Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of this bill is to expand opportunities for small businesses and veterans, not to limit them
• It expands state contracting opportunities for certified small businesses and disabled veteran business
• Lori Cameron, on behalf of the California Coalition on Small and Disabled Veteran Businesses.
• So in order to be able to help these small businesses, the disabled veteran businesses in these targeted
• Obviously, the comments made by the disabled veteran folks.

Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans. Conflict.
• , Economic Development, and Veterans Committee amendment is before us.
• With the consent of the House, the Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee amendment
• Expands eligibility for our military families, for our veterans and military spouses across Washington
• Any time we can modernize our support systems for our veterans, our uniform service members, and their

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everyone, to the Technology and Economic Development and Veterans Committee meeting of Tuesday
• Senate Bill 5420 is the bill that relates to veteran benefits.
• Welcome back, everyone, to the Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee, and we are ready
• Welcome back, everyone, to the Technology Economic Development Veterans Committee, and we are ready to
• The expansion that allows more veterans to have access to things that they have earned, as well as the

Bills: SB5420

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• And the grade 8 scratch-off is just one of the tickets that supports our veterans.
• We have raised through the Fund for Veterans Assistance out of the Texas lotto since its inception. $262
• million for veterans programs.
• This amendment seeks to prevent any loss of revenue from the fund of veterans.
• I appreciate your concern about protecting the veterans. I'm all for it.

Bills: SB26 , SB28 , SJR36 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB28 , SB28 , SR131 , SR168 , SR174 , SR175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• Please recognize Representative Dempsey to introduce the Veteran of the Week.
• Our Veteran Day is being sponsored by Representative Dempsey.
• Representative Dempsey, you are recognized to introduce the Veteran of the Week.
• Whereas the state of Oklahoma holds our veterans in the highest esteem and appreciates the sacrifices
• The Oklahoma House of Representatives takes great pride in honoring Jeff Osterdock as Veteran of the

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• following order of business will be followed today: prayer, pledge of allegiance, introduction of veteran
• Please recognize Representative Dempsey to introduce the Veteran of the Week.
• Our Veteran Day is being sponsored by Representative Dempsey.
• Representative Dempsey, you are recognized to introduce the Veteran of the Week.
• Whereas the state of Oklahoma holds our veterans in the highest esteem and appreciates the sacrifices

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week First Sergeant Jeff Osterdock, Nurse of the Day Madison Lehman, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Jennifer Steber, and a large group of student pages and visitors. Members also made personal announcements and welcomed guests from schools and community groups. On the floor, the House considered and adopted Senate amendments to House Bill 1484, a schools measure, and passed it 96-1; the emergency clause also passed 96-1. The House then took up House Bill 1085 on contracts, which would standardize service warranty fees with a delayed phase-in schedule, adopted the Senate amendments, and passed the bill 8-1. The House also considered Senate Bill 133 on groundwater permits. After an amendment and debate, members discussed how the bill would apply to commercial water wells and how it would interact with marijuana-related licensing and notification to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The bill passed 85-12, and the emergency clause also passed by the same vote. The chamber then adjourned until February 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• He wanted to create a wooden American flag and present it to a veteran.
• He wanted to create a wooden American flag and present it to a veteran.
• And ...handmade flags to veterans throughout the community and beyond.
• We had veterans yesterday in the rotunda.
• The Veterans Committee and Armed Forces Committee are going to meet in Hearing Room 7.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• home contract staff and to reduce the veterans home vacancy rates.
• We're running at 131 beds full at the veterans home.
• The veterans are happy, and the staff do a wonderful job caring for them.
• We receive funding for the Veterans Home.
• It's helping some veterans get some designated cemetery land. So thank you.

Bills: HB1

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many veteran issues, but also rural issues.
• Item number 13, there's talks about $25 million for veteran services in the about $25 million for veteran
• population and a growing aging population of veterans.
• We have almost half a million veterans that are living in Arizona.
• veterans who are struggling don't benefit from this budget.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a young man who is a veteran. He is an Afghanistan veteran.
• However, the veterans caucus...
• While he is not a veteran, he has benefited from what veterans have done for his family and the veterans
• vote for all veterans.
• I support veterans hard stop.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing March as International Women’s Celebration Month. Members also welcomed guests from several school districts and the Arizona FFA. The chamber then moved through first readings of numerous Senate bills and took up several motions, including reconsideration of HB 2169 and referral of HB 210 and HB 2103 to an additional Committee of the Whole for further amendment. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2100 and HB 2103 with technical amendments and due-pass recommendations. It then considered a series of bills on Calendar 2, including HB 2048, HB 2364, HB 2415, HB 2775, HB 2833, HB 2862, HB 2870, HB 2995, and HB 4067. Debate centered on election administration, sovereignty and international organizations, private school regulation, law enforcement face coverings, domestic violence and coercive control, and voter roll categories. HB 2862 drew the most procedural attention, with a division vote on a substitute amendment; the House rejected a motion to replace the adopted amendment, and the report was later adopted. On Calendar 3, the House considered education bills. HB 2093, which repeals the requirement for K-12 health education to include mental health instruction, prompted extensive debate over student suicide prevention, school counseling, parental responsibility, and whether schools should provide mental health support; it received a due-pass recommendation by a 27-22 division vote. The House also advanced HB 2313, which was described as responding to a Tucson Unified School District work stoppage tied to a political protest, and HB 2423, HB 2478, and other education measures after amendments and, in one case, withdrawal of an appropriations amendment. The session continued into HB 2830 as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to the Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection
• The program brings our veterans together that want to come in and do a 6-to-8 week program.
• </c><00:21:09.600><c> The</c> America uh to deal with veterans.
• The America uh to deal with veterans.
• </c> program is uh brings our veterans program is uh brings our veterans together<00:21:13.600><c> that

