Video & Transcript : 'cell phone use while driving' :
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FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 3, 2026 - 02:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair Tuck: Silence your cell phones, computers, whatever may make noise.
- Fear, not judgment, will drive professional behavior.
- 79 FEAR NOT JUDGMENT WILL DRIVE PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR.
- This language did start out as a stem cell bill along with this fix.
- , and other medications not used for the practice of acupuncture.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of health care-related bills, with Chair Tuck emphasizing respectful debate and noting that all bills on the agenda would be voted on that day. The first measure, HB 743, would give the Attorney General authority to investigate and bring civil actions against health care practitioners who violate Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and would make aiding or abetting such conduct a third-degree felony. Supporters said it closed loopholes and protected minors and parental rights, while opponents argued it was vague, overbroad, and could chill lawful care and professional judgment. The bill passed 13-4 and was reported favorably.
The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 567, which narrows a continuing-education requirement for podiatrists so only those who prescribe controlled substances must take the related two-hour course. It also unanimously approved HB 439, allowing chiropractors, under specified training and certification requirements, to inject vitamins and nutrients while continuing to prohibit intravenous injections. The committee also passed HB 1235 to enter Florida into the respiratory care interstate compact, and HB 1237, a linked public-records/public-meetings exemption needed to implement that compact; both measures were supported as workforce and access-to-care bills and passed without opposition.
Later, the committee approved PCS for HB 809, which addresses temporary physician certificates in areas of need and aims to prevent doctors from losing the ability to practice when area designations change. Members asked about licensure pathways and the effect of federal or board designation changes, and supporters framed the bill as protecting continuity of care in underserved communities. The committee also unanimously passed HB 1347 to align clinical laboratory personnel licensing with federal CLIA standards amid staffing shortages, and HB 1515, a public-records exemption tied to a uterine fibroid research database.
Finally, the committee approved HB 169 updating acupuncture statutes, including terminology changes and limits on injection therapy, and HB 1021, Representative Young’s first bill, allowing qualified hospital pharmacists in Level I and II trauma centers to administer emergency medications at a physician’s direction during life-threatening situations. HB 1021 drew the most questions, mainly about scope, definitions, and who could authorize the pharmacist, but after a technical amendment it passed unanimously. All remaining bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 11, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I'll ask you to silence your cell phones during this subcommittee meeting.
- , which is an emphasis for us.
- You know, guys, knowing your cell phones, you have millions of transistors, right?
- Many of us don't like math.
- Thank you, phone a friend.
Summary:
The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard a panel discussion focused on how Florida schools and colleges are exposing students to in-demand careers in manufacturing, semiconductors, transportation, and related fields, and how they are building pathways from middle school through postsecondary training. Panelists from Seminole County Public Schools, Lake Technical College/Lake County Schools, and St. Petersburg College described their career academies, dual enrollment options, industry certifications, and partnerships with employers, local governments, and state colleges. They emphasized early career awareness, counseling, and parent outreach as key to helping students understand technical education as a viable and prestigious path.
Seminole County highlighted 51 career and professional education academies and new offerings in agricultural biotechnology, global finance, firefighting, and planned aerospace engineering. Lake County described Lake Technical College’s programs, strong completion and placement outcomes, and three partnerships: a flexible-day high school/workforce model at Lincoln Park Education Center, the Lake Works pathway collaboration with Lake Sumter State College, and a Transportation Innovation Hub with the City of Tavares that trains students on municipal vehicles and serves multiple local governments. St. Petersburg College discussed its manufacturing and engineering technology programs, including semiconductor processing, mechatronics, soldering, and clean-room training, along with new grant-funded expansion at its Midtown campus.
Members asked about wages, the semiconductor workforce, how to change perceptions of technical education, how parents are engaged, and how Bright Futures CAPE and Gold Seal scholarships are communicated. Witnesses said school counselors, CTE teachers, parent nights, and district communications are used to promote these options, and that many students can earn strong wages through short-term certifications or two-year degrees. Lake Technical College also raised concerns about workforce funding not keeping pace with teacher pay increases and inflation, noting that funding covers only about 80% of what it earns and tuition has remained unchanged for 18 years. The meeting ended with members praising the programs, and the subcommittee adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond rising and adjournment.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, I mean, there's any kind of like my cell phone when I say I need a new pair of boots.
