Video & Transcript Research : 'sessions'

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TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Public Education May 11th, 2026

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • To expect us to do this next session.
  • You all passed the law last session and complex.
  • in the 90th legislative session.
  • you as we move into the 90th session.
  • Then we'll get to the next session.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 1

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Journal of the House, 94th session, 2026, 77th legislative day, St.
  • /c><00:05:27.280> the<00:05:27.400> House,<00:05:27.760> 94<00:05:28.360> session
  • ,<00:05:28.880> 2026, Journal of the House, 94 session, 2026, Journal of the House, 94 session
  • This is a necessary housekeeping step at the end of session. I urge member support.
  • Uh, Madam Speaker, it's the last day of session, so I thought I'd try one last time.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a quorum present. The journal of the previous day was approved, Senate File 4515 was read for a second time, and House Files 5156 through 5160 were introduced and given first reading. The chamber also received a Senate message regarding Senate File 2077, which had been taken from the table and assigned new Senate conferees. The House agreed to the Senate’s request for a conference committee on Senate File 2077, and the Speaker later appointed Representatives Heinsman, McDonald, Vang, and Fischer to that committee. The Rules and Legislative Administration Committee brought forward resolutions to authorize continued House operations in advance of organization, direct correction and approval of the final House journal, and retain parking for members and employees between sessions; each was adopted. Members briefly discussed the continued operations resolution, with support noted as a housekeeping measure aligned with prior practice. The House also adopted a resolution recognizing May as American Indian Month in Minnesota. The resolution highlighted Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized tribes, the state’s long recognition of American Indian Month, and the contributions and resilience of Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples, while urging collaboration with tribal nations. During announcements, Representative Vang noted the death of former Representative Michael Nelson and asked for a moment of silence. Representative Long asked about Senate File 4067, the gun violence prevention package, and was told it was being reviewed with other omnibus bills. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2026, and stood in recess.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 6 January, 2026; 12:00 PM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We dedicate this session to you, Lord. Lead us, guide us, and keep us in your grace.
  • every day of this session. every day of this session.
  • We dedicate this session to you, state.
  • We're happy to have Caleb with us this session. Also, Walter Townsend.
  • and<00:13:21.920> doing through this session and doing through this session and doing all
Summary: The Mississippi Senate convened on January 6, 2026, with a quorum present and opened the session with an invocation by Pastor Jonathan Vasquez and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then administered the oath of office to newly elected and reelected senators, reaffirming their constitutional duties. After that, the Senate organized for the session by nominating and electing Jimmy Jordan as sergeant-at-arms by acclamation, followed by his oath of office. The Senate also recognized several guests and pages, including senior pages Caleb Bierman and Walter Townsend, Dr. Catherine Penhal as doctor of the day, Gerald Mumford, Jackson Mayor John Horhn, Jean Frazier, Mayor Uta Peterson, and Angela Simpson. Members offered multiple announcements and adjournment-in-memory requests honoring several deceased individuals and family members, including Ronnie Massey, Kathy Luke, Jimmy Alexander, Matt McElhaney, Sandra Farr Aiken, Amy Nixon Jackson, Robert L. Bobby Butler, John Buckman, Bonnie L. Monroe, Louis Smith, Davis Gray, David Wayne McClendon, Wells Warren McClendon, Shepherd Thomas McClendon, Yancey Burns, Dorothy Shackelford Stanfill, and Buddy Hollowell. The Senate also announced committee meetings: Public Health would meet after adjournment, Appropriations would meet 10 minutes after recess in Room 216, and Education would meet 5 minutes after Appropriations in Room 216. Finally, Senator Blackwell moved that the Senate stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal reflecting adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next morning; the motion passed and the Senate recessed.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Feb 12th, 2025

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because this is kind of new this early in the session to me.
  • A lot last year, there were discussions leading into the session about this legislation.
  • It just seemed like this early in the session you are very efficient, like you.
  • Session, you are very efficient, like you know this is efficient too.
  • Is this something that's going to happen often throughout the session?
