Video & Transcript Research : 'ward'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 15th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward
- Chiavo, Shultz, Sharp Collins, Solace, Soria, Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Valencia, Wallace, Ward
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long Daily File with several major policy bills and multiple commemorative resolutions. The most debated measure was AB 379 on human trafficking and child exploitation. The bill was presented as a stronger, more comprehensive version that increases penalties for adults soliciting minors, adds a loitering offense tied to purchasing commercial sex, raises fines for businesses that facilitate trafficking, creates a Survivor Support Fund, and establishes grants for victim services and vertical prosecution. Several members spoke in support, while Assemblymember Sharp-Collins raised concerns that the loitering provision could be vague and disproportionately enforced against Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ people. The bill passed after debate, with the clerk reporting 72 noes and the measure still passing.
The Assembly also passed AB 1415, which expands the Office of Health Care Affordability’s authority to review more health systems, private equity and hedge fund acquisitions, and managed service organizations in order to better track cost drivers and medical debt. Other policy bills approved included AB 711 on coordinating court reporters for motion hearings, AB 1142 on horse event entry fees, AB 309 on preserving access to sterile syringes for HIV and hepatitis prevention, AB 358 on allowing victims to consent to searches of hidden surveillance devices like AirTags and spy cameras, AB 592 on outdoor dining for restaurants, AB 1341 on clarifying contractor licensing violations, AB 752 on easing child care center siting, AB 1166 on extending debt-settlement rules to commercial financing, AB 806 on mobile home resident cooling rights, AB 972 on explicit sex discrimination protections in higher education, AB 416 on emergency room 5150 authority, AB 632 on expedited collection of penalties for serious local code violations, AB 672 on PERB notification and intervention rights, AB 876 on CRNA scope of practice, and AB 760 on temporary mobile home housing after disasters. Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though AB 672 drew sharp opposition from Assemblymember DeMaio over concerns about PERB and state bureaucracy.
The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing May observances and public service groups. These included ACR 63 designating May as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month, ACR 69 for California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month, ACR 76 for California Small Business Month, ACR 77 for Drowning Awareness and Prevention Month, HR 36 for Lung Cancer Action Week, HR 39 for National Public Works Week, and HR 41 for National Hospital Week. Members used the resolutions to highlight local institutions, public health, and community services, and each was adopted after co-author rolls and voice votes. The session ended after the Assembly completed the day’s file and moved through a series of routine procedural motions and adjournment-related business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I show you registered as Jim Thompson on behalf of Ward Timber Company testifying for the bill.
- I'm Chief Financial Officer for Ward Timber Company, located in Cass County, Texas.
Bills:
HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672
Keywords:
aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment
Summary:
The Committee on Natural Resources heard House Bill 2109, which would remove certain long-proposed reservoir projects from the state water plan after 50 years without progress. Chairman Van Deaver and many landowners, local officials, timber interests, and conservation advocates testified in support, arguing that the Marvin Nichols Reservoir has burdened Northeast Texas landowners for decades with the threat of eminent domain, depressed property values, and uncertainty over homes, farms, ranches, schools, churches, and cemeteries. Supporters also said the project would flood tens of thousands of acres, require extensive mitigation, harm timber and agriculture, and that Texas now has better alternatives such as conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and desalination. Several members expressed sympathy for the affected families and questioned whether a project could remain in the plan indefinitely without progress.
Opposition came from North Texas water interests, including the North Texas Commission, Tarrant Regional Water District, and the Texas Water Association, who argued that the bill would interfere with the state’s long-term water planning process and remove needed future supply options for a fast-growing region. They said Region C faces major projected shortages by 2070, that conservation and reuse have already delayed the need for new supplies, and that reservoirs remain one tool in the state’s water-planning toolbox. TWDB staff explained the existing inter-regional conflict process and noted that the substitute would affect several unique reservoir sites, not just Marvin Nichols. After testimony, Chairman Van Deaver closed by urging passage of the bill, but the committee withdrew the substitute and left HB 2109 pending.
The committee then took up House Bill 5188, a brackish groundwater bill. The author said the bill would reduce permitting burdens for wells in designated brackish groundwater production zones, and the committee substitute added requirements on monitoring, groundwater-rights ownership, and allocation of pumpage limits while removing some exclusions and export-fee provisions. Texas Wildlife Association testified against the bill, warning that the exemptions could weaken groundwater conservation districts’ ability to protect freshwater resources and surface-owner rights. San Antonio Water System testified in favor, saying brackish groundwater is a key future supply and that the substitute would help speed development of desalination and brackish projects. The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts testified neutrally but raised concerns about reduced district oversight, especially around injection-well exclusions and the loss of export fees, and said discussions on the bill were ongoing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I assure you registered as Jim Thompson on behalf of Ward Timber Company testifying for the bill, is
- I'm the Chief Financial Officer for Ward Timber Company located in Cass County, Texas.
