Video & Transcript : 'Ethics' :

Page 48 of 202
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Joint Session Jan 13th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a responsibility to ensure that new technologies develop in ways that are moral and ethical,
  • in ways that reinforce our American values, not in ways... ...and ethical in ways that reinforce our
Summary: The transcript is of a Florida Legislature joint session convened to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the House and Senate were received, a committee was appointed to notify the Governor that the joint session was ready, and the Governor and First Lady were introduced. The Senate President presided, a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were offered, and the joint session then recessed to await the Governor’s arrival. Governor Ron DeSantis delivered a lengthy address reviewing his administration’s record over the past seven years. He highlighted fiscal restraint, larger reserves and rainy-day funds, debt reduction, tax cuts, business and job growth, school choice expansion, education reforms, higher teacher pay, civics initiatives, environmental restoration efforts in the Everglades, hurricane response improvements, public safety and immigration enforcement, and opposition to DEI and other ideological policies. He also urged lawmakers to send him bills on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further restricting illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and addressing what he described as the creep of Sharia law. The Governor additionally called for property tax relief through the constitutional amendment process and for legislation emphasizing informed consent in medical decision-making. He warned about risks posed by artificial intelligence and said new technologies should align with American values. No substantive votes were taken on policy matters during the session; after the Governor’s remarks, the joint session adopted a motion to dissolve.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a responsibility to ensure that new technologies develop in ways that are moral and ethical,
  • in ways that reinforce our American values, not in ways... ...and ethical, in ways that reinforce our
Summary: The transcript captures a Florida legislative joint session convened to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the House and Senate formally received the Lieutenant Governor, Cabinet, and Supreme Court, a committee was appointed to notify the Governor, and the Governor was introduced and delivered a lengthy address. The Governor framed Florida as a model of conservative governance and highlighted accomplishments over the past seven years, including budget reserves and rainy day fund growth, debt reduction, tax cuts, economic growth and job creation, universal school choice, teacher pay increases, civics education, higher education reforms, Everglades restoration, hurricane response, public safety measures, immigration enforcement, and opposition to DEI and COVID-era mandates. The Governor also outlined priorities for the coming session, urging lawmakers to send him bills on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further discouraging illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking Sharia law. He additionally called for action on property tax relief, saying homeowners should not pay “perpetual rent” to government, and asked the legislature to place a tax-relief measure before voters. He emphasized emerging concerns about artificial intelligence and medical freedom, arguing for informed consent and ethical limits on new technologies. After the Governor concluded, the joint session took up a motion to dissolve. The motion was approved, and the joint session adjourned.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (11:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a responsibility to ensure that new technologies develop in ways that are moral and ethical,
  • in ways that reinforce our American values, not in ways... ...and ethical in ways that reinforce our
Summary: The House and Senate met in joint session to receive the Governor’s annual message. After the customary opening, prayer, pledge, and motions to notify the Governor, the Governor and First Lady were received and the Governor delivered a lengthy address reviewing his administration’s record and outlining priorities for the coming session. The Governor highlighted what he described as major accomplishments over the past seven years, including stronger state reserves, debt reduction, tax relief, economic growth, school choice expansion, higher teacher pay, civics education, higher education reforms, Everglades restoration, hurricane response improvements, public safety measures, and immigration enforcement. He also discussed affordability concerns, especially rising local property taxes, and urged lawmakers to pursue a ballot measure for property tax relief. He called for legislation on informed consent in medical decisions, regulation of artificial intelligence, and bills already filed on issues such as eliminating DEI in local governments, further restricting illegal immigration, expanding Second Amendment rights, and blocking Sharia law. No substantive votes were taken on legislation during the address. After the Governor concluded, the joint session approved a motion to dissolve, and the meeting adjourned.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Joint Session Jan 13th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a responsibility to ensure that new technologies develop in ways that are moral and ethical,
  • in ways that reinforce our American values, not in ways... ...and ethical in ways that reinforce our
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Senate in Session Apr 29th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • For instance, are there any new trainings or ethical standards for charter board members to ensure they
  • Public hearings were conducted for certain appointees, not only by the Committee on Ethics and Elections
  • The Committee on Ethics and Elections submits its report with recommendations.
