Video & Transcript : 'assistance dog' :
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TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- If you need some assistance, please.
- To assist, we developed a top ten criminal illegal immigrant list.
- Is there anything that we can... can do to help assist with that burden?
- Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant, or DEAG for short.
- It's designed to assist defense communities recovering from a base realignment or closure, assist defense
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Pro Forma Floor Session Feb 20th, 2026 at 09:55 am
Washington House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2262 , HB2298 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2593 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2157 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1707 , HB2361 , HB2389 , HB2468 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1591 , HB2092 , HB2176 , HB2255 , HB2281 , HB2438 , HB2685 , HB1960 , HB2236 , HB2364
Keywords:
design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Washington House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2262 , HB2298 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2593 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2157 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1707 , HB2361 , HB2389 , HB2468 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1591 , HB2092 , HB2176 , HB2255 , HB2281 , HB2438 , HB2685 , HB1960 , HB2236 , HB2364
Keywords:
design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Mar 19th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We are a dog family too.
- She is a 100-pound dog.
- Yet decisions are being made on what a dog looks like, not necessarily that dogs and so.
- On what a dog looks like, not necessarily how that dog is going to behave when they're around people.
- Fred is a real live dog. Thank you. Fred is a real, live dog.
Summary:
The Senate opened with ceremonial items and several unanimous or voice votes, including adoption of a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout. It then enacted two bills: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a police officer applicant. The chamber also handled a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while on Navy training, and it printed that statement in the journal.
The Senate next considered multiple local bills and committee reports, including third-reading and engrossment votes for a Rutland recall elections bill, a Boxford liquor license extension bill, and another Boston police age-waiver bill. It also adopted several extension orders for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Committee on Health Care Financing, with senators explaining that some matters were late files or required additional stakeholder input, hearings, or coordination with larger bills. Most of these procedural motions were adopted by voice vote after brief debate.
A major portion of the session focused on H. 2145, designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, which passed to be engrossed by roll call, 38-0. Senator Feeney gave an emotional floor speech describing the bill as a way to create space for awareness and support for families experiencing pregnancy loss. The Senate then adopted a resolution recognizing March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month, with Senators Kennedy and others highlighting the need for greater awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of endometriosis.
The chamber then took up the omnibus “Pets Act,” S. 3014, which combined several animal welfare measures. Senators Montigny, O’Connor, Todd, Rauch, and Payano spoke in support of provisions banning retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits from pet shops, strengthening animal cruelty enforcement, expanding protections for pets in housing, and prohibiting breed discrimination in certain housing and insurance contexts. Senator Keenan offered amendments on renter insurance, nuisance/quiet enjoyment, and property damage; one nuisance-related amendment was adopted, while the insurance and property-damage amendments were rejected. Senator Tarr’s amendment on research animals was adopted, as were amendments expanding animal welfare standards and, after negotiation, a compromise amendment broadening tethering protections to all domestic animals and directing related funds to the homeless animal fund. The Ways and Means amendment was then adopted as amended, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and the Senate began a roll-call vote on engrossment when the transcript ended.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We are a dog family too.
- So usually You know, the types of dogs that we get are mutts, are dogs that we're adopting or, you know
- Yet decisions are being made on what a dog looks like, not necessarily on how that dog is going to behave
- It ensures that, on what a dog looks like, not necessarily how that dog is going to behave when they're
- A Fred is a real live dog. Thank you. Fred is a real, live dog.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted a resolution congratulating Grant Marshall on earning Eagle Scout, and then passed two local/private bills to enactment: a sick leave bank for a Department of Correction employee and a measure waiving the Boston Police Department’s maximum age requirement for Luis Cabral. The chamber also received and journalized a communication from Senator Rush stating he would have voted yes on S. 3014 while away on Navy training.
The Senate then took up several committee rule-suspension and extension orders. It approved extensions for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on two late-filed matters until July 31, 2026, and approved two Health Care Financing extension orders, one extending 15 bills to March 31, 2026 and another extending six bills to May 1, 2026. Senators explained the delays as needed for hearings, stakeholder input, and mandated benefit reviews. The chamber also advanced local bills for Rutland recall elections, Boxford liquor licenses, Boston police age waivers, and Milton school construction timing, and adopted a resolution recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month.
