Video & Transcript : 'black mangrove' :
Page 62 of 339
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Transportation Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- if you take something out of context, but even taken out of context, saying things like, if I see a black
- But even taken out of context, saying things like, if I see a black pilot, I'm going to be like, boy,
- Prowling Blacks go around for fun to go target white people. That's a fact.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee met and considered several transportation-related bills, including multiple honorary roadway designations, specialty license plates, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency measures. SB 628, by Senator Gates, designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor three sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack; it passed favorably without debate. SB 174, by Senator Rodriguez, designated part of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue. Senator Arrington spoke in opposition, citing Kirk’s controversial public statements, while Senator Rodriguez said the bill honored civic participation rather than ideology; the bill passed favorably. SB 388, by Senator Arrington, raised the annual use fee for the Florida wildflower specialty license plate from $15 to $25, with an exception for certain fleet purchases, to support conservation and education programs; it received supportive public comment and passed favorably.
The committee also approved SB 470 by Senator Wright, which opens the existing Fraternal Order of Police specialty license plate to the general public and allows a redesign to increase sales and funding for law enforcement memorial efforts. A representative of the FOP testified in support, explaining that the memorial benefits fallen officers’ families. SB 584, by Vice Chair Avala, authorizes DHSMV and county tax collectors to enter agreements allowing local enforcement of certain commercial driving school laws, aimed at reducing fraud and improving oversight; it passed favorably with supportive comments from lobbyists. The committee then took up DHSMV agency package bills: SB 488, which updates motor fuel tax and vehicle-related provisions, including IFTA compliance, online filing, higher crash-reporting thresholds, and email communications; and SB 490, the companion public records exemption for email addresses used under SB 488. Both were reported favorably, with SB 490 noted as requiring a two-thirds vote.
At the end of the meeting, members recorded missed votes in the affirmative on SB 628, SB 174, and SB 388. The committee then adjourned without objection.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- if you take something out of context, but even taken out of context, saying things like, if I see a black
- But even taken out of context, saying things like, if I see a Black pilot, I'm going to be like, boy,
- Prowling Blacks go around for fun to go target white people. That's a fact.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Keywords:
transportation, memorial, honorary designation, Miami-Dade, Charlie Kirk, license plates, Florida Wildflower, vehicle registration, annual use fee, specialty plates, Fraternal Order of Police, license plate, funding, memorial foundation, law enforcement, motor carriers, fuel tax, military exemptions, safety regulations, electronic submissions
Summary:
The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several bills, mostly related to honorary roadway designations, specialty license plates, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles administration. SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson and Petty Officers Muhammad Hatham and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. The bill passed favorably with no debate or opposition.
The committee also considered SB 174, naming a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue. Senator Arrington opposed the bill during debate, citing Kirk’s public statements as inconsistent with the honor, while Senator Rodriguez argued the designation was an honorary roadway naming that did not require agreement with Kirk’s views. The bill was reported favorably. SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflowers specialty license plate from $15 to $25 while keeping the lower fee for owners with more than 10 vehicles, also passed favorably after a support-only public comment.
Members then approved SB 470, which opens the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate to the general public and allows redesigns to help sustain sales and increase funding for law enforcement memorial efforts. Public testimony from the FOP supported the change. SB 584 authorized DHSMV to enter agreements allowing county tax collectors to enforce certain commercial driving school provisions, aimed at addressing fraud and licensing abuses, and it passed favorably with support. Finally, the committee approved SB 488, the DHSMV agency package updating IFTA compliance, online filing, crash reporting thresholds, registration procedures, email communications, and tank vehicle definitions, along with SB 490, the companion public records exemption for email addresses used under SB 488; both were reported favorably, with SB 490 noted as requiring a two-thirds vote.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- supersede what I'm saying under the name of patriotism because this is a slap and an insult in the face of black
- In the reality of life, you know you're putting this pie and just rubbing it all into black folks' faces
- You know, and knowing what we know, the erasure of black history is also the erasure of American history
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
Keywords:
school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, National Signing Day, athletic scholarships, military enlistment, postsecondary education, apprenticeship programs, high school students, educational commitments, education intervention, State Superintendent, local boards, provisional release, subpoena authority, compliance, educational operation control, fundraising
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jul 1st, 2026
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- Those who use an ITIN to file their taxes are disproportionately Latino, Black, and Asian taxpayers.
