Video & Transcript : 'abortion laws' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Session Jan 22nd, 2026
Massachusetts Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- When they took away abortion care, we stepped in and made sure that Planned Parenthood had the funding
- Let's make that a law in Massachusetts. That's real money. A.G.
- We got to make your good work the law. And we're not going to stop there.
- There's no question that we have the best law enforcement and... Communities.
- Thank you for showing our law enforcement how appreciative we are.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Ethics and Elections Dec 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's a man that has transformed law enforcement on a state level.
- Post-law-enforcement career, he continued to advocate for the citizens of Florida, and I just want to
- You have an incredibly distinguished career in law enforcement.
- I believe as long as that is within the confines of the law and doesn't constitute hate speech, then
- to free speech, and people have a right to enact that free speech as long as it doesn't violate the law
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate.
The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote.
Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It was not the Republicans that enacted the Jim Crow laws.
- It was not the Republicans that enacted the Jim Crow laws.
- We're a law firm.
- at the University of North Texas Dallas College of Law.
- And we did find a law firm. ...counsel and we did find a law firm, and they are negotiating that contract
Summary:
The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow.
Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate.
Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 22nd, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's inconsistent with federal law, which is... still the law right now and inconsistent with state
- law.
- I'm talking about abortion, gender-affirming care, and the potential of being undocumented, having ICE
- And I would imagine the same is going to be true for abortion, gender-affirming care, or anything that
- Sponsored the bill, which was signed into law.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- On an episode of his show in 2021, Charlie Kirk said, quote, “Abortion is not about women’s health.
- As you all know, the Civil Rights Act was a monumental law that outlawed discrimination in public accommodations
- As you all know, the Civil Rights Act was a monumental law that outlawed discrimination in public accommodations
- It changed laws, and it changed the direction of how we think. I hope it did. We wanted it to.
- It changed laws, and it changed the direction of how we think. I hope it did. We wanted it to.
Committee:
Senate Education Postsecondary
Keywords:
Charlie Kirk, remembrance, free speech, civic engagement, youth leadership, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested.
The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations.
A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The state of Texas, which has a six-week abortion ban, saw a 13% increase in infant and neonatal deaths
- When will we have information on the impact of implementing the six-week abortion ban in Florida?
Committee:
Senate Health Policy
Summary:
The Senate Health Policy Committee met to discuss maternal and infant health, beginning with a presentation from New Jersey’s Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MiHA). Pamela Taylor described New Jersey’s statewide effort to reduce maternal mortality and racial disparities through the Nurture New Jersey campaign, a strategic plan with more than 80 recommendations, universal home visiting, Medicaid-covered doula care, hospital report cards, limits on non-medically indicated early elective C-sections, and a new maternal and infant health innovation center. Senators asked about doula certification, funding, home visiting, and how New Jersey coordinates across agencies; Taylor said the authority uses quarterly stakeholder meetings, annual summits, and a tracker for recommendations, and that community input helped shape its programs.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer then outlined Florida Medicaid’s maternal coverage and managed care structure. He reviewed eligibility and services for pregnant women, labor and delivery, postpartum coverage, newborn coverage, and family planning, noting 12 months of postpartum coverage, expanded benefits in managed care plans, and new contracts launching February 1 with more maternal-health-focused benefits, quality measures, and a new quality withhold incentive structure. Senators questioned doula certification and duplication with Healthy Start, provider access and network adequacy, kick payments, quality reporting, and whether Florida should consider broader eligibility standards; Meyer said many details are still plan-driven, that quality metrics are public, and that the agency is working on maternal-health work groups and incentives.
Department of Health Division Director Shea Holloway followed with an overview of Florida’s maternal and child health programs and data. She cited Florida CHARTS data showing pregnancy-related deaths, severe maternal morbidity, and infant mortality trends, and described the Title V block grant, the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative, the electronic prenatal risk screen, Healthy Babies, BH Impact for perinatal mental health, Healthy Start, WIC, family planning, telehealth maternity care, and the Pregnancy Care Network. Senators asked about delays in mortality review reporting, preterm birth, substance use disorder in pregnancy, WIC participation, cesarean rates, and the impact of the abortion ban; Holloway said the department is continuing to monitor outcomes, expand screening and telehealth, and use data and hospital partnerships to improve care. The committee then adjourned without further business.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, it alters existing law related to a notice requirement if racing is no longer a lawful activity
- </c> notice if racing is no longer a lawful notice if racing is no longer a lawful activity<00:12:25.839
- >> House 1480, labor law, child labor >> House 1480, labor law, child labor penalties,<00
- </c> into law. into law.
- </c> Law School which he could not attend. Law School which he could not attend.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We're fearful of Sharia law. It's not Sharia law.
- So I am against Sharia law.
- So I am against Sharia law.
- And they are very confused about the abortion law set through. And I think this video... Thank you.
- We should have never codified this in law. So this should have never been in our laws.
