Video & Transcript : 'Italian immigrants' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Judiciary Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Francis Davila, and I'm an immigration attorney with the Acacia Center for Justice.
- My name is Francis Davila, and I'm an immigration attorney with the Acacia Center for Justice.
- Since January 2025, 46 people have died in immigration custody, the highest number in over two decades
- While immigration enforcement is a federal issue, the health, safety, and dignity of people detained
- Jackie Gonzalez, co-executive director of Immigrant Defense Advocates, proud co-sponsor, in support.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the time for survivors of conversion therapy to bring malpractice claims and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Senator Wiener and supporters, including a survivor and a licensed therapist, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued that survivors often cannot come forward within current limitation periods. Opponents, including attorneys and advocacy groups, argued the bill was an unconstitutional workaround to California’s existing ban and could chill legitimate therapy or expand liability. Committee members pressed both sides on the bill’s scope, with the author emphasizing it does not bar exploratory therapy or medical treatment, only attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the item placed on call; the consent calendar was also adopted 6-0 and placed on call.
The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, as amended, concerning manufactured home parks. The bill would require park owners who intend to sell to give residents or their designated representatives notice and an opportunity to submit a competitive bid, with timelines intended to allow residents to organize financing and complete due diligence. Supporters said the measure would help preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and give residents a fair chance to buy the land under their homes, especially after fire-related losses and increasing investor ownership of parks. Opponents from park-owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create an unconstitutional taking by imposing long timelines and restrictions that could deter buyers. Several senators questioned the 240-day process and whether the bill should include clearer good-faith or reciprocity provisions; the author said he was open to further adjustments. The transcript ends during committee discussion of SB 1092, with no final vote shown.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 17th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So is this bill restricting who may provide immigration-related assistance? No, sir.
- So then would that not be a conflict of interest for someone who is in immigration...
- the amount of people who are having an impact on immigration law?
- As you know, my wife is an immigrant from Brazil.
- As you know, my wife is an immigrant from Brazil.
Bills:
SB1627, SB227, SB366, SB1193, SB1433, SB1450, SB1481, SB1749, SB1810, SB1812, SB1921, SB1948, SB2044, SB2178, SB169, SB1877, HB1409, SB1266, SB1432
Keywords:
criminal code cleanup, duplicate statutes, statutory consolidation, repealer bill, emergency clause, Title 21 crimes, Title 47 DUI, child abuse reporting, child neglect, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, sex offenses, rape, stalking, domestic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, sex trafficking, gang-related offense, eluding police
Summary:
The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized several guests, doctors, nurses, pages, student shadows, and visitors in the gallery. Members also adopted a motion to request the House’s consent for the Senate to adjourn for more than three days, with Senator Hicks opposing the motion because of the number of bills still available for consideration. The motion passed.
The chamber then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1627, a cleanup measure to eliminate duplicate criminal code sections and clarify the law for legal research, passed 45-0 and was advanced as an emergency. Senate Bill 227, dealing with gross production tax and ad valorem taxation on oil and gas means of production, drew extensive questioning and debate over possible revenue impacts, county assessors, schools, and economically at-risk wells; it passed 37-9. Senate Bill 366, which gives charter schools a first right of refusal to buy or lease public school buildings sold or leased by districts, also generated debate over local control and lack of resale guardrails, and passed 40-6 as an emergency.
Later, Senate Bill 1193 to remove general fund carryover caps for school districts passed 46-0 as an emergency after supporters argued it would reduce “use it or lose it” spending and allow more local flexibility, while opponents questioned fiscal effects and accountability. Senate Bill 1433, the Guidance Transparency Act requiring agencies to publicly disclose guidance documents in a searchable database, passed 37-7 after concerns about attorney-client privilege, administrative burden, and whether guidance could function like law. Senate Bill 1450, expanding relief from fines, fees, and court costs for certain people in the criminal justice system, was advanced and passed unanimously; Senate Bill 1481, increasing minimum recess time for K-5 students from 20 to 40 minutes, was advanced as an emergency measure; Senate Bill 1810, allowing expert testimony in human trafficking cases, passed 45-0; Senate Bill 1812, requiring school districts to make benchmark testing information available to parents, passed 46-0 as an emergency; Senate Bill 1921, increasing OSBI background-check fees, passed 39-7; and Senate Bill 1948, updating fireworks laws and limiting county restrictions on private outdoor consumer fireworks displays, was taken up with significant safety and local-control questioning.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Transportation (04/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- New Hampshire does illegal immigrant.