Bills:
HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672
Keywords:
aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- and uh, in addition to that, we are reviewing um, how's proposal to help with combating LFA on the ward
- 06.919>
proposal That we are reviewing um how's proposal uh to help with combating LFA on the ward
Summary:
The joint AEN-HRE hearing focused on HCR 130, HD1, which urges increased and sustained funding for the island invasive species committees and the Hawaii Ant Lab within the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent and noted that ISC funding flows through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council budget item via DLNR, while also describing ongoing collaboration with DLNR and efforts to support ant control work. Testifiers from CAPS, the University of Hawaii, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and CARES all supported the resolution, emphasizing that invasive species work is underfunded, that the island committees and Hawaii Ant Lab do critical control, research, outreach, and eradication work, and that sustained resources are needed to plan effectively and respond to priority pests such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog.
A lengthy exchange followed over whether the resolution was meaningful, since it would be urging the state to fund work the Legislature itself controls. Several members argued that a resolution alone has no legal effect and that funding should come through bills and appropriations instead. In response, the Department of Agriculture said its top biosecurity needs are personnel and chemicals, and noted it is building up its plant quarantine and plant pest control divisions with prior funding and HB 427. Oahu Invasive Species Committee representatives said they rely heavily on Hawaii Invasive Species Council grants, have limited soft funding, and need more stable resources; they also pointed to annual reports and prior testimony as documentation of their work.
After a brief recess, the chairs announced they would pass the resolution with amendments to make it more relevant. The amendments changed the title and text to urge the counties, Congress, and other relevant agencies—not the state alone—to provide increased and sustained funding, and added language urging all of those bodies to seek federal grants. The AEN committee then voted to pass HCR 130, HD1, as amended, and the HRE committee also voted to pass it with amendments. The motion was adopted in both committees.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County and Regional Government Apr 14th, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Kathy Ward. Thank you. All right, that's fine.
- We show Kathy Ward registered as self and testifying. Excuse me, against the bill.
Keywords:
transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- AG 4658 by Ward Johnson relating the assistance of the cooperation, the campus police department, certain
- Municipality representing single member districts, wards, and areas of apportionment for to the Committee
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 4658, by Ward Johnson-Rayling, the assistance of the cooperation the campus police department. and
- election of members of the governing body of a municipality representing single-member districts, wards
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Brooks, Goodwin, Murdock, Ward, Vice Chair Hamilton.
Bills:
HB3045
Keywords:
accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition, 914, all
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Local and County Government Feb 17th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Local and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Ward, recognized for a follow-up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Keywords:
emergency management, federal funding, disaster relief, cost sharing, public assistance, bail reform, public funds, nonprofit organizations, political subdivisions, injunctive relief, criminal procedure, surety bond, judicial discretion, uniform bond schedule, liability insurance, judgments, insurance fund, Oklahoma, county sheriff, commissary
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 17th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Valencia, Wallace, Ward
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of a motion to withdraw SB 107 and SB 117 from the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and place them on third reading. Members also approved procedural requests for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, and later took up the daily file.
The main floor item was H.R. 80, a resolution recognizing Lunar New Year. Assembly Member Fong presented the resolution, and several members from different caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the holiday’s cultural significance, themes of renewal and family, and California’s large AAPI community. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 62 coauthors, and was then adopted by voice vote. Fong also distributed prosperity cookie boxes to members after passage.
The chamber also observed moments of silence for Reverend Jesse Jackson and later for Babatunde Akinlola and Harold Tripp during adjournments in memory. Members gave tributes highlighting Akinlola’s film and education career and Tripp’s leadership in the Karuk Tribe and work on tribal restoration and natural resources. The session ended with announcements of upcoming committee meetings and adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 9 a.m.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Jan 12th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Corrections and Public Institutions
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 12th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- vo, Shultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, with the clerk calling the roll and a quorum eventually declared present. The day began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by routine procedural actions: the previous day’s journal was dispensed with, committee reports were deemed read, and several motions were approved, including unanimous consent to allow specified members to speak on adjournments in memory and to let Assemblymember Ortega have guests in the rear of the chamber. The body also gave one-day notice to remove SB 25 from the inactive file.
