Video & Transcript Research : 'conscience protection'

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IN

Indiana 2026 Regular Session

Friday, Feb. 27 part 4

Indiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You are the conscience of this institution. Thank you. You are the reason this building exists.
  • You are the conscience of this institution.
  • We will keep fighting for a state where opportunity is real, where dignity is protected, and where every
Keywords: 964, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 17th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I believe that tradition is too high a price to pay for my conscience.
  • So people can do what they want to do and what they're comfortable with. conscience dictates, but we're
  • To vote against your conscience for political expediency.
  • It's going to protect the It's in the forefront. I move passage.
  • SB 1559 by Zaffirini relating to the transfer of a protective order for a refer to the subcommittee on
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources May 21st, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • mention in multiple bills regarding the menhaden reduction fleet that is quoted in needing extra protection
  • Rick Owens, who is here from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, asking me what protections are written
  • Currently, the Atlantic tarpon in Louisiana is unregulated and protected, as represented, despite being
  • This designation would establish a baseline level of protection and allow the department to begin processes
  • Louisiana has invested billions of dollars in flood protection and evaluating homes, strengthening levees
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare May 12th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • This establishes a patient protection requirement for hospice patients.
  • This establishes a patient protection requirement for hospice patients.
  • Going backwards on what we were trying to do to protect them and to be able to keep doing what they're
  • Senate Bill 426 seeks to bring greater clarity, accountability, and public protection to this growing
  • Senate Bill 426 helps ensure that this profession continues to grow in a way that protects the public
Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and first reported HCR 98 favorably without objection. The resolution asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP benefits could be used to pay grocery delivery fees and related costs, especially for elderly and mobility-limited recipients. The author said the measure would not change SNAP rules, only request a study, and LDH was not opposed. The committee then advanced several Senate bills. SB 273, on hospice care in inpatient licensed facilities, was amended and reported favorably; the bill requires documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions and clarifies facility responsibility when multiple providers are involved. SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, was amended and reported favorably; the author described it as a privately funded, charity-run food card program for people in need, with LDH to develop rules. SB 437, a cleanup bill on judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was reported favorably, with LDH explaining that facilities providing treatment must be licensed and surveyed. The committee also approved SB 451 on newborn hearing screenings, which updates terminology and expands reporting requirements to improve early detection and intervention for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. SB 426, modernizing the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creating a licensure pathway for peer support specialists, was reported favorably with amendments after testimony from behavioral health providers and training organizations. SB 236 on annual LDH reviews of kidney disease treatment in Medicaid, SB 39 creating provisional licenses for massage therapist graduates, SB 190 tightening oversight of nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program, and SB 124 allowing peer review sharing within a health system were all reported favorably, most with technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably HR 174 urging study of fenbendazole for cancer, SB 270 allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities, SB 359 changing terms for a Morehouse Parish hospital district board, and HR 194 requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for researchers. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations May 11th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 189 provides supplemental pay for fire protection officers for the Lakefront Management Authority
  • alters the provision that in addition to compensation now paid to any municipality, parish, fire protection
  • next sentence, or the last sentence, it says in fiscal year 27, if there are nine full-time fire protection
  • officers employed and so on and so on... ...fiscal year 27, if there are nine full-time fire protection
  • Then it goes into Southeast Flood Protection. They handle all the flood assets.
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which would reinstate an existing TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans after a sunset expired. The author said the program had been underused because it was not well promoted, but that the new veterans workforce effort called “The Boot” would help connect veterans to the benefit. Members confirmed it would use existing TOPS funds and not require new money, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3 asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be used for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. The author described it as an exploratory study, while members raised concerns about the fiscal note and the scope of the study. Fiscal staff explained the agency had requested additional positions to do the work. The committee discussed narrowing the study to certain areas, but the resolution was ultimately reported favorably. House Bill 189 sought supplemental pay for fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport. The author and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform hazardous, specialized ARFF duties at a busy public airport and should be treated like other supplemental-pay recipients. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualified under existing law and whether the proposal would expand an already costly program. After debate, the committee rejected the bill on an 8-10 vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 461 favorably, which would place certain small groups of active employees under the Office of Group Benefits to improve insurance rates without using general fund money. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor product producers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was amended to clarify the direct-to-consumer shipment prohibition and then reported favorably. House Bill 1222, which would authorize LED to create a grocery initiative grant and assistance program to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters said it would only create incentives for private grocers and related assistance. It was amended and reported favorably by a 16-2 vote. Finally, House Resolution 80, as amended, would shift a proposed audit-related effort on higher education budget metrics away from the legislative auditor and toward university systems’ own boards; members questioned the need for a look-back report and the added workload, and the chair indicated he would move to recommit the resolution to the education committee.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce Apr 22nd, 2026