- </c><04:19:03.520><c> are</c> that undocumented immigrants are that undocumented immigrants are inherently
- I've included naturalized immigrants.
- :38.080><c> under</c> Most undocumented immigrants live under Most undocumented immigrants live under
- That is immigrants in certain states.
Summary:
The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed.
The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> with federal immigration law. with federal immigration law.
- Anti-immigrant agenda is about retaliation, not good governance. Immigrants start businesses.
- Anti-immigrant agenda is about retaliation, not good governance. Immigrants start businesses.
- Immigrants start businesses. And you know what? They hire other immigrants.
- </c> because they don't like immigrants. because they don't like immigrants.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Doe in 1982, no public school may deny enrollment to any student based on immigration status.
- Consequently, the Plyler decision requires to any student based on immigration status.
- Galaviz, that I don't think we can dictate to the federal government, who has supremacy over all immigration
- Actually, the federal government is supposed to regulate illegal immigration?
- I've heard a lot of testimony over the last month and a lot of different immigration issues that somehow
Summary:
The committee first considered House Joint Memorial 20, sponsored by Representative Steve Tanner, which asks the federal government to study and compensate Idaho for the cost of educating children of non-citizens under the Plyler v. Doe decision. Tanner argued the ruling functions as an unfunded mandate on the state, while opponents said the memorial unfairly targets undocumented families and ignores their tax contributions and the broader rights implications of the issue. Members also debated whether the memorial conflicted with Plyler and whether the federal government could realistically conduct the requested study. The committee approved the memorial on a 10-3 roll call vote and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then took up House Bill 883, a revised school flexibility and funding measure for both traditional public school districts and public charter schools. Representative Doug Pickett and Idaho Charter School Network representative Emily McClure explained that the bill would grant participating schools more discretion over funding and reduce reporting burdens if they meet academic, financial, and governance benchmarks, with a two-year grace period for schools that have a bad year and a 2029 review date. Questions focused on the differing benchmarks for districts and charters, the exclusion of virtual charter schools, how many schools might qualify, and what schools would gain in exchange for the added autonomy. Supporters said the bill rewards high performance and innovation while preserving accountability; critics raised concerns about arbitrary thresholds and whether the structure adequately accounts for growth and equity. The committee passed HB 883 to the floor with a due pass recommendation by voice vote.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This amendment removes the language relating to unaccompanied alien children and special immigrant visas
- ...immigrant visas. That's the amendment. Great. Other questions of the sponsor on the amendment?
- It may have been related to the unaccompanied alien children or the special immigrant juvenile visas.
- I represent the Florida Immigrant Coalition, and I also really appreciate the addition of these amendments
- took this up during special session, the 67 Florida county jails have all signed agreements with Immigration
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services first heard and adopted the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget for the committee, which was presented as a $1.8 billion increase over the current base budget. The budget emphasized Medicaid and KidCare funding, IT modernization, workforce reductions tied to unfilled or augmented positions, provider rate increases, mental health and substance use funding, opioid treatment, elder care, veterans’ services, cancer research, and school nurse staffing. The committee approved technical adjustments and then adopted the budget proposal for submission to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
The committee then considered several bills, most of which were reported favorably. SB 152 on surgical smoke required hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt smoke evacuation policies; it drew strong support from nurses and other health care workers describing workplace and patient safety risks. CS/SB 958 on early detection of type 1 diabetes required the Department of Health to develop informational materials for schools and, by amendment, early learning coalitions. CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing homes required consumer satisfaction surveys, patient safety culture surveys, reporting to the health information exchange, financial reporting penalties, and Medicaid quality incentive reporting; an amendment exempted state-operated homes, including veterans’ facilities, and directed a study of quality incentive systems. CS/SB 738 updated and streamlined child care regulation, and CS/SB 1356 created the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at Florida State University and a related pediatric rare disease screening pilot.
The committee also passed SB 1370, which reorganized ambulatory surgical centers into their own statutory framework, with testimony emphasizing their lower costs compared with hospitals. Finally, the committee considered CS/CS/SB 1626 on child welfare and related issues. After adopting multiple amendments that removed references to unaccompanied alien children and special immigrant visas, changed language on child abuse definitions, and required DCF to set room-and-board rates by methodology rather than fee schedule, the bill was explained as strengthening child welfare protections, codifying military-family coordination, improving domestic violence shelter certification, adjusting children’s services council appointments, clarifying missing-child procedures, and updating licensing and compliance provisions. The bill drew both support and opposition, particularly over missing-child jurisdiction and immigration-related concerns, and was ultimately reported favorably. A final motion to record a vote on SB 958 was also adopted.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Aniyanu, an act relating to health care, increasing the state's health care workforce by enacting the Immigrant
- Health Care Workforce Development Act, providing for an immigrant health care.
