Video & Transcript Research : 'modernization'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Part 2)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In light of the challenges facing the FAA, they provided a down payment in modernizing our 159,000 IN
- In light of the challenges facing the FAA, they provided a down payment in modernizing our I rise in
- In light of the challenges facing the FAA, they provided a down payment in modernizing our DOMINANCE
- THIS COMBINES CRITICAL INVESTMENTS OF BORDER SECURITY, NATIONAL DEFENSE AND MODERNIZATION OF AMERICA'S
- IN LIGHT OF THE CHALLENGES FACING THE FAA THEY PROVIDED A DOWN PAYMENT IN MODERNIZING OUR Air traffic
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- what the governor's recommending here is, right now they can transfer a credit up to 50% to help modernize
- account and then um modernization account and then um reducing<00:52:42.960>
the <00:52:43.200 - short-term multi-state assignments while adapting Minnesota's tax system to align closer to these modern
- c><01:36:38.400>
those <01:36:39.400>to <01:36:39.639>these <01:36:39.800>modern - <01:36:40.119>
work closer to those to these modern work closer to those to these modern work
Summary:
The committee met to hear a presentation from the Commissioner of Revenue on Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s tax proposal, with members told no public testimony would be taken because bill language was not yet available. The commissioner said the proposal would lower the statewide sales tax rate by 0.75 percentage points while expanding sales tax to selected professional services such as legal, brokerage, banking, and accounting, with several carve-outs. He emphasized that the plan would not add business-to-business sales taxes, arguing that taxing business inputs leads to tax pyramiding and higher hidden consumer costs.
The commissioner said the rate cut would be the first sales tax rate cut in state history and estimated it at about $95 million annually, while the service expansions would raise about $203 million to $205 million annually, for a net increase of roughly $110 million per year. He said the proposal is part of the governor’s broader budget, which he described as addressing long-term structural deficits and funding other priorities such as an R&D credit, an expanded sustainable aviation fuel credit, fraud prevention, and service-member retention bonuses. He also said the carve-outs and exemptions would be reflected in the revenue estimate.
Members questioned whether the proposal was truly a tax cut or instead a tax increase, and several asked for a revenue-neutral rate if all or more services were taxed. One member raised concerns about how pro bono legal work with a fee would be treated, and another asked about possible streamlining issues and whether fees are treated as taxes in statute. The commissioner said a fee would be taxable depending on the arrangement and that the department would review the language carefully once drafted. He also said the department would provide more detailed estimates later, including what the rate would be if the tax were made revenue neutral. No votes or formal actions were taken.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 9, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Some say it should be called the peace through strength bill because it modernizes America’s military
- Polymers touch every industrial sector in our modern world.
- It modernizes outdated and overly burdensome regulations that slow delivery and inflate cost.
- , military modernization, military modernization, extending<04:45:39.920>
the <04:45:40.320 - Triricore, and invests in modernizing Triricore, and invests in modernizing our<05:21:54.798>
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I think there's a lot of room for modernization.
- there's a lot of room for modernization. there's a lot of room for modernization.
- I hope that we can modernize that so that our operations are much more efficient, much quicker in response
- So modernizing, making things as easy as I can for the attorneys, that is a major concern for me.
- So modernizing, modernizing, modernizing, making<01:53:48.680>
things <01:53:48.960>as <
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes.
The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony.
Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- on this facility, and as we install newer, more modern systems that give us the ability to really adjust
- And so as we modernize our better.
- And so as we modernize our facility,<00:50:41.400>
as <00:50:41.600>we <00:50:42.000> - And as we install newer more modern<00:50:50.040>
systems <00:50:50.520>that <00:50:50.640 - that give us the ability modern systems that give us the ability to<00:50:51.720>
really <00:50
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately.
A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Modern oil and gas wells, particularly horizontal.
- And so what I think has happened in the time since we've modernized.
- As Chairman Guillen stated, we believe this bill modernizes the current tax system.
- This reflects the actual cost of collecting tax in the modern marketplace.
- That 24-28 modernizes the system.
Bills:
HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19
Keywords:
local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, so section four is an instruction to the reviser to modernize that language. Thank you, Mr.
- Uh, so section four is an instruction to the reviser to modernize that language. Thank you, Mr.
- <01:26:25.199>
to Department of Public Safety uh to Department of Public Safety uh to modernize - the term chemical dependency modernize the term chemical dependency is<01:26:27.440>
an <01:26 - the reviser to modernize that language. the reviser to modernize that language.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/6/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- speeding the market to integrate low-cost generation like solar is crucial to meet the needs of our modern
- speeding the market to integrate low-cost generation like solar is crucial to meet the needs of our modern
- Thank you. to meet the needs of our modern economy to meet the needs of our modern economy is<00:23:16.520
- The PUC needs critical information technology resources and modernizations to efficiently perform its
- <01:22:53.920>
to resources and modernizations to resources and modernizations to efficiently
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, we have our food licensing modernization request.
