Video & Transcript : 'hypersonic defense' :
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board Jun 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- positive impact State Public Defender Remy Storms has had over the past year in strengthening public defense
- He said he has been doing public defense work for over 40 years and has had at least seven state public
- He said the state of public defense, in his opinion, is better than it has ever been, and that this is
- He said he is the past president of another criminal defense organization in the state and still a member
- He was considered the father of public defense in Louisiana. He was a character himself.
Summary:
The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, established a quorum, and adopted the agenda. Public comment took up most of the meeting, with numerous district defenders and chief defenders speaking in support of State Public Defender Remy Starns. Speakers from several districts said the system is more unified, communication with the state office has improved, and local offices feel better supported than in the past. Several also credited Starns with visiting districts, helping with local issues, and improving coordination on capital and non-capital work. One speaker, Richard Thompson, emphasized Starns’ background and training under Sam Dalton, and another noted that a recent staffing decision in St. John the Baptist Parish ultimately proved beneficial for mentorship and resource sharing.
Starns then gave his state public defender report. He said the system has improved over the last seven years and argued that public defense still needs a stable, renewable funding source comparable to other parts of the criminal justice system. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, a law eliminating filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee claims after a recent Louisiana Supreme Court decision. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and post-conviction work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and use local and state resources more efficiently. He thanked the board, the Public Defenders Association, and the late Mike Ginnart, whom he praised for his leadership and service.
The board then considered and adopted proposed bylaws. Members discussed the need for a vice chair and a secretary, the role of special committees, and whether committee meetings should be public and limited to less than a quorum. The bylaws were adopted with the understanding that a committee would review and refine them later; volunteers were named for that committee. The board then elected a vice chair and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff assistance, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely unchanged from FY25 except for updates to reflect current law, accessibility requirements, training, compliance, and communication goals. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- gunfighters, thank you for the opportunity to provide our annual update of our support to national defense
- This brief will underscore the importance of our installation to the defense priorities of our nation
- control of joint operations by conducting threat warnings, battle management, and theater missile defense
- They are responsible for the suppression of enemy air defenses in support of expeditionary aircraft and
- current plan to divest the dash 229 engine F-15Es is still on track in accordance with the National Defense
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The committee began with an annual briefing from Mountain Home Air Force Base’s 366th Fighter Wing, where Colonel D. Ray Gunter described the base’s mission, deployments, modernization efforts, airspace expansion, water pipeline and treatment projects, and community partnerships supporting housing, child care, education, and health care for service members and families. He emphasized the base’s role in national defense, the economic impact on the region, and ongoing collaboration with Idaho agencies and local communities. The committee then entered executive session under Senate Rule 20E for an intelligence briefing from Captain Juanita Garcia.
After returning to open session, the committee approved minutes from February 27, March 2, and March 4, 2026. It then considered gubernatorial reappointments to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board: Robert Donaldson and Irving Lippman both appeared and spoke about their backgrounds and interest in continuing service, and Shelly Enderud’s reappointment to the State Building Authority was advanced to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee heard and advanced House Bill 686, which creates a narrow exception to Idaho’s anti-nepotism restrictions for small cities under 10,000 population when filling specialized positions, with safeguards such as public posting, documentation, council approval, and independent supervision. It also advanced House Bill 727, a sextortion bill supported by lawmakers and the Attorney General’s office that would make threats to distribute explicit images a crime and increase penalties when minors are involved; testimony cited AI-generated images, online coercion, and Idaho cyber-tip data showing a sharp rise in sextortion reports. Finally, the committee introduced RS 33647, a memorial concerning pelican predation on fish, and RS 33616, a resolution honoring fallen Idaho State Police K9 Kimber, before adjourning.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And last, we have Aaron Wyatt, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, speaking with information
- And last, we have Aaron Wyatt, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, speaking with information
- I'm the president-elect of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
- We believe the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers believes that's a good law on the books
- And any officer who uses excessive force, you know, self-defense is still a viable defense in court.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Summary:
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 350 on public records for crime victims. Senator Graal explained that the bill clarifies victim privacy protections under the Florida Constitution and extends temporary confidentiality to the identity of an officer involved in a use-of-force incident for 72 hours, with a possible 60-day extension by written agency findings. Supporters including Marcy’s Law representatives and the Florida PBA said the measure protects victims and officers while preserving public access, and the committee reported the bill favorably.
The committee then heard SB 296 and SB 298, both by Senator Berman. SB 296, as amended, directs a feasibility study for a secure web-based silent alert system for domestic violence victims and expands Florida’s address confidentiality program to dating violence victims. SB 298 similarly extends address confidentiality protections to dating violence victims. Both bills received supportive testimony from advocates, including survivors and organizations such as Florida NOW and the Alliance for Safety and Justice, and both were reported favorably.
