Video & Transcript Research : 'declarant control'
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LA
Transcript Highlights:
- This public health emergency declaration is urgent and needed.
- This is exactly what the public health emergency declaration would do.
- This declaration would, in fact, address—I don't know...
- This declaration would, in fact, address findings in that report.
- We're using an example from Mississippi, where they passed a declaration, or have a declaration, on infant
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 145, which would require adult residential care providers, especially assisted living centers, to have generators or other backup power arrangements and to submit preparedness plans to LDH. After technical amendments and testimony from the sponsor, LDH, and the assisted living industry clarifying the bill’s scope and cost concerns, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. It then took up SB 433, which would require Medicaid coverage of medically necessary FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, subject to appropriations and fiscally sustainable coverage criteria; the bill was reported favorably after discussion of current Medicaid coverage and costs.
The committee also approved SB 52, which requires better coordination between DCFS and LDH so SNAP and Medicaid benefits can follow children more quickly when they are removed from or returned to a home. Technical amendments changed reporting deadlines and required written notice, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 4 on public water fluoridation was amended to allow local governments or voters to opt out through a petition and election process, with support from the Louisiana Dental Association and others after compromise language was adopted; it was reported favorably with amendments. SB 152, which would prohibit the sale of cultured or lab-grown food products for human consumption, was also reported favorably with amendments after brief testimony in support and opposition.
The committee next approved SCR 37, which asks the Surgeon General to review Louisiana’s informed consent laws and report back on any gaps, after discussion that the existing medical disclosure panel had not met since 2018. It then considered SB 194, a public assistance bill aligning Louisiana Medicaid and SNAP rules with recent federal changes on non-citizen eligibility and tightening Medicaid’s reasonable opportunity period for citizenship verification. After extensive debate over immigration, emergency care, and whether the bill could harm eligible applicants or rural hospitals, the committee adopted an amendment allowing LDH discretion for emergency health care services and reported the bill favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, HCR 113 created a task force to study gestational carrier agreements and assisted reproductive regulation; after debate over surrogacy, ethics, and referral to Civil Law, the committee rejected the referral motion and then reported the resolution favorably, and the meeting moved on to SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and legal representation funding.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 04/20/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- logical to prohibit banks chartered by the very same state from investing in an activity that we've declared
- logical to prohibit banks chartered by the very same state from investing in an activity that we've declared
- logical to prohibit banks chartered by the very same state from investing in an activity that we've declared
- President, how do you expect giving our utility companies NYSEG, Con Ed, “More control over power and
- Then, utilities had a monopoly, so they could control both production and distribution.
Summary:
The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no.
The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship.
The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Address to Congress by the President of the United States (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The egg price is out of control, and we're working hard to get it back down.
- They have total control over a whole nation, posing a grave threat to our national security.
- rape torture and exercise total control rape torture and exercise total control they<01:48:54.920
- :56.719>
a <01:48:56.920>whole they have total control over a whole they have total control - The Chair declares the joint session of the two Houses now dissolved. Hold on.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Bill 49 by Assembly Member Muratsuchi and others, an act relating to education and declaring
- When we optimize fusion, we will control the world in energy.
- Members, I rise today to present H.R. 40, declaring May 25th as Rosenda's Day.
- This H.R. 40 declares May 25th as Rosenda's Day to raise awareness of the deadly impacts of drunk driving
- Assembly Bill 546 by Assembly Member Caloza and others, relating to health care coverage and declaring
Summary:
The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file.
Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold.
The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception.
The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- I declare Senate Bill 3005 to a pass.
- I declare House Bill 3007 to a pass. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, members.
- With 8 ayes and 3 nays, I declare House Bill 1907 to be passed.
- I declare it to have passed. I'm gonna turn the gavel to Chairman Greene.
- I declare House Bill 3175 to have passed.
Keywords:
climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 26th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- disaster in this country, in the history of this country, and... ...declared disaster in this country
- But you're using their tragedy to ask for money because you can't control your spending habits.
- You're not giving fire districts the ability to do controlled burns. California Air Resources...
- You're not giving fire districts the ability to do controlled burns.