- <00:27:35.200>
request <00:27:35.760>this <00:27:35.880>is licensing modernization - request this is licensing modernization request this is you'll<00:27:36.200>
see <00:27:36.320 - A lot of what we're focusing on right now is sort of modernizing both our technology systems, but again
- um both our technology modernizing um both our technology systems<00:52:26.960>
but <00:52:27.160
Bills:
HF1063
Keywords:
grain buyers, grain dealer, grain elevator, agriculture, financial reporting, audit, CPA review, independent accountant, financial statement, balance sheet, cash flow, nonpublic data, licensee oversight, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, grain purchase volume, insolvency, nonpayment, warehouse chain, fiduciary duties, producer protection
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation would designate "Roadrunner," the lead single on the Modern Lovers' self-titled 1976
- This legislation would designate "Roadrunner," the lead single on the Modern Lovers' self-titled 1976
- The original Modern Lovers were a Boston-based rock band, led by Natick native Jonathan Richman in the
- According to Richman's biographer Tim Mitchell, the Modern Lovers glorified true love, sincerity, passion
- Registry of Deeds staff have to consider because of a statute that initially was done to basically modernize
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. Representative David Linsky supported HB 3383, which would designate the song “Roadrunner” as the official rock song of Massachusetts, describing its Boston roots and cultural significance. Representative Sean Garberle supported HB 3335 on public access to historical records, arguing that records from state institutions should be released after 75 years and that families and researchers should be able to identify people buried in unmarked graves at former state institutions. Representative Rodney Elliott and Lowell officials supported HB 4138, authorizing easements for a Lowell sewer separation project; they said the project is needed for Clean Water Act compliance, will reduce combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River, and must proceed quickly to meet SRF and consent-decree timelines. Committee members asked about Article 97, the location and scope of the easement, environmental justice impacts, and minority/small business participation in construction.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate 2183 and its House companion, which would elevate the Massachusetts National Guard to a cabinet-level position reporting directly to the Governor. Senators Mike Moore and John Velis, along with the National Guard Association’s Matthew McKenna, argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve communication and readiness, and reflect the Guard’s broad domestic and military missions. Velis cited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragedy as an example of a breakdown in communication, while committee members said they wanted more information, including input from the Governor’s office and Guard leadership, before acting. The committee noted the distinction between state-controlled and federalized Guard missions and said it would continue reviewing the issue.
Senator Liz Miranda and a large panel of survivors, advocates, and Northeastern law students testified in support of S. 2174 and S. 2177, which would create an office and task force on unsolved homicides, allow families to petition for case review after three years, require written responses, and establish a tip line, database, and dedicated funding. Witnesses described long-standing lack of communication, low clearance rates, and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Senator Becca Rausch also testified on S. 2210, extending public records law to the governor and Legislature, and S. 2207, creating stronger information-governance and records-retention standards; she said both would improve transparency and reduce waste. The transcript does not reflect any votes taken during the hearing, though chairs repeatedly indicated support for moving some bills favorably and said the committee would continue reviewing the National Guard proposal.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- That perception is outdated and no longer reflects the reality of what modern marshals' offices do.
- City marshals across Louisiana have worked hard to modernize our offices, strengthen our partnerships
- were no body cams, not a lot of surveillance, DNA, fingerprints, all things that are a part of a modern
- were no body cams, not a lot of surveillance, DNA, fingerprints, all things that are a part of a modern
- Surveillance, DNA, fingerprints—all things that are a part of a modern police investigation—is trying
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 28 minutes and announced that Senate Bill 499 was voluntarily deferred. It then heard several House bills, beginning with HB 168, a reentry/transitional housing program for female parolees near release; supporters said it would improve public safety and reduce recidivism, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 322, a cleanup bill from the Maggie Grace Act clarifying that victims or families requesting transcripts would not be charged, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 622, which aligns Louisiana criminal history information practices with federal rules, was amended and then reported favorably. HB 821, moving the School for Safe Centers from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, was reported favorably as well.