- And because Black and Latino households typically have lower incomes and less wealth, they are the ones
- This challenge has been falling disproportionately on Black and brown and immigrant young adults like
- Black and Latino families in Greater Boston hold a fraction of the wealth of white families.
- Black and Latino families in Greater Boston hold a fraction of the wealth of white families.
Keywords:
poverty alleviation, family support, economic mobility, youth transition, financial education, matched savings, community programs, Department of Children and Families, DCF, child abuse investigation, child neglect, pediatrician, advanced practice registered nurse, medical misdiagnosis, rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency, bone fragility, child welfare
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice May 6th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- The delegates on this committee wanted to make sure that Black jurors could not meaningfully serve on
- a jury so that they could not acquit Black people of crimes to support... ...they could not acquit Black
- You're Black like me. You're this big, burly man. You just don't present like a victim.
- People who look like you, as Black as you, as big and burly as you, people can't see you as... people
- Look like you, as Black as you, as big and burly as you, people can't see you as a victim.
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote.
The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing.
Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee - Morning Session Dec 17th, 2025
A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- all do, I think pretty regularly, from people who continue to be very concerned about feral hogs, black
- Those have been implemented, and really we have seen an increase in the number of black vultures that
- And then I mentioned the black vulture traps that are in service and have already been very helpful in
- assisting livestock producers with removal of black vultures.
- Across the state, quite a few up in the Noble area, Noble County, on Black Bear, that really need to
Committee:
House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee
Summary:
The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year.
Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels.
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide.
Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Next we have Rick Taber in support, Bixby Hoen in support, Barbara Black in support.
- Barbara black and support Barbara you Barbara black and support Barbara you present<00:41:47.720><c>
- > you</c><00:42:07.880><c> Peter</c><00:42:08.280><c> you</c><00:42:08.440><c> present</c> Western black
- are you Peter you present Western black are you Peter you present on on on Zoom<00:42:11.160><c> okay
- </c><00:42:30.079><c> sorry</c> identify yourself Barbara black sorry identify yourself Barbara black
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted.
HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same.
HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 24th, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Rob Black, and I'm the designate for the Economic Development Department.
- Thank you, Secretary-designate Black.
- Very designated black and Mr. Rodriguez, Chair. Thank you.
- This question is actually for Secretary-designate Black, really fast.
- But yeah, the black words—You've got a saturated version of that.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Yet I, like many of the families and people who live in my district and who are from Black and Brown
- Almost half of all Black and Latino children in Massachusetts live in households that are cost-burdened
- total over 81% of children benefited from the program, including 29% of Latino children and 24% of Black
- Passing this bill gives that to families, especially those in Black and Latino neighborhoods, and gives
- In Latino, Black, and immigrant communities, cultural norms often discourage institutional care.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Revenue
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure.
Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.
CT
Connecticut 2026 Regular Session
Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council Care Management Committee May 13th Meeting May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If you look at the black dots, that's where all the practices are located.
- Look at the black dots, that's where all the practices are located.
- Our Asian population is second, followed by Black African American, Pacific Islander, Native Alaskan
- Because they're like seven or eight percentage points below Hispanics and Black people.
- I think that by far the little... ...below Hispanics and Black people.
Summary:
The Care Management Meeting opened with a DSS update on the PCMH program. Staff reported the program remained steady at 124 practices, 553 sites, and 2,548 providers, with some month-to-month fluctuation driven by practice consolidation, retirements, and a few practices leaving the program because NCQA requirements were burdensome. Members asked about declining provider and site counts, member attribution trends, and whether PCMH practices overlap with behavioral health homes; DSS said attribution changes are largely due to members becoming ineligible, moving, or getting other insurance, and that PCMH and behavioral health homes are separate programs that coordinate informally. The committee also discussed why some smaller practices leave the program and whether the requirements could be made easier to support retention.