- Professional acceleration program, providing for an immigrant primary care physician readiness pathway
- , providing for an immigrant primary care resident grant program, creating the Immigrant Healthcare Workforce
- Development Fund, creating the Immigrant Healthcare Workforce Advisory Group, amending...
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- For many, especially immigrants, religious minorities, and first-generation college students, college
- Immigration. that cuts cash assistance to already struggling families when children miss too much school
- Immigration.
- There are many other factors, and I'm going to highlight three of them, just for context: immigration
- Recently, relentless federal immigration enforcement actions across Massachusetts have caused many immigrant
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with much of the testimony focused on school discipline and student equity. Bills discussed included measures to address inequities in suspension and expulsion, clarify school exclusion rules, reduce discipline for dress and grooming violations, and expand protections related to fair educational practices. Committee members repeatedly reminded witnesses of the two-minute limit and asked for written testimony to supplement oral remarks.
A substantial portion of the hearing centered on the RAISE Act and related school discipline bills, including H. 730/S. 376 and H. 731/S. 380. Testifiers from advocacy groups, legal services, and the legislature argued that exclusionary discipline disproportionately affects Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, low-income students, and DCF-involved youth. They said current law is overly broad or unclear in areas such as “assault on educational staff,” indefinite suspensions tied to felony complaints, and definitions of weapons, leading to unnecessary removals from school. Supporters said the bills would add due process, clearer definitions, and better accountability, while one legislator testified in support of the discipline reforms and opposed several other bills on the agenda.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 576/S. 368, which would prohibit suspensions and expulsions for dress and grooming violations and require clearer, non-discriminatory dress code policies. Witnesses cited research and personal stories about disproportionate enforcement against Black girls, girls of color, non-binary students, and students wearing religious attire, and said the bill would prevent physical contact used to enforce dress codes. Another major topic was H. 641/S. 349, which would add “special medical status” protections in education; supporters said it would prevent exclusion based on medical decisions or conditions, though members questioned how it would interact with existing disability law and vaccination-related school requirements. The committee also heard testimony on H. 625, which would extend the ban on corporal punishment from public to private schools, with witnesses citing research on harm and disproportionate impact.
Additional testimony covered bills on accelerated learning and gifted education, with parents, educators, and advocates saying Massachusetts under-identifies advanced learners and lacks adequate acceleration pathways. A senator also testified for S. 406 on recovery high schools, saying the funding formula should be updated to better support students in recovery. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair closed testimony on several bill groups and noted that written testimony would remain open for a week.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is so the federal government could verify aliens and immigrants for entitlements.
- </c><00:22:59.200><c> for</c> verify aliens and immigrants for verify aliens and immigrants for entitlements
- checked to verify that that person in your family, maybe your mother, your grandmother, is not an immigrant
- whether it comes out of conference or not, is the premise of this bill is that there are illegal immigrants
- checked to verify that that person in your family, maybe your mother, your grandmother, is not an immigrant
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (11/10/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- and immigration services uh civics<01:37:06.320><c> naturalization</c><01:37:07.119><c> test.
- Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization test with a score of 70 or better.
- </c><01:38:22.000><c> services</c> citizenship and immigration services citizenship and immigration services
- </c> instead of simply passing an immigration instead of simply passing an immigration services<01:38
- So I feel that this is an option where you don't have to use the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Summary:
The subcommittee met on HB 510 and HB 112, but the discussion focused almost entirely on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty members in disciplinary proceedings at state institutions of higher education. The chair reviewed proposed amendments already approved or being considered, including revised definitions, confidentiality language for grievance information, removal of the adverse-inference language tied to self-incrimination, changes to cross-examination procedures, and narrowing an emergency exception by removing property damage and focusing on immediate threats to physical health or safety. The committee also discussed whether the hearing officer should have discretion to require a third party to conduct cross-examination, with the sponsor saying the word should remain “may” so the officer can respond to the circumstances of each case.
Members opposed to the bill argued that existing campus procedures already provide adequate due process and that the proposal is unnecessary, potentially intimidating to complainants, and disruptive to university policies and collective bargaining agreements. They objected especially to language allowing the accused to be present during cross-examination of an accuser and to the use of the term “victim” before facts are established. Supporters said the bill is intended to ensure basic fairness for accused students and faculty, that the language was revised to address concerns, and that the rights listed are appropriate because serious allegations can have lasting consequences even outside the criminal context. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/caucus over the bill language.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (3-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- My spouse is a Filipino immigrant who does the back-end work that Americans just won't do.
