Video & Transcript Research : 'state senators'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Mar 26th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on State Affairs has come to order. Clerk, call the roll.
  • Are we risking further population of rattlesnakes in the state capitol?
  • Across the state, stakeholders have raised concerns about this.
  • But as a state representative from the border, I've supported...
  • places that are more urgent to take care of our own state.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs May 12th, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Good morning, Senator. Good morning, Acting Chair. Which one do you want to do first?
  • Smith, Senate Bill 495. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • Senate Bill 495 by Senator Klein-Peter provides for campaign finance disclosures.
  • Senator Klein-Peter, on your bill. Good morning, Mr. Chairman.
  • Senator Fessi attended a state dinner at a conference last summer, and the waiter spilled a glass of
Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and took up several measures. It first heard HCR 74, which would establish a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission modeled after the existing Louisiana-Ireland commission. The author said the commission would serve as an umbrella group to promote exchanges in trade, academics, financial services, economic development, and the arts, with no compensation for members. After brief questions and supportive testimony from a member familiar with the Ireland commission, the committee reported HCR 74 favorably. The committee then considered SCR 38, which repeals Joint Rule No. 7 related to the Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee. The author explained that the repeal was tied to a separate study commission on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, aimed at addressing sediment buildup, stagnant hypoxia, and harm to the fishing industry. Members discussed sediment management and water quality concerns, and the committee adopted a technical amendment to the title before reporting the resolution favorably, as amended. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 495 on campaign finance disclosures. The author described a series of changes, including raising the threshold for unitemized individual contributions to $200, adjusting when a PAC is considered to be participating in an election, extending the annual report deadline from February 28 to March 15, and allowing leadership PAC funds to cover replacement or repair of items damaged in connection with public office. The transcript cuts off during the bill presentation, so no final action on SB 495 is shown.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • BJ served in the United States Army. From 1973 to 1976. Mr.
  • She wants to attend Kansas State University to study animal sciences and pre-vet.
  • He is in the top of his class with state runner-up and cross country.
  • She is the state champion in choir. She wants to attend OECH to study business and marketing.
  • That's recognized by the NRA in the state of Oklahoma.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/31/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • State your name. Anika Robinson. Senator Farnsworth, may I ask for three minutes?
  • Chairman, Senator Epstein, I've not spoken with the State Board of Education on this particular bill.
  • We need really comprehensive sex education in our state, so I vote no. Senator Leach, aye.
  • Thank you, Chair Farnsworth, Senator Leach, and all the rest of our great senators representing our state
  • Senator Alston. Senator Angius. Senator Epstein? Yes. Senator Fernandez. Senator Finchem?
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2615, a strike-everything amendment creating an Independent Oversight Committee tied to the Department of Child Safety, with authority to review DCS practices, request briefings and audits, visit sites, and receive confidential complaints, along with a $2.2 million appropriation. The sponsor and several parents and advocates testified that stronger independent oversight was needed because of serious DCS failures affecting children and families. Some members supported the goal but objected to housing the committee in the Ombudsman’s office or questioned whether the structure was the right approach. The strike-everything amendment was adopted, but the bill itself then failed on a 5-5 vote. The committee then passed House Bill 2620, which provides $300,000 annually for five years to the Arizona Department of Veterans Services to grant funds to emergency shelters serving veterans without requiring scheduled intake appointments. The sponsor and shelter representatives said the money would support trauma-informed case managers, help veterans connect to VA and shelter resources, and move the state closer to functional zero for veteran homelessness. The bill received unanimous support and a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 2321 also passed unanimously. It requires DCS to place a security freeze on the credit reports of children entering foster care, with the freeze remaining until age 16 unless the child later chooses otherwise, and includes a $100,000 appropriation and one ongoing FTE. The sponsor said foster youth are especially vulnerable to identity theft and need automatic protection. House Bill 2601, which directs ADOT to seek federal segmentation for the Interstate 11 project between Casa Grande and Wickenburg, passed 6-4 after testimony from supporters who said it would keep the project moving and opponents who raised environmental, cost, and litigation concerns. House Bill 2992, a pilot program for child sexual abuse and grooming awareness education in six public schools, also passed 6-4 after testimony from a survivor and advocates; supporters framed it as prevention and critics argued it duplicated existing sex education and should be handled through broader curriculum or parent education. Additional bills considered included House Bill 2156, which appropriates $250,000 to the livestock compensation fund and passed 7-3 despite transparency and conflict-of-interest concerns from an opponent; House Bill 2165, which exempts certain veterans and military members from state park admission fees, as amended to narrow the exemption to retired or disabled veterans and similar National Guard members, and passed 6-4 amid concerns about lost park revenue; House Bill 2960, creating a veterans specialty court grant program and requiring better coordination on incarcerated veterans, which passed 8-0; House Bill 2014, directing studies on gasoline blends and emissions modeling, which passed 6-2 despite concerns about cost and limited impact; and House Bill 2957, preserving non-REAL ID driver licenses and restricting biometric collection and data sharing, which passed 5-4 after amendment.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/20/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Higgins? Senator Hattoplin? Senator Cooplin? Here. President. Senator Scho? Present.