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • And finally, it provides... ...consumer protection and disclosure practices affecting customers within
  • This act shall apply only to consumer protection and disclosure practices affecting customers within
  • I'm a big believer in protecting the public interest, consumers, and, you know, I'm just...
  • I think we need to protect our elderly.
  • So we tried to protect for that as well.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 1195, which updates Louisiana State Athletic Commission rules for contests and exhibitions, increases certain fines, and changes student athlete agent registration fees and terms. Members adopted technical amendments and one amendment tied to a separate Attorney General/NIL bill. After questions about criminal penalties and whether prison athletic events were covered, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up HB 798, which would require broadband and cable providers to give clearer written notice of prices, fees, contract terms, and price increases, and to explain cancellation rights. After a technical amendment package and a conceptual amendment clarifying the bill’s scope and severability, the author said the goal was transparency rather than price regulation. Charter Communications and other industry groups opposed the bill as duplicative of federal notice rules and costly; committee members raised concerns about interstate commerce, private rights of action, and whether notice should be on the bill instead of separate. The bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 1140 followed, targeting robocalls and spoofed calls by requiring telecommunications providers to use authentication and mitigation tools, respond to the Attorney General, and stop illegal spoofing, with penalties for violations. Members discussed federal preemption, the 30-day cure period, and whether the bill should include a private right of action; no opposition was recorded, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 1222, creating a grocery initiative grant and support program through LED to address food deserts, also advanced after a committee amendment changed mandatory language to permissive language to avoid a fiscal note/appropriations issue; it was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 471 on surveillance-based price discrimination, but the author said the bill would be deferred while stakeholders continue working on it. Members adopted a large amendment package narrowing the bill’s focus and adding exemptions for loyalty programs, insurers, and certain discounts, then deferred the bill. HB 947 was also deferred at the author’s request. Finally, HB 1186, a major overhaul of the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission and related inspection/licensing rules, was introduced and a large technical amendment package was presented, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Apr 16th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Business and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, House Bill 3790 is the Homeowner's Protection Act.
  • And the bill also purports to be able to change it to where it protects consumers to be able to charge
  • Serving on this board has been a great opportunity for me to help protect the public and ensure that
  • surveyors and engineers are doing what they're supposed to and protecting the public interest and personal
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Child Committee Meeting - 2026-04-14

