Video & Transcript Research : 'charitable donations'
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There were two donations made. Do you recall about when? The first donation.
- I believe it was about the same time as the donation came in, the $10,000 donation.
- or the $40,000 donation?
- Donation?
- Sorry, with the second donation or the first donation?
Summary:
The hearing opened in a Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings matter involving Legislative Ethics Board complaint 2025-5 against Representative Tara Simmons. The ALJ outlined the process, the issues on appeal, and the burden of proof, which centered on whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for others’ benefit and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her duties, and what sanction would be appropriate. Several exhibits were admitted by stipulation or without objection, while Exhibit 2 was initially held for later ruling but was ultimately admitted after testimony from the witness who prepared it. The board also granted a motion to sequester witnesses and took under advisement a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after the staff case-in-chief.
In opening statements, board staff alleged Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070 by sponsoring a proviso that benefited her outside employer, Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), by using campaign surplus funds to help hire a friend, by intervening in a dispute over the proviso-funded work, and by sending text messages to influence others. Staff said it would seek penalties of up to $5,000 per violation plus costs. Defense counsel argued the allegations were technical ethics issues, denied Simmons profited personally, and contended the proviso funding her employer was permitted under prior board guidance; counsel also argued the campaign donation and later contract dispute were lawful and context-dependent.
The first witness, Kimberly Gordon of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), testified that AEJG received state proviso funding and donations from Simmons, including $10,000 and later $40,000, which Gordon said were intended to fund the hiring of Antoine Coleman, Simmons’s romantic partner. Gordon said AEJG returned the donations and terminated Coleman after learning of the relationship and potential conflict of interest. She also testified about a later 2024 proviso involving EEC, a subcontract between AEJG and EEC, and a dispute over EEC’s performance under that subcontract. Gordon said AEJG raised concerns with the Administrative Office of the Courts, met with contract manager Chris Stanley, and ultimately rewrote the subcontract after Stanley, allegedly after speaking with Simmons, directed them to do so. The hearing then recessed for lunch, and cross-examination of Gordon was set to continue afterward.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- —or she made one donation and attempted to make a second donation.
- Similarly, she made a donation to AEJG. A.E.J.G. Similarly, she made a donation to A.E.J.G.
- Or she made one donation and attempted to make a second donation.
- , then I will donate $10,000, or I will donate $10,000 if you hire Antoine?
- So I had donated $10,000 already.
Summary:
The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case.
The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding.
Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Granite Links is a job creator and anchor for tourism and charitable giving... ...and anchor for tourism
- and charitable giving.
Summary:
The committee opened its hearing with procedural remarks, including a strict three-minute testimony limit, livestream instructions, and a July 1 deadline for written testimony. Chairs Lewis and Rauch then heard testimony on a wide range of municipal home rule petitions and related bills, with many local officials and advocates being taken out of order because of the large turnout.
A major topic was firefighter residency. Representatives of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and Sen. Keenan supported H. 2260/S. 1449, which would replace the current 15-mile residency rule for non-civil-service fire departments with a negotiable standard, generally allowing residency within 15 miles and permitting expansion through collective bargaining. Supporters said the change would improve recruitment and retention amid the housing crisis and create parity with civil-service departments. Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnhum and Sen. Senna also backed H. 4168 for Acton, making similar arguments about recruitment, paramedics, and the need for local flexibility.
The committee also heard strong support for charter overhaul petitions for Somerville and Lynn. Somerville officials, including Rep. Barber, Mayor Ballantyne, Councilor Jake Wilson, and charter committee member Beverly Schwartz, described a years-long public process to replace an 1890s-era charter with a modern document emphasizing transparency, public participation, clearer governance, and a possible change to the mayor’s term length. Lynn Mayor Nicholson similarly supported a charter update to modernize city operations and financial procedures. Cambridge-related charter and procurement reforms were also briefly endorsed by Rep. Cabral.