- </c><00:10:26.240><c> I</c> >> kind of like my cell phone when I say I >> kind of like my
- cell phone when I say I need<00:10:26.399><c> a</c><00:10:26.480><c> new</c><00:10:26.640><c> pair</
- without impacting lawful use of pedestrians designated areas while still allowing reasonable safety-based
- without impacting lawful use of pedestrians designated areas while still allowing reasonable safety-based
Committee:
Senate Transportation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Identification, or it could be cell phone data or something, and then there's DNA at a crime scene.
- We are kind of not using the communication technology with Williamson County while utilizing the DNA
- phone... paying for someone's cell phone off a certain tower where a crime took place.
- These changes allow us to move that into the field while maintaining the quality that we have and still
- Frankly, drug dealers have traded in the street corner for their cell phones.
Bills:
SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Please make sure that all cell phones and other communication devices are taken or turned off or turned
- Subcommittee, please make sure that all cell phones and other communication devices are turned off or
- For us.
- phone number.
- So while many of us have a Hope Florida program or Hope Florida component within our agency, the Hope
Summary:
The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care.
Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services.
The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 28th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- We look at all the social media, cell phone sites.
- Getting these cell phones from these young people is really difficult, but we have new technology that
- Now we're on cell phones all the time, 24-7. And we also developed the QR code.
- If we didn't have that technology of downloading the phones that FDLE gave us, I mean, we don't get those
- phones.
Summary:
The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed.
The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously.
The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/27/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><05:02:59.320><c> phone</c> your monthly cell phone your monthly cell phone bill<05:03:01.200><c>
- cell phone bills no program through our cell phone bills no additional<05:03:08.440><c> monies</c><05
- , so they're only using a cell phone, and cell phones aren't eligible unless we pass this legislation
- a cell phone and cell they're only using a cell phone and cell phones<05:11:38.160><c> aren't</c><05
- </c><05:11:46.760><c> is</c> to Encompass cell phones as well that is to Encompass cell phones as well
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- He didn't remember how to use the phone. He was walking around with his. wife dead for a week.
- I can't overestimate that while we're trying to drive down the incidents, we're going to have to do prevent
- Thanks for having us and for spending our day with us.
- to using.
- How hard was it for us to make people start to use it?
Committee:
House Public Health
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee May 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- First, only in some way, can we apply it to cell phone companies?
- I actually tried to cancel a cell phone contract, and they just would not let me cancel it because I
- wasn't using it, and then I eventually found a use for the cell phone internet provider.
- I found a use for it.
- And now it costs us $7,000 to get our car back.
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills on AI, social media, rental cars, and account deletion. AB 316 by Assemblymember Krell would bar defendants from avoiding liability by claiming an AI system autonomously caused harm. Supporters argued it would preserve accountability as AI grows more powerful, especially in cases involving children, while opponents said existing tort law already covers these issues and warned the bill could create uncertainty and overbroad liability. The bill passed the committee 8-1.
AB 656 by Assemblymember Schiavo, sponsored by Consumer Federation of California, would make it easier for users to delete social media accounts and personal information, with amendments shifting the deletion prompt into settings rather than on every screen. Supporters said platforms use dark patterns and make deletion unnecessarily difficult; opponents raised concerns about unintended deletions and possible conflicts with existing privacy law, though the author said the bill was being aligned with CCPA. The bill passed 9-0. The committee also approved the consent calendar.
AB 1197 by Assemblymember Calderon would address rental car theft and misuse by allowing limited geofencing in specific situations and revising rules around renter liability when keys are returned and a police report is filed. Rental car companies and other supporters said the bill would help recover stolen or abandoned vehicles, while an opponent warned about privacy and possible consumer harms in edge cases. The bill passed 11-0. AB 1374 by Assemblymember Berman would require more upfront disclosure of the total price of rental cars, including mandatory fees, to curb hidden charges; supporters said consumers still face surprise costs, while opponents argued current law already requires disclosure and that the bill’s new wording could invite litigation. It passed 13-0.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee May 6th, 2025
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- First, only in some just, can we apply it to cell phone companies?