- California Air Resources Board doesn't allow them to do controlled burns because they say it will emit
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a largely ceremonial floor session with multiple guest introductions and recognitions. Members honored the retirement of long-serving committee secretary Marisa Lancaster, recognized Assemblymember Rubio’s parents on her mother’s 80th birthday, welcomed school and agency guests, and celebrated Crescenta Valley Water District’s 75th anniversary. The body also adopted several resolutions recognizing Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and California FFA, with strong bipartisan support and co-author additions.
The main policy item was AJR 27, a resolution urging federal disaster aid for Los Angeles-area wildfire recovery, especially the Palisades and Eaton fires. Supporters from both parties emphasized the need for immediate, unconditional federal assistance for displaced residents, businesses, and communities still rebuilding, while some Republicans argued the state and local governments should move faster on permitting, recovery, and mitigation and criticized state spending priorities. After debate, the resolution was opened for co-authors and then adopted on a 68-0 roll call vote.
The Assembly also adopted ACR 133 on Girl Day by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added, ACR 138 honoring FFA with 73 co-authors and voice adoption, and ACR 136 on Engineers Week with 69 co-authors and unanimous consent on the consent calendar. The chamber then heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Juan Antonio Pacheco and Paul L. McAiley, and adjourned until Monday, March 2, at 1 p.m.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 22nd, 2026 at 11:06 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Memorial 5, introduced by Representative González, a memorial declaring January 22, 2006, New Mexico
- House Bill 72, introduced by Representative Reeb, an act relating to controlled substances, providing
- a penalty for the distribution to a minor of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule 1 or Schedule
- act relating to children, providing that the exposure of a child to a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 controlled
- Temporary protective custody under certain circumstances, declaring an emergency.
Bills:
HB1
Keywords:
feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Disaster declarations those 53 declarations have over 5,000 local or state disaster recovery projects
- In short, our job is less about. and in control, it's more about communication, cooperation, and coordination
- We'll happy to so right now 53 open federal disaster declarations.
- Those declarations are FEMA decks or presidential disaster declarations.
- Animal cruelty, many sheriffs across. the state also have animal control or animal services on top of
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/09/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- That is how it is done currently: either under control of the utility or under control of the company
- That is how it is done currently: either under control of the utility or under control of the company
- That is how it is done currently: either under control of the utility or under control of the company
- by the National Weather uh a declaration by the National Weather Service<02:16:31.760>
declare - ,<04:26:47.760>
increasing <04:26:48.640>community control, increasing community control - ,<04:26:47.760>
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Sep 9th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The act allows for funding to be used for water, wastewater, solid waste, roads, housing, and flood control
- to develop colonias infrastructure and may include water, wastewater, solid waste, flood drainage control
- The emergency project had to stem from a certified disaster declared by the governor in the last three
- An emergency as a result of a natural disaster declared such by the governor. Declared a disaster.
- you're declaring what we should do, but what are your perspectives on that?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 5th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And that we were not silent as the rich tried to continue to control our democracy.
- And I ask all of my colleagues, as I'm often reminded, to work with the party in control, to prioritize
- And as a result, the Yurok and Karuk tribes have declared a state of emergency due to the loss of salmon
- This bill is an attempt to try to say, hey, we have to keep this under control while the negotiations
- Assembly Bill 1438 by Assemblymember Gallagher, an act relating to education finance and declaring the
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- assume that the increase for TVA will continue to be $1.3 million annually, as even without these controls
- assume that the increase for TVA will continue to be $1.3 million annually, as even without these controls
- assume that the increase for TVA will continue to be $1.3 million annually, as even without these controls
- assume that the increase for TVA will continue to be $1.3 million annually, as even without these controls
- a yes vote on or a else want to declare a yes vote on or a no<00:24:56.640>
vote <00:24:56.880
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:12
Introduction of Guests 01:09
HB 88 Discussion 01:46
HB 88 Roll Call Vote 03:24
HB 346 Discussion 04:20
HB 346 Roll Call Vote 21:58
Chair Comments 24:31, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor.
The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts.