  • I'm your state senator.
  • Senator Inget? Aye. Senator Hattahley? Pass. Senator Cugis? No. Senator Ortiz? No. Senator Schult?
  • But if you have to put down that you're an employee of the Arizona State Senate, they can track you here
  • But Article 2, Section 26 of our state constitution is even stronger than the Second Amendment, Senator
Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard and advanced several election, judiciary, child welfare, and criminal justice measures. SB 1489 would require paid petition circulators for initiatives and referenda to disclose their name, state of residence, and paid status verbally and on a badge, add registration requirements for certain local circulators, prohibit pay by signature for local measures, and apply strict compliance and funding-disclosure rules to local initiatives. The ACLU opposed it as compelled speech and a burden on political expression, while the Arizona Chamber supported it as transparency and parity with state-level rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. SB 1609, an emergency measure concerning political party names, would require proposed party names to be distinguishable from existing parties and bar use of terms like “independent” or similar variations. The Arizona Independent Party opposed it as a retroactive change and “cartel protection,” while county election officials and the Arizona Association of Counties supported it as reducing voter confusion. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 7-0 vote. SCR 1040, a voter-approved constitutional referral, would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices of courts of record from 70 to 75; supporters argued it reflects longer life expectancy and preserves experienced judges, while opponents said voters previously rejected a similar proposal and that an age limit is preferable. It passed 5-2. The committee also considered SB 1234, which changes juvenile court representation rules by requiring a guardian ad litem in dependency and termination cases and allowing appointment of an attorney for the child depending on age and ability to express an opinion. Sponsor Senator Werner said the bill was part of a broader child-safety reform effort informed by cases such as Rebecca Baptiste, arguing that a guardian ad litem with attorney authority would better protect children’s best interests. Child welfare attorneys and advocates opposed the bill, saying children need a dedicated attorney-client relationship, confidentiality, and a voice separate from the court or DCS; DCS remained neutral. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass on a 5-2 vote. SB 1661 would allow a presumed father to be relieved of child support obligations if genetic testing shows he is not the biological father; supporters described cases where men remained liable despite exclusionary DNA results, and the bill passed 6-0. Later, the committee heard election administration and transparency bills. SB 1392 would give governing bodies canvassing elections access to locations where election materials are created, handled, processed, tabulated, or stored, so they can observe procedures and review records while protecting secrecy and security; county officials raised concerns about the term “agent,” and the bill passed 4-3. SB 1634 would require ADOT to provide county recorders with a copy of an applicant’s handwritten signature when facilitating voter registration; county officials said it would improve signature comparison, and the bill passed 5-2 after a vote correction. SB 1743 would redact an individual donor’s employer street number, employer name, or residence address from public campaign finance reports, with penalties for improper disclosure; supporters cited privacy and safety, while opponents argued employer information is important for transparency and identifying influence. It passed 5-2. SB 1099, a strike-everything amendment, set statutory criteria for defamation claims involving public or private figures and public or private concerns, including falsity, reckless disregard, and context; it passed 4-3. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1535, which increases penalties for buyers of sexual conduct, including making the conduct a class 6 felony and adding a $200 assessment to support anti-human trafficking services. The sponsor and supporters, including survivors, law enforcement, neighborhood advocates, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said the bill targets demand that fuels trafficking and neighborhood disorder. Opponents from criminal justice and anti-violence groups said the bill should include a rebuttable presumption to better protect trafficking victims. The committee adopted an amendment and recommended the bill do pass.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 02-06-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madame Clerk, please call the roll. >> Senator Awa >> Senator Chang >> Senator Detroit >> Senator Deort
  • >> Senator Dela Cruz >> Senator Elephante >> Senator Elephante >> Senator Favlla >> Senator Fukunaga
  • >> Senator Gabbard >> Senator Hashimoto here. >> Senator Ihara >> Senator Inoe >> Senator Kuha >> Senator
  • Koho Kole >> Senator Koho Kole. >> Senator Kedani. >> Senator Kim >> Senator Lamosaw >> Senator Lee
  • >> Senator McKelie. >> Senator Mory. >> Senator Rhodess. >> Senator Richards >> Senator San Bueno Ventura
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 02-05-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madame Clerk, please call the roll. >> Senator Awa. >> Here. >> Senator Chang. >> Here. >> Senator DeCorte
  • Senator Dela Cruz. >> Here. >> Senator Elefante. >> Here. >> Senator Fevella. >> Here. >> Senator Fukunaga
  • >> Senator Inouye. >> Present. >> Senator Kanuha. >> Here. >> Senator Keohokalole. >> Here. >> Senator
  • Kidani. >> Here. >> Senator Kim. >> Here. >> Senator Lamosao. >> Here. >> Senator Lee. >> Here. >> Senator
  • Senate. Senate.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Jan 20th, 2026

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Senator Gudger. >> Senator Hatcher. >> Senator Kelley. >> Senator Coleman-Madison. >> Here. >> Senator
  • , >> Senator Chamblas, Senator Coleman, >> Senator Chamblas, Senator Coleman, Senator
  • > Senator Senator Gudger, Senator Hatcher, Senator Senator Gudger, Senator Hatcher, Senator Kelly
  • /c> Senator Gudger, Senator Hatcher, Senator Senator Gudger, Senator Hatcher, Senator Kelly, Kelly, Kelly
  • :39.680> Senator Senator Cedger, Senator Hatcher, Senator Senator Cedger, Senator Hatcher, Senator
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Justice Apr 1st, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Hinojosa. Present. Senator Huffman. Present. Senator Miles. Senator King.