The committee then took up HB 364, which directs State Police to partner on public awareness efforts about the illegality of discharging firearms, especially around holidays. An amendment removed a proposed printing cost and shifted the bill toward PSAs; the bill was reported favorably with amendments. HB 568, which strengthens enforcement of drug-free school zone laws by creating a clearer offense for openly smoking or vaping illegal drugs in school zones and setting a specific penalty for marijuana, drew extensive debate. Supporters, including the author and governor’s office, said it was needed to protect children and families and to give law enforcement a workable deterrent. Opponents argued it would impose harsh, geography-based penalties, sweep in medical cannabis patients and veterans, and worsen racial and fiscal disparities. After roll-call, the committee reported HB 568 favorably by a 3-2 vote.
The committee also approved HB 296, a cleanup bill removing long-defunct programs from statute, without objection. HB 823, creating an Orleans Parish DA pilot diversion program for unhoused people accused of nonviolent offenses, was supported by Covenant House and others as a way to avoid criminalizing homelessness and was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1038, a major bill revising the authority and liability structure of city marshals and local governments, prompted extensive testimony. The bill and amendments would limit some marshal powers in smaller jurisdictions, require local approval for certain staffing/insurance matters, and allow local governments to restore powers by ordinance. Supporters said it would reduce liability, clarify authority, and address problems in some marshal offices; opponents, including multiple marshals and law enforcement supporters, said it would undermine elected marshals, hurt small offices, and was too broad and under-studied. The transcript ends amid that hearing, with no final committee action shown on HB 1038.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, it's like we live in a modern society. These aren't modern problems.
- A second is $11.2 million General Fund in 2026-27 to continue the firearms IT systems modernization project
- General Fund in 2026-27 to continue the firearms IT systems modernization project.
- We also recommend that you approve the firearm information technology system modernization request in
Summary:
The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities.
Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty.
The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Surveillance-based price and wage discrimination prohibited 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- These are foundational components of modern commerce, and often lower cost to consumers.
- struggle to determine how those provisions apply to common pricing and compensation tools used in modern
- compensation<00:23:00.480>
tools <00:23:01.360>used <00:23:01.600>in <00:23:01.840>modern - compensation tools used in modern compensation tools used in modern business<00:23:02.640>
operations
Summary:
House File 3794, as amended by the A4 amendment, was heard in committee. Representative Greenman described the bill as a ban on surveillance-based pricing and wage discrimination, with a disclosure requirement for companies using automated data to set individualized prices or wages. The A4 amendment was adopted; Greenman said it updated language based on attorney general and stakeholder feedback and added a burden-shifting provision that would let consumers or workers establish a presumption, which companies could then rebut with data. Greenman and supporters argued the bill would stop companies from using personal data and AI tools to charge different prices to different people, while still allowing ordinary market-based discounts and clearly offered group discounts such as those for veterans, students, or teachers.
Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Farmers Union, a neighborhood bookstore owner, Consumer Reports, and a small business owner. They said surveillance pricing undermines fairness, transparency, and competition, and cited examples such as different online prices based on location, browser history, or loyalty-program data. Testifiers also warned that AI-driven pricing and discounting can be opaque and discriminatory, and that small businesses cannot compete with large firms that control more data. Consumer Reports said consumers should not have to use workarounds like VPNs to compare prices and noted that some discounts based on personal data may also need sunlight and guardrails.
Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Progress. They argued the bill’s definitions are too broad and could sweep in ordinary business analytics, loyalty programs, targeted promotions, inventory tools, and even spreadsheets, creating compliance risk and discouraging innovation and investment. They also warned the bill could burden small businesses and interfere with workplace management and compensation decisions. During member discussion, several legislators voiced support for the bill as a transparency and fairness measure, while one member noted that the most egregious examples appear to be in e-commerce and said the committee was laying the bill over for further consideration.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- support the bill, honestly, we should be doing this all over in flood-prone areas, requiring more modern
- building codes, more modern building... ...all over in flood-prone areas, requiring more modern building
- More modern building codes make reference to the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2024 standard,
- fatigue, evaluate compliance with state and federal regulations, and explore ways to streamline and modernize
Keywords:
HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired
Summary:
The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending.
The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms.
The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- During the time we began to connect was more critical than ever, and unequal access to modern technology
- education, we are opening doors for the next generation workforce and empowering them to compete in the modern
- Is absolutely noble because we need to have transparency around this data and how education is modernizing
- Is a timely and necessary modernization of California's approach to teacher exchange.
- I rise in strong support for AB 833 because it represents an important and overdue modernization of the
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nomination of Michael Faulkender, of Maryland, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury; to be immediately followed by hearings to examine the nomination of Mehmet Oz, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the Centers Mar 14th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Modernizing federal health care programs will require rethinking our outdated approach to treating the
- And third, let's be aggressive in modernizing our tools to reduce fraud, waste. and abuse.