A major portion of the session was devoted to H. 3014, the omnibus “Pets Act,” which combined provisions on animal welfare, pet shop sales, housing, insurance, and enforcement. Senators supporting the bill described it as banning the retail sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills, strengthening anti-cruelty enforcement, expanding access for animal control officers, limiting breed discrimination in housing and insurance, and protecting pet ownership in subsidized housing. Several amendments were debated: some were withdrawn or rejected, including proposals on renters’ insurance, nuisance barking, and property damage; others were adopted, including a compromise expanding protections for domestic animals, standards on animal welfare, and reporting/adoption requirements for research animals. The Ways and Means amendment was adopted as amended, and the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by roll call, with 38 members voting in the affirmative and none in the negative.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 45 Apr 22nd, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Stephen Beck, Assistant Director and State 4-H Program Leader, Oklahoma State University Extension.
- Like Representative Caldwell, most of my assistants I had for only one session, and then I was proud
- You've made me successful down here, and I'm grateful to have you as much more than an assistant but
- Just remember this: anytime you think you're a big shot, try ordering somebody else's dog around.
- It's the Red Fern Festival in Tahlequah, coon dog trials, food trucks, dancing, lots of fun.
Summary:
The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and members proceeded through prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine floor business. The chamber recognized a number of guests and groups, including family members of members, Horizon Bankers from the Oklahoma Community Bankers Association, the Edmond Democratic Women’s Group, the Red Oak basketball team, the Union wrestling teams, the Doctor of the Day, and a Peruvian consul general and guest commemorating U.S.-Peru diplomatic relations. The House also announced Earth Day-related activities and 4-H Day at the Capitol.
A major focus of the day was 4-H. House Resolution 1052 was presented and adopted without objection, proclaiming April 22, 2026, as the 27th annual Oklahoma 4-H Day at the Capitol. Two 4-H members, Cian Tarafet and Kate Sherrill, addressed the chamber about the program’s impact on leadership, citizenship, workforce readiness, and community engagement. Members and program leaders also recognized the contributions of extension agents, land-grant universities, and 4-H participants across the state.
The House also held several special presentations honoring student achievements and public service. Kane Lee of Sand Springs was cited for calling 911 and helping calm students during a school bus medical emergency. The Red Oak basketball team and the Ponca City High Steppers were recognized for state and national championships, and the Union girls wrestling program was honored for multiple state titles. Representative Ken LaTrell delivered a farewell address reflecting on his legislative service, veterans’ issues, tribal policy, energy work, and family, with members offering remarks in response.
No substantive legislation beyond the 4-H resolution was debated in the transcript, and the only formal action recorded was unanimous adoption of H.R. 1052. The House then adjourned until Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 10th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman Perry. for being proactive in proposing this legislation and the Texas chapter stands ready to assist
- this is certainly important and we must double down on this but we can't even If we have the most dogged
- We have interconnects that assist all the other cities. is whenever is possible and at the very end we
- Of course, hopefully it gets some assistance from the state level. So just in a nutshell, the hub.
- Estates, and the bills were going to go up 600%, and I tipped my hat to one constituent who was very dogged
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Jul 17th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm just curious as to the dogs.
- The funding is particularly designed to help, designed to assist, to train, and assist in the search
- The way we found the first finding was because of a dog.
- So a lot of my time is with my cadaver dog working on cold cases.
- But fortunately, The call was to assist them in searching for him.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 8th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- Ma, who encouraged him that he needed to return to China, not really to face charges himself, to assist
- Ma, who encouraged him that he needed to return to China, not really to face charges himself, to assist
- I love my German Shepherd, and my dog walks me everywhere, but say my wife comes out of the house and
- I love my German Shepherd, and my dog walks me everywhere, but say my wife comes out of the house and
- You're comparing a child's life to a dog?