- I actually tried to cancel a cell phone contract, and they just would not let me cancel it because I
- wasn't using it, and then I eventually found a use for the cell phone internet provider.
- I found a use for it.
- And now it costs us $7,000 to get our car back.
Committee:
House Privacy and Consumer Protection
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard and advanced four bills focused on AI liability, social media account deletion, rental car theft prevention, and rental car price transparency. AB 316 by Assembly Member Krell would bar defendants from avoiding liability by claiming an AI system autonomously caused harm; supporters said it preserves existing tort standards while preventing AI from becoming a scapegoat, while opponents argued current law already covers these issues and the bill could create uncertainty. The committee ultimately passed AB 316, 8-1, with one no vote and the roll left open for absent members.
AB 656 by Assembly Member Chiu would make it easier for consumers to delete social media accounts and personal information, with amendments shifting the deletion option into settings rather than requiring a message on every screen. Supporters, including Consumer Federation of California, said platforms make deletion unnecessarily difficult and that the bill helps users escape addictive platforms; opposition from TechNet was limited and described as a work-in-progress. The bill passed unanimously, 9-0, and the roll was left open.
AB 1197 by Assembly Member Calderon would modernize rental car laws to address theft and misuse, including allowing limited geofencing in specific circumstances and revising the “keys” presumption for stolen vehicles. Supporters from rental car companies said the bill would help recover stolen or abandoned vehicles and reduce fraud, while consumer advocates raised concerns about privacy and possible unintended consequences. The committee passed AB 1197 unanimously, 11-0, with the roll left open.
AB 1374 by Assembly Member Berman would require rental car companies to disclose the real price of a rental earlier in the booking process, including mandatory fees and taxes, to curb hidden-fee pricing. Consumer advocates supported the measure and cited examples of price increases late in the transaction, while rental car industry representatives argued existing law already works and that the bill could create confusion or litigation. The committee passed AB 1374 unanimously, 13-0. The committee also approved the consent calendar, and later reconfirmed the votes for the bills after quorum issues were resolved.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you have a cell phone, sir? Oh, you're muting and unmuting, I think, is part of the problem.
- Let us know what your connection to Florida Gulf Coast is and give us your goals.
- I will call you on your cell phone. Do you have a cell phone handy, sir? I do. Okay.
- I'm going to call you on your cell phone.
- Ross for a while, as a lot of us have, and her qualifications and reputations stand and speak for themselves
Summary:
The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor.
The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee.
The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 7 Feb 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4274 , HB3076 , HB4358 , HB3312 , HB3288 , HB3885 , HB3147 , HB4299 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3011 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3881 , HB3519 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB2976 , HB4459 , HB3142 , HB4316 , HB4338 , HB4230 , HB3985 , HB3883 , HB4335 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3619 , HB3624 , HB3463 , HB4423 , HB3342 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3887 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2964 , HB3834 , HB4193 , HB4272 , HB3277 , HB3148 , HB3651 , HB3323 , HB4287 , HB4105 , HB3304 , HB3345
Keywords:
HB4274, Oklahoma schools, interdistrict transfer, open transfer, school enrollment, military families, active duty, National Guard, Reserve orders, military installation, residency requirements, district of choice, public school transfer, student transfer, special education, IEP, Section 504, military housing, base housing, electronic enrollment
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It was cheap; you could go down there, camp for a week, go fishing, turn off your cell phone, and own
- And he has my cell phone number, so he can call me at any time, any day.
- Is it in an interest-bearing account while you're using it? No, ma'am.
- If it's used, I think you said if it's used properly.
- Well, both open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation are air impermeable, as is closed cell spray
Bills:
HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042 , HB45
Committee:
House State Affairs
Keywords:
housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Fri Jan 10, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- phone usage or banning cell phone usage.
- So we're looking at whether or not there should be a standardized formula on policy on cell phone use
- There isn't a department-wide policy on cell phone usage or banning cell phone usage.
- So we're looking at whether or not there should be a standardized formula on policy on cell phone use
- So we're looking at whether or not there should be a standardized formula on policy on cell phone use
Summary:
The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding.
Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support.
A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- After he died, we found messages on his cell phone, in his own words, about how it attributed his depression
- We can take a quick photo of your ID, or you can just share your cell phone number or your email address
- Take a quick photo of your ID, or you can just share your cell phone number or your email address, and
- So the camera on your cell phone now is an incredible piece of equipment, and that has actually removed
- So we’d ask you to share your email address, your cell phone, or to take a picture of your ID.
Summary:
The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2112, which would require commercial entities, including some social media companies, to use age verification before allowing access to websites where more than one-third of the material is sexual content harmful to minors. Staff explained that the bill would require reasonable age verification methods, prohibit retention of identifying information, exempt bona fide news and public-interest sites, and authorize the Attorney General to enforce the law through civil penalties. The bill would also require warning notices on landing pages and advertisements, with content to be developed by the Department of Health.
Prime sponsor Representative Mari Leavitt said the bill is intended to protect children from harmful online sexual content and argued that parental controls are not sufficient. She cited pediatric and public-health concerns, said the bill is modeled on laws upheld elsewhere, and emphasized that the measure is aimed at commercial entities rather than school-based sharing or general adult access. Supportive testimony from parents, clinicians, and advocates described early exposure to pornography, mental health harms, and the need to place responsibility on platforms rather than families alone.
Opposition testimony focused on privacy, free speech, enforcement, and scope. Several witnesses argued that age verification systems create data-security risks even if data is not retained, that the bill’s definitions and one-third threshold are vague and could sweep in LGBTQ, health, educational, or artistic content, and that enforcement would be difficult against out-of-state websites. Some opponents said the law would push users to less-compliant sites and would not effectively protect children. A technology industry witness said the bill is narrow and comparable to carding for alcohol or tobacco, while a Free Speech Coalition representative said the law is ineffective in practice and offered to discuss amendments. No vote was taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Suspend rules to take up HF3819 4/30/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They got warrants and seized cell phones, computers, and they were building these criminal cases.
- They got warrants and seized cell phones, computers, and they were building these criminal cases.
- They got warrants and seized cell phones, computers, and they were building these criminal cases.
- They got warrants and seized cell phones, computers, and they were building these criminal cases.
- They got warrants and seized<00:14:45.880><c> cell</c><00:14:46.120><c> phones,</c><00:14:46.480><c>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- The inside recreation cages are seven times smaller than the cells we sleep, eat, and use the bathroom
- Right off a public road, driving up and eyeballing these cans, and nobody stopped us.
- There was a van that used to come and get us and bring us to see my mom, and that's how we used to stay
- There was a van that used to come and get us and bring us to see my mom, and that's how we used to stay
- The 2018 criminal justice reform bill surrounding the use of segregation and out-of-cell time has been
Summary:
The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security focused on several correction-related bills, including visitation reform, elder and medical parole, incarcerated persons’ human rights, and creation of an independent correctional oversight office. Vice Chair Christopher Worrell chaired the hearing in place of Chair Dan Cahill for much of the session and explained that the committee would first hear from incarcerated individuals remotely, then move to public testimony. The committee repeatedly enforced three-minute limits and accepted written testimony as well.
Much of the testimony from incarcerated people emphasized that visitation is central to rehabilitation, family stability, and reentry, and that current DOC policies—visitor caps, pre-approval requirements, scheduling rules, dress-code enforcement, and restrictions on contact—have reduced family contact and caused harm. Several speakers argued that elderly and medically frail prisoners should be released through parole because incarceration is costly, ineffective, and inhumane for people who pose little public-safety risk. Others described poor prison conditions, limited programming, inadequate healthcare, segregation-like housing, and the impact of K2 use, suicides, and self-harm. Supporters of the oversight bill said an independent office is needed to address racial disparities, grievance failures, and lack of accountability within the DOC.
A number of speakers tied their support to personal experiences, including alleged racial discrimination, denial of programs, and barriers to family visits. Some testified that rehabilitative programming, education, and restorative justice reduce violence and improve outcomes, while others said the DOC spends too little on programming and too much on punishment. Committee members asked a few follow-up questions, including about K2 contraband and how to reduce drugs in facilities, and one member asked about typical visitation lengths. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony on the bills and several witnesses urged favorable reports.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty One - Thursday, April 30
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's been a while.