Committee:
House Education & Employment Committee
Summary:
The committee first took up CS for CS for HB 1471, which would bar Florida courts from enforcing foreign or religious law that conflicts with the U.S. or Florida Constitution, create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations, and prohibit public funds from supporting such organizations. The sponsor said the bill protects constitutional supremacy, due process, and taxpayer dollars, while opponents argued it was vague, targeted religion, and could be used to suppress dissent and protected speech. Members debated whether a conviction was required, who would make designations, and what consequences would follow; an amendment changing student expulsion language from “may” to “shall” was adopted. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the bill passed 16-4 and was reported favorably with amendment.
The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1071, an education bill covering parental opt-outs for certain health instruction, required instruction on embryology, fetal development, and HIV/AIDS, math plan requirements, student-led organizations, epinephrine access, instructional material review, safe-school officer options, and chronic absenteeism reporting. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights, academics, accountability, and safety measure, while opponents said parts of the bill would restrict sex education, chill student organizations, and undermine DEI-related activities and LGBTQ student groups. Several amendments were offered by the ranking member to remove or soften the provisions restricting funding for DEI and social/political activism, but those amendments failed.
The committee adopted a Trabulsy amendment requiring districts to publicize virtual instruction options, and another amendment clarifying reading-coach language and safe-school officer options, as well as an amendment giving publishers an appeals process if removed for noncompliant materials. A final Trabulsy amendment requiring annual reporting of chronic absenteeism by grade level was also adopted. Public testimony on the bill remained sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing embryology, parental rights, and school safety, and opponents warning about censorship, reduced reproductive health education, and harm to student expression. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on HB 1071, before final committee action on the bill is shown.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1673, an act appropriating money to the Law Enforcement Crime Victim Notification Fund.
- Senate Bill 1673, an act appropriating money to the Law Enforcement Crime Victim Notification Fund.
- Senate Bill 1673, an act appropriating money to the Law Enforcement Crime Victim Notification Fund.
- House Bill 2364, abortion, including drugs, violations, classifications. June elections.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call showing 25 members present. The journal was approved, and several guests were introduced, including Pastor Caden Metcalf as Pastor of the Day and Dr. Jane Peterson as Doctor of the Day. The chamber also took up a motion to reconsider SB 1827, which passed on a division vote, and then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on the calendar.
In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered and advanced several bills, generally by adopting committee strike-everything amendments and then recommending each bill do pass. Measures included SB 1041 (Arizona Trail Fund), SB 1131 (cardiac emergency response plans in schools), SB 1140 (expungement of misdemeanor records), SB 1249 (Alzheimer’s disease/state brain appropriation), SB 1275 (sentencing and imprisonment), SB 1517 (Barbering and Cosmetology Board), and SB 1673 (Crime Victim Notification Fund). SB 1275 drew the most debate: Senator Ortiz argued a floor amendment would gut judicial discretion and preserve prosecutorial power, while Senator Gowan said the amendment preserved a veterans diversion program; the amendment was adopted on a 15-13 division vote. The Committee of the Whole then reported the bills back to the Senate, which adopted the report.
The Senate then took up third-reading votes on multiple bills. SB 1161, SB 1209, SB 1598, SB 1118, SB 1399, SB 1563, SB 1564, SB 1629, SB 1754, SB 1041, SB 1131, SB 1140, SB 1249, SB 1517, and SB 1673 all passed, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to more divided outcomes. Several members explained votes, especially on SB 1598 and SB 1754, which involved community garden funding and special education/parent complaint issues, respectively. The Senate then recessed, received a large batch of House bills for first reading and committee referral, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 7th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- , I thought, a very compelling case for full apology laws to be placed in our medical malpractice law
- law.
- On page 17 with the apology law, passing an apology law based on the Michigan model, does it have any
- So, an apology law, I would advocate for a full apology law, would allow those conversations to happen
- And I wouldn't, I'll tell you one thing, I wouldn't tell my son-in-law and daughter-in-law to come here
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, the law that the senator was referring to that was passed in 2019, which we in law enforcement
- County judges are not enforcing the law.
- Law enforcement is not enforcing the law, but I have met... ...to enforce this court order, and nobody's
- It's that built into the law, and this is in the area of family law.
- They wanted to rein in rogue district attorneys for not enforcing marijuana laws and abortions.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
low-THC cannabis, dispensing organization, Texas Compassionate-Use Program, medical use, patient access, registration, healthcare, legislation, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, election supplies, ballots
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/24/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Businesses are subject to taxes, regulations, and laws, and like citizens, businesses have a constitutionally
- I am senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law.
- intentionally drawn by duopoly<00:54:25.440><c> biased</c><00:54:25.920><c> party</c><00:54:26.160><c> law
- </c><00:54:26.400><c> Lo</c><00:54:26.640><c> ists</c> duopoly biased party law Lo ists duopoly biased
- party law Lo ists specifically<00:54:27.880><c> to</c><00:54:28.119><c> either</c><00:54:28.640><c>
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I will say that if an individual is insured by a private insurer and they are only applying the law as
- Right now, they're siloed in what they can share because of our privacy laws, which is good.