On the daily file, Assembly Bill 673 was read with amendments and the amendments were deemed adopted. Concurrent items 2 and 3, Governor’s vetoes in items 4 through 77, reconsideration items 79 through 81, and third-reading items 82 through 84 were passed and retained or continued as noted. No substantive floor debate occurred on legislation during the session, which was described as a very short session.
Most of the meeting was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Members honored Monica Lynn Martinez Hayes, a Capitol scheduler and artist; Edwin Silva Brazil, a dairyman and community leader; Grand Master Deng Huiduk, a martial arts instructor and mentor; victims of a Stockton shooting, including four young people; and the victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Several members spoke about the fire victims by name and emphasized recovery, resilience, and the need to support affected communities. A moment of silence was observed, the names were ordered printed in the journal, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 3rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward
Summary:
The Assembly convened on June 4, 2025, first addressing a quorum call before proceeding with the day’s business. Members handled several procedural motions, including a failed attempt to withdraw AJR 4 for immediate consideration, approval of requests to notice bills pending re-referral, and a successful motion to withdraw SB 119 from Budget and Fiscal Review and place it on third reading. The chamber also rescinded prior action on SB 47, re-referred SB 355 and SB 685 to Appropriations, and authorized notice for a Housing and Community Development hearing on SB 522.
On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 369, a measure on emergency services that increases access to life-saving medication for people with seizure disorders, by a unanimous vote. Members then took up AB 1138, the major film and television tax credit measure, with extensive support from the author and other members who described the bill as a response to California’s declining production and job losses; the bill’s urgency clause and Senate amendments were concurred in, and it was sent immediately to the Governor. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 313 on student financial aid.
The body adopted SJR 2, which urges Congress to protect the rights of classified school employees, after debate emphasizing the importance of paraeducators, bus drivers, custodians, clerical workers, and food service staff. The Assembly then adopted the second-day consent calendar, including SCR 25 on nuclear fusion and several other Senate concurrent resolutions, and added coauthors to SCR 74 on Flag Day. The session concluded with announcements, birthday acknowledgments, and adjournment until Monday, July 7 at 1 p.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 9th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 23rd, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- theft and more than 120 acts of vandalism of personal property of employees and caseworkers. by youth wards
Bills:
HB50
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Phil Ward, it says only if necessary. It's not necessary, but you're certainly welcome to come up.
Bills:
HB227
Keywords:
HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements
TX
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Appropriations
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 17th, 2025
California Assembly Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Watts, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zipper, Mr. Speaker. Members, quorum is present.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (04/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- >
sponsor, <00:02:26.480>is Senator Ward, the prime sponsor, is Senator Ward, the prime - And this was the test that Senator Ward was referring to earlier.
- And this was the test that Senator Ward was referring to earlier.
- And this was the test that Senator Ward was referring to earlier.
- This was the test that Senator Ward was referring to earlier.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Senator Ward said the bill is intended to help parents, teachers, and school staff recognize early symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and weight loss so children can be referred for care before they develop diabetic ketoacidosis. He noted that a newer blood test can identify some children at risk earlier than in the past. Members asked how people would be directed to the website, and Ward said the information would be posted online and also distributed in handouts, with school personnel helping spread awareness. He emphasized the bill is informational only and not a diagnostic or treatment tool.
Several supporters testified in favor, including representatives from the Dartmouth Diabetes Link and students with type 1 diabetes who described delayed diagnoses, emergency hospitalizations, and the difficulty of having symptoms misunderstood as stress, athletics, or normal teenage changes. They said the bill could help parents, teachers, and peers recognize warning signs earlier and reduce the risk of life-threatening ketoacidosis. One witness noted that New Hampshire ranks high in childhood type 1 diabetes, and another said even a single person seeing the information could make a difference. A retired diabetes educator and state representative also testified in support. The hearing on SB 102 was then closed.
The committee then opened the hearing on Senate Bill 211, which would require school sports teams to be designated as male, female, or co-ed, bar biological males from female-designated teams and locker rooms, and create a cause of action for violations. Senator Avard said the bill responds to constituent concerns and is meant to protect fairness, safety, and privacy for biological females. In questioning, he said girls could still play on boys’ teams, but boys could not play on girls’ teams, and he said he would be open to changes. Opponents, including an attorney from LGBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, argued the bill is substantially the same as a law passed the previous year that was already challenged in federal court and found likely unconstitutional under equal protection and Title IX; they urged the committee to mark it inexpedient to legislate. The transcript cuts off before any committee vote or further action on SB 211.