Video & Transcript : 'fairness in mitigation' :
Page 488 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 20th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For it is in giving that we receive, and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. Amen.
- In the decades-long career in public service and activism that followed, there was rarely a community
- Alberto was born in Brownsville, Texas, and was raised in Iowa.
- Please join me in adjourning the Senate today in his blessed memory. Thank you.
- adjourn in her memory today.
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief recognition of Senator Seyarto’s upcoming birthday. The pro tem introduced Matu LeMay of the Quebec National Assembly, who was visiting to discuss California-Quebec environmental collaboration, including their long-standing linkage of cap-and-trade markets. Messages from the Governor and Assembly were deemed read, journals were approved, and Joint Rule 62A was suspended to allow certain bills to be heard in Appropriations Committee with shortened notice.
The chamber then considered three gubernatorial appointments. Courtney Welch was confirmed to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board of Directors by a 29-1 vote, Janessa Goldbeck was confirmed to the California Veterans Board by a 28-0 vote, and Tom Huntington was confirmed to the State Parks and Recreation Commission by a 28-0 vote. The Senate also adopted the consent calendar, which included Senate Bill 607, by a 37-0 vote.
The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment memorials honoring Elizabeth “Betsy” Hammer Carr, Alberto Ronel, William Louis “Bill” McIntyre Jr., and Joy Atkinson. Senators described their activism, public service, community leadership, and personal impact, with particular emphasis on Carr’s social justice work, Ronel’s health care service and the need for worker safety, McIntyre’s business and civic contributions, and Atkinson’s decades of mentorship and leadership for Black women in politics. Family members and guests were recognized in the gallery during the memorials.
The Senate announced that the next floor session would be Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 9 a.m., with the chamber in recess until later that day for adjournment proceedings.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 20th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For it is in giving that we receive, and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. Amen.
- In the decades-long career in public service and activism that followed, there was rarely a community
- Alberto was born in Brownsville... Alberto was born in Brownsville, Texas, and was raised in Iowa.
- Please join me in adjourning the Senate today in his blessed memory. Thank you.
- adjourn in her memory today.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed a visiting Quebec National Assembly official, Matu Lemay, who was introduced as a special envoy discussing California-Quebec environmental collaboration. The body also approved Senate journals, suspended Joint Rule 62A to allow certain bills to be heard in Appropriations on short notice, and deemed gubernatorial and Assembly messages read.
The chamber then considered three gubernatorial appointments. Courtney Welch was confirmed to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board of Directors by a 29-1 vote, Janessa Goldbeck was confirmed to the California Veterans Board by a 28-2 vote, and Tom Huntington was confirmed to the State Parks and Recreation Commission by a 28-0 vote. The Senate also adopted the consent calendar, including Senate Bill 607, by a 37-0 vote.
The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment memories honoring Elizabeth Betsy Hammer Carr, Alberto Ronel, William Louis McIntyre Jr., and Joy Atkinson. Senators highlighted each individual’s public service, community leadership, activism, and family legacy, with particular emphasis on Carr’s labor and housing advocacy, Ronel’s health care and behavioral health work, McIntyre’s business and civic contributions, and Atkinson’s leadership development work for African American women in public life. The Senate then announced its next floor session and recessed.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We ask our friends in the gallery to please rise and join us in prayer. Doug Armstrong.
- We ask our friends in the gallery to please rise and join us in prayer. Good morning, Senators.
- You know, in my, this is our birthday this year, and in my research on the Declaration of Independence
- in fiscal year 2025.
- In June, Commissioners and local leaders that have been involved in this work.
Summary:
The Senate convened with 34 members present and one excused absence, then approved the prior day’s journal. After moving to motions and resolutions, the chamber welcomed the Chief Justice and members of the Idaho judiciary for the annual State of the Judiciary address. The Chief Justice described the courts’ workload, including rising civil caseloads, ongoing criminal and juvenile matters, and the continued use of treatment courts, mediation, remote hearings, self-help services, and online case access tools to improve access and efficiency.
The Chief Justice also highlighted courthouse facility upgrades in several counties, concerns about courthouse security and threats to judges and court staff, and cybersecurity efforts that blocked large numbers of phishing and malicious access attempts. He emphasized civic education efforts, the judiciary’s five governing principles, and the need for continued collaboration with the legislature and counties. The Senate ordered the address spread upon the journal and then returned the Chief Justice to the chamber exit.
In later business, the Senate received Senate Joint Resolution 102, proposing a constitutional amendment related to state trust lands, and referred it to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. The chamber also received two gubernatorial appointments: Estella Zamora to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights and Janet Lawler to the Commission of Pardons and Parole, referring them to the appropriate committees. Two bills were introduced on first reading—Senate Bill 1224 on slow-moving vehicles and Senate Bill 1225 on presidential searches for state higher education institutions—and both were referred to Judiciary and Rules for printing. The Senate then announced a schedule change for America 250-related activities the next day and adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I just don't have it in me. I'm sorry. It's fair enough. Fair point.