The committee then resumed a detailed presentation on the Husky Dental program. The presenter described the dental benefit’s history, the importance of preventive oral health, workforce and consolidation pressures in dentistry, and the lack of interoperability between dental and medical records. Network data showed year-over-year declines in enrolled dental practitioners and service locations, with access gaps concentrated in rural and eastern parts of the state. Appointment availability surveys showed average waits of 38 days for adults and 23 days for children, but much longer waits at FQHCs than private fee-for-service practices. The presenter said Connecticut remains above the national median on CMS pediatric dental quality measures, though sealant rates remain a concern, and noted that preventive care is associated with lower per-member costs. Members raised concerns about provider participation, large practices dropping Medicaid, mobile dental care, and whether the public directory accurately reflects which dentists are actually accepting new patients. The presenter said the plan uses secret-shopper calls, tracks appointment availability, and has begun using place-of-service coding to better identify school-based dental care. She also noted a new MOU with 20 Head Start programs to share data and provide oral health literacy and navigation support.
The final major topic was implementation planning for HR1. DSS said CMS guidance was expected in early June and proposed using upcoming meetings to cover medical frailty, communication strategy, and data integration/ex parte verification. Committee members urged the department to create a dashboard to track disenrollments and other impacts of HR1, to build a process for complaints and problem resolution, and to think through cost-sharing, caregiver verification, exemptions, and notices. Members also asked about using existing eligibility structures such as the working-disabled program as a model. The committee agreed to move the next meeting to June 10 by Zoom, with the agenda to be circulated in advance and any PCMH Plus quality data shared if available.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- States Department of Justice in the '80s and '90s enforcing the Voting Rights Act and making sure that Black
- States Department of Justice in the '80s and '90s enforcing the Voting Rights Act and making sure that Black
- States Department of Justice in the '80s and '90s enforcing the Voting Rights Act and making sure that Black
- States Department of Justice in the '80s and '90s enforcing the Voting Rights Act and making sure that Black
- So if for Rights Act and making sure that Black Americans and minorities could not be intimidated away
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 572, the nomination of Kirsten Walker to the Commission on the Status of Women, and received testimony in strong support from representatives of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others. Walker described nearly a decade of community advocacy focused on women, gender-diverse people, homelessness, domestic violence, substance use, reproductive and gender-diverse health care, and support for criminalized communities. Members asked about the commission’s past work and future priorities, and Walker said it should continue supporting community initiatives, studies on violence, and women-led efforts. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent, with the measure adopted unanimously by the members present.
The committee then considered Governor’s Message 685, the nomination of Arielle Castillo to the Board of Registration of the Island of Oahu. Testimony from supporters emphasized her civic engagement, volunteer work, and willingness to serve in uncompensated state work. Castillo said she had worked in local politics and voter engagement, including with Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and explained her background in voter registration, election rules, and good-government efforts. Members questioned her on how she would handle close voting issues and whether her activism could affect her service; she said she would apply the law fairly, protect voting rights, and that her organization is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The committee again recommended advise and consent, and the nomination was adopted.
Finally, the committee heard Governor’s Message 686, the nomination of Jonathan Simons to the Board of Registration of the Island of Hawaii. Supporters described him as thoughtful and analytical, and Simons said he is a Hilo civil engineer with a strong interest in civics and good governance. He said his role on the board would be to protect the franchise by preventing improper disenfranchisement and ensuring votes are counted appropriately, citing his mother’s work enforcing the Voting Rights Act. Members asked whether he would apply election laws fairly and without partisan bias; he said he would. The committee voted advise and consent on GM 686 as well, and all three nominations were adopted before adjournment.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- more of our roads and begin to get more of our county<00:18:19.440><c> roads</c><00:18:19.840><c> black
- </c><00:18:20.480><c> That's</c><00:18:20.640><c> that's</c> county roads black top.
- That's that's county roads black top.
- 20:09.440><c> or</c> with the goal of eventually asphalt or with the goal of eventually asphalt or black
- topping, if you will, those black topping, if you will, those roadways. roadways. roadways.