Other bills discussed included a proposal by Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Scarsdale to create a state grant program for municipal sustainability directors, and regional school finance bills supported by Rep. Lanatra and Jason Frazier to expand special education reserve funds and create a regional school assessment reserve fund. Acton witnesses also supported library governance changes and a checkout bag charge proposal. The committee heard sharply divided testimony on Quincy’s H. 3897, a 50-year lease extension for Quarry Hills/Granite Links: Quincy officials and business supporters praised the public-private partnership and future investment potential, while residents argued the lease was too long, should be competitively bid, and deserved more oversight and auditing. The hearing also included testimony on Boston trash truck noise restrictions and a PEG access/cable funds bill supported by Mass Access, as well as a Southwick petition to elect part of the Conservation Commission, which one select board member opposed as contrary to current law and good governance.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (3-10-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session: 2025 First Special Session - part 3 Jun 9th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We had bipartisan bills to allow veterans and other charitable organizations to get a break on the charitable
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Jun 4th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, if they donated, it wouldn't be a charge of $3,000.
- was a discretionary donation.
- significant funds to the school district as a donation each year.
- I mean, if it's private donations, then that's one thing.
- I mean, if it's a, if it's private donations, then that's one thing.
Summary:
The committee met to review education audit reports, beginning with approval of the minutes and then hearing several school districts with findings. Camden Fairview School District addressed two findings: use of operating funds for an end-of-year employee banquet and unauthorized credit card charges that resulted in a small loss. District officials said they had changed credit cards, increased monthly review and reconciliation, stopped using operating funds for off-campus celebrations, and would limit future meals and events to district business. Members questioned whether the prior administration was still involved, whether the charges were from an outside hacker, and how the district would continue teacher appreciation without violating state law.
Forest City School District then discussed a $33,000 off-campus staff celebration funded through what the district described as long-standing Pepsi-related funds. The district said it believed the money was discretionary private donation revenue, but audit staff said the funds were treated as operating funds because they were in a general fund account and subject to constitutional limits. The district said it would stop using the fund that way, provide staff and board training, and ensure future expenditures comply with the law. Members also asked about the lack of a formal board vote, the amount remaining in the account, and whether the event was meant to recognize staff growth and service.
The committee next reviewed additional findings: Conway School District’s former maintenance employees allegedly misused district funds and resources, with a separate investigative report still pending; Magnolia School District had undeposited activity funds totaling more than $21,000; Westside School District had about $9,500 in credit card charges that could not be substantiated, along with weak internal controls and some personal charges; and Boonville School District paid a board member’s son more than $5,000 for groundskeeping without the required exemption, which DESE later denied. The committee filed the reports as reviewed, including eight other findings not referred for prosecution and 89 audits with no findings, and then adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Jun 4th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, if they donated, it wouldn't be a charge of $3,000.
- that was a discretionary donation.
- significant funds to the school district as a donation each year.
- I mean, if it's private donations, then that's one thing.
- I mean, if it's a, if it's private donations, then that's one thing.
Summary:
The committee met to review education audit reports and adopted the minutes. Legislative Audit reported 103 education audits total, with 89 having no findings and 14 containing findings. The committee first heard from Camden Fairview School District, which had findings for spending operating funds on an end-of-year employee banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges. District officials said they had implemented stronger internal controls, stopped using the affected card, and would limit future events to comply with state law and constitutional requirements. Members questioned the district about prior practices, donated funds, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using operating funds; the report was filed as reviewed.
The committee then reviewed Forest City School District, which had a finding for spending $33,000 in operating funds on an off-campus end-of-year celebration and entertainment event. District representatives said the money came from a long-standing Pepsi-related donation fund, but acknowledged confusion over whether it should be treated as operational funds and said they would stop using it that way and provide training to staff and the board. Members discussed whether the funds were private donations or operating funds, the lack of a formal board vote, and whether the event was intended to recognize staff and growth; the report was filed as reviewed.
The committee also received notice of more serious findings that were referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general, including Conway School District for misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees, Magnolia School District for undeposited activity funds, Westside School District for undocumented and personal credit card charges, and Boonville School District for paying a board member’s son in excess of the statutory limit without an approved exemption. The remaining eight reports with findings were filed en masse as reviewed, and the 89 reports with no findings were also filed en masse. The committee adjourned after noting that most districts reviewed had no findings.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 16th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- His family learned months later that he had been donated and used without consent.
- That body had been donated for research. I'm sorry, but this is not research.
- In Phoenix, Arizona, the FBI raided a body donation center in 2014.
- However, the effective oversight of anatomical donations requires specialized knowledge.
- Citizens who choose to donate to help humanity. Thank you.
Keywords:
body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- And GM 774 has donated to seven voting members in this room.
