Video & Transcript Research : 'Asian American'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
- And we know that Asian American history is American history.
- And we know that Asian American history is American history.
- Ocampo, who is the first Asian American and Filipino American judge of the Superior Court of L.A.
- May 26 as Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month and commending Asian and Pacific Islanders for
Summary:
The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a ceremonial observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support of House Resolution 107, which designates May as AAPI Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s contributions, resilience, and the need to confront discrimination and hate. The resolution was adopted, and the chamber then recognized 13 honorees for the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month celebration, highlighting leaders in education, business, labor, media, cultural preservation, and public service.
After guest introductions, the Assembly took up a series of bills. Measures discussed included HOA reserve funding for common interest developments (AB 2050), professional review requirements for lawsuits against design professionals (AB 2106), direct home delivery of enteral formula (AB 1794), expanded CalWORKs-related support for student parents (AB 1829), longer insurance moratoriums for wildfire survivors (AB 2038), election cybersecurity (AB 2281), medical privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care (AB 2448), water district board compensation (AB 2568), county public contract change-order authority (AB 1658), and several other education, health, and licensing bills. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 2050 passed 44-6, AB 2038 passed 45-8, AB 2448 passed 49-13, and AB 1658 passed 61-2, while several others passed unanimously or near-unanimously.
The Assembly also adopted AJR 29, a resolution opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail and affirming California’s mail voting system. The resolution prompted extended debate over election integrity, voter access, and federal versus state authority, with supporters arguing mail voting is secure and accessible and opponents calling for stronger voter list maintenance and verification. The resolution passed 47-13. In addition, ACR 141 and ACR 123 were adopted by voice vote after co-author roll calls, and the chamber continued or passed on numerous other file items as it worked through the daily file.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/25/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- She said the bill is to ensure that when the person for American Indian families needs to send a letter
- <00:25:05.080><c> UTS</c><00:25:05.520><c> persons</c><00:25:05.840><c> for</c><00:25:06.000><c> American
- </c> the office of UTS persons for American the office of UTS persons for American Indian<00:25:06.919
- the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act is a very unique area of law that only pertains to American
- Tribes have fees waived, and the Office of UTS Persons for American Indian Families is also looking to
Keywords:
veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 030 Feb 13th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Asian-American communities. Asian-American communities.
- /c> Asian-Americans and many Asians and Asian-Americans and many Asians and non-Asians<00:38:37.760><
- :07.280><c> served</c> And whereas Asian-Americans have served And whereas Asian-Americans have served
- </c><00:39:30.800><c> the</c> the Asian-American community is the the Asian-American community is the
- </c> we honor and respect our Asian-American we honor and respect our Asian-American community<00:40:
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 17th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise as Vice Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander, AAPI, legislative caucus to present
- Here in California, which is home to one of the largest Asian American populations in the nation, Lunar
- for me and reflects the significant contributions Korean Americans and Asian American and Pacific Islander
- The Asian American community is very vibrant.
- So this is a very important time to not only lift up the Asian American community, but each other when
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, offered a prayer and pledge, and welcomed several guest delegations, including Hubert Humphrey Fellows and Congressman Jim Clyburn. Members gave extended remarks honoring Clyburn’s civil rights and congressional leadership, as well as his work on rural issues, the Affordable Care Act, and bipartisan relationships. The chamber also announced a joint hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions to be held upon adjournment.
The main floor action was on Senate Resolution 72 by Senator Wahab, celebrating Lunar New Year. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the holiday’s significance across Asian cultures, its themes of family, renewal, courage, and community, and California’s large Asian American population. Several members also noted the history of Chinese immigrants in California and the importance of recognizing and supporting Asian American communities amid ongoing concerns about anti-Asian hate. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of 37-0.
The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senator Becker honored Niles Telenius, a young climate and aviation advocate; Senator Gonzalez, joined by Senators Strickland, Laird, Cabaldon, and Umberg, honored former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster for his leadership in city government, energy policy, and public service; and Senator Wiener honored Terence Allen for his work in San Francisco’s cannabis, LGBTQ, small business, and nightlife communities. The Senate then announced it would reconvene on Thursday, February 19, at 9 a.m., with recess until 3:30 p.m. for adjournment proceedings.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 01/28/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- and South Americans.
- More than 14 Asian-American temples were burglarized, and we worked with local law enforcement, state
- c><00:57:02.520><c> 14</c> August of this um year more than 14 August of this um year more than 14 Asian-American
- <00:57:04.400><c> temples</c><00:57:05.359><c> were</c><00:57:05.720><c> burglarized</c> Asian-American
- temples were burglarized Asian-American temples were burglarized um<00:57:07.240><c> and</c><00:57:07.480
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- From classrooms to labor movements and small business and public service, Asian American and Pacific
- Ocampo, who is the first Asian American and Filipino American judge of the Superior Court of L.A.