Keywords: 1136, house, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • And we know we have experienced a lot of hardship since we last were together in session.
  • I knew when we came into this session we would not be able to accomplish that.
  • How did negotiations compare to last session? Well, I miss Melissa Hortman a lot.
  • <00:19:43.280> between If you were to rank this session between If you were to rank this session
  • Did you really need a special session? Did you really need a special session?
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: A Minnesota Senate leader discussed the end-of-session budget deal and said the Senate had passed a comprehensive budget that addresses several recent crises and federal policy changes. He highlighted funding to respond to gun violence, Metro Surge, and the effects of a federal Republican budget bill, saying the package includes retroactive medical assistance coverage, support to keep SNAP functioning, $10 million for food banks and shelves, rental assistance, and aid for counties and property taxpayers. He also said the Senate secured $205 million for HCMC, a $30 million uncompensated care pool for other distressed hospitals, and a $500 million health care stabilization reserve, along with a one-year license tab fee reduction and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. He said some priorities were left out or rejected in negotiations, including small business relief, low-income rent, energy assistance, rural EMS stabilization, a manufactured home bill of rights, a social media platform data collection tax, and proposals to block private equity from nursing homes and single-family homes. He also said the House Speaker had promised but not brought a gun vote to the floor, and he expressed disappointment that immigration-related action and some gun control measures did not advance further. He defended the rental assistance as available to Minnesotans regardless of documentation status and said it was not tied only to Operation Metro Surge. The leader also addressed concerns about payment withholding and program integrity in human services, saying the goal was to fight fraud without cutting services. He said hospitals seeking access to the stabilization reserve would need to show distress and financial need, and that both the governor and a legislative advisory committee would have to approve. He closed by saying the process had been difficult and too much negotiation had moved into backroom settings, but that the chambers were working toward an orderly conclusion and that he expected the remaining bills to be finalized and sent to the governor.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I know it's a short session, but I've got six bills up on my wall here.
  • This past legislative session, we had our first project funded that will be applying to...
  • 2026 legislative session, we'd love to hear.
  • We should really start working on that long before session, not when we get into session.
  • Session, not when we get into session.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:00 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • And sometimes those are not budgeted in the session, but come between sessions.
  • And sometimes those are not budgeted in the session, but come between sessions.
  • And that would take a special session then?
  • So unless they thought that it should be reconsidered in the next session. Mr.
  • The commitment was that we made in the last session to give them $5 a day.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Dec 12th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've exited executive session now to the director. Thank you, Mr.
  • So the amount of money you have has shrunk from last session... ...of things.
  • You will come into the session with this recommendation with reserves north of 30 percent.
  • And it's going to get even harder as we go into the session.
  • But as the director, like, as we go into the session.
Summary: The committee heard a final wrap-up presentation from Director So Lee on the Legislative Finance Committee’s budget framework for the upcoming session. He said the state remains in a strong fiscal position, though revenue estimates are lower than earlier projections and available nonrecurring funds have declined by more than $1 billion from the prior session. He emphasized that the recommendation still preserves reserves above 30 percent and supports targeted investments in the committee’s three priorities: increasing per capita earned income through education and workforce development, improving access to high-quality health care and behavioral health, and enhancing quality of life through infrastructure, water, parks, trails, and other community amenities. Director Lee highlighted several major funding areas, including a proposed expansion of the UNM medical education program, water projects, capital outlay for state agency assets, and use of a mix of severance tax bonds, general obligation bonds, and cash for capital needs. He also noted continued pressure from health insurance, liability, and compensation costs, and said the committee would keep using pilot programs for new initiatives. Members broadly praised the staff, interim travel, and budget analysis work. During member comments, Senator Woods focused on school funding stability, liability costs, and fraud or waste in state agencies, arguing the state should take more claims to court to establish precedent and better protect taxpayers. Other members thanked staff and leadership for their work and collaboration. The committee then adopted the catch-up cleanup items and the overall LFC budget framework, with Senator Woods recorded in opposition, and created a technical committee with members from both chambers to resolve any final technical issues before the January session.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jan 9th, 2025

California Assembly Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, we will now recess the regular session. We are now in the first extraordinary session.