  • I am proud to have Senator Mays Middleton as my state senator and extend my greatest thanks to him for
  • Senate bill 2289 requires that the county jail who contracts with an out-of-state jail report to the
  • Senator Hinojosa? Senator Huffman. Aye. Senator Miles. Aye. Senator King. Aye. Senator Hagen. Aye.
  • Senator Hinojosa? Aye. Senator Huffman? Aye. Senator Miles? Aye. Senator King? Senator Hagenboom.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice convened to address pressing issues surrounding oil field crime and safety on Texas highways. The meeting was initiated by Chair Flores, who emphasized the need for improved tools to combat repeat offenders having committed intoxicated driving, alongside tackling oil field theft that has escalated due to organized criminal activities. The committee heard public testimonies and engaged with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and industry representatives, who highlighted the complexities and dangers associated with these crimes. Notably, a significant focus was placed on Senate Bill 1320, which aims to establish a dedicated unit within the Department of Public Safety to investigate and address thefts specific to the oil and gas industry. This initiative seeks to strengthen coordination among various law enforcement agencies and improve training for local officers to combat these sophisticated theft operations more effectively.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Hinojosa. Present. Senator Huffman. Senator Miles. Senator King. Senator Hagenbuch.
  • Senator Hinojosa: Aye. Senator Huffman: Aye. Senator Miles: Aye. Senator King: Aye.
  • Senator Hinojosa? Aye. Senator Huffman? Aye. Senator Miles? Senator King? Senator Hagenbuch?
  • I am proud to have Senator Mays Middleton as my state senator and extend my greatest thanks to him for
  • Senate Bill 2289... ...which will help reduce the number of inmates being sent out of state.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several criminal justice bills, with most of the discussion focused on oilfield theft, DWI enforcement, juvenile justice, reentry licensing, jail transparency, and court/judicial standards. SB 1320 would create a DPS oilfield theft unit headquartered in the Permian Basin; supporters from industry, law enforcement, and a district attorney described increasingly sophisticated, organized theft tied to cartels and multi-jurisdictional criminal networks, while DPS said it currently has only two officers working the issue. The committee voted SB 1320 out unanimously and placed it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 826, which would enhance DWI committed in a school zone to a state jail felony, also passed unanimously after brief explanation and no testimony. SB 1171, adding juvenile justice OIG peace officers to Schedule C salary, was reported favorably on a committee substitute, and SB 1080, which would allow incarcerated people to obtain occupational licenses effective upon release, also passed on a committee substitute after testimony from formerly incarcerated advocates and reentry supporters. The committee also considered several bills aimed at tougher DWI penalties. SB 476 would increase intoxication manslaughter penalties when the offender violates an ignition interlock restriction; the bill was supported by the author, victims’ family members, Galveston officials, and law enforcement, but opposed by the Texas Civil Rights Project, which argued treatment and prevention would be more effective. After discussion about possible amendments, the bill was left pending. SB 745 would create a new first-degree felony option for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, and it was reported favorably after testimony from a prosecutor supporting the need for a stronger sentencing option. SB 2320 would broadly increase penalties for DWI offenses, including first-time DWI, DWI with an open container, high-BAC DWI, and repeat offenses; it was supported by a grieving family member and a sheriff, and the committee voted it out favorably. On juvenile justice, SB 1727 would expand tools to address assaults on staff at Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities by lowering the age for transfer to adult prison in some cases, allowing earlier transfer of determinate-sentence youth, and restricting release when a criminal case is pending. Juvenile probation officials supported the bill as a public safety and victim-rights measure, while the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed it, arguing it would send children to inappropriate adult facilities and conflict with juvenile justice principles; the bill was left pending. SB 1437 would expand the juvenile justice do-not-hire registry to include non-certified positions, and it passed unanimously after supporters said it would help close loopholes that allow predators to move between child-serving jobs. SB 2289, requiring counties that house inmates out of state to report that information and any deaths to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, also passed unanimously. Finally, SB 989, requiring criminal background checks for court personnel who determine bail, and SB 664, establishing statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and associate judges, were explained and discussed as transparency and public-safety measures, with SB 989 reported favorably and SB 664 under committee consideration at the end of the transcript.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Mar 19th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the United States for states who choose to observe daylight savings time year-round.