- paytoplay in our opinion uh by donating paytoplay in our opinion uh by donating to<00:09:01.920>
- c> two<00:09:07.680>
current GM586698 has donated to two current GM586698 has donated to two - <00:41:45.359>
and because they made a donation and because they made a donation and exercise - <00:41:47.520>
to exercise their civic right to donate to exercise their civic right to donate
Summary:
The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection.
The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background.
The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery.
Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Lawmakers hear HF1112, bill to establish $10 million regional food bank grant 3/12/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Food donations are down, the cost of food is rising, and the need is soaring.
- A lot of the food that we receive is donated food, large-scale corporate donations of food.
- I happen to be a Lion, and we donate about $35,000 a year to our food shelf, and we love that.
- I happen to be a Lion, and we donate about $35,000 a year to our food shelf, and we love that.
- I happen to be a Lion, and we donate about $35,000 a year to our food shelf, and we love that.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- that those donations will go insinuation that those donations will go to<00:01:53.360>
a <00:01 - million however 87% of those donations million however 87% of those donations went<00:02:08.080>
- <00:02:40.120>
only with the Trump campaign and donated only with the Trump campaign and donated - <00:02:43.680>
the 3% of their 1.4 million donations the 3% of their 1.4 million donations - to benefit from the donations and our to benefit from the donations and our democracy<00:07:22.800>
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Tracy Fowler, and I'm with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
- I'll sort of keep it there, but we have more in our testimony, and I also wanted to offer the charitable
- Hampshire charitable Hampshire charitable Foundation<00:12:26.600>
uh <00:12:26.760>considering - <00:13:17.760>
foundation's <00:13:18.760>uh <00:13:19.240>partnership charitable - foundation's uh partnership charitable foundation's uh partnership um<00:13:20.959>
again <00:
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, Section 5, just dealing with donations to the Historical Society.
- We'll deal with the donations, how we're paying for this.
- We did split this out with SIF and donations.
- We'll deal with the donations. How we're paying for this.
- We did split this out with SIF and donations. with the donations, how we're paying for this.
Bills:
HB1603
Keywords:
Native American, grave protection, repatriation, cultural heritage, tribal compliance, 908, all
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and announced it would begin meeting at 8 a.m. for the rest of the week to work through a growing bill list. The committee first approved House Bill 1603, a companion to the Historical Society budget dealing with NAGPRA, including a $500,000 matching grant to be divided among North Dakota’s five tribes and a committee to address repatriation of human remains and cultural items. The vote was unanimous, 15-0.
The committee then considered House Bill 1225, which would increase penalties for reckless endangerment involving a firearm and create a mandatory prison term. After debate over public safety concerns versus the bill’s fiscal note and prison costs, the committee adopted a do not pass recommendation by a 9-6-1 vote. Members also discussed House Bill 1018, the State Historical Society budget, and approved an amendment that adjusted one-time funding items, including NAGPRA compliance, museum exhibits, military gallery funding, local historic grants, and line-of-credit repayment. The amended bill then received a due pass recommendation by a 14-2 vote.
The committee next approved House Bill 1468, a behavioral health facility grant for St. Hayes, which supporters said would expand in-state access to acute and adolescent behavioral health care and reduce the need to send patients out of state. The bill passed 14-1. It then amended and passed House Bill 1485, increasing the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients by $15 and indexing it to inflation; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 14-2. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 1016, the Adjutant General/National Guard budget, after adopting an amendment that funded disaster relief, response equipment, IT and website costs, and staffing changes for the watch center; the amended bill passed 14-2. The committee adjourned after completing six bills and planned to resume the next morning at 8 a.m.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 1, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 43
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Just a reminder to all members that our office is open and looking forward to your donations for our
- YWCA Dress for Success fund donation drive.
- We'll accept your donations all of this week. Thank you very much.
- for our um YWCA dress for donations for our um YWCA dress for Success<00:19:30.440>
um <00:19: - that have donated than house offices<00:19:44.159>
so <00:19:44.760>we <00:19:44.880>
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on SB 534 (05/22/2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Um if a foreign entity donates to that campaign, which is in prohibition to federal law now says that
- even a local elections we're not going to allow foreign entities to donate to our local elections even
- our local entities to donate to our local elections<00:11:07.360>
even. - They shouldn't accept foreign donations from anybody.
- But there's no reporting requirements that you report any donations on a local election.