  • session.
  • Moving on to announcements, session six schedule as follows.
  • Friday January 10th, no floor session, no check-in session.
  • Monday January 13th, floor session at 1 p.m.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm going by the published session. No, it's the full committee work session.
  • Yeah, we didn't get the work session.
  • Okay, I'm going to close the executive session on HB 616 and open up the executive session on HB 77,
  • Okay, I'm going to close the executive session on HB 616 and open up the executive session on HB 77,
  • Okay, I'm going to close the executive session on HB 616 and open up the executive session on HB 77,
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing. The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute. For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026

Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • That bill seemed to go through the session pretty quickly.
  • That was added several sessions ago.
  • We just tried to, when we put that in statute last session or two sessions ago, to try to distinguish
  • So there could be something—absolutely—prior to the next session, during next session, that you guys
  • You got two sessions to do it.
Summary: The task force first approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, including a correction removing language that suggested the auditor’s office would contract with a security vendor. Members then moved to a bill draft on concessions (LC 27.0161.00000), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, clarify that proceeds go to the entity’s operating fund or general fund, and make other technical updates. OMB explained the draft and answered questions about scope, fragmentation, vendor restrictions, school districts, and whether concession proceeds could be directed to nonprofits; OMB said the draft could be refined further, including clarifying covered entities and contract length. No vote was taken on the draft during the discussion. OMB also reported on other survey items. It said a proposal to broadly allow agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering/land surveying vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is working well for the agencies that already have it. On legal notices, OMB said it has been working with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernization, including an ADA-compliant online notice system and possible statutory updates to reflect changing technology and notice definitions. On click-through agreements for routine IT purchases, OMB and the Attorney General’s office said policy clarification—not statutory change—was enough, and the $20,000 threshold was intended to distinguish low-dollar adhesive contracts from purchases where terms can be negotiated. The committee also heard that OMB and the Center for Distance Education had resolved questions about alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures through existing policy, so no statutory changes were needed there. North Dakota University System representatives gave a brief update on ongoing collaboration with OMB on statutory efficiency ideas, including concessions and surplus property. Finally, the task force discussed a draft on requirements for new or expanded spending programs, which would require agencies to identify purpose, expected benefits, alternatives, success measures, and full implementation costs, and would require reporting on outcomes over time. Members debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how to use the new program evaluators, whether real-time dashboards should be used, and how to choose which programs to evaluate; staff from Legislative Council said they would work with OMB and the auditor’s office to revise the draft and process.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • You cannot release that information of what happened in executive session. ...which is private.
  • You cannot release that information about what happened in executive session.
  • Our legislative sessions are going longer and longer and longer.
  • Our legislative sessions are going longer and longer and longer.
  • The last time they needed to go to a special session to finish the budget was 2006.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal court enforcement for unpaid court debts and incarceration costs with a civil collection framework, eliminating arrest warrants and contempt for nonpayment while preserving the underlying financial obligations. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce cycles of poverty and keep people working. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment, which bars a defendant from setting aside a second default judgment entered within one year of a prior default judgment, and then gave HB 2825 a 7-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2070, an emergency appropriation of $25 million from the state general fund to the Arizona Department of Administration for Gila County flood relief. County supervisors, mayors, a town council member, emergency management staff, and other local officials described severe flooding in Globe, Miami, and surrounding areas, including deaths, destroyed homes and businesses, debris, sediment, damaged roads and utilities, and the need for matching funds to access federal and other grants. Members discussed FEMA denials, federal reimbursement delays, and the difficulty of completing required projects within short timelines. HB 2070 was approved 7-0. The committee also approved HB 2129, which moves the deadline for municipal library trustees’ annual reports from the first Monday in July to the second Monday in July, with supporters saying the change helps smaller and rural libraries after the July 4 holiday. HB 2439, exempting public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ water pollution rules, also received a do pass recommendation after testimony that the current rules create confusion and unnecessary costs for businesses. HB 2773, barring Arizona and its entities from assisting the International Criminal Court or using public resources to support ICC enforcement actions, passed 4-3 after debate over sovereignty and constitutional authority. HB 2873, requiring ADOA to share procurement Q&A with all bidders, and HB 2876, requiring topics from executive session and proposed tax or fee increases to be placed on an action agenda, both received do pass recommendations after transparency-focused testimony and some concerns about implementation and municipal practice. Finally, the committee heard HCR 2005, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring the legislature to adjourn sine die by April 30 each year and submit that question to voters. The sponsor argued Arizona sessions have grown too long and that a firm deadline would force earlier, more efficient work while still allowing a special session if the budget is unfinished. Members debated whether the proposal would improve discipline or instead create problems for the budget process, member pay, and legislative workload, with some suggesting a broader conversation about full-time versus part-time legislatures. The resolution was advanced with a do pass recommendation.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/12/2026 - House Floor Session - Opening Day Ceremony

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The floor session is now convening. We want to welcome every one of our guests.