- Well, the law enforcement obviously would, but they're able to share.
- We couldn't share any information unless it was subpoenaed with law enforcement.
- So, and this is not saying that they would share everything with law enforcement.
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
Summary:
The House Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for House Bill 3401, Representative Phelps’s workplace violence bill, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass. The substitute broadened language by removing a specific reference to bodily fluids, based on testimony from hospital security personnel that broader wording would be easier to prosecute. The roll call showed the substitute adopted and the bill passed out of committee.
The committee then heard House Bill 2370, sponsored by Representative Peters, which would require private insurance to cover a one-year supply of self-administered hormonal contraceptives at one time, similar to Missouri HealthNet. Supporters included ACOG, the Missouri State Medical Association, Beacon Reproductive Health Network, and the Missouri Nurses Association, who argued the bill would improve access, reduce missed doses and unintended pregnancies, and save costs by reducing barriers such as transportation, work schedules, and pharmacy refill gaps. The Missouri Insurance Coalition opposed the bill, arguing it would impose a mandate on private plans, increase costs—especially for brand-name products—and raised questions about whether the bill would require bulk dispensing and how it would interact with existing refill rules. The committee also heard informational testimony from MoSPI noting rural access barriers, higher adherence with 12-month supplies, and that Missouri HealthNet already covers an annual supply.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3278, sponsored by Representative Lobbinger, which would create a multidisciplinary adult protection team framework for adults 60 and older and adults 18 and older with cognitive impairments or disabilities. The bill is intended to improve coordination among agencies handling abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases by allowing limited information sharing and reducing duplicated investigations while preserving confidentiality and guardianship protections. DHSS testified in support, saying the bill would provide a clearer framework for existing multidisciplinary teams, streamline coordination, and help protect vulnerable adults without creating new positions or infrastructure. Committee members asked about membership, meeting frequency, conflicts of interest, and how the bill differs from the ombudsman system; the sponsor and DHSS explained that the teams would be case-specific, generally meet as needed or quarterly, and apply to community cases rather than facility residents. The sponsor also submitted letters of support from existing multidisciplinary teams and related organizations.
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:
- . laws, allows us to hold bureaucrats accountable to the rule of law, and helps keep faith with taxpayers
- , would you follow the law or follow the President's directive?
- Let me say that even more clearly, it's in violation of the law.
- But then we also have the Stark laws, right?
- It's the law I'm going to defend it and use it.
Committee:
Senate Finance Committee
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.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Health and Mental Health Apr 2nd, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health and Mental Health
Transcript Highlights:
- would say that if an individual is insured through a private insurer and they are only applying the law
- Right now, they're siloed in what they can share because of our privacy laws, which is good.
- Well, the law enforcement obviously would, but they're able to share.
- We couldn't share any information unless it was subpoenaed with law enforcement.
- So this is not saying that they would share everything with law enforcement.
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- who met one of the criteria set forth in... 15-22-36.18 prior to October 1st, 2025, and the current law
- Um, but I was going to ask you about that because I felt there was a conflict with existing law with
- Now, the law already allows the judge to Now, the law already allows the judge to give prenatal reimbursement
- There may... law is up to interpretation.
- Uh, so you have HB 537, which is concerning the Annias Law.
Committee:
House Judiciary
Keywords:
resisting arrest, penalties, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, youthful offender, capital murder, victims' rights, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, illegal alien, enhanced sentencing, criminal offenses, minor victims, felonies, Alabama legislature, bail reform, cash deposit
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Banking and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, facilitating abortion or perhaps selling firearms at your store, any number of things.
- by the business or consumer whose accounts they intend to close, to the extent permitted by federal law
- So, if there are federal laws that limit the bank's ability to disclose, nothing would impede that...
- It's a direct attack on economic freedom; it targets law-abiding individuals and businesses based on
- any law that mandates with whom I can and cannot do business.
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- was founded in August of 1874 and just celebrated its 150th anniversary, making it one of the oldest law
- Our sheriffs are charged with conserving peace and enforcing the criminal laws of this state and are
- His efforts have not only made our county safer, but have truly set the standard for law enforcement
- Thank you all for your service and for advocating for county law enforcement here today.
- HB 3640 by law rulings of the prosecution of the offense committed by a police officer acting in the
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 27, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Greg dedicated his life to serving others before his career in law enforcement.
- </c> serving others before his career in law serving others before his career in law enforcement<01:51
- Martial law was declared on June 1st.
- Justice is the supreme ruler and law is Justice is the supreme ruler and law is but<03:55:00.720><c>
- There are ways to enforce the law in a manner that recognizes reality and exudes compassion.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy One - Friday, May 15 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today is the last day of law enforcement week.
- I stood between abortion clinics and protesters.
- This law exists in eight states and three territories.
- More than a dozen other states have introduced Bentley's Law, and only in Missouri will Bentley's Law
- be referred to as Bentley and Mason's Law.