- He said his spouse is a Filipino immigrant who does the back-end work that Americans just won't do.
- He said his spouse is a Filipino immigrant who does the back-end work that Americans just won't do.
- He said his spouse is a Filipino immigrant who does the back-end work that Americans just won't do.
- </c> unfair my spouse is a Filipino immigrant unfair my spouse is a Filipino immigrant who<00:48:09.960
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education met to consider House Bill 4, relating to postsecondary education. Before taking up the bill, the committee adopted a committee substitute. The substitute removed language creating a private right of action and immunity provisions, added a definition of “indoctrinate,” revised language tied to the Attorney General, and added a new section directing the Auditor of Public Accounts to review compliance every four years. If an institution is found out of compliance, it would have 180 days to cure the issue or become ineligible for formula funding increases in the following fiscal year, with an opportunity to petition the Attorney General. The substitute also added language barring licensing authorities from requiring diversity, equity, and inclusion training as a condition of initial or renewal licensure.
Representative Decker presented the bill as an effort to end what she described as unconstitutional DEI practices in Kentucky’s postsecondary system and to refocus colleges on academic instruction, equal opportunity, and affordability. She argued that DEI offices and initiatives have cost taxpayers heavily and have not improved enrollment outcomes for low-income and underrepresented students. Michael Frasier, testifying in support, framed the bill as an equal-protection measure rather than simply an anti-DEI bill, saying it targets preferential treatment and discrimination while exempting traditional civil-rights compliance offices such as Title IX, disability, and other anti-discrimination functions. He also argued that the bill aligns with recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent and that Kentucky should shift toward socioeconomic-based approaches.
Several members raised concerns about the bill’s assumptions and effects. Representative Willner questioned the claim that DEI initiatives caused enrollment declines and asked why the state would not make such programs more inclusive instead of eliminating them. Representative Stalker argued that the bill ignored decades of exclusion in higher education and asked what would replace DEI efforts aimed at closing achievement gaps and preventing brain drain. Supporters responded that the bill addresses unconstitutional preferences and that the state should move toward equal treatment and socioeconomic factors rather than race-based criteria. After discussion, the committee substitute was adopted, and the committee continued consideration of House Bill 4.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> especially in immigration enforcement. especially in immigration enforcement.
- Very disturbed with a lot of these bills coming through about immigration.
- Because a lot of my immigration.
- ><c> who</c><01:11:57.320><c> are</c> We're talking about immigrants who are We're talking about immigrants
- </c> Draft 2 relating to immigration. Draft 2 relating to immigration.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- once depending upon your committee assignments, I will create three select committees on illegal immigration
- Select Committee on Illegal Immigration A will be chaired by Representative Robinson and meet at 1:00
- The Select Committee on Illegal Immigration B will be chaired by Representative Tomkow and will meet
- The Select Committee on Immigration C will be chaired by Representative Duggan and will meet at 5:00
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- hospital accepting Medicaid to include a provision on patient admission forms to self-report their immigration
- while assuring that the responses will not affect any patient care or trigger any reporting to immigration
- have Medicaid, whether they're paying cash, it doesn't matter, they're going to self-report their immigration
- And you say for the purpose of tracking... ...their immigration status, and you say for the purpose of
- we're basically saying we want to know how much costs are associated with people related to their immigration
Summary:
The House Health and Welfare Committee met with a quorum and first considered two bill introductions. RS 33-166 would repeal the remaining statutory section of the county medical indigent program, which was already repealed in 2022; despite one member’s concern about losing the ability to restore the program later, the committee voted to introduce it. RS 33-186 would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to collect self-reported immigration status on admission forms and submit quarterly utilization reports to the Department of Health and Welfare, which would then produce an annual report for the legislature and governor; members questioned administrative burden, redundancy, and the reliability of self-reporting, but the committee still voted to introduce it.