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Keywords:
juvenile justice, electronic monitoring, annual report, supervision outcomes, data transparency, inmate release, notification, law enforcement, victims, public safety, hit-and-run, crime of violence, felony, sentencing, battery, sound, intentional harm, physical pain, hearing impairment, video voyeurism
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- In this bill, electric-assisted bicycle does not include any vehicle capable of exceeding 20 miles per
- Pet in this context is defined as a dog, cat, or any animal that is domesticated except for livestock
- that this committee heard last week, that we think strikes an appropriate balance to recognize the dog
- Because I think some dogs, maybe not a Labradoodle, but in an F-350 might be a deterrent to theft.
- The city has come forward to this body and asked for financial assistance to make improvements at that
Committee:
House Transportation
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 120 May 14th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, thank you. >> Assistant Majority Leader Bacon.
- Assistant Majority Leader Assistant Majority Leader Bacon. Yeah, sorry. Um, okay.
- Assistant Majority Leader Bacon: Thank you, Madam Speaker.
- [applause] Assistant Minority Leader Winter.
- Our love for our dogs. She loves her dogs so much. She named her dog Pistol.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Commerce and Tourism Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1004 protects buyers of dogs and cats from predatory financing practices and from deceptive
- In 2022, the Attorney General prosecuted the state's largest retail seller of dogs and cats, In 2022,
- the Attorney General prosecuted the state's largest retail seller of dogs and cats and secured over
- This inclusion will allow special districts to participate in state financial assistance programs in
- Could AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude or Google Gemini fall under this definition if users form
Summary:
The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered a series of bills affecting tax policy, workforce development, business regulation, consumer protection, rural development, and artificial intelligence. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida; an amendment removed an appropriation from the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. SB 554, a broad update to Florida’s not-for-profit corporation law, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from Florida Bar representatives. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales and predatory financing practices, received strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which provides rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was likewise reported favorably. SB 214, expanding the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties for economic development purposes, was reported favorably. SPB 7030, a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations, was adopted as a committee bill and favorably reported.
The committee also heard extensive discussion on SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, clarify rural community eligibility for certain unincorporated areas, exempt military entities from a reverter clause on land conveyances, and revise E-Verify enforcement procedures. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including penalties, protections for workers incorrectly flagged, and the treatment of gig workers. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. Despite the debate, SB 998 was reported favorably, with Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no.
The committee also took up SB 482, an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate periodic disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restrict certain uses of personal data and likenesses, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. The bill drew both support and criticism: supporters emphasized child safety, transparency, and consumer protection, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, broad definitions, lack of audit mechanisms, and the absence of a private right of action for adults. Senators Smith and Davis urged clearer definitions and stronger accountability, but both said the bill was a starting point. The committee reported SB 482 favorably. The meeting ended with recorded affirmative votes requested by Senators Yarbrough, Wright, and Davis on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1004 protects buyers of dogs and cats from predatory financing practices and from deceptive
- In 2022, the Attorney General prosecuted the state's largest retail seller of dogs and cats, In 2022,
- the Attorney General prosecuted the state's largest retail seller of dogs and cats and secured over
- This inclusion will allow special districts to participate in state financial assistance programs in
- Could AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude or Google Gemini fall under this definition if users form
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Summary:
The Committee on Commerce and Tourism heard and advanced several bills focused on economic development, consumer protection, workforce issues, and technology. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. SB 1266, as amended, creates a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with Cyber Florida and was also reported favorably. SB 554, a Florida Bar-backed update to the not-for-profit corporations statute, was approved without opposition. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales practices and predatory financing at retail pet stores, received supportive testimony from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which sets rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, also passed favorably.
The committee also considered SB 998, the Department of Commerce package, which combines updates to the Small Cities CDBG program, clarification of rural community eligibility, an exemption from a reverter clause for military-related land conveyances, and revisions to E-Verify enforcement. The E-Verify portion drew the most debate, with questions about employer cure periods, treatment of current investigations, and whether the bill creates a loophole for independent contractors. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal enforcement between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. SB 998 was reported favorably on a divided vote.