  • The last session was a good session.
  • Speaker, 14th consecutive session.
  • We still have one session to go. Representative Cooper. Mr.
  • Session is now convening. Session is now convening. House will please come to order.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The House convened for an opening-day floor session marked by ceremonial activities, including the invocation, posting of the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and musical performances. Members also welcomed the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jason Jamison, and a large number of special guests, dignitaries, family members, and community leaders. The Speaker delivered extended remarks about Arizona’s history, the responsibilities of legislators, and the importance of civility and respect in the chamber. Guest speakers included ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham and University of Arizona basketball coach Tommy Lloyd, both of whom spoke about leadership, culture, teamwork, and the role of athletics in uniting and retaining talent in Arizona. The House then took up organizational business. Members adopted amendments to the House rules for the 57th Legislature, Second Regular Session, and then adopted the amended rules as the governing rules for the session. The chamber also approved an emergency declaration for bill readings, allowing bills, resolutions, and memorials to be read by number and short title only. The Speaker announced two new standing committees for the session: Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, chaired by Representative Justin Wilmeth, and Rural Economic Development, chaired by Representative Teresa Martinez. A House Organizational Committee was appointed to notify the Senate that the House was organized and ready for business and to join a committee to notify the Governor. A lengthy portion of the meeting was devoted to points of personal privilege, during which many members introduced family members, constituents, local officials, educators, business leaders, veterans, and advocacy groups. Several members highlighted issues such as water security, affordability, education, health care access, reentry services, veterans’ citizenship, and support for working families. The session concluded with the House recessing and then reconvening for the formal start of legislative business, including committee membership changes and the first reading of a large slate of bills covering elections, taxes, education, health, water, transportation, public safety, and other topics.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we have, we're gonna have a good workload, um, between now and the end of session.
  • We appreciate your service here on this committee in previous sessions.
  • The session will probably be getting updates.
  • We just surpassed California since the last session.
  • And so this is my 4th legislative session, 4 special sessions, and, uh, previously under the old veterans
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Transportation (05/06/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • that I did the exact session on three. that I did the exact session on three.
  • This coming session next Thursday.
  • I'll open up the executive session. I'll open up the executive session.
  • I don't take notes session.