Summary:
The Committee of Conference on Senate Bill 534 met to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill dealing with foreign influence in elections and related election-law provisions. The House members explained that they had spent several hours revising the bill line by line to better fit existing statute, while preserving the substance of the Senate bill. Senator Lang reported that, after meeting with the Secretary of State, his concern about a foreign entity using a lobbyist for procurement matters was resolved, and he said the House language addressed election-law and warrant article issues rather than procurement issues.
Senator Rosenwald raised concerns that the House version broadened the bill too far into local elections and could burden or discourage candidates for local offices such as select board, library trustee, or fire commission. In response, House members said the bill does not require local candidates to form committees or file new reports; instead, it prohibits foreign entities from donating to local campaigns and makes enforcement complaint-driven through the Attorney General’s public integrity unit. They said an earlier affirmation requirement had been removed and characterized the change as closing a loophole for foreign funding of local candidates and measures.
After discussion, the Senate voted to accede to the House position, with the chair calling the vote and announcing that the ayes had it. The committee then discussed placing the measure on the consent calendar, but that plan was dropped because of an anticipated objection. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/03/2026)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- , and a $20 donation, and a $20 donation in the three periods—pre-primary, general, and yet you have
- <00:50:22.319>
a <00:50:22.480>$20 $20 donation a $20 donation and a $20 $20 donation - a $20 donation and a $20 donation<00:50:23.440>
in <00:50:23.680>the <00:50:23.839> - three<00:50:24.240>
periods <00:50:24.800>pre donation in the three periods pre donation - <00:50:38.880>
in $50 law just by taking a $20 donation in $50 law just by taking a $20 donation
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- As to any companies that are taking a part of the donation, we added that in there.
- And we put in a clause at the end that says that if somebody opts in to a recurring donation, that it
- Then they can continue to accept donations through the general. That's basically the changes.
- If a party was asking for donations on an issue, when that issue comes on the ballot, that's where it
- I've got a recurring donation to my local county party, right, as a member.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- >
an [Witness testimony continues] Provide school districts with an additional option for donating - books to charitable organizations.
- It would be highly beneficial if we could donate these books to charities, just as the Anoka-Hennepin
Summary:
The Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee heard testimony on Senate File 508, a bill to restrict cell phone use in schools. Senator Mann said the proposal was based on roundtables with school districts across the state and on reports from other states, and argued that cell phones are harming student attention, mental health, classroom culture, and student-teacher relationships. She said K-8 restrictions are broadly supported, while high school policies should be more flexible, and emphasized that districts should control implementation. The bill also includes funding for education efforts around why the restrictions are being adopted and how students can use technology responsibly.
Testifiers largely supported the bill or the general goal of limiting cell phone use. Dr. Anna Tyranny, a parent and licensed psychologist, said cell phones and social media can contribute to anxiety, poor concentration, cyberbullying, and inappropriate sharing, and urged a balanced approach that includes digital literacy education. St. Cloud Area Public Schools Superintendent Laori Pam and Tech High School staff member Molly Kenzie described their district’s policies, which keep phones away for the day in elementary and middle school and restrict them during class in high school. They cited U.S. Department of Education guidance, research on mental health and sleep disruption, and the need for age-appropriate, equitable, and consistently communicated policies.
St. Cloud reported that its middle school policy, piloted and then expanded districtwide, led to a 50% reduction in cell phone discipline referrals and fewer classroom power struggles. The district said high school violations remain concentrated in certain grades, especially ninth and eleventh, and that it continues to address the issue through PBIS teams. No vote or final committee action on the bill was described in the transcript.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Mon Apr 20, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 47
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So at 12:45, I invite all members, whether you donated clothing or not, to meet us in the Lieutenant
- We'll be able to tally up all of the donations as well as give you an opportunity to meet some of the
- women who are direct beneficiaries from your donations.
- , whether you donated clothing or not,<00:24:11.080>
to <00:24:11.240>meet <00:24:11.440 - So 12:45 in the from your donations.
Keywords:
healthcare, rural clinic, feasibility study, access to care, community health, Volcano community, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation, emergency services, health assessment, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, health care, interdepartmental collaboration, public awareness, support services, education, health insurance, affordable healthcare, working group, Hawaii Health Plan, Medicaid expansion
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- However, 87% of those donations went to fundraising costs.
- $1.4 million they raised in donations.
- donations went to fundraising costs. donations went to fundraising costs.
- The other 97% were paid for donations.
- donating money. They may be seniors. donating money. They may be seniors.