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • protection protection where<00:04:09.720> it<00:04:09.840> makes<00:04:10.280> sense
  • And then have laws that protect this.
  • So, that's why I protecting those kids.
  • .<00:35:53.480> So, protections.
  • So, protections.
Bills: HF4407, HF4382
Summary: The Children and Families Committee adopted the April 8 minutes and then took up House File 4407, as amended by the A1 amendment. The amendment, explained by nonpartisan staff, incorporated much of the Senate version of related legislation and made a series of changes: it revised the definition of “disproportionately represented child,” shifted that determination to the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families, made technical cross-reference and terminology updates, adjusted training requirements, set the working group to expire December 31, 2027, and added an appropriation for statewide implementation. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then referred the bill to Ways and Means. Representative Gilman said the bill is intended to preserve the goals of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act while addressing operational, legal, and fiscal problems before statewide implementation. He argued for delaying the effective date by one year, shifting case review responsibilities to the state, and providing funding so counties are not left with an unfunded mandate. He also said the bill adds safety measures related to synthetic opioids and other imminent-harm concerns, and that the delay would allow the working group to finish its recommendations and give counties time to prepare. County officials Steve Schmidt of Meeker County/Minnesota Rural Counties and Jenny Mojo of Clay County testified in support of the bill as amended, emphasizing that counties need clearer responsibilities, staffing, training, technology, and dependable funding to implement the law successfully. Rebecca St. George of DCYF said “active efforts” is not absolutely defined and is determined case by case, often with court involvement. Members raised questions about the meaning of active efforts, the bill’s synthetic opioid language, and whether the proposal should apply more broadly rather than within this specific act. A citizen also cautioned that the opioid language should not unintentionally affect families in treatment programs. Representative Hicks warned that the fentanyl provisions could lead to broad removals and create placement problems for teens with substance use disorder, while Representative Gilman responded that the bill includes a rebuttable presumption and is meant to protect children from imminent harm.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances REVISED: SB1501 - Added Apr 8th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a bill that would just protect local manufacturers from distribution that's unordered and protect
  • It protects distributors when they have to replace products for control issues such as expiration or
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • on a research project called protecting on a research project called protecting manoomin<00:27:01.040
  • Protecting wild rice is not just about protecting one culture.
  • When we protect Manoomin, we protect everything connected to it, including each other.
  • interested parties on ways to protect interested parties on ways to protect wild<00:31:30.960>
  • So, together to protect our state grain.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/17/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • But we believe that this is a simple measure that will protect property owners against malicious delays
  • It's meant to protect people like me. I've sat on this property.
  • It protects against requirements... And this bill clearly lays that out.
  • HOAs, as currently constituted in Arizona, are destroying the local character they claim to protect.
  • HOAs, as currently constituted in Arizona, are destroying the local character they claim to protect.
Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1566, which would prohibit municipalities and counties from maliciously delaying licensing, permits, or approvals, authorize the Attorney General to enforce the prohibition, and provide expedited judicial review. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address affordability by preventing intentional government delays in housing and business approvals. County representatives supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted, arguing the county language differed from the city/town language and could sweep in ordinary processing delays or incomplete applications; the sponsor said a floor amendment would fix the county language. Testimony from supporters described long permit and parcel-number delays and argued the bill would give applicants a remedy against intentional obstruction. The committee recommended the bill do pass by a 7-3 vote, with one present and one absent. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1787, which would require written notice for exactions imposed on development projects, allow individualized determinations, and create an appeal path including judicial review. The sponsor framed it as a takings and affordability measure to stop unrelated or excessive exactions from being imposed on housing projects. Cities and counties opposed the bill, saying existing law already requires nexus and proportionality, already provides an appeal process, and that the bill would create a duplicative Attorney General review and confusion, especially for mixed-use projects. Supporters, including Pacific Legal Foundation, the Home Builders Association, and a homeowner who described a costly infrastructure demand on her property, argued the bill would curb extortionate demands and make the process fairer. The committee passed the bill 7-2 with one present and one absent. Senate Bill 1478, a liquor-regulation cleanup bill, was also heard and received broad support. The measure makes technical changes to liquor statutes, including clarifying interim permits, repealing a federal food-safety preemption provision, and updating definitions such as cider and production terminology. Industry stakeholders said the bill was the product of months of consensus work and mostly technical corrections. It passed unanimously, 10-0. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1431, which would limit municipal control over home design features and prohibit certain required shared amenities that would necessitate HOA maintenance. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would reduce housing costs by preventing subjective aesthetic mandates and unnecessary HOA-driven requirements, while opponents from cities and neighborhood groups warned it would undermine local control, crime-prevention design standards, neighborhood character, and quality. Home builders and property-rights advocates said the bill would expand consumer choice and reduce costs, while critics argued it could lead to lower-quality housing and remove local recourse. The bill was not reported out in the portion provided, and testimony continued with no final vote shown.
AL
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Water & Land