At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm gonna hand you when I'm done, um, a declaration from our case in federal court on this, where Doctor
- And I'm here for questions, and I will hand you this declaration.
- Well, it is, and I'm going to give you a declaration that says it is possible.
- Walter Daughtery has seen it, and he provided this declaration and, and validated, yes, it exists for
- I'll be happy to send, um, the court case is actually the numbers on the declaration for the expert.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- receive testimony from the Attorney General's office, noting that, excuse me, suggesting that we declare
- The legislature declares that the establishment of an early learning apprenticeship grant program is
- :02.839>
um <00:47:03.240>is <00:47:03.440>a <00:47:04.119>uh that we declare - that this um is a uh that we declare that this um is a uh matter<00:47:04.520>
of <00:47:04.640 - will read as follows<00:47:13.200>
the <00:47:13.359>legislature <00:47:13.839>declares
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education met on January 31 and heard six bills. The chair opened by outlining committee practices, including giving at least 72 hours’ notice for hearings, releasing testimony by 5:00 p.m. the day before hearings, and deferring bills needing substantive HT1 changes so members would not vote “blind.” Members briefly thanked the chair for the transparency approach before moving to the agenda.
HB 223 would create a Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy special fund and workforce assessment fee to support a pharmacy center. Testimony from the Board of Pharmacy, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo College of Pharmacy, Mokai Drugs, and others generally supported the measure, emphasizing workforce data, rural access, student loan repayment, and retention. The committee later advanced HB 223 with amendments, including leaving fee amounts blank for further discussion and inserting a defective date, and the motion passed unanimously.
HB 940 would appropriate funds for the rat lungworm lab at UH Hilo; HB 546 would establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute at UH to advance AI; HB 549 would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program; HB 1172 would add the Department of Taxation to the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for wage-data sharing; and HB 1320 would require UH to collect and publicly report graduate outcome data and create a dashboard. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with some privacy concerns raised on HB 1172 and a request to protect taxpayer confidentiality. In decision-making, the committee passed all five bills with amendments, generally deleting or blanking appropriations and FTEs for Finance Committee review, adding defective dates for further discussion, and in HB 549 adding a statement that the program is a matter of statewide concern. The committee recessed briefly for decision-making and then adopted the chair’s recommendations on each bill.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- As I understand, Senator Bettencourt, some of those increases were due to disastrous declarations that
- an election where they went to the public and said the election, because they used the emergency declaration
- , election, because they use the emergency declaration example, the county judge there, Hildago, again
- One last question: How does the 2.5 cap in your bill compare to trying to control property taxes based
- How does the 2.5 cap in your bill compare to trying to control property taxes based on inflation and
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and then handled several procedural matters, including a failed motion to excuse Senator Johnson’s absence after a roll-call vote. The chamber also postponed the reading and referral of bills until later in the calendar and adopted motions allowing the Education K-16 Committee to meet while the Senate was in session. The Senate then recessed until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 6.
The main floor action centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 9, which lowers the voter-approval tax rate for certain cities and counties from 3.5% to 2.5% for maintenance and operations. Senator Bettencourt argued the bill would slow local property tax growth and align city and county limits more closely with school district limits, while Senators Hinojosa and Menendez raised concerns about reduced local revenue, public safety funding, and the short time for cities to assess the impact. The Senate suspended the regular order, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the constitutional three-day rule, and finally passed SB 9, with a clarification later entered that the final passage vote was 18-3.
The Senate also took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, which sets state policy for the use of certain spaces and facilities according to biological sex and creates enforcement mechanisms for state agencies and political subdivisions. Supporters said the bill was needed to protect women and children in restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and schools, while opponents questioned the scope, enforcement, civil penalties, and possible conflicts with federal law and local control. After extensive questioning, the chamber adopted a clarifying amendment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed SB 7 by a vote of 19-2.