The committee then heard House Bill 494, which would move current background-check rules into statute and consolidate the requirements in one chapter without adding new checks or costs. The sponsor said the change is needed to maintain FBI cooperation and avoid disruption in child care, foster care, health care, and services for vulnerable adults; department staff said background checks cost $70 per applicant, with a small existing exception for temporary care assistance participants. After questions about timing, the sex offender registry component, and the FBI memo supporting the bill, the committee voted to send HB 494 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
House Bill 531 would update Idaho law to allow schools to administer epinephrine through newer delivery systems, including nasal spray, rather than only EpiPens. Testimony from a parent, a school nurse, and an Idaho PTA representative supported the update, saying it would better match current medical practice, reduce hesitation and needle-stick risk, and help schools respond more quickly; one witness also asked for broader language on blood glucose monitoring for students with medical needs beyond diabetes. The sponsor said he was open to working on that issue in a separate bill, and the committee voted to send HB 531 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Before adjournment, a member invited the committee to a Medicaid listening session later that day to hear concerns about proposed cuts.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- hospital accepting Medicaid to include a provision on patient admission forms for self-reporting immigration
- present, while assuring that the responses will not affect patient care or trigger reporting to immigration
- have Medicaid, whether they're paying cash, it doesn't matter, they're going to self-report their immigration
- And you say for the purpose of tracking... ...their immigration status, and you say for the purpose of
- we're basically saying we want to know how much costs are associated with people related to their immigration
Summary:
The House Health and Welfare Committee met with a quorum and first considered RS 33-166, a code cleanup bill to repeal the final remaining section of the county medical indigent program, which had already been repealed in 2022. One member raised concern about removing the section entirely in case the program ever needed to be reinstated, but the sponsor said the bill was simply final cleanup requested by counties. The committee voted to introduce the bill.
The committee then took up RS 33-186, which would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to add a self-reporting immigration-status question to admission forms and to submit quarterly data to the Department of Health and Welfare on admissions, emergency visits, and uncompensated care by immigration category. Members questioned administrative burden, redundancy, and whether the information would be reliable, but the sponsor said the purpose was transparency and data collection on hospital utilization and costs. The committee voted to introduce the bill.
House Bill 494 was presented next as a measure to move existing background-check rules into statute, with the sponsor saying it would not add new checks or costs but would help preserve FBI cooperation and provide clearer legislative oversight. Department staff said background checks cost $70 per person and confirmed sex-offender registry checks would remain part of the process. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
House Bill 531 updated Idaho law to allow schools to administer epinephrine through modern delivery systems, including nasal spray, rather than only EpiPens. Testimony from a parent, a school nurse, and an Idaho PTA representative supported the update, while one parent asked that the bill be broadened so blood glucose monitoring could be provided when prescribed for conditions other than diabetes. The sponsor said he was open to working on that issue in a separate bill, and the committee then voted to send HB 531 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. At the end of the meeting, a member invited the committee to a Medicaid listening session later that day, and the committee adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The questions that we get are during the process of either clemency or pardons and or immigration waivers
- But for the waiver, the immigration waivers that you're mentioning, Shuchi, is that something where the
- I don't know whether the federal statute, the immigration law, actually says you must get a certain amount
- Like one of the recent ones was writing a letter to an immigration judge to get somebody released from
- scholarship or for, you know, frankly for parole or pardon or, you know, whatever, or for some immigration
Summary:
The Legislative Ethics Board approved the minutes from its September 8, 2025 meeting and reported that there were no employment disclosure forms. The board then discussed whether RCW 42.52.187(1) permits legislators to write letters of recommendation in a broader range of situations, including citizenship, clemency/pardon, immigration waivers, scholarships, and appointments. Members generally favored a broad reading for constituent-requested letters, while staff noted their existing advice had been narrower and suggested drafting an advisory opinion to clarify the definition and scope of “letter of recommendation.”
The board also considered whether the statute’s reference to commemorations or celebrations of “persons who are not current legislators” allows use of state resources to recognize entities such as the Mariners or Seahawks. Members discussed whether “person” includes organizations under the Ethics Act’s definition, and the consensus leaned toward a plain-language reading that would allow posts about teams and other non-legislator entities, though some members suggested the language may need cleanup in the future.
A third item addressed a previously retired advisory opinion concerning legislators who are attorneys and represent clients before state agencies. Staff proposed republishing or updating the opinion with current citations, but several members expressed concern that the old opinion could be read too narrowly or as implying legislators cannot do outside legal work involving agencies. The board agreed the issue needed more refinement and deferred further action to a future meeting. There was no public testimony beyond a brief check-in from Jerry Cornfield, and the meeting adjourned after a motion and second.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 9th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For over 170 years, it has which provided immigrants with critical services from legal aid and housing
- The six companies emerged from a tradition of mutual aid during a time when Chinese immigrants. face
- Long before statehood, Portuguese immigrants from the.