Committee:
House Transportation
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Three - Wednesday, February 18 -Morning Session-
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, distinguished colleagues, I rise today during Black History Month to honor a remarkable young
- to play collegiate tennis at Tuskegee University, one of our nation's most prestigious historically Black
- to play collegiate tennis at Tuskegee University, one of our nation's most prestigious historically black
- Lelani Payton is writing a legacy that will inspire generations of young Black athletes, scholars, and
- , state champion, collegiate champion, missionary servant, and proud daughter of Kansas City, this Black
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote, and then moved through a series of introductions recognizing guests and student groups at the Capitol, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university groups, nursing students, and several legislative interns. The chamber also handled a point of order about an unauthorized prop in the room, which was removed.
The first major bill taken up was House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction calculations. Supporters argued it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits and provide fairness to taxpayers, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. After debate, the House passed HB 1766 by a vote of 94-50. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming measure that would criminalize illegal gaming machines, create a regulated framework for video lottery terminals, give local governments an opt-out, and expand enforcement authority for the Attorney General and prosecutors. Members debated whether the bill was a needed enforcement tool or an inappropriate expansion of gambling, with concerns raised about addiction, local control, revenue distribution, and whether the bill should have gone to Fiscal Review. A motion to refer the bill to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill itself passed 83-66 with one present.
The chamber next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provided just over $3 billion in additional authority, including tax refund authority, disaster relief, St. Louis tornado recovery funding, and major MoDOT funding, along with other smaller items. Members from both parties supported the bill, while also noting concerns about reliance on supplementals and the need to budget more accurately in the future. The House adopted an amendment reducing some general revenue authority, then adopted the bill and perfected and printed it. The meeting ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty - Thursday, February 12
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise to share a moment in Black history. Proceed, lady. Good morning.
- During Black History Month, we honor the life and legacy of Senator Yvonne Starks-Wilson.
- Along the way, she broke barriers as the first Black president of the Missouri Association of Elementary
- She also served in numerous leadership roles within the state and national Black legislative organizations
- During Black History Month, we celebrate her enduring legacy and the path she paved for future generations
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 119-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize a 40th wedding anniversary, honor Sherry Anderson for her service to the House, and observe Black History Month with a tribute to former Senator Yvonne Starks-Wilson. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Festus girls cross-country team, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce Leadership Conference, and advocates connected to the blind pension fund.
The main floor debate centered on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2033, 1608, 1672, and 1854, which would remove the sunset from the SAFE Act and continue restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. Supporters argued the bill protects children, citing concerns about puberty blockers, hormones, surgery, and evolving medical guidance; opponents said it targets transgender youth, interferes with family and medical decisions, and misstates the science. After extended debate, the previous question was adopted 102-45, and the combined bill package passed 102-40. House Bill 1847, creating the Dental Licensure Compact, also passed 138-10 after questions about reciprocity, data sharing, and state sovereignty.
The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1866, which bars peace officer licensure for applicants whose certification was revoked or suspended and for non-citizens, by a 101-36 vote after debate over citizenship, military service, and law enforcement standards. House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1908 and 2337 passed 147-0; the sponsor described it as protecting women and children in abusive situations and addressing legal responsibility in marriage. House Bill 1961, allowing temporary dietitian licenses and a compact for interstate practice, passed 137-8. House Bill 2180, changing Department of Revenue and blind pension notice delivery methods and allowing electronic notices, passed 146-0 and was described as both a service improvement and a cost saver. House Bill 2591, updating speech-language pathologist licensure to allow out-of-state training and practice in Missouri, passed 144-0. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, a Scouting America Eagle Scout recognition, an America 250 celebration event, and a Labor Caucus meeting before adjourning until Monday, February 16, 2026.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- For the communities I represent—Black communities, immigrant communities, marginalized communities, communities
- Senators, next week, like we have done for the past 20-some years, is State of Black Florida Week, where
- organizations and groups come from around the state to hear what the Legislative Black Caucus has been
- As chairman of the caucus and on behalf of the members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, we want
- On Thursday, February 5th, which will be HBCU Day, historically Black Colleges and Universities Day,
Summary:
The Florida Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and groups in the gallery, including Challenger Learning Center representatives, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, Zeta Phi Beta, Pine Forest High School students, and others. Senators also offered remarks honoring the anniversary of the Challenger disaster and welcoming visitors. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar.