- that this is a tactic that MoDOT is using on us.
- This is a simple technical fix to the current hands-free cell phone law.
- This is a simple technical fix to the current hands-free cell phone law.
- No, this is a fix to the hands-free cell phone law that's on the books.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, approved the previous day’s journal unanimously, and then adopted a motion suspending House Rule 98 to allow members to wear hats on the floor. Members also introduced several special guests, including the Eugene High School Class 2 basketball champions, family members, scholarship recipients, and other visitors. One member used a lengthy personal privilege speech to criticize a recent U.S. Supreme Court voting-rights decision and warn about threats to democracy and minority voting power.
The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. It approved a motion to go to conference on the property-tax omnibus measure tied to Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. House Bill 3329, repealing expired tax credits, passed 142-0. House Bill 3405, clarifying the SALT deduction and improving tax-credit accounting, also passed 138-0. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426, a parental-rights bill that also drew criticism over a school financial-ledger requirement and possible burdens on schools and student safety, failed on third reading 70-60.
The House next passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1233, a professional-licensing bill involving CPA exam access and other occupational licensing changes, by 129-6 after adopting an amendment removing compact language and rejecting a nursing-home physicals amendment. It then passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1408, which raises the maximum rural interstate speed limit to 75 mph and, through multiple amendments, also carried a mix of transportation-related provisions including vehicle inspections, hands-free enforcement, motorcycle lighting, driver education, and specialty license plates for women’s professional sports; the final vote was 82-53. The Speaker also appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 1066. The final item mentioned was Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, described as an interscholastic athletic oversight/appeals bill, but the transcript cuts off before its final action is shown.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 16th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- After he died, we found messages on his cell phone, in his own words, about how it attributed his depression
- We can take a quick photo of your ID, or you can just share your cell phone number or your email, for
- Take a quick photo of your ID, or you can just share your cell phone number or your email address, and
- So the camera on your cell phone now is an incredible piece of equipment, and that has actually removed
- So we’d ask you to share your email address, your cell phone, or to take a picture of your ID.
Bills:
HB2112
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Business
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/06/2026 - Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies
Transcript Highlights:
- And today is a time where I think that many of us have, while maybe the researchers have not been operating
- for us.
- for us.
- We've gotten the phone calls.
- So, yes, we could think about the use of... ...or that is the only use for this particular medicine is
Summary:
The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies met to discuss psychedelic-assisted treatments for serious mental health conditions, with a focus on psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, and related compounds. The chair framed the issue as a clinical and access problem for veterans, first responders, and others with PTSD, depression, TBI, addiction, and suicidal ideation, emphasizing that these therapies are intended for supervised medical settings rather than take-home use. Members reviewed research claims and policy trends, including FDA breakthrough therapy designations, state-level psychedelic legislation, and the role of Arizona’s right-to-try law in expanding access once federal approval is in place.
Testimony came from Alan Mullen, a retired Army Special Forces veteran, who described his PTSD/TBI history and said ibogaine treatment helped him confront trauma and showed promise in reducing symptoms under strict medical monitoring. Dr. Sue Cisley of Scottsdale Research Institute described ongoing FDA-controlled trials in Arizona, said current medications often fail high-need patients, and urged removal of research barriers and preparation for right-to-try and expanded access. Dan Freiberg of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona said firefighters face chronic exposure to trauma, often rely on alcohol or other coping mechanisms, and need effective alternatives beyond traditional therapy. Dr. Chung Trin discussed late-stage psychedelic trials, the FDA breakthrough pathway, safety oversight, and the need for state readiness when approvals occur.
Committee members asked about how the treatments work, whether they require psychotherapy support, safety concerns including suicidality and black-market abuse, patenting and synthetic versus natural versions, and costs compared with ketamine and other treatments. Witnesses said the therapies are administered with extensive screening, monitoring, and integration support, and argued that addiction potential appears low under medical supervision. The discussion ended with interest in sending correspondence to federal officials to support right-to-try cooperation and in continuing the research and policy work; no formal vote or action was taken in the portion provided.