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As background, current law grants a certain degree of preference to veterans seeking state employment
• Veterans may claim an exam score criteria or other veterans' civil service preference after they have
• , and this would enable veterans to claim an exam scoring criteria or other veterans' civil service preference
• I'm an Iraq war veteran, a member of Veterans for Peace, and a graduate of UW's Ph.D. program in Middle
• As a veteran, as a scholar of the Middle East, I know the human cost of unaccountable power.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on several bills. On Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, dealing with voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters, members considered amendments affecting tribal meeting requirements and an electronic ballot portal; one amendment to study the portal rather than authorize it was adopted, while the tribal-meeting amendment was not. The bill was then reported out with a due pass as amended recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6081, concerning nondisclosure of sex designation records, saw an amendment adopted to limit the privacy protections to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, but the amendment was later rejected on final passage and the bill was reported out due pass. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, was amended to require Senate confirmation of the executive director and was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6084 on repeat voting was reported out due pass without amendment. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968, implementing Executive Order 25-03 on agency credentials, had one amendment adopted on annual ORIA reporting and another rejected; it was reported out due pass as amended. Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering was amended to restrict certain prop bets and to make threats tied to wagers a gross misdemeanor, then reported out due pass as amended. The committee then opened public hearings on a number of bills. The most extensive testimony was on Gross Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8014, which calls for a U.S. investigation into the death of Aishanur Ezgi Eygi; family members, University of Washington students and staff, advocates, and others testified in support, emphasizing accountability and the need for an independent investigation, while one speaker opposed the memorial as a misuse of legislative time. The committee also heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5840, which would change campaign finance reporting schedules and participation rules; Public Disclosure Commission staff supported the bill as a transparency and consistency measure, while campaign treasurers and compliance officers opposed it, arguing the added reporting would be burdensome and costly. Substitute Senate Bill 6049, expanding Public Records Act exemptions for certain survivors, anonymized demographic data, and Healthy Youth Survey responses, drew support from OFM and opposition from a public-records advocate who warned against adding more exemptions. Substitute Senate Bill 6160, reducing or changing the frequency of numerous agency reports, was supported by OFM as a way to right-size reporting requirements. The committee also heard brief testimony on Senate Bill 5000 designating “The Evergreen State” as the official state nickname, Senate Bill 5325 designating the state cactus, Senate Bill 6044 recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, Senate Bill 6313 creating a Capital Centennial Stewardship Account, and Substitute Senate Bill 5827 expanding veterans’ preference documentation to include pre-discharge certification. No votes were taken during the public hearing portion, and the meeting adjourned after closing testimony on the final bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Americans, for veterans, and not to the Americans, for veterans, and not to the Democrat<00:49:34.720
• Carl, an Air Force veteran, came to Arizona in 1959.
• </c><01:54:19.280><c> He</c> veteran, came to Arizona in 1959. He veteran, came to Arizona in 1959.
• As a 20-year veteran of the U.S.
• As a 20-year veteran of the US Air line.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, that could be a veteran.
• Now, that could be a veteran.
• </c><02:33:46.680><c> can</c> veterans, but for veterans, they can veterans, but for veterans, they can
• </c> to a veteran cemetery. to a veteran cemetery.
• </c> that could be a veteran. that could be a veteran.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was a true son of our community, and his courage and selflessness continue to inspire neighbors, veterans
• As a Staten Islander and chair of the Veterans Committee, I could not be more proud. ALIKE.
• FROM VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS, TO ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THE PEOPLE OF STATEN ISLAND WHO KEPT HIS STORY
• AS A STATEN ISLANDER AND CHAIR OF THE VETERANS COMMITTEE, I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD.
• VETERANS AT THE V.A. NOW CLOSE TO 80, Dr.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing individuals, communities, and state traditions. The chamber honored Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis posthumously after his Medal of Honor recognition, with remarks from Senator Scarcella-Spanton and others praising his sacrifice and welcoming his parents. Senators also celebrated New York maple producers and Maple Weekends, Bangladesh Independence Day and the contributions of Bangladeshi New Yorkers, York Middle/High School girls varsity volleyball for winning a state championship, Pavilion/York Air Rifle for winning the state invitational championship, and Tartan Day. These resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors opened them for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the regular calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures on environmental conservation, personal property, agriculture and markets, insurance, state law, executive law, workers’ compensation, election law, correction law, public health, and parks/historic preservation. Most passed with broad support, though some drew a handful of negative votes. One bill on election law, allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election, prompted supportive floor debate from several senators and passed 43-17. Another bill on correction law also passed after debate. A notable controversy arose over Calendar 227, a Public Authorities Law bill related to school energy planning and electric buses. Senator Borrello challenged an amendment as nongermane, the Chair ruled against it, and the Senate voted 22-0 to sustain the ruling. The underlying bill then passed, despite criticism from senators who argued the state should repeal the electric bus mandate and instead study safer, more practical alternatives for school districts. The Senate then completed its business and adjourned until March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But today I will focus on our request for the coming biennium and the results of our recent Veterans
• Veterans in Minnesota.
• And the response to what we have done through our veterans coverage, as well as other documentaries that
• Special funding this year allowed us to share the experiences of veterans and immigrants.
• YES brought veteran stories to life through first-hand accounts of service.

