Transcript Highlights:

• The emotional toll of losing Sean has been immense, but knowing that our girls' education will be taken

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The emotional toll of losing Sean has been immense, but knowing that our girls’ education will be taken

Committee: House Children and Families

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1135, “Bentley and Mason’s Law,” which would require a person convicted of driving drunk or otherwise impaired and causing the death of a parent or parents to pay child support-like maintenance to the victim’s children until age 18, or 21 if in college. The sponsor explained that the amount would be determined through a clerk and court process similar to child support, based on the offender’s finances and the children’s prior standard of living. The bill also includes a provision intended to avoid “double dipping” by barring the maintenance claim if the family has already pursued a civil case against the insurance company, and it allows a one-year grace period after release from prison before payments begin. Committee members asked about the amount, whether health care or FAFSA would be affected, and whether penalties would apply for nonpayment; the sponsor said those issues were not fully specified and could be strengthened later. Members also raised concerns about enforceability and bankruptcy, while others supported the bill but suggested possible amendments. Public testimony was strongly in favor. Brooke Stewart described how her husband was killed by a drunk driver in Tennessee and said Bentley’s Law has provided her children with restitution that will help support them through adulthood, including college. She said the offender had prior DUI-related arrests and that the law gave her family relief and accountability. Heather Elder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving testified for the bill and said Missouri should pass it without amendment, noting that similar laws exist in other states and territories. She said the bill was created in response to Cecilia Williams’ family tragedy and that Bentley and Mason, the children named in the bill, have been attending hearings and understand what the legislation means. Witnesses also referenced related impaired-driving and social-host bills as broader prevention efforts. No one testified in opposition, and the committee took no vote, ending the hearing after the public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• That closeness makes this work even more difficult and the emotional toll even greater, underscoring

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, with opening prayer and pledge, followed by a series of guest introductions recognizing Nevada County search and rescue volunteers, a Canadian delegation, Oakland High School Public Health Academy students, Claremont McKenna College students, St. Edward’s Parish School students, and others. The body also approved several procedural motions, including re-referrals of bills to committees and permission for committees to notice bills pending re-referral. On the floor file, the Assembly adopted ACR 152 designating March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with remarks praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood supply, and training work. It also adopted HR 90 celebrating No-Ruz, the Persian New Year, with members noting its themes of renewal and resilience amid conflict affecting Iranian communities. Later, ACR 141 recognizing Visak Day was adopted, honoring the Buddha’s birth and teachings on peace, compassion, and balance. Each of these resolutions received numerous co-authors before voice vote adoption. The Assembly also passed AB 1844, which updates the Judges’ Retirement System 2 to allow judges to designate non-spouse beneficiaries for survivor retirement benefits and extend protections to vested judges. On the consent calendar, AB 1948 relating to firearms and several resolutions, including HR 94 on Major League Baseball Opening Day 2026 and Senate concurrent resolutions, were adopted, with AB 1948 passing 60-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Caitlin Katie Mardellett and a motion to adjourn for spring recess until April 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• The compliance plan is what we're tolling for two years, and that's where the adverse action could come

Bills: SB2122 , SB2050 , HB16

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS HAD BEEN A LONG-TERM IMPACT ON MY ME MENTALLY AND TOOK A TOLL ON MY EDUCATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> well as the state road construction well as the state road construction operation<03:53:39.680><
• There are some road projects that got included. Uh, one important one is County Road 50 and I-35.
• </c> our taxpayers more money to build roads. our taxpayers more money to build roads.
• </c> with some road with some road projects.<04:07:21.600><c> So,</c><04:07:22.000><c> that's</c><04:
• </c> money back and spend it on county road money back and spend it on county road uh<04:26:10.479><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have witnessed the physical and emotional toll that perinatal deserts take... ...on families and birthing
• reaching 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 and having 5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road
• shift we're not going to be increasing costs unnecessarily at a time where maybe four years down the road
• or five years down the road it might be a better time to do it.
• is also a way to make sure that the companies that are playing by the rules are not undercut by low-road

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you have to look at a tolling agreement.
• And here we are, and we’ve exceeded it and hit about 2.5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road now
• And so, you know, we have made... ...vehicles on the road now.
• manufacturing initiative focused on how we can grow clean energy manufacturing industries through a high-road
• manufacturing initiative, focused on how can we grow clean energy manufacturing industries through a high road

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "I was not suicidal until after these treatments began because of how much of a toll that was taking
• and what is expected to be given for free, so that we're not impacting our ability to build and pave roads
• I know how much you love your roads, ma'am. Yes, you have another speaker.
• you did otherwise I beat you up all the time from my district I know I know how much you love your roads
• I know how much you love your roads, ma'am. Yes, you have another speaker queued up. Thank you.