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:34:29.200> of<00:34:29.359> personal personal protection of personal personal protection
  • So we want to make sure that to protect those lands, we would say that it's protected from that process
  • <01:04:32.160> those want to make sure that to protect those want to make sure that to protect
  • relating to aquatic protections. relating to aquatic protections.
  • Next up, we have HB 2599 relating to aquatic protection.
Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 10, 2026, with Chair Mark Hashem outlining strict testimony rules and noting a time constraint because of later hearings and floor session obligations. The committee then took up several bills, hearing mostly supportive testimony on HB 1881 relating to land use, HB 2218 relating to DLNR/community management, and HB 1956 relating to freshwater waves, while HB 1845 relating to the Land Use Commission drew legal concerns and opposition. HB 2151 relating to building materials had no substantive testimony presented in the excerpt, and the committee moved through it quickly. On HB 1881, testimony focused on protecting North Shore lands from overdevelopment. A supporter described the area as valuable precisely because it remains largely undeveloped, and a member asked whether the bill’s restrictions on “finculars” would affect existing or future private residential installations; the response suggested the bill was aimed at future commercial uses and that grandfathering or personal-use exceptions might be possible, but the exact wording would need legal refinement. HB 2218 received broad support from OHA, DLNR, Kua, Sierra Club, Hui Maka Aana, the Honlay Initiative, and others, who said the measure would expand community-based co-management across DLNR divisions, build on existing park partnerships, and produce real benefits such as better stewardship, safer access, local jobs, and stronger community trust. Members asked about the bill’s five-year review structure, how multiple community groups would be handled, and whether the model could apply to ocean or nearshore areas; DLNR said the board would retain authority, agreements would be non-exclusive and subject to review, and the department was still working through how the approach would function across different divisions and marine settings. For HB 1956, the Attorney General offered technical comments, urging clearer definitions of “residing” and “freshwater way,” clearer timing for citations and arrests, and more explicit procedural safeguards and agency roles. On HB 1845, the Attorney General and Land Use Commission raised concerns that the bill could conflict with constitutional protections for important agricultural lands and could not be reconciled with existing voting requirements; the LUC also said commissioners cannot vote by proxy under sunshine law and warned that the bill could allow too few commissioners to approve major boundary changes. Members questioned how the bill would work in counties without designated important agricultural lands, and the LUC explained that Kauai is the only county to have completed the IAL process, while the broader statutory process remains county-driven and has been the subject of litigation. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you. with Office of Consumer Protection. Um, with Office of Consumer Protection.
  • consumer protection. Thank you. consumer protection. Thank you.
  • It protects consumer service in Hawaii.
  • Moving on to HB 1511 relating to consumer protection.
  • <00:50:32.720> Uh relating to consumer protection. Uh relating to consumer protection.
Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 10, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 1849 relating to licensing drew comments from DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, both of which stood on written testimony. The Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights testified in strong support, emphasizing that some immigrants, including DACA recipients, are already contributing in Hawaii and that the state should help create pathways for them to remain and advance professionally. No vote or final action was taken on HB 1849 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2000, the wheelchair right-to-repair bill. Encart opposed the measure, arguing that repair delays are largely driven by insurance prior authorization and that wheelchair repairs involve FDA-regulated medical devices where improper repairs could create health risks. Peter Fritz testified in support, saying the bill was modeled on similar laws in other states and that he had personal experience through his sister’s use of a wheelchair. Members questioned whether repairs done outside insurer networks might not be reimbursed, and Fritz said that was a concern but that the need for timely repair outweighed it. The committee also discussed HB 1753 on social media, where DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but suggested an amendment to the definition of personal information. On HB 1511 relating to consumer protection, DCCA’s Insurance Division supported the bill, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association offered comments seeking to preserve legitimate manufacturer and dealer communications about vehicles, warranties, recalls, and related services. The committee also took up HB 276 HD1 and HB 1513 on condominiums. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission offered comments on HB 276 HD1. For HB 1513, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority supported the bill, but DCCA’s Insurance Division opposed it, warning that diverting HHRF funds could weaken reinsurance arrangements and raise premiums for consumers who rely on the fund. Members questioned whether the proposed condo loan program would need HHRF money and whether the amounts in the bill were necessary, and the division said it opposed using HHRF for that purpose. The committee also heard HB 2188 on housing, where OCP supported the measure and the Hawaii Association of Realtors raised concerns about conflicts with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the use of tenant screening reports, noting that a working group is already addressing landlord-tenant issues. Members asked OCP to research how other states handle similar laws and whether additional language is needed to avoid federal conflict. Finally, on HB 1876 relating to mental health, the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division supported the bill but said it remains opposed to harmful, non-evidence-based treatment modalities; Pride at Work Hawaii also testified in strong support. No final votes or committee decisions were reported in the excerpt.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Apr 28th, 2025

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our current protective order laws have some very specific conditions where a protective order can be
  • And the ramification is that if we ask a protective order victim or applicant to seek a protective order
  • a temporary protective order, and it said so.
  • How do we tweak that language so that it makes it appropriate for a protective order, a forever protective
  • And so you want to have that protective order.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • SB2928 protects one of our state's largest economic engines and promotes consistency. for families and
  • We've got a ratio in the bill. that protects, obviously, the fostering of both.
  • Protect the Texas Dream Act, protect students like me, and let us continue to grow, learn, and give back
  • This has been a model for other states, whether they are red or blue, because it helps us to protect
  • Precious individuals deserve to be protected regardless of their immigration status.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Apr 15th, 2025

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think it's equally important also to address as part of our layout here with this bill aims to protect
  • However, the boat titling process is still mostly paper-based and lacks protections that other states
  • certified titling system, which will give lenders better security, lower risk, and improve consumer protection