  • I would like to echo Chair Gaetz's remarks about the Ethics and Elections Committee.
  • Foganholi recently published an op-ed, by the way, after we had our vote on Ethics and Elections, so
Bills: SJR59 , SCR30 , SCR46 , SB31 , SB127 , SB324 , SB401 , SB407 , SB467 , SB482 , SB506 , SB529 , SB584 , SB619 , SB636 , SB646 , SB647 , SB659 , SB715 , SB732 , SB735 , SB771 , SB784 , SB800 , SB801 , SB816 , SB1013 , SB1026 , SB1049 , SB1055 , SB1065 , SB1137 , SB1169 , SB1181 , SB1383 , SB1395 , SB1410 , SB1433 , SB1524 , SB1531 , SB1568 , SB1640 , SB1666 , SB1681 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB1757 , SB1972 , SB1980 , SB2004 , SB2007 , SB2041 , SB2046 , SB2050 , SB2075 , SB2076 , SB2154 , SB2173 , SB2206 , SB2225 , SB2253 , SB2268 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2314 , SB2322 , SB2330 , SB2351 , SB2366 , SB2371 , SB2392 , SB2398 , SB2476 , SB2533 , SB2540 , SB2544 , SB2589 , SB2610 , SB2623 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB2693 , SB2707 , SB2717 , SB2722 , SB2742 , SB2753 , SB2779 , SB2807 , SB2843 , SB2844 , SB2858 , SB2877 , SB2880 , SB2885 , SB2920 , SB2938 , SB2986 , HJR4 , HCR35 , SJR3 , SJR18 , SB5 , SB260 , SB1786 , SB914 , SB963 , SB1197 , SB1415 , SB1437 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR84 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR46 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SCR30 , SCR3 , SB2023 , SB1433 , SB2322 , SB2877 , SB407 , SB1718 , SB1395 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB1502 , SB507 , SB1026 , SB1434 , SB1376 , SB1585 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB619 , SB1122 , SB732 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB529 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB2253 , SB584 , SB1085 , SB2314 , SB2046 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB1524 , SB1137 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1410 , SB1845 , SB1863 , SB2681 , SB2200 , SB2199 , SB1757 , SB2050 , SB2458 , SB2201 , SB1055 , SB2660 , SB2662 , SB1065 , SB801 , SB2533 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB647 , SB1721 , SB2268 , SB2366 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2371 , SB2383 , SB646 , SB1169 , SB1754 , SB2779 , SB2004 , SB2119 , SB2448 , SB1777 , SB1283 , SB2392 , SB2076 , SB2786 , SB2876 , SB2284 , SB2225 , SB1540 , SB2920 , SB2929 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB2742 , SB2595 , SB2217 , SB715 , SB2330 , SB1383 , SB500 , SB1640 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2722 , SB506 , SB2514 , SB2623 , SB2753 , SB2398 , SB1241 , SB2927 , SB2173 , SB2538 , SB898 , SB467 , SB1449 , SB2529 , SB1531 , SB2846 , SB2476 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB2075 , SB2154 , SB2864 , SB31 , SB2880 , SB1359 , SB2386 , SB771 , SB2844 , SB2550 , SB1351 , SB1423 , SB1931 , SB2245 , SB2589 , SB2707 , SB2807 , SB2351 , SB410 , SB659 , SB816 , SB2776 , SB2693 , SB2580 , SB1980 , SB1886 , SB1234 , SB739 , SB482 , SB456 , SB127 , SB1666 , SB2843 , SB2801 , SB800 , SB2055 , SB784 , SB2986 , SB735 , SB1012 , SB324 , SB2926 , SB2938 , SB2007 , SB2138 , SB1242 , SB2615 , SB1049 , SB2310 , SB1224 , SB2972 , SB1568 , SB2841 , SB2885 , SB3016 , SB2858 , SB2610 , SB2139 , SB1856 , SB2035 , SB2308 , SB2306 , SB2041 , SB1528 , SB1681 , SB1141 , SB2401 , SB2530 , SB2375 , SB547 , SB1266 , SB1373 , SB1467 , SB2069 , SB2269 , SB2480 , SB2544 , SB672 , SB904 , SB2695 , SB2891 , SB2422 , SB2543 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB2925 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB457 , SB2357 , HJR4 , HB135 , HB 1109 , HCR35 , HCR64 , SB2721 , SB243 , SB1285 , SB2568 , SB1959 , SB1442 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB1237 , SB1844 , SB1586 , SB1 , SB260 , SB31 , SB467 , SB482 , SB647 , SB732 , SB816 , SB1055 , SB1137 , SB1169 , SB2004 , SB2253 , SB2268 , SB2314 , SB2351 , SB2371 , SB2623 , SB2722 , SB2779 , SB2920 , HJR4 , SB407 , SB1395 , SB1433 , SB1718 , SB2322 , SB2877 , SB619 , SB646 , SB1026 , SB2742 , SB2880 , SR443 , SR449 , SR456 , SR460 , SR465 , SCR46 , SB260 , SB3062 , HJR8 , HJR31 , HJR72 , HJR99 , HJR133 , HB29 , HB33 , HB50 , HB 107 , HB 116 , HB 125 , HB140 , HB141 , HB155 , HB171 , HB227 , HB255 , HB363 , HB368 , HB491 , HB609 , HB630 , HB745 , HB767 , HB913 , HB917 , HB 1135 , HB 1188 , HB 1238 , HB 1242 , HB 1261 , HB1318 , HB1404 , HB1495 , HB1507 , HB1606 , HB1708 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2002 , HB2003 , HB2198 , HB2355 , HB2358 , HB2415 , HB2457 , HB2495 , HB2546 , HB2637 , HB2763 , HB2765 , HB2798 , HB2818 , HB3228 , HB3307 , HB4116 , HCR29 , SB1410 , SB3062 , HJR8 , HJR31 , HJR72 , HJR99 , HJR133 , HB29 , HB33 , HB50 , HB 107 , HB 116 , HB 125 , HB140 , HB141 , HB155 , HB171 , HB227 , HB255 , HB363 , HB368 , HB491 , HB609 , HB630 , HB745 , HB767 , HB913 , HB917 , HB 1135 , HB 1188 , HB 1238 , HB 1242 , HB 1261 , HB1318 , HB1404 , HB1495 , HB1507 , HB1606 , HB1708 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2002 , HB2003 , HB2198 , HB2355 , HB2358 , HB2415 , HB2457 , HB2495 , HB2546 , HB2637 , HB2763 , HB2765 , HB2798 , HB2818 , HB3228 , HB3307 , HB4116 , HCR29 , SB1410
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 028 Feb 11th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • that you absolutely hate, that you absolutely cannot believe in, or even know whether morally or ethically
  • </c><01:19:52.239><c> go</c><01:19:52.480><c> along</c><01:19:52.800><c> with</c> morally or ethically
  • go along with morally or ethically go along with or<01:19:54.960><c> do</c><01:19:55.280><c> we</c><
  • </c><01:20:39.600><c> Thank</c><01:20:39.840><c> you,</c> and ethically find absurd.
  • Thank you, and ethically find absurd. Thank you, Representative<01:20:41.440><c> Brooks.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • What I wanted to share is her work ethic.
  • So we are all bound by the ethics of lawyers, and we have to fulfill those duties.
  • We have ethical responsibilities. We have moral responsibilities.
  • So we are all bound by the ethics<00:42:49.440><c> of</c><00:42:49.560><c> lawyers</c><00:42:50.560><
  • </c><00:42:57.640><c> We</c> we have ethical responsibilities. We we have ethical responsibilities.
Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

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

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We both introduced one having to do with raising the standards of ethics in public office.
  • Standards of ethics in public office.
  • We both introduced one having to do with raising the standards of ethics in public office.
  • And Daryl introduced his, and I, standards of ethics in public office.