- Many Portuguese immigrants settled in the Central Valley to pursue lifestyles and agriculture. agriculture
- Both sides of my family immigrated here from the Azorian island of Chisada.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- it clear that any support. for terrorist activities or organizations is not acceptable from non-immigrant
- institutions and our education to adopt a policy that prohibits a student enrolled who holds a non-immigrant
- or differentiate between a non-immigrant visa and a student.
- That only applies to someone who holds a non-immigrant visa, right?
- This bill is pertaining to people who hold a non-immigrant visa.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 27th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This was their type of quote-unquote immigration enforcement. In fact, she was a U.S. citizen.
- My immigrant community is critically important to me, so I want to make that very clear.
- I am an immigrant, and I come from an immigrant community.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, ineligible to receive a state-funded loan or grant.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, ineligible to receive a state-funded loan or grant.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through confirmations and floor legislation. Three California Housing Finance Agency and State Mining and Geology Board appointments were confirmed unanimously. The chamber then took up several policy bills, with debate often focusing on housing, public safety, energy, and local government impacts.
Among the major measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense jury instructions passed after supporters argued it would give judges limited discretion and improve fairness, while opponents warned it could create inconsistency. SB 1354, barring out-of-state military or law enforcement activity in California without the Governor’s permission, passed despite objections that it conflicted with federal commander-in-chief authority. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed to restrict unsolicited purchase offers in fire-affected areas, and SB 966 passed to preserve refinery worker safety participation rights. SB 1256, a local housing/land-use bill, passed unanimously after discussion of fire-safety concerns and ongoing amendments.
The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning and regional coordination for jurisdictions not receiving HAP funds, SB 938 on peace officer training requirements for certain immigration-enforcement-related applicants after the author committed to major amendments, SB 1359 on natural gas planning to reduce ratepayer costs, SB 923 on privacy rights under the CCPA, SB 1098 on utility memorandum and balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery for cooling appliances, SB 937 on restricting flashbang use in crowd control and immigration enforcement, SB 1082 on inter-district pupil transfers, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. Several bills drew split votes and pointed debate over mandates, taxes, local control, and regulatory certainty, but most ultimately passed.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Professional Registration and Licensing Feb 25th, 2026
Professional Registration and Licensing
Transcript Highlights:
- Missouri is already required to verify immigration status for those programs.
- Qualified legal immigrants and refugees and asylees who are eligible have their documents relatively
- It's not illegal immigrants or even eligible immigrant populations.
- You brought up with some of the immigrants, some of the most vetted groups in... ...some of the immigrants
- You brought up with some of the immigrants, some of the most vetted groups in. some of the immigrants
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2300 by a unanimous roll call vote of 18-0. The substitute combined a number of previously approved professional registration items, including emergency suspension authority, chiropractic and massage therapy provisions, accountant regulations, the athletic trainer compact, social worker regulations, a speech-language pathologist fix, telehealth, nonprofit pharmacies, and the physician assistant compact. Members noted that work was still ongoing on bell bondsman language before the committee moved into public hearing.
The main public hearing was on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ authority to perform certain laser and in-office procedures. Representative Farnan and optometry supporters argued the bill is about patient access, especially in rural areas, and said it would allow three laser procedures—YAG capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, and laser iridotomy—plus clarify other already-performed office procedures, while still excluding major surgeries such as cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplants. Supporters said optometrists already receive relevant training, that a 32-hour certification course would serve as a safeguard, and that patients often face long waits or long travel times for care. Opponents, including ophthalmologists, argued the bill would blur the line between optometry and surgery, create safety risks, and rely on insufficient training and ambiguous language. They cited complications from laser procedures, questioned emergency care claims, and said optometrists should not be regulated as surgeons unless placed under the State Board of Healing Arts. No vote was taken on HB 2897, and the chair recessed the hearing for later continuation.
The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education then took up House Bill 3239 and adopted Amendment 0.01H, which capped the program at $4 million to keep it from becoming an open-ended cost. The committee then adopted the House Committee Substitute and voted the bill do pass by 11-7. The committee also combined House Bills 2913 and 3228 into one substitute and voted that combined measure do pass by 19-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2195, which would create the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and encourage school districts to incorporate driver-safety content into existing courses without adding a fiscal note or mandating a standalone driver’s ed class. Sponsor Representative Reedy and supporters from AAA Missouri and the Missouri Driver Education Coalition said the bill would address teen crash rates, improve access to driver education, and help schools use existing curriculum time more flexibly. The hearing remained in discussion with testimony continuing.