committee then heard from Scott Pitta of the Office of the Veteran Advocate, who described the office as an independent agency created after COVID and the state veterans home трагедies to improve veteran services and investigate problems. He focused on veterans’ disability ratings, explaining that VA disability does not necessarily prevent work, and discussed how discharge status can affect access to benefits. He highlighted vocational rehabilitation, GI Bill supports, housing and mental health services, and the role of municipal veteran service officers under Chapter 115. A major theme was professional licensure and employment barriers for veterans, especially in nursing and other trades; members discussed whether Massachusetts is doing enough compared with other states and whether the office could connect with workforce and licensure stakeholders. Pitta said his office is beginning a narrow review of nursing licensure issues and invited follow-up through regional liaisons and the office inbox.
In the final portion of the meeting, members turned to a SEED policy brief and related future work. Because time was short, they deferred a full discussion to a later meeting and agreed to revisit the brief at the August 31 meeting. The group identified two likely areas of focus: the “benefit cliff” and youth/young adult pathways into employment, including apprenticeships. Members discussed the need to map existing services, gather information from partner agencies, and possibly develop a white paper or spreadsheet-style summary for appointing authorities. The meeting ended with a request for members interested in the benefit cliff work to contact the co-chairs, and the subcommittee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Jul 7th, 2025
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Please state your name, affiliation, and position. Thank you.
- Please state your name, affiliation, and position.
- We've even seen a state attorney general in multiple states take these actors to court, including some
- that operate in this state.
- Please state your name, affiliation, and position.
Committee:
House Banking and Finance
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/12/2026 - House Rural Economic Development
Rural Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And if so, are there any partners involved besides potentially the state?
- We've saved customers across the state over $300 million in our advocacy.
- They live throughout the state.
- Arizona is growing faster than almost any state in the country right now.
- Right now, 38 states have C-PACE financing. Arizona does not.
Committee:
House Rural Economic Development
Keywords:
utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, appropriation, Apache Junction, tourism, recreation, Superstition trails, funding, infrastructure, C-PACE, capital expenditure, special assessment, property improvement, local government financing, energy efficiency, water conservation
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning and welcome to Senate State Affairs.
- Both squadrons were extended to support United States...
- Senators Todd Lakey, State Senator from District 23.
- Mark Harris, Idaho State Senate, District 35.
- And so we've worked with state police on providing this recognition and honor for the service of state
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're not using state money.
- has in place currently within state law.
- Now it's 25% federal government and 75% state.
- Speaker, we are the Committee on State Affairs.
- From the Senate, Senate Bill 1436, by the State Affairs Committee, an act relating to state procurement
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
9-1-1 Management Authority Feb 5th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Rissy, Leian is our third-quarter telecommunicator of the quarter for the state.
- Yep I just know the red tape through the state's tough, and I work for the state.
- The topics include preparing for NG911, kind of the state of the state of where we're at with the NG911RP
- Meet the standard, pass the toolkit, and be uploaded to the state repository.
- Adam 16, is the state 911 coordinator reporting to the board?
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee May 28th, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- They're formula grants to states for nutrition programs, um, SNAP, things like that.
- Some states have used, you know, um.
- 100% state funds.
- And that's, and that's a, a reduction in federal revenue coming into the state.
- Does that help keep, you know, our medical providers in the state?
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- state personnel office process.
- in-state would now pay this price.
- Madam Speaker, Representative, I believe I stated there were 20 to 25 in the state.
- This is a stated because it's, uh, the state fairgrounds is state-owned land.
- Speaker and gentle lady, who are the members of the state fair board, the state? Commission. Mr.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Environmental Quality
Transcript Highlights:
- Please state your name.
- Please state your name.
- The entire state benefits.
- State of California, the entire state benefits, but the burden is concentrated in two areas.
- . ...this facility is maintained here in the state, continuing to serve the state.
Committee:
Senate Environmental Quality
Summary:
The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.