Bills: SB1015 , SB1049 , SB1066 , SB1081 , SB1092 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1139 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1168 , SB1189 , SCR1001 , SCR1002 , SCR1005 , SCR1010

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: gender transition, detransition, healthcare liability, medical malpractice, youth protection, legal action, Arizona law, spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, child safety, dependency cases, attorney regulation, foster care, legal representation, probation, dangerous crimes, children

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a long road ahead of us. So thank you for your time. Step to get to where we need to be.
• And that's a long road ahead of us. So thank you for your testimony and taking the time to be here.
• And we're going to take a road trip and hopefully we can visit every tribe in the... ...hub, and we're
• going to take a road trip and hopefully we can visit every tribe in the state of California and come
• And it takes an emotional, physical, and spiritual toll on you and your community.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs opened its 2025 hearing with a traditional song and remarks about the importance of Native visibility and land acknowledgment. The hearing focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP), exploitation and trafficking in a Public Law 280 (PL 280) state, and California’s response. Members and tribal leaders emphasized that MMIP is tied to historical trauma, forced removal, undercounting, and ongoing inequities in law enforcement response, media attention, and access to resources. Several panelists urged stronger tribal consultation, better data collection, more funding, and culturally informed education and victim services. In the first panel, tribal chairpersons described personal and community impacts. Chairperson Antonet Del Rio spoke about the need to include federally and non-federally recognized tribes and to educate schools and communities, while naming long-unsolved cases from her tribe. Chairperson Cheyenne Stone connected MMIP to the history of violence in Owens Valley and to the disturbance of Indigenous remains during infrastructure projects, calling for forensic resources, mandatory consultation, and accountability. Chairperson Charles Martin described the death of Morongo citizen Amy Porter and said the Feather Alert failed her family because law enforcement did not act quickly enough; he called for reforms and better coordination, especially in PL 280 jurisdictions. Chairwoman Nelson and committee members echoed the need for equity, urgency, and government-to-government respect. The second panel examined how PL 280 complicates MMIP and trafficking cases. Professor Carol Goldberg explained that PL 280 created an unfunded mandate, reduced federal jurisdiction and funding, and contributed to under-resourced policing and mistrust; she recommended mandatory training, community-oriented policing, formal tribal-county collaboration, and possible retrocession in some cases. Yurok Chairman Joe James tied MMIP to boarding schools, trafficking, and the need to advance bills such as AB 31, SB 4, ACR 39, AB 285, and AB 1378, along with increased budget funding. Morning Star Gali argued that PL 280 enables traffickers and violent offenders to exploit jurisdictional gaps and called for tribally led public safety, housing, victim services, and stronger consultation. Dustin Contreras, a human trafficking investigator, described the overlap between trafficking and MMIP, stressed partnerships and task forces, and supported more education for law enforcement, schools, and families. In the final panel, state and county officials described current efforts and acknowledged remaining gaps. The Attorney General’s Office said it is working on MICIC outreach, tribal response planning, PL 280 training through an advisory council, and improved data systems, while supporting bills and the Feather Alert. Humboldt County Sheriff Hansel described the case of a missing woman, Emily, as an example of how people with mental illness or justice involvement can become invisible, and said counties need more consistent training and clearer jurisdictional protocols. He and other officials supported the Feather Alert, tribal police authority, and a pilot program for POST status for tribal police, which they said had been vetoed previously. Across the hearing, speakers repeatedly called for better coordination, more funding, stronger tribal authority, and sustained action rather than symbolic recognition.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm saying we're really far down the road.
• , what say you about do you, you know, ever have the fertile egg that's you know, kind of down the road
• I ask that you please consider the emotional toll and the compassion... individuals, county officials
• Hi, my name is Roads.
• your position on the bill. bill and you may begin okay my name is Dan Chandler with me or the dirt road

Bills: SB500 , SB719 , SB912 , SB1232 , SB1467 , SB1777 , SB1864 , SB2023 , SB2119 , SB2458

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• Going a little bit, continuing down our road of... Representative Stonia? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Going a little bit, continuing down our road of...
• Going a little bit, continuing down our road of DCYF and as it relates to our families and child welfare
• We know that, but we don't, you know, it's hard to quantify the toll that it takes on folks and families