- Yeah, I think Go Bulls are in order. How bad do you want it? Yeah, I think Go Bulls are in order.
- in the redistricting process.
- Of the top 10 most in-demand jobs in our region, TSC provides training in all 10.
- I believe in Valencia. I believe in its mission and its students.
Summary:
The committee first took up CS/SB 742 on workforce education, which would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs leading to industry certifications, and would expand the number of programs covered by the money-back guarantee at career centers and Florida College System institutions from three to six. Senator Simon said the bill would help fund CTE expansion; Senator Davis asked whether it could reduce funding for school districts, and Simon said it could depending on available grant funds. A supporter from the Foundation for Florida’s Future appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee then heard SB 892, which would codify the Florida State University Center for Election Law so it can continue operating and become eligible for recurring funding. Senator Simon said the center’s work is focused on nonpartisan, evidence-based research related to improving responses to natural disasters and reducing fraud, mistakes, and irregularities in elections, rather than lobbying or redistricting advocacy. FSU supporters testified that the center has already hosted events such as a Bush v. Gore anniversary conference and has contributed to law school scholarship. After questions from Senator Davis about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably.
The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of confirmation testimony from appointees to university and college boards, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Most emphasized workforce development, student success, affordability, and local community partnerships at institutions including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Daytona State College, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, and Santa Fe College. Several appointees highlighted their personal ties to the institutions and their goals of supporting programs in nursing, technical education, research, internships, and graduation rates. One nominee, Dr. Joel Rudman for Pensacola State College, faced pointed questioning about past public comments; he said his remarks were directed at the Florida House, not the Senate, and denied any knowledge of drug use by current or former senators. Public testimony was mixed on his nomination, with one supporter praising his community service and one critic urging rejection. No final confirmation votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 26, 2026 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- , waving in support.
- Members, we are in debate on Representative Bartleman. In debate, thank you.
- Everything that the PBMs do is in secrecy. This is why they need to be reined in, because...
- Together, they brought in $1.1 trillion of revenue in 2025.
- to get a fair payment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- I was putting your words in your mouth.
- However, under the Accountancy Act, CPAs licensed in other states are authorized to practice in California
- Any primary witnesses in opposition to the bill?
- You know, we don't we don't have that in the Senate. I've never been in this room. Yes.
- In California, a state that prides itself on being both consumer, both leading in consumer protection
Committee:
House Business and Professions
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Usually the change in employee compensation is in the maintenance budget, and we've done...
- And then it says, well, no, you can go down there and add it back in. Restrict us in any way.
- Is that fair?
- I mean, we've added things in, taken them out. One year we had replacement items in.
- I mean, we've added things in, taking them out. One year we had replacement items in.
Committee:
Senate Finance
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- A motion is always in order. Mr.
- Being used in ways that might override statute or might seem to be in conflict.
- might seem to be in conflict.
- A motion is always in order.
- A motion is always in order.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, there's a woman in jail right now in Pensacola because she's threatened my life and she's threatened
- So he came the night before Thanksgiving, pulled up in my driveway in his pickup, and he was here to
- In closing, Florida's community newspapers have long sought to keep notices in the local newspapers,
- But I say turnabout is fair play.
- And in current law, there are strong protections for residents in rural and small counties.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and considered three bills. Senate Bill 292, by Senator Ruson, created a public records exemption for the personal information of appellate court clerks and their families. Senator Gaetz opposed the measure, arguing against public records exemptions and favoring prosecution of threats instead, while the State Court System appeared in support. The bill passed 8-1 and was reported favorably.
The committee then heard CS for Senate Bill 62, by Senator Arrington, presented by Leader Berman. The bill would create an enforceable requirement related to candidate party affiliation qualifications and allow a qualified candidate or political party in the same race to challenge noncompliance. There was no opposition or debate, and the committee approved the bill unanimously, 10-0.
Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 380, by Senator Trumbull, which would expand options for posting legal notices online by clerks, tax collectors, municipalities, and certain constitutional officers, and the committee adopted an amendment clarifying special governmental agencies and setting a two-week online posting standard. The Florida Press Association, local newspaper representatives, and others opposed the bill, warning it would fragment public notice and reduce transparency, while Senator Trumbull and Senator Gaetz emphasized cost savings and the ability of constitutional officers to use their own websites. The amended bill passed 10-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- In any sort or fashion.
- Yeah, it's not in front of you folks. Yeah, it's not in front of you.
- I was shocked to kind of see lobotomy in there in our statute. Thank you, Madam.
- In fact, they use another term.