  • He has moral courage and the highest ethical standards.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 17th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • And typically, this is submitted by a public airport authority, and so this raises ethical concerns and
  • And typically, this is submitted by a public airport authority, and so this raises ethical concerns and
  • In 2024, the legislature have been to the law governing ethics complaints to require that the person
  • This bill minimizes the risk of retaliation and makes it more likely that ethics complaints are legitimate
  • This amendment clarifies that it is a violation of the code of ethics to retaliate against an employee
Committee: Senate Rules
Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • It speaks to an ethical issue insofar as counsel is demonstrating they're not competent with the technology
  • counsel, at the end of the day, is submitting something that's simply not true, which presents its own ethical
  • That I would get the opportunity to participate in Attorney Ethics and Attorney Civility, that I would
Committee: Senate Executive
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Mar 5th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • being developed, and are the board members who are in the executive branch under the State Public Ethics
  • being developed, and are the board members who are in the executive branch under the State Public Ethics
  • being developed, and are the board members who are in the executive branch under the State Public Ethics
Bills: HB2747
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a postdoctoral fellow at Carnegie Mellon University, where I study AI ethics and AI policy.
  • I taught classes on AI and AI ethics. I maintain a residence in Seattle.
  • But to ensure that human agency remains primary, and that technological progress does not outpace ethical
Bills: SB6046
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 14th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • rural area and growing up poor, it's something that we were taught: a strong back and a strong work ethic
  • We will be reporting this to the Ethics and Elections Committee.
  • We will be reporting this to the Ethics and Elections Committee.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office on the proposed higher education budget, which emphasized no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, continued affordability, and increased funding across workforce, colleges, and universities. The presentation highlighted major investments in Bright Futures, other scholarships, workforce development, the Florida College System, and the State University System, including funding for performance, student success, campus safety, and faculty recruitment and retention. Committee members asked questions about the Ocoee Scholarship, the proposed Guardian program on campuses, and how university recruitment and retention funds would be used; officials said the Ocoee Scholarship remains funded at current levels, Guardian options could vary by campus, and university funds would be distributed to institutions for faculty recruitment and retention without additional directives. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities. Witnesses from Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College described their backgrounds and stressed workforce development, affordability, dual enrollment, nursing, cybersecurity, adult learners, and local economic needs. Several highlighted strong nursing outcomes and job placement, and some discussed campus expansion, business incubators, and programs tailored to regional industries. One appointee from Miami Dade College emphasized helping adult students return and complete degrees by better using prior credits. After hearing from the appointees, the committee took up the confirmation package as a block. A motion was made and seconded, the roll was called, and the confirmations were reported favorably by the committee. The meeting then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) Sep 3rd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • legacy grounded in public service and constitutional integrity. principles with a relentless work ethic
  • His history and his ability, his work ethic, but what was exciting about it is there's just a culture
  • so many things like that where you saw a problem and you applied your business sense and your work ethic
Bills: SB 8 , SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB20 , HB18 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , HB20 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SR85 , SR87 , SB8 , SB5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Energy Committee Meeting - 2025-04-03

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we have, for far too long, Patted ourselves on the back as being ethical and moral and righteous
  • our supply chain, both in terms of our own populations' economic best interest and also the moral, ethical
  • performatively doing things that apply here while benefiting from... ...violations of the underlying ethical
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, I think the Cougs represent the work ethic of our students in our university, Senator Alvarado.
  • From an early age, they instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic, striving for excellence
  • authority in the field of artificial intelligence, having published scholarly articles on the use and ethics
Committee: Senate Nominations
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session 26-06-23

Michigan Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill will be referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics.
  • The bill will be referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics.
Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present and a quorum, opened with invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary and full excusals for absent senators. During introduction and referral, the chamber received a large number of new Senate bills and House bills, covering election law, public health, occupational and skilled trades regulation, school code and school aid issues, child protection, cemetery and funeral regulation, insurance, estates, food law, political activity, credit unions, social welfare, transportation, natural resources, and a veterans hyperbaric oxygen therapy grant/fund proposal. All of these measures were read and referred to the appropriate committees; no substantive debate occurred at this stage. The Senate then moved into the Committee of the Whole and considered Senate Bills 480, 517, and 278. SB 480, dealing with child care organization licensing and regulation, received and adopted a committee substitute and advanced. SB 517, a Revised School Code bill, received and adopted a floor substitute and advanced. SB 278, amending the State Housing Development Authority Act, was reported without amendment and advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported SBs 480 and 517 with amendments and SB 278 without amendment, and the Senate concurred in those recommendations. On third reading, the Senate took up Senate Bill 49, amending the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Senate Bill 50, amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. Senator Albert offered an amendment to SB 49 to require citations within six months of a violation, arguing it would align with federal standards and provide certainty; the amendment failed. Both SB 49 and SB 50 then passed by votes of 20-15, with three senators excused. The Senate also suspended the rules to immediately consider Senate Resolution 134, which recognized June 23-29, 2026 as Grassroots Week; Senator Kavanaugh spoke in support, citing civil rights history and modern grassroots organizing, and the resolution was adopted. The chamber then proceeded to statements and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24 at 10 a.m.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:
  • Retirement Board members to PEREC pursuant to Chapter 32, Section 20C, not those dealing with the State Ethics
  • In line with the state ethics filings, this bill would exempt a member from filing if he or she served
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public service and retirement-related bills. Senator Kelly Dooner and Rep. O’Rourke supported a Taunton home rule petition to extend Chief Walsh’s service during the city’s transition to a new public safety facility, citing the need to manage new equipment, cameras, and 911 systems smoothly. Senator Lovely testified in favor of bills expanding retirement savings access through the SMART Plan and the CORE Plan, arguing that automatic enrollment and broader eligibility would help state, municipal, and nonprofit workers save for retirement. No questions were raised on the Taunton petition, and the hearing later moved through the remaining testimony without any votes taken during the transcript. Mary Waldron of the Old Colony Planning Council and Jeffrey Walker of the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District urged support for legislation protecting regional planning agencies from being required to make retroactive payments to the State Retirement Board for past employer contributions. They warned that the costs would be unsustainable, could force layoffs or closures, and would jeopardize their ability to provide transportation, housing, economic development, and planning services. Bill Keith and Patrick Charles of PEREC testified on several retirement administration bills, including measures to ease statement-of-financial-interest filing rules, require payment for certain creditable service purchases, and clarify the definition of wages to include sick, vacation, and personal time; committee members asked questions about regional transit authorities joining retirement systems and about adding local retirement board representation to a proposed commission. Jonathan Osimo and Rob Fabino of the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System supported bills to penalize delinquent pension reporting by employers and to create a special commission to study retirement credit purchases, saying better reporting would improve retirement processing and that a broader review could improve fairness and sustainability. Eddie Boynton of the Braintree Education Association backed the SMART Plan bill, describing how automatic enrollment and low-fee fiduciary oversight could protect educators from high-cost supplemental retirement products. Matthew Nugent testified for a bill to divest public pension funds from firearms and ammunition. After the final witnesses, the chairs asked if anyone else wished to testify, heard none, and then adjourned the hearing.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 1st, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They have brought with them a strong work ethic, Economy, culture, and history.
  • They have brought with them a strong work ethic, deep faith, and a commitment to family and community
Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved procedural motions, and then moved through guest introductions and floor items. Members welcomed students from Futures High School’s Hydrogen Car Grand Prix team, family members and visitors from their districts, and former legislator George Runner. The chamber also took up several ceremonial resolutions recognizing Portuguese Heritage Month, Italian American Heritage Month, congenital cytomegalovirus awareness month, and World No Tobacco Day. ACR 185 by Assembly Member Macedo was adopted by voice vote after 51 co-authors were added, honoring Portuguese Heritage Month and the contributions of Portuguese Californians. ACR 197 by Assembly Member Stephanie was also adopted after 54 co-authors were added, recognizing Italian American Heritage Month and Italian American contributions to California. ACR 205 by Assembly Member Lackey was adopted after 55 co-authors were added, designating June as CMV Awareness Month, and SCR 177 by Assembly Member Connolly was adopted after 49 co-authors were added, proclaiming May 31, 2026, as World No Tobacco Day and reaffirming California’s anti-tobacco efforts. The session also included adjournments in memory for John Wesley Finney, Jr., a longtime educator and public servant, and Deputy Levi Vargas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The Assembly observed a moment of silence for Finney. The body then announced upcoming committee and floor schedules and adjourned until Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 9 a.m.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 1st, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They have brought with them a strong work ethic, deep faith, and a commitment to family and community
  • They have brought with them a strong work ethic, deep faith, and a commitment to family and community