The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which would increase penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers and other personnel, including mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer engaged in official duties. The bill drew extensive debate over self-defense, excessive force, prosecutorial discretion, jury instructions, and whether the measure was a proper response to the Jason Rayner case. Two amendments were offered and withdrawn. After debate, the Senate passed the bill 31-4. Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, Polsky, and others spoke in opposition, while Leek, Trumbull, and Hooper supported the measure as a needed correction and tribute to Officer Rayner.
The Senate then passed a series of other bills, mostly unanimously or by wide margins. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling establishments; SB 288 clarified rural electric cooperative authority; SB 292 created a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families; SB 296 and SB 298 advanced the HAVEN initiative and a related public records exemption for domestic violence victims; SB 364 modernized CPA licensure; SB 386 created protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserved or extended public records and meeting exemptions for emergency shelter addresses, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit records, Public Service Commission and Gaming Commission proceedings, DHSMV investigatory records, social media investigation records, and certain economic development loan records. Most of these bills passed 32-35 votes, with SB 292 passing 34-1 and SB 7000, SB 7002, SB 706, SB 708, SB 7012, SB 7014, and SB 7016 all approved.
At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, heard announcements about upcoming executive appointments and State of Black Florida Week events, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 15th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In Los Angeles, from January 2010 to March 2025, black individuals represented 65% of arrests and Latinos
- Even worse, in the case of black Californians, 8% of the population reportedly committed, 65% of the
- for her words, because as an Asian woman, I would never say and never put myself in a situation as a black
- woman, because I'm not a black woman, but I respect everything that she says.
- Who I think speaks on behalf of the entire Black Caucus with her powerful reflections and insight into
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-15 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I recognize Representative Black at Representative Smith's desk.
- Like I said, it's not black or white.
- It's because we recognize that this is not black and white.
- Our Black and brown communities, you are seeing shootings every single day.
- Our black and brown communities, you are seeing shooting every single day.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established, then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The chamber first took up HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands. Sponsor Rep. McClure said the bill would remove strict liability for previously mined phosphate lands if a Department of Health study is done at the owner’s request and the former mining status is recorded publicly. Opponents, including Reps. Cross, Nixon, and Eskamani, argued the bill did not provide enough notice to future buyers and renters and could create health and disclosure concerns. The bill passed 87-24.
The House then passed HB 145 on suits against the government, which Rep. McFarland said updates Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for the first time since 2010, raising them to $500,000 per person and $1 million per incident with future automatic increases, aligning the statute of limitations with private claims, and allowing governments to settle above the caps if they choose. He said the bill would make redress more accessible without eliminating the liability shield. The bill passed 104-7.
The chamber then considered CS/HB 289 on civil liability for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a bill by Rep. Greco that would amend the Wrongful Death Act to allow parents and other survivors to bring claims for the death of an unborn child, while exempting the mother and lawful medical care provided within the standard of care. Debate centered on whether the bill could affect abortion access, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, surrogacy, and liability for doctors, friends, family members, and others. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow the bill or add carve-outs for abortion, fertility care, surrogates, perinatal professionals, rape/incest/human trafficking situations, and to require the mother’s consent before suit; sponsors and opponents argued over whether these changes would prevent frivolous lawsuits or instead create loopholes and weaken the bill. None of the amendments were adopted during the portion of the transcript provided.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- if you take something out of context, but even taken out of context, saying things like, if I see a black
- But even taken out of context, saying things like, if I see a black pilot, I'm going to be like, boy,
- Prowling blacks go around for fun to go target white people. That's a fact.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight May 20th, 2025
Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- regulation and licensing department, um, talk a little bit about how they would do enforcement, um, and black
- Work to try to determine, and the term black market kind of piqued my interest as to how much in the
- way of tobacco products are being sold on the black market.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Commerce and Small Business
Transcript Highlights:
- Lowndes County, which is a significant portion of the majority of the black low-income community, lacks
- The Black Belt region infrastructure.
- The Black Belt region communities across this region, including parts of Wilcox and Lowndes County, suffer
Bills:
SB330
Committee:
House Commerce and Small Business
Keywords:
water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 1136, house, all