- committee, and have confirmed with other senators as well, is to ensure that we have wise, effective modernization
- Everybody thinks we can do some work on Medicare, but this has been a bipartisan failure to really modernize
- We'll do that after you get confirmed, but let me just say that if modern medical science can devise
Keywords:
Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing
Summary:
The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 25, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- civic networks that help form the ground for Lincoln's political identity and the principles of the modern
- Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program and its M2D2 project is a once-in-a-century investment to modernize
- four aging naval shipyards into new, modern facilities that will serve our nation into the Future.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, is so that the management system of SNAP can be modernized so that we can maximize our federal
- SNAP is the modern version of food stamps. It's created in 1964.
- SNAP is the modern version of food stamps.
Summary:
The Senate first adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roder of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, by standing vote, with 8 in favor and none opposed. The chamber also suspended rules to refer several petitions to committee, including a resolution to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications and a petition on officer training related to stage suicides. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including legislation clarifying the duties of the Adjutant General and enhancing access and support for military-connected families, both with new drafts, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was ordered to a third reading.
A major portion of the session focused on the House’s nonconcurrence in the Senate’s amendment to the fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget and the appointment of a conference committee. Senators from both parties debated how to respond to the federal government shutdown and the threatened lapse in SNAP benefits, with repeated calls for the Commonwealth to use available state resources to prevent hunger, protect vulnerable residents, and seek federal reimbursement. Several members criticized the governor’s use of taxpayer-funded communications on the issue, while others defended the administration’s limited initial response and emphasized fiscal constraints. The Senate ultimately insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee consisting of Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor.
The chamber also passed several local and special bills, including measures exempting Natick’s assistant fire chief from civil service, authorizing sewer service in Sharon, changing the term of the elected moderator in Holden, updating Medford’s linkage exaction program, and establishing sick leave banks for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roder. The Senate later adopted amended resolutions calling on the President of the United States to release contingency funds for SNAP during the shutdown, adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday, and then adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Apr 23rd, 2026 at 09:30 am
Business and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- commission and technical experts to determine the adjustment if the adjustments make sense based on modern
- House 2955 simply updates and modernizes the Oklahoma Captive Insurance Company Act.
- But this is the Oklahoma Money Transmission Modernization Act.
Bills:
HB4322, HB4202, HB4203, HB4457, HB3983, HB3660, HB3802, HB2933, HB2955, HB2956, HB3781, HB3521, HB3794, HB3796, HB3800
Keywords:
funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer, funeral director in charge, dual licensure, mortuary science, Oklahoma Funeral Board, funeral establishment, commercial embalming establishment, crematory, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, apprenticeship, licensing requirements, professional regulation, undertaker, mortician, burial services, death care industry, workers' compensation
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- What you see in this picture is our San Javier mine and our modern heading.
- So this is a modern tunnel. It's about 15 by 15 feet, which is unusual for a university mine.
- We'll develop an additional 2,500 feet of modern drift underground, that's linear footage or roadway.
Bills:
SB1046
Keywords:
telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security
Summary:
The Committee on Science and Technology heard Senate Bill 1046, which would bar critical telecommunications infrastructure in Arizona from using equipment manufactured or owned by a foreign adversary, require annual certification to the Corporation Commission, impose civil penalties for noncompliance, and cut off state, local, or federal infrastructure funding for violators. Marina Macklin testified in support, arguing the bill responds to real national-security risks from China, citing examples such as Huawei, Hikvision, and other foreign-linked technology concerns, and saying states can act where federal efforts are incomplete or slow. Members raised questions about cost, timing, and whether the bill duplicates federal action; Macklin said the bill targets public procurement and that state action remains appropriate. The committee then voted 5-1 to return SB 1046 with a do pass recommendation.
The committee next received a presentation from Craig Luxbacher of the University of Arizona on mining technology and the state’s role as an innovation hub. He described university work on automation, microgrids, critical mineral recovery, tailings remediation, workforce training, and heat-stress protection, and said Arizona can help de-risk new mining technologies through research partnerships, training networks, and policy support. Members asked about microgrids, federal and state law changes, tariffs, workforce decline, AI, and how the Legislature could help; Luxbacher emphasized the need for coordinated training pipelines, incubators for mining startups, and support for pilot projects and processing capacity.
Jeremiah Pate, founder and CTO of Lunisand, then presented on subsurface imaging technology using georadiotomography. He said the system can image deep underground from airborne platforms, helping locate critical minerals, aquifers, tunnels, and hidden defense-related threats more quickly than traditional methods. Members asked about archaeological uses, mineral identification, water detection, whether similar companies exist, and defense applications. Pate said the technology is still developing but is unique in its field-practical airborne capability. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the chair and adjournment.