- It protects due process and we hope. that it will increase the public confidence in the fairness and
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
mental health, commitment, involuntary commitment, civil commitment, assisted outpatient treatment, AOT, court-ordered treatment, behavioral health, psychiatric hold, danger to self, danger to others, suicide prevention, self-harm, homicide risk, capacity, decisional capacity, guardianship, treatment guardian, crisis stabilization, crisis triage center
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We started the process in June and July. We wrapped up the final rule in December.
- It's already in the statute.
- It's already in the statute. So, is actually in the statute. It's statutory language.
- It's already in the statute.
- The concept there is really these folks that are identified in the bottom of page seven in F.
Committee:
House State Affairs
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Organizational business meeting to consider committee rules, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee during the 119th Congress, S.347, to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 Feb 5th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Environment and Public Works Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- economically feasible is not in place.
- In my home state of Rhode Island, there are more than 16 trillion pieces of microplastic in just the
- All those in favor, say aye. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
- The background is, in 1971, Congress passed the biggest land claim settlement probably in the history
- We fixed that in this committee in a bipartisan way.
Keywords:
brownfields, brownfield cleanup, site remediation, environmental cleanup, contaminated property, redevelopment, revitalization, CERCLA, Superfund, EPA grants, state response programs, environmental justice, disadvantaged communities, small communities, local government grants, nonprofit eligibility, community engagement, Alaska Native tribes, Regional Corporations, Village Corporations
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- A skier has been allowed in Idaho since 2011.
- So what does that mean in practice?
- When did you sneak in?
- They might actually be up in the above pages in the statute, but if Fish and Game is here, they might
- They might actually be up in the above pages in the statute, but if fishing game is here, they might
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 13th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for our
- of her husband of 60 years in 2014 and her son Kevin to cancer in 2021.
- a minor in cognitive science.
- In regards to the outcome in a criminal justice procedure, what this does, having actually conducted
- I rise in strong support.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine procedural business, including dispensing with the reading of the prior journal, re-referring several bills, and approving committee scheduling requests. There was also a point of order from Assemblymember DeMaio asking about a possible Governor’s message regarding Medi-Cal, but the chair said no formal message had been received at the desk.
The main floor debate centered on AB 321 by Assemblymember Schultz, the Better Informed Decisions Act, which would allow courts to consider reducing certain “wobbler” offenses from felonies to misdemeanors later in the criminal process if new evidence emerges. Supporters argued it would improve fairness, transparency, and efficiency by letting judges make better-informed decisions; opponents said it would weaken felony accountability and conflict with voter intent on public safety. The bill passed on a 46-5 vote.
The Assembly also adopted ACR 47 by Assemblymember Chen, declaring March 16–22 as National Surveyors Week, with 63 co-authors added and the resolution adopted by voice vote. AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, which expands jury duty exemptions to include probation officers, passed 64-0. On the consent calendar, ACR 46, HR 9, HR 22, and SCR 17 were adopted with unanimous votes, and the Assembly adjourned until Monday, March 17 at 1 p.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Feb 24th, 2026
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Got us through this historic record-breaking storm yesterday in many of our districts in the Commonwealth
- So there's a gap in the law.
- In fact, the life insurance market in Florida very much continues to thrive.
- At its core, this bill builds trust: trust in health care, trust in research, and trust that people can
- And as we know, colorectal cancer rates are skyrocketing in younger people in our country.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Keywords:
genetic discrimination, genetic testing, genetic information, DNA, hereditary risk, insurance underwriting, life insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, medical privacy, consumer protection, anti-discrimination, insurer regulation, Commissioner of Insurance, chapter 176D, underwriting, hereditary disease, genomics, travel insurance
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- in the Commonwealth.
- And I'm here today in support of H-5122, an act prohibiting genetic discrimination. ...in support of
- So there's a gap in the law.
- In fact, the life insurance market in Florida very much continues to thrive.
- And as we know, colorectal cancer rates are skyrocketing in younger people in our country.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a fully virtual public hearing after a blizzard and state emergency closed the State House and created travel and cleanup concerns. Chairs Senator Paul Feeney and Representative James Murphy opened by thanking first responders and committee staff for making the hearing possible and noted that several members attended remotely. The committee heard testimony on three bills: H.5112, An Act Prohibiting Genetic Discrimination; H.4914, An Act Relative to the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code; and S.2921, An Act Relative to Travel Insurance. Most of the testimony focused on H.5112.
Representative Dave Rogers and his constituent Robin Biggs testified in support of H.5112, describing gaps in federal genetic nondiscrimination law that do not cover life, long-term care, or disability insurance. Biggs shared her experience as a BRCA2 mutation carrier and said genetic knowledge helped her take preventive steps, but that people fear testing because insurers may use results against them. Lindsay Jack of the ALS Association and Lisa Schlager of FORCE also supported the bill, arguing that it would encourage preventive care, research participation, and fairer underwriting without harming insurance markets. They said insurers could still use medical history and diagnoses, but not genetic test results alone.