Members also approved SB 398, which replaces references to “child pornography” in Florida statutes with “child sexual abuse material,” and SB 168, which expands public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increases enforcement tools such as penalties, attorney fees, and foreclosure on unpaid fees. SB 54, as amended, was also reported favorably; the amendment broadened the bill’s scope from “mass shooter” to “violent offender,” clarified medical examiner duties, and added reporting requirements related to toxicology and psychotropic substances.
The most debated measure was SB 156, the Jason Raynor Act, which would revise resistance-to-arrest provisions and add an automatic life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement groups supported the bill, but the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and some senators raised concerns about removing judicial discretion and eliminating language about unlawful arrests. After debate, the committee reported SB 156 favorably, with Vice Chair Smith voting no. Several other members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on multiple bills before adjournment.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 4th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- Security Committee, relating to OGSR, Department of Military Affairs, United States Department of Defense
- Security Committee, relating to OGSR, Department of Military Affairs, United States Department of Defense
- for records held by the Department of Military Affairs, which, one, are stored in a Department of Defense
- system of records; two, are transmitted using a Department of Defense network or communication device
- ; or three, pertain to the Department of Defense military cyber operations.
Summary:
The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no.
The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported.
Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- At this time, the chair calls up Allan Place, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and we show
- I've been a prosecutor, defense lawyer, judge. So I've, I've sat in every seat.
- So what the defense attorney or what the state can say, I want this person to go do, you're limited to
- I don't know if any of you are lawyers, defense attorneys or former prosecutors, so. No. OK.
- At this time, the chair calls up Allen Place, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Committee:
House Corrections
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The military and the VA, a long time ago, the Department of Defense recognized that nurse practitioners
- The Department of Defense recognized the valuable contribution. It's for the families.
- The Department of Defense recognized the valuable contributions decades ago.
- A long time ago, the Department of Defense recognized that nurse practitioners were valuable and gave
- The Department of Defense recognized the valuable contributions of nurse practitioners decades ago.
Keywords:
Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- That means we support national defense abroad, but just as importantly, we protect Arizonans here at
- while also serving as Arizona's lead agency for emergency management that means we support national defense
- As I mentioned, every investment in DEMA strengthens both national defense and Arizona's safety, so it's
- The Department of Defense is in the process of buying a lot more KC-46s.
- So as you’re well aware, in August of 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a mandate requiring
Committee:
Senate Director Nominations
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Apr 15th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We are doing things relative to the development of coastal defenses, particularly nature-based coastal
- defenses, which are important.
- Coastal defenses, particularly nature-based coastal defenses, are important as we continue to face significant
- defenses, which are important.
- Coastal defenses, particularly nature-based coastal defenses, are important as we continue to face significant
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- of the Office of Public Defense in opposition to House Bill 2511. [00:19:10] Good afternoon, Chairman
- of the Office of Public Defense in opposition to House Bill 2511.
- My name is Kate Benward, and I work on policy issues at the King County Department of Public Defense.
- I'm Amelia Watson, a supervising attorney with the Washington State Office of Public Defense Parents
- I'm with King County Department of Public Defense. We oppose House Bill 2660.
Committee:
House Early Learning & Human Services
Keywords:
child welfare, dependency, imminent physical harm, child abuse, neglect, foster care, extended foster care, shelter care, out-of-home placement, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, family law, juvenile court, child protection, unsafe home, substance use, caregiver impairment, relative placement, guardianship, adoption
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- substance abuse and mental health evaluation and submit a report to the court, the prosecutor, and a defense
- And for prioritizing the need for recruitment and retention of appellate defense counsel.
- We urge you to fund public health. defense. Thank you for your comments.
- holistic defense services.
- defense. vendor offices.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Because of their mental illness, they are unable to participate in the trial and in their own defense
- I was a defense attorney for several years. Could you move the microphone over so we can hear you?
- I was a defense attorney for several years.
- I was a defense attorney... I've been a lawyer for 47 years, I think, now.
- She is a defense attorney.
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (10/17/2025)
State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We had a new uh sec def, uh DoD, new secretary of defense, uh, uh, DOW, now I guess, or WD, war department
- uh sect def uh DoD, new secretary of uh sect def uh DoD, new secretary of defense<00:06:36.800><c> uh
- </c><00:06:37.919><c> uh</c> defense uh uh defense uh uh DOW<00:06:40.960><c> now</c><00:06:41.280><c
- We have now entered into a defensive pact with Qatar that, you know, right after we bombed Iran.
- ><c> Qatar,</c><00:36:46.640><c> should</c> defensive pact with Qatar, should defensive pact with Qatar
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 03/13/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Defensive gun uses occur in fewer than 1% of all crimes, and 80% of these uses are against people who
- So, not only do we know that self-defense against a shooter is rare, but law enforcement agrees it is
- </c><00:29:31.679><c> And</c><00:29:31.840><c> I</c> defensive use is simply a theory.
- And I defensive use is simply a theory.