- May 26 as Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month and commending Asian and Pacific Islanders for
- Recognizing the month of May as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.
- and Pacific Islander American communities—communities that continue... ...vibrant Asian and Pacific
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/24/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the executive and network director for the Coalition of Asian-American Leaders.
- The first point is the Asian-American buying power in our state.
- communities, especially Asian-American women in our community.
- income of buying power of Asian-American income of buying power of Asian-American contribut<00:22:42.880
- </c> communities especially um Asian-American communities especially um Asian-American women<00:23:48.440
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion Mar 31st, 2026
Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion
Transcript Highlights:
- communities have, that Asian communities have—particularly within the Asian communities, sometimes we
- And then where are Asian men and Asian women?
- And Asian women, so if I look at Asian women, they're at a gap of 11 cents.
- But where are Asian women to Asian men, I'm asking? Do you have that number, as I was asking?
- Black is about 50, white is 72, and Asian?
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, with no bills heard. Chairs Bud Williams and Miranda opened by framing the issue as a structural, long-standing disparity affecting Black and brown communities, citing major gaps in wealth, income, housing, and opportunity. Members noted this was the fourth hearing in a series on federal impacts on racial equity, and public written testimony was invited by the posted deadline.
Administration witnesses Secretary Lauren Jones, Secretary Kiami Mahania, and Assistant Secretary Juan Vega described how labor, health, and economic development policy intersect with wealth-building. Jones pointed to higher unemployment, wage gaps, and underemployment among Black and Latino workers, and highlighted ESOL, workforce training, MassHire, and skills-based hiring efforts. Mahania argued poverty drives poor health, linking medical debt, Medicaid instability, maternal health, and chronic disease to wealth loss, and said federal changes could worsen both health and wealth gaps. Vega focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing disparities in business ownership and revenue, and described state efforts such as small business technical assistance, founder pipelines, place-based grants, and the Business Front Door; members also pressed him on microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, and whether state programs were reaching firms that had received prior grants.
Nicole O’Bean of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts testified that Black-owned businesses face a hostile environment due to tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital barriers, and federal funding cuts that reduce contracts from education, health care, and nonprofit sectors. She emphasized that certification alone is not enough and called for stronger inclusive procurement outcomes, better data, and more support for microbusinesses. Dr. Melissa Colon and Dr. Fabian Torres-Dal of the Mauricio Gaston Institute testified on Latino wealth gaps, especially low homeownership, high rent burden, limited access to credit, and occupational segregation; they said structural racism, wage gaps, and education inequities are central drivers and urged housing, labor, and education reforms. Committee members repeatedly linked the hearing’s themes to redlining, medical debt, single-parent households, financial literacy, and the need for legislation and state programs to close the gap, but no votes or formal actions were taken.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee On Racism, Hate, And Xenophobia Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- For far too long, too many Black, Asian, Latino, Native American, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, Jewish
- Next, we will have the Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Southern California. Thank you so much.
- My name is Eileen Louie, and I am the Chief of Staff at Asian Americans Advancing Justice.
- With a particular focus on the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, our Asian language intake
- And these barriers are especially acute within Asian American communities, which comprise 50 different
Summary:
The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations.
The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support.
The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- First, I’ll just offer that the Asian American Pacific Islander experience is one that has repeatedly
- , this would be the first day to commemorate Asian American history.
- And so it’s for these reasons... ...be the first day to commemorate Asian American history.
- often questioned, as if being American and being Asian are somehow incompatible.
- , not just for Asian Americans, but for all of us.
Summary:
The hearing covered a wide range of bills, with substantial testimony on commemorative days and several local development measures. Early testimony focused on competing proposals about Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Senator Comerford and others supported redesignating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while several Italian American legislators and advocates opposed changing Columbus Day and instead urged a separate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on August 9 or another date. Committee members noted the long-running debate, discussed the state flag and motto review process, and emphasized that any changes would require legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing.
The committee also heard strong support for a Fred Korematsu Day bill, with testimony from advocates, legal organizations, community leaders, and Korematsu’s daughter. Witnesses described Korematsu’s resistance to Japanese American incarceration during World War II, argued that his story remains relevant amid current immigration and civil liberties concerns, and said the designation would help educate students and the public. A separate bill to designate September as PCOS Awareness Month drew testimony from Senator Miranda and health advocates, who described the disorder’s prevalence, frequent misdiagnosis, fertility and pregnancy risks, and the value of public awareness and education.
