Video & Transcript Research : 'free expression'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EIG-TCA, EIG Public Hearings 03-25-2025
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- understand, uh the community has understand, uh the community has actually<00:29:55.120>
expressed - <00:29:55.600>
support <00:29:55.919>for <00:29:56.159>this actually expressed - support for this actually expressed support for this idea.<00:29:56.960>
and <00:29:57.120> - Chair's recommendation for STR 18 and STR 14 is to pass with amendments. looking at free lab open not
- free open looking at free lab open not free open Navy<00:50:08.880>
land <00:50:09.119>on<
Summary:
The joint Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Committee on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard several resolutions, with most public testimony focused on Senate Concurrent Resolution 159 and Senate Resolution 129, which urge continued U.S. support for the Ukrainian military. Testimony on those measures was largely opposed, with witnesses arguing Hawaii should prioritize local needs such as homelessness, infrastructure, and cost of living over additional aid to Ukraine; one support testimony was noted from the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Despite the opposition, both committees recommended passage with technical, nonsubstantive amendments, and the recommendations were adopted.
The committees also considered transportation-related resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 182 and Senate Resolution 152 would initiate a summer streets pilot program, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 200 and Senate Resolution 180 would ask AMPO to coordinate a transportation management training program. Testimony on the summer streets proposal included support and opposition, with one witness saying community input should be gathered through existing district and community meetings rather than creating a pilot. The training-program measure drew opposition from a witness who argued it would add unnecessary bureaucracy. Both pairs were recommended for passage, with the summer streets resolutions passed unamended and the training-program resolutions passed with technical amendments.
In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee, Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 and Senate Resolution 14, concerning relocation of the Pearl City post office to Navy property, were recommended for passage with technical amendments. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 136 and Senate Resolution 150, which call for a geothermal energy working group. Supporters included the State Energy Office, PUC, consumer advocate, and others, though the energy office asked to move the report deadline to 2027. Opponents raised concerns about cost, health impacts, environmental risks, and Native Hawaiian representation. The chair proposed amendments to add a Native Hawaiian member, the consumer advocate, and the House and Senate energy committee chairs, clarify participation by utility, geothermal, and nonprofit representatives, and extend the report deadline to 2027. The resolutions were then recommended for passage with amendments, and all recommendations were adopted before adjournment.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/22/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- the Union committee they're also um free the Union committee they're also um free to<01:37:14.840
- join Union somehow isn't truly free join Union somehow isn't truly free unless<01:42:41.360>
- <02:43:48.840>
to you should be free to you should be free to do<02:43:50.840>then - 238 right to work is bad for the free 238 right to work is bad for the free market<03:28:40.080>
- <03:29:05.960>
market should be left to the free market should be left to the free market
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I think it's free of charge, isn't it, Director? Director: It is.
- I cannot express to you enough how important that is to have that extra support for our agency.
- I cannot express to you enough how important that is to have that extra support for our agency.
- First and foremost, we're here to express our strong support for [Senate Bill 1](link to bill).
- First and foremost, we're here to express our strong support for [Senate Bill 1](link to bill).
Bills:
SB 1
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard, of Hawaii, to be Director of National Intelligence; to be immediately followed by a closed hearing in SH-219. Jan 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Intelligence (Select) Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead, you expressed, and again I quote, "the DNI has no role in determining whether or not Edward
- Now I understand that since you've been nominated to be DNI, you've expressed a change of heart.
- I believe strongly in the First Amendment, which protects a free press.
- Many people here and throughout the halls of Congress have been very kind in expressing their condolences
- justified in rolling over the peaceful border of Ukraine the first time since World War II that a free
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill is a small way to express our gratitude to the public servants who keep our communities safe
- And we also have a letter from the Oklahoma State Treasurer expressing an interest in doing something
- It looks to... ...know the difference between this card or an American Express card or a MasterCard.
- So if you have concerns, you need to feel free to speak and tell us, because the whole point of this
- So if you have concerns, you need to feel free to speak and tell us, because the whole point of this
Bills:
HB42
Summary:
The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay.
The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending.
Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably.
Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Arielle Roth, of the District of Columbia, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. Apr 9th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- she will change the future of the United States of America, champion a spectrum pipeline, protect free
- She was instrumental in advancing legislation. to free our domestic networks from communications equipment
- As I expressed to you, I am concerned about how this administration has approached what I believe are
- First Amendment rights to express his views.
- I'm sure you believe in not weaponizing, making sure that we have a free press. this broadband issue
Summary:
During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Eric Beverly and the entire Sunset staff for their very
- So, I just expressed some of my concerns with the. with this bill in terms of how broad it seems to be
- It is not a... ...and it is not a free pass.
- Again, this is not a free pass, this is not a carve-out, it's not an exemption. This is basic.
- If we can get an email address from the agency, we can send it for free electronically.
Bills:
SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646
Keywords:
community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Apr 3rd, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- I assume that's right because you're using the free, effective cost structure of the donation to ERCOT
- There was not a real outlet for them to express that frustration until Hurricane Beryl, and it all kind
- So we're leaving you free to decide. Do whatever your members want. Thank you, sir.
- That's why we're here today to express our concerns in opposition to Senate Bill 2056.
- So all these reward programs we love, they're not free.
Bills:
SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368
Keywords:
temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 01/29/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:47:21.839>
internet in Minnesota which offers free internet in Minnesota which offers - An entry into premises by free-roaming cervids and physical contact between farm cervids and free-roaming
- Their captive herds are CWD-free. They're doing it in Pennsylvania. We're letting these deer go.
- Their captive herds are CWD-free. They're doing it in Pennsylvania. We're letting these deer go.