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on a proposed substitute operating budget bill and worked through a long series of amendments before voting on the bill. Members discussed a wide range of budget items, including court funding for Thurston County civil filings, Attorney General funding for a domestic extremism task force, grants for Yakima aquatics access, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring programs, poverty reduction work, a proposed Department of Housing task force, federal grant inventory staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, DCYF family resource centers and pediatric interim care, law enforcement training and equipment, shellfish and birthing center licensing fees, school bus depreciation, charter school accountability, transition to kindergarten priorities, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI grants. The committee also considered amendments related to the Columbia River Gorge Commission, shrub-steppe habitat mitigation, and a study on Lower Snake River reservoir drawdown impacts. Debate on many amendments centered on whether items were statewide priorities or local projects, and on the fiscal constraints of the budget. Supporters often argued that proposals would protect vulnerable populations, improve public safety, or leverage future savings and outside funding; opponents frequently cited budget pressure, the availability of existing funding, or the need to avoid singling out local projects. Some amendments were adopted, including Clark 343 on intent to fund up to 10,000 additional eCAP slots, Jones 419 on paint stewardship funding, and Stevens 070 limiting birthing center license fees. Many others failed, including amendments on Thurston County court funding, the domestic extremism task force, Yakima aquatics, North Mason mobile integrated health, mentoring, poverty reduction workgroup funding, the Department of Housing task force, federal grant staffing, HEAL Act funding, assisted living rebasing, the PIC Center contract, the Lacey regional training academy, and several Fish and Wildlife and OSPI-related proposals. The committee then moved to the underlying bill, Proposed Substitute House Bill 2289, and adopted a do pass motion after disposing of the amendments. The transcript indicates the committee ultimately reported the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this job has really taken a toll on me mentally.
• I have sometimes wanted to quit because of the mental toll, and I really don't get paid enough.
• </c><00:45:40.440><c> of</c><00:45:40.559><c> the</c><00:45:40.680><c> mental</c><00:45:41.000><c> toll
• </c><00:45:41.400><c> and</c><00:45:41.559><c> I</c> quit because of the mental toll and I quit because
• of the mental toll and I really<00:45:42.000><c> don't</c><00:45:42.240><c> get</c><00:45:42.440><c>

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• so that small towns and cities throughout Minnesota have the ability to pay for their basic needs, roads
• the ability to pay for their basic have the ability to pay for their basic needs,<00:46:02.120><c> roads
• </c><00:46:02.640><c> and</c><00:46:03.240><c> bridges,</c> needs, roads and bridges, needs, roads and
• that Minneapolis gave us, they actually had an interesting section in there about the mental health toll
• And what that mental health toll is is not only just the lack of access to mental health care, but it's

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, 40 years of working on a dairy farm takes a toll on a body. Mr. Myers is now 58 years old.
• farm</c><00:32:24.640><c> uh</c><00:32:24.880><c> takes</c><00:32:25.200><c> a</c><00:32:25.360><c> toll
• </c> dairy farm uh takes a toll on a body. dairy farm uh takes a toll on a body.

Bills: HF3474 , HF3475 , HF3508

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Really, we feel that it's first and foremost the toll the barriers cause on our patients, families, and
• ><00:16:52.800><c> and</c><00:16:53.040><c> foremost</c><00:16:53.360><c> the</c><00:16:53.600><c> toll
• </c><00:16:53.839><c> the</c> it's first and foremost the toll the it's first and foremost the toll the

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That closeness makes this work even more difficult, and the emotional toll even greater, underscoring

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While euthanizing animals who are not adopted takes a toll on the mental health of shelter staff.

Bills: SB1636 , SB1584 , SB1730 , SB1255 , SB1627 , SB137 , SB2062 , SB1470 , SB1284 , SB1632 , SB1594 , SB2045 , SB1251 , SB1884 , SB1250 , SB1630 , SB1262 , SB1374 , SB1292 , SB1432 , SB1199 , SB1790 , SB1481 , SB1614 , SB1734 , SB1437 , SB1489 , SB1718 , SB1778 , SB1327 , SB1372 , SB1403 , SB1937 , SB277 , SB2131 , SB1749 , SB1348 , SB1469 , SB2018 , SB1931 , SB1530 , SB2155 , SB2030 , SB1926 , SB2170 , SB2151 , SB2166 , SB1213 , SB1381 , SB1824 , SB1876 , SB1728 , SB1582 , SB1286 , SB1386 , SB1708 , SB1618 , SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619 , SCR15 , HB2786 , HB2787 , SB1525 , SB2011 , SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:26:03.840><c> we</c><00:26:04.000><c> need</c> roads, rails, and broadband, we need roads, rails
• ,</c> needed towards improving our roads, needed towards improving our roads, repairing<00:31:03.440>
• Go Road Runners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.
• </c> a public school, Goat Road Runners. a public school, Goat Road Runners.
• </c> take a toll on officer's own well-being. take a toll on officer's own well-being.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You go on to the next page, you see that in Majdanek camp, massive reduction of death tolls are not unique
• Initial death toll claims were massively overblown, usually Soviet wartime propaganda.
• </c><00:17:20.880><c> Initial</c><00:17:21.199><c> death</c><00:17:21.439><c> toll</c><00:17:21.760><
• Initial death toll claims for all camps.
• Initial death toll claims were<00:17:22.559><c> massively</c><00:17:23.120><c> overbrown.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all