Committee members asked questions about whether insurers currently request genetic testing and how such information is used in underwriting. Testifiers said the information is routinely asked for or found in medical records, but the bill would prohibit its use in coverage decisions and would prevent insurers from requiring testing. No votes were taken. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the chairs closed the hearing and adjourned the meeting by unanimous voice vote.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm going to be in the back, in the back. Thank you. Go over the end. You can to just call it.
- I'm going to get in front. I'll have a difference. They're in a name. They've got no.
- So we're going to go in it. So now. And so we're going on. And so we're going to go in.
- Cleburne County in north central Arkansas maintains its county seat in Heber Springs and has a population
- Is that fair to say?
Committee:
All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Feb 24th, 2026
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's a gap in the law.
- In fact, the life insurance market in Florida very much continues to thrive.
- At its core, this bill builds trust, trust in health care, trust in research, and trust that people can
- It builds trust, trust in health care, trust in research, and trust that people can seek medical knowledge
- And as we know, colorectal cancer rates are skyrocketing in younger people in our country.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a fully virtual public hearing because the State House was closed due to the prior day’s blizzard and ongoing cleanup and travel concerns. Chairs Paul Feeney and James Murphy opened by thanking first responders, DPW crews, plow operators, healthcare workers, and others who responded to the storm, and they explained the hearing was kept on schedule because of upcoming reporting deadlines. The committee heard testimony on H. 5112, An Act Prohibiting Genetic Discrimination, and also noted two other bills on the docket: H. 4914, An Act Relative to the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code, and S. 2921, An Act Relative to Travel Insurance.
Representative Dave Rogers testified in support of H. 5112, joined by constituent Robin Biggs, who described her experience as a BRCA2 mutation carrier and said she was advised to secure life insurance before genetic testing because results could affect coverage. Biggs said genetic knowledge helped her make preventive health decisions, but she and others fear financial discrimination if insurers can use genetic information. Lindsay Jack of the ALS Association also supported the bill, arguing that people should not have to choose between learning about their health risks and protecting their financial future, and saying the measure would encourage testing and early intervention without harming the insurance market. Lisa Schlager of FORCE likewise backed the bill, saying many people with hereditary cancer risks avoid testing because of insurance concerns and that the federal law does not fully protect against discrimination in life, long-term care, and disability insurance.
Committee members asked questions about whether insurers currently request genetic testing information and whether such information is used in underwriting. Testifiers said insurers routinely ask about genetic testing or obtain the information from medical records, and that the bill would prohibit using genetic test results in underwriting and would prevent insurers from requiring testing. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the chairs closed the hearing and adjourned the meeting.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- An RTA tax is applied to vehicle licenses in motor homes and vans in Pierce County, King County, and
- In the vehicle weight fee schedule, House Bill 2601 would create a new lower category in the weight fee
- This is a bill about fairness.
- Get in it. If you want to see me in motorcycle gear, I will see y'all Thursday.
- bit easier for folks in our communities who have experienced something horrible in losing their vehicle
Committee:
House Transportation
Keywords:
vehicle registration, travel vans, motor homes, transportation regulation, HB2601, motorcycle weight fee, motorcycle registration, vehicle licensing, Department of Licensing, weight-based fee, motor home fee, RV registration, scale weight, vehicle weight, RCW, Washington state, registration fees, license fees, vehicle fee schedule, fee distribution
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences Oct 21st, 2025
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- And so what we've done in the past is that we've yellows.
- So then let's do that in that order.
- in the report.
- So I tried to capture that in the comments. Yeah.
- Does anybody else want to weigh in on this?
Summary:
The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on October 22, 2025. Members approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously and reviewed a draft 2026 meeting schedule, tentatively setting meetings for May 6, August 4, September 15, and October 20, 2026, without taking a formal vote. The commission then worked through its commissioner comments on tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself from the natural gas for transportation and energy sales to silicon smelters items.
The discussion focused on reconciling endorse/endorse with comment/does not endorse positions into final recommendations. The commission adopted comments for the liquefied natural gas preference, the natural gas for transportation preference, the energy sales to silicon smelters preference, several low-income housing and veterans-related preferences, and other reviewed tax preferences. Several comments emphasized reporting burdens, the need for clearer legislative guidance, and in the veterans’ item, the possibility that low use may reflect limited visibility of the preference. Staff also clarified the reporting requirements for the natural gas transportation preference and the rationale for continuing the LNG preference while asking the legislature to consider a Department of Revenue workgroup report.
All commissioner comment packages were ultimately adopted by roll call votes, with the relevant recusals noted. No members of the public testified in person. The chair invited written testimony by email or mail and thanked staff and members for their work. The next commission meeting was announced for May 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.