SB 214, which expands the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties, was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 482, an artificial intelligence consumer-protection bill that creates an “AI bill of rights” covering companion chatbots, parental controls for minors, data privacy, de-identified data, unauthorized use of likeness, and enforcement by the Attorney General, with a limited private cause of action for minors. The bill drew extensive testimony both in support and in opposition, including concerns about privacy, age verification, and enforcement, but it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7030, a public-records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations under the AI bill, and adjourned after members requested to be recorded on certain votes.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And without a dentist, there's no one for an assistant to support.
- And without a dentist, there's no one for an assistant to support.
- Dean just mentioned as it relates to dental assistants.
- I'm an old retired assistant attorney general.
- The multi-provider team includes a surgeon, a dental anesthesia assistant, and a dental assistant.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 5899, which would create a chiropractic license endorsement allowing qualified chiropractors to perform chiropractic diagnosis and adjustments on non-human animals. The sponsor described it as a complementary tool to veterinary care, especially in rural areas with limited access to veterinarians. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would expand access to animal chiropractic with training, certification, and veterinary referral to non-chiropractic issues, while opponents from the veterinary community warned about animal and public safety, disease detection, and the lack of a required veterinary referral. The hearing on SB 5899 was suspended and later reopened; testimony concluded with strong support from animal chiropractic practitioners and opposition from veterinarians, and the committee noted 57 signed in pro, 4 con, and 1 other.
The committee then held a work session on dental workforce shortages. Presenters from the CORA Foundation, the University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies, tribal dental programs, and the Washington State Dental Association described major access gaps, especially for Apple Health enrollees, rural communities, and communities of color. They highlighted low preventive-care utilization, high rates of untreated decay, workforce vacancies for hygienists and assistants, and the value of career ladders such as community health aides and proposed oral preventive assistants. Several speakers emphasized that training pathways, retention, and sustained Medicaid reimbursement are key to improving access and keeping providers in the system.
Senate Bill 6138, requiring a multi-provider system for dental procedures performed under deep sedation, drew testimony centered on patient safety after recent deaths in dental settings. The sponsor said the bill responds to a pattern of tragic incidents and would ensure one person is dedicated to monitoring sedation. Supporters from anesthesiology and some oral surgery groups backed stronger monitoring requirements, while oral surgeons and dental representatives argued the current rules already require multiple trained personnel and that the bill could reduce access and increase costs, especially in rural and Medicaid-serving practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6072, which would update veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules to allow telemedicine-based relationships and limited telehealth services; animal welfare and veterinary telehealth advocates supported it as an access-to-care measure, while the veterinary association sought clearer guardrails and federal-law language. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6094 on pediatric transitional care services, which would create a Medicaid payment pathway and related program changes for residential care for substance-exposed infants; supporters said the model helps infants and parents, improves outcomes, and is financially unsustainable under current funding, and the hearing began with testimony in favor before time expired.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 23rd, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- , assistants, community health representatives, etc.
- And without a dentist, there's no one for an assistant to support.
- Dean just mentioned as it relates to dental assistants.
- I'm an old retired assistant attorney general.
- The multi-provider team includes a surgeon, a dental anesthesia assistant, and a dental assistant.
Committee:
Senate Health & Long-Term Care
Keywords:
dental procedures, sedation, patient safety, multiprovider system, healthcare regulation, chiropractic, animal care, veterinary medicine, license endorsement, nonhuman animals, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, veterinary telehealth, telemedicine, teletriage, teleadvice, animal health, licensed veterinarian, Washington veterinary board, prescription drugs
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-27 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Got dogged, you should be tried, I mean, to the extent of the law. That's not the argument.
- You don't know what it's like to be— Most of you don't know what it's like to be chased by a dog or to
- hear years and years of stories from your grandparents of what they went through with dogs chasing them
- From your grandparents of what they went through with dogs chasing them and misintentions in the way
- And I'll never forget the feeling of being the first Black assistant state's attorney in the history
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care.
The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery.
Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Um Therapy Dogs of Vermont is one of our awesome nonprofits. My dog is a certified therapy dog.
- </c> um the biology of human and dog um the biology of human and dog relationship<02:07:51.360><c> um
- Um Therapy Dogs of Vermont in the lobby.
- ><c> dog.
- </c> out, go pet a dog. Thank you. out, go pet a dog. Thank you.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/16/2026 - Senate Federalism and Family Law
Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Your assistant testified to the bill, your executive, exactly right on. It's a very simple bill.
- And they're reproducing like dogs do. They have several puppies.
- They had to use dogs in order to propagate. Yeah, yeah.
- that this is an effort, a broad effort, from a representative who recently said he would rather have dogs
- How are we going to... ...protected and to provide people legal assistance in court.
Summary:
The committee first considered HB 2908, which would require any approved U.S. constitutional amendment to be ratified by a bill passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, and would impose oaths, reporting duties, civil penalties, and felony liability on “faithless” constitutional convention delegates. The committee adopted a Fincham amendment changing recall to disqualification and giving the Senate President and House Speaker authority to determine disqualification. Supporters argued the measure would add guardrails against a runaway Article 5 convention, while opponents said the safeguards would be ineffective and could falsely reassure the public. The bill, as amended, passed 4-3. The committee then took up HCR 2047, a resolution recognizing Judea and Samaria as the proper terms for the West Bank and rejecting that label in official state communications. Supporters framed it as a matter of historical and biblical accuracy, while opponents argued it injected the state into foreign policy and raised First Amendment concerns. The resolution passed 4-3.
The committee next heard HCM 2006, urging Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act and to reduce burdens on ranchers affected by Mexican gray wolves and related federal rules. The sponsor and supporters said wolf recovery goals had been exceeded and that ranchers were suffering livestock losses, while opponents said existing compensation already exists and that the memorial mischaracterized endangered species protections. The memorial passed 4-3. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in termination-of-parental-rights cases by requiring service of the mother within the 30-day timeframe, drew no testimony and passed unanimously 7-0.
The committee also approved HCM 2005, which urges Congress to consider restricting foreign ownership of U.S. real property by communist or authoritarian governments; supporters said it was a national security and land-use issue, while opponents criticized the measure as discriminatory. It passed 4-3. HCM 2001, urging the President and Congress to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and directing Arizona law enforcement to identify linked groups, drew testimony from civil rights advocates and community members who said the measure stigmatized Muslims and exceeded state authority; supporters said it was a legitimate federal-policy memorial. It passed 4-3. Finally, HCM 2002, urging Congress to review CAIR for possible terrorist designation, prompted extensive opposition testimony from CAIR representatives and supporters who described the organization’s civil-rights work and warned the memorial would fuel discrimination; supporters argued it was a proper federal request and a response to concerns about CAIR. The memorial passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/16/2026 - Senate Federalism and Family Law
Federalism and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Your assistant testified to the bill, you're exactly right on. It's a very simple bill.
- And they're reproducing like dogs do. They have several puppies.
- They had to use dogs in order to propagate. Yeah, yeah.
- that this is an effort, a broad effort from a representative who recently said he would rather have dogs
- How are we going to protected and to provide people legal assistance in court?
Committees:
Senate Federalism and Family Law , Senate Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference
Keywords:
constitutional convention, faithless delegates, state delegates, oath of office, class 2 felony, civil penalties, parent-child relationship, termination of parental rights, child welfare, court procedures, abandonment, neglect, reunification services, felony conviction, Muslim Brotherhood, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, national security, Islamist extremism, Congress
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (04/01/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The case manager can hold a case manager conference and assist them in that way.
- that can assist parties in completing those<01:12:35.520><c> documents.
- </c><01:13:12.640><c> both</c> mediator would need to assist both mediator would need to assist both
- </c><01:14:13.040><c> with,</c> what the party needs assistance with, what the party needs assistance
- </c><01:14:51.040><c> just</c> if if the mediator is assisting just if if the mediator is assisting just
Summary:
The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems.
Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session.
Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.