Finally, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 15, which addresses deed fraud and real property theft by tightening recording requirements for certain property documents and creating new criminal offenses for real property theft and fraud. Senator Hinojosa explained that the bill combined civil and criminal provisions, added photo ID requirements for in-person filings, and included restitution and enhanced penalties for certain victims and properties; a floor amendment made cleanup changes, removed a training mandate, and clarified that electronic and mail filings were not affected. The Senate adopted the amendment, suspended the three-day rule, and passed SB 15 unanimously, 21-0.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This wasn't just a place of worship; it was a declaration: We are still here.
- This wasn't just a place of worship, it was a declaration. We are Northern California.
- This wasn't just a place of worship, it was a declaration. We are still here.
- It also includes provisions to control consumer costs by requiring transparency and oversight of premium
- Bill 652, which seeks to address operational efficiencies within the San Diego County Air Pollution Control
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis, and later held a separate remembrance ceremony for the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Members and guests heard extensive remarks in support of HR 25, which was adopted by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added. Speakers from both parties and several caucuses emphasized historical truth, remembrance, and solidarity with Armenian Californians, and the chamber also observed a moment of silence for the genocide victims.
On the floor, members also passed AB 789 on health insurance rate oversight, ACR 56 recognizing Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, AB 652 on San Diego County Air Pollution Control District alternates despite opposition from one member over regional balance concerns, AB 1414 protecting renters from mandatory internet provider subscriptions, AB 931 regulating litigation finance agreements, AB 890 easing residency rules for foster youth moving counties, AB 40 clarifying emergency reproductive health care coverage with urgency, AB 322 encouraging school-based health and mental health reimbursement programs, and AB 639 narrowing the definition of dams for certain weir operators. Most measures passed by wide margins, including several unanimous votes.
The consent calendar, including AB 1149, AB 484, AB 859, AB 1105, and AB 1384, was adopted without objection. The Assembly also handled procedural motions, committee notices, and bill re-referrals earlier in the day. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, April 24 at 9 a.m.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Staff made a great recommendation in the first stop for the legislature to find and declare that this
- Senate Bill 86 declares And sadly, there are many more cases.
- Senate Bill 86 declares that the operation of a commercial vehicle by an unauthorized alien is an imminent
- Senate Bill 86 declared And sadly, there are many more cases.
- Senate Bill 86 declares that the operation of a commercial vehicle by an unauthorized alien is an imminent
Summary:
The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first adopted a late-filed amendment to SB 774, which expands enhanced workers’ compensation coverage to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher and others, and was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 770 on forensic services for certain defendants, which would allow the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to consolidate secure forensic services for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed after incompetency findings.
Members then considered several public safety, family, and workforce bills. CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized aliens operating commercial vehicles an imminent safety hazard and imposes vehicle impoundment and a $50,000 penalty on motor carriers, was reported favorably after questions about impound procedures and cargo handling; one speaker opposed it. SB 1594, protecting veterans’ benefits for foster youth so the funds are reserved for postsecondary education, training, and after-care services, was reported favorably with supportive testimony from a former DCF attorney. CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in violent crime cases, was reported favorably despite criminal defense attorneys’ concerns about a provision allowing warrantless arrests without officer observation.
The committee also approved a complete rewrite of the nonprofit corporations chapter in SB 554, a sickle cell continuing education bill (SB 844) after extensive emotional testimony from patients, advocates, and family members, and SB 1022 adding two children’s initiative programs in Bay County and Broward County. CS/SB 1246 broadened the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science education programs and related workforce needs and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230 restricting use and sale of certain firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS, and CS/CS/SB 128 directing DEP to mark Red Harris Spoil Island; both passed with favorable votes. Several senators later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific tabs, and the meeting adjourned without further business.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 03:59 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- I declare the minutes approved.
- I declare the motion adopted, and the bill will be reported.
- I can't control what somebody posts on Facebook, and I can't control what all the media reports either
- I declare the motion adopted. Congratulations. All right.