Bills: HF1679 , HF1019 , HF2321 , HF1740 , HF2278

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• 887, by representative all these now that is a medical marijuana user tree identification card for veterans
• allowing me to present my Bill House Bill. 887, Medical marijuana use registry, defecation cards for Veterans
• for issuance replacement or renewal of the medical marijuana use registry identification cards for veterans
• Medical cannabis has shown promise in alleviating symptoms commonly experienced by military veterans
• And this bill will largely reduced the financial barriers veterans face when accessing medical marijuana

Transcript Highlights:

• Perry Benoit is a six-generation veteran. Mr.
• Perry Manoy is a six-generation veteran and a United States Air Force veteran who served honorably from
• I am honored to speak with you today about a tribute to our veterans as a veteran of Operations Desert
• Since the conflict, we've seen the toll of war continue to affect our veterans.
• and Desert Storm veterans had died.

Bills: HB506 , HB590 , HB647 , HB685 , HB692 , HB839 , HB860 , HB873 , HB887 , HB965 , HB972 , HB982 , HB1072 , HB1157

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: license plates, prestige plates, Fraternal Order of Police, charitable donations, high school representation, waterway projects, application timeline, government funding, semi-annual submissions, Louisiana waterways, public procurement, motor vehicles, rolling stock, FAST Act, Louisiana bid law, hospital service district, construction management, public works, contract limit, bidding process

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1157, which would create a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank to provide a new funding mechanism for transportation projects, including roads, bridges, rail, ports, and airports. The chairman and DOTD Secretary Glenn LaDoux said the bank would help leverage state, federal, local, and private dollars, modelled in part on programs in Florida and other states, and would be used for gap funding and faster project delivery. Members asked extensive questions about board makeup, oversight, seed funding, application priorities, and how the program would differ from capital outlay and other existing funding tools. Support testimony came from Greater New Orleans, Inc. and other groups, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved several mostly technical or local bills, including HB 860 allowing fillable electronic public bid forms; HB 972 naming a portion of Highway 93 in Lafayette Parish the Desert Shield Desert Storm Memorial Highway; HB 965 naming a portion of Highway 163 for Sergeant William Billy Earl Collins Jr.; HB 692 allowing local governments to use group purchasing organizations, as amended; HB 685 allowing cooperative procurement for public motor vehicles and rolling stock under FAST Act procedures, which passed after a roll call vote with one no vote; HB 982 designating portions of highways in Morehouse Parish, as amended; HB 506 creating specialty license plates, as amended; HB 839 lowering the CMAR threshold for hospital service districts from $2 million to $1 million via substitute bill; HB 647 revising the waterway assistance program and application timelines via substitute bill; and HB 887 revising construction management-at-risk procedures, as amended. Most of these measures were reported favorably or favorably as amended, with little or no opposition. The committee also received an update on the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction from Representative Chesson, who said the office will assume control of about 4,000 miles of roadway and 2,000 bridges and has been moving projects quickly using internal procurement procedures. HB 1072, which reforms the office’s powers and emergency authority, was amended to narrow emergency provisions and clarify funding and reporting language, then reported favorably as amended. The final major item was HB 873, which would fund pursuit-intervention technology and training for law enforcement through a $2 fee on driver’s licenses; the bill was presented alongside emotional testimony from the widow and daughter of Sergeant Grant Candies and from a St. John the Baptist Parish captain, who argued the fee would help agencies buy safer equipment and obtain grant support. The transcript ends during questioning on HB 873, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB195, under existing law, any disabled veteran whose physical... disabled veteran whose physical disability
• disabled veteran license tag.
• Veteran Administration being laid off or fired.
• Federal veterans? You said veterans, right?
• Yeah, it's only for veterans who want to apply for a disabled veterans license tag, which is a state

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a good support for our veterans.
• We established a veterans paver program in which anyone can honor U.S. veterans by purchasing a paver
• </c> goal was and is to honor US veterans goal was and is to honor US veterans either<00:43:08.960><c
• ><c> by</c> in which anyone can honor US veterans by in which anyone can honor US veterans by purchasing
• </c><00:45:39.800><c> through</c> commitment to honor our veterans through commitment to honor our veterans

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all