  • It would not affect residents' representation by their state representative or state.
  • It might be at the state level. No other state has actually done this. Is that right?
  • Lastly, I will just say that when the Republican senators killed the downtown tunnel bill on state land
  • Still have the same mayor, same city council, same state representatives, same governor, same senators
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs - Part 1 Mar 19th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • There was one, I went to here on a Senate committee last week.
  • Today, four states have exceptions for educational purposes. 34 states have either defenses or affirmative
  • Five states have repealed their defenses. defenses since 2019, while seven states either never had these
  • The state of Texas supports you. And you're right to do so.
  • Senate Bill 391.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/18/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • bill amends State efficiently this bill amends State Statute<00:05:20.720> so<00:05:20.880>
  • would like to thank the Minnesota State would like to thank the Minnesota State Bar<00:14:39.279
  • thank<00:21:19.720> you<00:21:19.960> all State um state government thank you all State
  • amended be re-referred to the state amended be re-referred to the state government<00:21:28.080>
  • welcome to the committee please state welcome to the committee please state your<00:23:47.559>
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 9th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Brooks, Brooks. Senator Bullard, Bullard. Senator Bullard, Bullard. Senator Burns, Burns.
  • Senator Senator Grellner, Grellner. Here. Senator Guthrie, Guthrie. Senator Hall, Hall. Here.
  • Senator Irn, Irn. Here. Senator Kirt, Kirt. Senator Logan, Logan. Senator Mann, Mann.
  • Alyssa Ross to the Oklahoma State Senate. Mr. Leader, thank you, Mr. President.
  • The Oklahoma state legislature is proud to extend its best wishes and congratulations to this team Senator
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Member of Senate Bill 366 basically states that if a public school system sells or leases a building
  • Of other state law areas and such, Senator Hines, for a question on the bill, are we work there we go
  • Senate Bill 169 increases the amount of longevity awarded to state employees by 50% across all service
  • We are looking To make these reports public through the Secretary of State, Senator Kirk, for follow-up
  • Senator Dawes, Senator Burns, Senator Stewart, Senator Ander, Senator Alberry, Senator Rossino, Senator
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • They get to visit different districts in the state, they get to come to the state capitol, to go to the
  • House Bill 3621 by Lawson of the House and Thompson of the Senate, an act relating to state government
  • to state government.
  • A lot of those authorities are then passed down to the states, and this is how the state of Oklahoma
  • That relies on us as the state.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Because in this state, independent is unaffiliated.
  • If I am from out of state but I live in the state, can I register to vote? Yes, you can.
  • House Bill 3310 by Eaves of the House and Ern of the Senate, an act relating to state government.
  • House Bill 3310 by Eaves of the House and Ern of the Senate, an act relating to state government.
  • House Bill 3279 by Pifer of the House and hall of the Senate, an act relating to state government led
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a special year here in the state of Oklahoma for many reasons.
  • House Bill 3176 by Archer of the House and Rader of the Senate, an act relating to state development.
  • But we have the Ham Institute through the Oklahoma State University.
  • House Bill 3176 by Archer of the House and Raider of the Senate, an act relating to state development
  • Reid, Chairman Caldwell, state your point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 10th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator Alvert, Senator Bergstrom, Senator Boren, and Senator Brooks.
  • Senator Bullard, Senator Burns, Senator Coleman, Senator Daniels, and Senator Deavers.
  • Senator Dossett, Senator Fricks, Senator Gillespie, Senator Alahar, and Senator Goodwin.
  • Senator Hamilton, Senator Haste, Senator Hicks, Senator Heinz, Senator Howard, and Senator Yak.
  • Senator Jett, Senator Kern, Senator Kirt, Senator Logan, and Senator Mann.