- I declare the amendment adopted.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and then took up House Bill 4852, a strike-and-insert bill revising West Virginia’s food additive restrictions. Counsel explained that it moved the existing additive list into a new code section, kept the 2028 effective date, added exceptions for dietary supplements, alcoholic liquor, non-intoxicating beer, and small sellers under $5,000 per month, and created civil penalties for knowing violations. Testimony split between industry witnesses, who argued the bill and last year’s law would raise costs, burden interstate commerce, and conflict with federal regulation, and advocates who said the law is already prompting companies to reformulate and that the bill clarifies vague language tied to a federal injunction. Several amendments were offered to tie the law to FDA action or exempt soda, pepperoni rolls, frozen confections, and snack foods; some were adopted and others failed. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment as amended and reported HB 4852 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee next considered House Bill 5484, which creates felony offenses for interfering with a victim’s access to medical treatment or forensic care related to a sexual offense, or for forcing a victim of a sexual offense who becomes pregnant to have an illegal abortion, along with a conspiracy offense. Counsel said the strike-and-insert added clarifying language and definitions. Members raised concerns that the conspiracy language could be read to include the victim herself, and the bill sponsor said the intent was to target traffickers and abusers who keep victims from medical care and force abortions outside medical facilities. An amendment was adopted clarifying that nothing in the subsection imposes criminal liability on the victim of the sexual offense. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported HB 5484 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, and adopted a title amendment.
The final bill discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 4468, which narrows confidentiality protections for victims in criminal complaints by limiting redaction to names and addresses, while still allowing disclosure to other governmental entities and permitting victims to request redaction of addresses from appellate decisions after July 1, 2026. Counsel said the bill would replace broader existing confidentiality language and remove provisions allowing disclosure upon a showing of justice or by subpoena. Members questioned whether the change would weaken victim privacy protections, noting that identifying information can include much more than names and addresses. The committee then began hearing testimony from a county prosecutor on the bill, but the excerpt ends before any vote or final action on HB 4468.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 04:01 pm
Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it; declare the amendment adopted.
- In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it; declare the amendment adopted.
- In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it; declare the amendment adopted.
- In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it; declare the amendment adopted.
- In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it; declare the motion adopted.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes of the previous meeting. It then took up House Bill 5438, which revises parts of the school aid formula and limits certain uses of instructional program, technology, and induction funds; the committee adopted an Education Committee amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate. The committee also reported House Bill 4087, creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance for higher education partnerships and grants, after brief explanation and no opposition.
Members then considered House Bill 4191, which expands the child care tax credit to employer-sponsored child care facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based, with electronic filing requirements by 2026. Senators spoke in strong support, describing it as a workforce and economic development measure, and the bill was reported. House Bill 5074, which redirects medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues to general revenue and several specified purposes including the Supreme Court, universities, law enforcement, and health programs, was amended to increase the court allocation and remove the direct university research earmarks; it was reported over concerns that accumulated fund money would be diverted to general revenue.
The committee also advanced House Bill 5353, bringing virtual currency kiosks under money transmission licensure and adding consumer disclosures, transaction limits, support requirements, and anti-fraud protections; a strike-and-insert amendment clarified kiosk rules and added law-enforcement contact requirements. House Bill 5527, regulating licensure of wellness reimbursement program administrators and related broker duties, was amended to clarify the definition and protect proprietary licensing information from public disclosure, then reported. House Bill 5687, as amended, phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and incorporates a separate oil-and-gas tax reduction for new wells while adjusting county and municipal distributions, and it was reported. The committee also approved a large revenue rules bundle, House Bill 4245, with amendments to a lottery rule and a pre-need burial company rule, and reported House Bill 4418 to create an electronic municipal B&O tax filing system once enough municipalities participate.
Finally, the committee reported House Bill 5168, which creates a permanent $12 million lottery-funded EMS support structure, including mental health treatment funding, county EMS funds, and an all-county EMS fund; members emphasized the need for stable EMS funding, especially in rural areas, and clarified how counties with and without levies would benefit. The committee then announced several Senate bills would not be taken up that day and adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- years, and I've been writing testimony here, worked in front of this committee, and one of the items control
- on the state highway property, which is federally funded, then the federal government has a lot of control
- I had about two people short of what I needed for UFCW to help us declare.
- They help us to control our inventory, build our brand awareness, and can help small businesses trying
- The police declared him missing and in danger.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law.
The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility.
A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.