- And I think that's unfortunate because it puts the rest of us on the defensive.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 2nd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Defense and Department of Energy for classified research.
- Defense-funded Chinese defense research.
- I work for a defense contractor, and I've also, again, have flown drones since 2016.
- We, as you know, the Defense Department has listed DGI as a Chinese military company.
- What did they say when your Secretary of Defense leaked the war plan? of group chat.
Bills:
HB17 , HB34 , HB41 , HB 118 , HB 119 , HB 127 , HB 128 , HB 129 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB133 , HB17 , HB41 , HB118 , HB119 , HB127 , HB128 , HB129 , HB130 , HB132 , HB133
Keywords:
foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's only if the state and the defense agree to it, right?
- I became a criminal defense attorney in 2009 and opened up my own.
- And I have been a criminal defense attorney ever since. Thank you.
- I didn't even get prosecutor defense started, all of it.
- And I can recall getting, as a defense lawyer, emails.
Bills:
HB36 , HB75 , HB76 , HB166 , HB799 , HB 1135 , HJR15 , HJR16 , HB36 , HB75 , HB76 , HB166 , HJR15 , HJR16
Committee:
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Keywords:
family violence, global positioning monitoring system, victim resources, electronic monitoring, protective orders, magistrate, criminal procedure, probable cause, written findings, law enforcement, bail bonds, bail fund, charitable bail fund, nonprofit bail organization, public funds, local government spending, political subdivision, county, city, taxpayer lawsuit
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:33.440><c> at</c> now there's just simply no defense at now there's just simply no defense
- I mean, I think that defensive side?
- , and they know it's a valid defense.
- and they know it's a valid defense.
- Just I guess your thoughts on that if you'd be raise their defense to the judge, and raise their defense
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/28/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Policies that restrict lawful self-defense do not stop criminals.
- I'm representing the Women's Defense League of New Hampshire.
- :25:41.920><c> League</c> representing the Women's Defense League representing the Women's Defense League
- </c> lawful means of self-defense. Right? lawful means of self-defense. Right?
- ><c> yourself</c><05:32:10.638><c> or</c> talking about defense of yourself or talking about defense
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- In the House of Representatives, House Joint Memorial 12, by the Transportation and Defense Committee
- House Bill No. 552, by the Transportation and Defense Committee, is an act relating to motor vehicles
- House Bill No. 552, by the Transportation and Defense Committee, is an act relating to motor vehicles
- House Bill No. 553, by the Transportation and Defense Committee, relates to motor vehicles, amending
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/26/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- I also have worked as a privately retained criminal defense attorney.
- I also have worked as a privately retained criminal defense attorney.
- </c><01:09:03.759><c> defendants</c> be existential for defense defendants be existential for defense
- :09:05.719><c> are</c><01:09:05.880><c> wayy</c> defense Council so these are wayy defense Council so
- That affects the defense. That affects law enforcement.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- structural fires in the communities they served, they were never designed to function as wildfire defense
- They are not designed to meet the significant volume of water necessary for large-scale wildfire defense
- They are not designed to meet the significant volume of water necessary for large-scale wildfire defense
- These actions can include structural hardening, defensible space clearance, and redundant power supplies
- Markey's King Mason, on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council, in support. Thank you.
Summary:
The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills focused on wildfire preparedness, industrial safety, and recycling oversight. SB 1153 by Senator Caballero would require urban retail water suppliers to add wildfire-specific procedures to emergency plans and coordinate with fire agencies; supporters said it would improve planning while recognizing water system limits, and the bill was framed as protecting ratepayers and infrastructure. SB 811, also by Senator Caballero, would create a comprehensive DTSC permitting and regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities; supporters argued it would set clear statewide standards and protect communities, while opponents said it would weaken hazardous waste protections and carve the industry out of existing law. SB 883 by Senator Umberg would impose new safeguards for facilities storing reactive chemicals such as methyl methacrylate after the Garden Grove evacuation, including backup cooling, public review, emergency planning, and state tracking; industry groups opposed the breadth of the bill and sought further clarification, while environmental and community groups supported it. SB 1010 by Senator Ashby would strengthen oversight of appliance recyclers by improving reporting, inspections, certification, and funding for enforcement; supporters said it would reduce emissions and improve compliance, while recyclers raised concerns about fees and certification requirements.
Each bill drew extensive testimony from industry, environmental, labor, local government, and community representatives. Supporters generally emphasized public safety, transparency, and the need for clearer statewide standards, while opponents warned about overregulation, reduced flexibility, or unintended impacts on existing hazardous waste and recycling systems. Committee members also raised questions about transparency, liability, size-based treatment of facilities, and whether the bills were narrowly tailored enough to address the problems identified.
The committee voted to advance all four measures to the Committee on Appropriations, with votes taken on call and some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. The final add-on votes showed SB 811, SB 883, SB 1010, and SB 1153 all passing out of committee, with the roll left open for absent members before the meeting adjourned.