- Their captive herds are CWD-free. They're doing it in Pennsylvania. We're letting these deer go.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I've been medication-free and symptom-free for 14 years now.
- The hens go in at night to be free of predators.
- So we're free. Most of Texas for free. Yes. So we're free to state government.
- There's also national organizations that offer free services just like this.
- So it's free to state government. State government needs to know current CPE requirements.
Keywords:
SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction
Summary:
The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data.
Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed.
The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There's nothing freeing or empowering about that.
- Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, Katie ordered free abortion pills through two different sources.
- I fought for our freedoms of expression and our freedoms of speech. HB3990 is an anti-speech bill.
- It doesn't address any actual problem, and it makes our state less free and fair.
- About this violation of our Constitution and our right to free speech.
Keywords:
HB 229, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county dues, county association, state association of counties, lobbying, lobbyist, public funds, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Government Code Chapter 556, Local Government Code Section 89.002, legislative advocacy, municipal government, county government, city government, special district
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/07/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here to express my strong support for Senate File 1701, which provides continued funding for the
- Um, so feel free to jump right in. Uh, so let's just start. Who's going to walk us through? Mr.
- Um, so feel free questions that come up.
- Um, so feel free to<00:14:38.399>
jump <00:14:38.639>right <00:14:39.320>in. - Um, I just want to first express my gratitude.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- consistently to all people who participate in our proceedings, regardless of the viewpoint that they express
- legislation, to ensure that Jewish children and all children have such an environment, one that's free
- It restricts free speech, and there has not been a good-faith effort to remedy it, and I don't expect
- When we pursued this policy locally at my school board in 2020, there was a lot of concern expressed
- This bill ...for free or reduced-price lunch. I don't understand that math.
Summary:
The committee heard several education-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 2189, AB 2615, AB 2496, AB 1750, and AB 1644. AB 2189 would create an $800,000 grant program through the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to support a statewide parent network for special education advocacy and training. Supporters said families need stronger coordination and information to navigate special education, while an opponent argued the bill could duplicate existing family-led organizations. The bill passed 6-0 and was sent to Appropriations, held on call for add-on votes.
AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 on antisemitism and instructional materials, drew the most controversy. The authors said it was intended to clarify prior commitments by removing references to professional responsibility standards, refining the “factually accurate” language, and clarifying how discriminatory materials are handled. Supporters said it would help protect students from discrimination, while many educators, civil rights groups, and other organizations opposed it unless amended, warning that the factual-accuracy language could chill teaching and be applied too broadly. The committee chair and members raised concerns about implementation but ultimately supported moving the bill forward; it passed 5-0 and was held on call.
AB 2496 would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, phasing out the School Accountability Report Card over time, and making mid-year LCAP reporting optional. Supporters said this would reduce duplication and administrative burden while preserving access to key data; opponents worried families could lose the simplicity and accessibility of the current SARC and that the mid-year update still serves an important purpose. The bill was approved 3-0 and held on call. AB 1750, which would extend full salary for an additional five months for school employees who exhaust sick leave due to illness or injury, was supported as a dignity and retention measure but opposed by administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. AB 1644 would require a bell-to-bell smartphone ban in TK-8 and recommend it for high school, with exceptions for instructional and safety needs; supporters said phones are harming attention and learning, while opponents argued districts had just adopted local policies and needed more flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Kashyap Patel, of Nevada, to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice. Jan 30th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Dissent, punish political rivals of either party, and hand out free passes, get out of jail free cards
- "...after the free press. Not unless private citizens have been defamed. That's their right.
- Go after the free media. I can't go after the media for other people. That's a decision they have.
- "You're not going to the free media. So I didn't hear a 'no' that you would not go after them.
- By the law of our land, you are free to tell people what you are hiding from Congress.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- We invite you to feel free to express support or opposition through the position portal on the committee's
- Is there any other members of the public here wishing to express a position of support?
- Or any members of the public wishing to express a statement of opposition?
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- or die state a twomonth long um free or die state a twomonth long um martial<00:42:37.920>
law Hampshire should feel free Hampshire should feel free to<02:31:55.840>- We will honor giving you a free pass. We will honor lawful<01:23:32.159>
detainers. - A lot of our expressed interest?
continue <02:31:56.319 - We will honor giving you a free pass. We will honor lawful<01:23:32.159>
- >
legislation anyone's free to bring legislation anyone's free to bring legislation forward,<02
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That is why America became the most prosperous and free nation the world has ever known.
- They need to live a free and fulfilled life.
- Thoughts expressed on one annihilated.
- Thoughts expressed on one side of the Atlantic are distinctly heard on the other.
- We are still free. We have lots... We have lots of work to do.
SC
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise for a point of personal expression. You're recognized. Mr.
- Point one That we need free conference on.
- I would move for free conference. Question is granting free conference powers.
- Again, this is, I'm asking for free conference powers to be able to adopt a free conference report in
- Move for free conference powers, sir.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And that would be available for free through our health departments.
- You can get it free at the health department.
- I do, regretfully, Madam Chair, express this to be an unfriendly amendment.
- I think I've expressed my opinions in the amendment that I did present.
- It's more of a system by which we express our beliefs.
Keywords:
provider disputes, health plan, dispute resolution, Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare regulation, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions, ambulatory surgical centers, patient safety, licensure
Summary:
The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 13th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Her mother expressed regret. You want to know what Claire did?
- Claire expressed love and compassion. God, Claire's life mattered.
- They advertise on the outside of these centers: free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds.
- This women's center is committed to providing free services."
- I was given free prenatal vitamins.