  • session on Senate Bill 272. session on Senate Bill 272.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation bills. SB 154 would add the Snow Traveler Foundation to the list of charitable organizations authorized to offer multi-use decal plates through the existing Department of Safety program. Senator David Roford said the bill would create a non-tax funding source for snowmobile trail maintenance, especially after flood damage, and Dan Gold of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association said the foundation would accept tax-deductible donations for projects such as upgraded trail signage. He explained that the association’s 96 volunteer clubs maintain about 7,000 miles of trails and that the sign program is costly. No opposition was presented, and the hearing was closed after questions from members about the foundation’s status and fundraising goals. SB 271 would expand eligibility for veteran license plates to include veterans with a general discharge under honorable conditions. The sponsor’s representative said the change would recognize service members who are already eligible for many veterans benefits but are excluded from plates under current law. Supporters included Phil Grizzo, who argued that general discharges often reflect service that was otherwise honorable, and Kevin Grady of the State Veterans Advisory Committee, which said it strongly supported the bill and was also considering broader statutory cleanup to standardize the definition of veteran across state law. Committee members asked whether the change should be limited to plates or applied more broadly, but the sponsor said broader changes would be a separate policy question. The public hearing was then closed. SB 273, titled “Cheryl’s Law,” would update New Hampshire’s move-over requirements for motorists approaching stopped or standing vehicles on the roadside, including stranded vehicles and those with warning signals. Senator Donovan Fenton said the bill was intended to save lives and honor Staff Sergeant Jesse Cheryl and Brigadier General John Pogo, both of whom died in roadside incidents. He said the measure would require drivers to slow down, change lanes if safe, and move over for roadside vehicles, with the intent of education rather than punishment. Committee members asked about enforcement, the lack of a fiscal note, whether the bill applied statewide, and whether the language could be read as weakening the move-over requirement; the sponsor said it applied to all roads, did not change fines, and was meant to clarify and broaden safety obligations. The hearing continued with additional questions, and the sponsor said state police and other safety stakeholders supported the approach.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Somber moments at the start of the session as senators remember their colleague, the late Senator Kari
  • Somber moments at the start of the session as senators remember their colleague, the late Senator Kari
  • Starting the session on time required new levels of collaboration.
  • into the new session and forward with<00:04:09.680> Senator<00:04:10.079> dik's<00:04:
  • So I am looking forward to this session. I think it's going to be good.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The program covered the start of the 94th Minnesota Legislature, where the evenly split Senate adopted a bipartisan power-sharing agreement, Senate Resolution 1, by unanimous support. The agreement, reached in honor of the late Sen. Kari Dziedzic, sets up co-presiding officers, co-chairs and evenly split committees, and will remain in place until one party gains a majority. Republican Sen. Jeremy Miller and DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion were elected as co-presiding officers under the arrangement. A major segment focused on fraud, waste, and abuse in Minnesota and proposals to strengthen oversight. DFL Sen. Gerson discussed a bill to create an independent Office of Inspector General to oversee public and private entities receiving taxpayer dollars, arguing it would fill a gap and work alongside existing agencies such as the Office of the State Auditor, the attorney general, and the BCA. He said the issue has bipartisan concern and that the bill is intended to protect taxpayer money and the people who rely on public programs. Republican Sen. John Jasinski also said fraud is a serious problem, citing cases such as Feeding Our Future, child care assistance, and Medicaid-related fraud, and arguing that every dollar matters and stronger checks and balances are needed. He expressed support for anti-fraud efforts if they are independent and bipartisan, and pointed to the House’s new fraud oversight committee as a promising step. State Auditor Julie Blaha added that her office focuses on local government accountability, said workforce shortages are a major challenge, and emphasized that tips from the public and public employees are often the best way fraud is detected.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Executive Departments and Administration (04/22/2026)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll close the executive session on Senate Bill 56 and open the executive session on Senate Bill 470,
  • Next, I will close the executive session on Senate Bill 470 and open the executive session on Senate
  • <02:02:10.880> on I'll close the executive session on I'll close the executive session on
  • And I'll notice the executive session for 6:40 immediately to follow the work session that we already
  • And I'll notice the executive session for 6:40 immediately to follow the work session that we already
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Delivering for the Northland – Senator Grant Hauschild May 12th, 2025

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • What would you consider to be your biggest achievement this session?
  • You know, I achievement this session?
  • Speaking of, you deliver this session.
  • session, what about next session?
  • What do you hope to achieve session? What do you hope to achieve then?
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Capital Investment Committee 5/6/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Your production this session in this committee.
  • And done for for all of us this session.
  • You know, we have a few minutes before session.
  • You know, we have a few minutes before session.
  • You know, we have a few minutes before session.
Bills: HF719, HF2484, HF2486