Other bills discussed included a Domestic Workers’ Rights Day proposal, supported by Representative Garcia and Representative Sousa, who spoke about the invisibility and vulnerability of domestic workers and the importance of recognizing their labor. The committee also heard support for a veteran suicide awareness and remembrance day, a Boston branch library and affordable housing project in Dorchester, and a Fall River waterfront redevelopment bill transferring land to the local redevelopment authority for a major mixed-use project. In addition, Senator Miranda testified in favor of a memorial portrait for former Representative Doris Bunty, highlighting her pioneering role in the legislature and Boston public housing. The hearing was hybrid and lengthy, with the chair repeatedly asking witnesses to be concise and noting that testimony would be public record.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion Mar 31st, 2026
Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion
Transcript Highlights:
- communities have, that Asian communities have, and Asian communities as well—particularly within the
- And then where are Asian men and Asian women?
- And Asian women, so if I look at Asian women, they're at a gap of 11 cents.
- But where are Asian women to Asian men, I'm asking? Do you have that number, as I was asking?
- And Asian? Asian was 75% from their employer-sponsored insurance and 13% from MassHealth.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Asia/California Trade and Investment Aug 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Finally, I'd like to note that California is home to the largest Asian-American Pacific Islander population
- As you heard from our Lieutenant Governor and our chair, Asian-American specific elements make up 16%
- Assembly Member James Ramos, who's the chair of the Native American Caucus.
- Glenn Fukushima, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.
- Glenn Fukushima, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.
Summary:
The Assembly Select Committee on Asia, California, Trade and Investment held its first informational hearing to examine California’s economic ties with Asia, the effects of federal tariffs, and ways the state can strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and subnational diplomacy. Chair Jessica Caloza opened by emphasizing California’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a major exporter to Asia, and several members and guests highlighted the importance of AAPI communities, sister-city relationships, and coordinated state outreach. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis described California’s trade missions, APEC hosting, and ongoing climate and trade partnerships, while Japan’s deputy consul general underscored Japan’s role as a major investor and trading partner and encouraged continued engagement.
The first panel, featuring leaders from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation/World Trade Center Los Angeles, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Visit California, focused on trade, tourism, and investment trends. Witnesses said tariffs and federal uncertainty are disrupting logistics, manufacturing, business travel, higher education, and tourism, with particular concern about port activity, international student declines, and reduced visitation from Asia. They urged California to remain “open for business,” invest in promotion and infrastructure, and use trade missions, MOUs, and sister-city ties to maintain relationships and attract investment.
The second panel, with economist Kyle Handley and trade expert Glenn Fukushima, focused on the mechanics and consequences of tariffs. Both said tariffs function as taxes on importers and consumers, raise costs for businesses, and create uncertainty that delays investment, hiring, and supply-chain decisions. They warned that California is especially exposed because of its ports, cross-border trade, and reliance on global supply chains, and said new federal vessel fees and shifting trade routes could divert commerce away from California. They argued that the long-term damage includes lost growth and reduced U.S. credibility, and recommended that California “tariff-proof” its economy through faster ports, better infrastructure, export assistance, and reduced permitting barriers.
In the final panel, representatives from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Asian Business Association California, and the Small Business Development Center emphasized future opportunities and the needs of small businesses. They said California should deepen ties with Asia through conventions, tourism, and sector-specific partnerships in life sciences, clean tech, semiconductors, hospitality, and small business trade. The witnesses stressed that small and minority-owned businesses need more access to trade missions, capital, technical assistance, and state support, and that California’s economic strength depends on coordinated efforts across regions and industries.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion
Transcript Highlights:
- communities have, that Asian communities have—particularly within the Asian communities, sometimes we
- And then where are Asian men and Asian women?
- So if I look at Asian women, they're at a gap of 11... And Asian women.
- But where are Asian women to Asian men, I'm asking? Do you have that number, as I was asking?
- And Asian? Asian was 75% from their employer-sponsored insurance and 13% from MassHealth.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion held a hearing on the impact of federal policy on the racial wealth gap in Massachusetts, the fourth in a series on federal impacts on racial equity. Chair Bud Williams and Chair Miranda opened by emphasizing that no bills were being heard and that the committee would instead take testimony from invited witnesses; public written testimony was also accepted. The chairs and witnesses repeatedly cited long-standing wealth disparities affecting Black and brown communities, including homeownership, wages, business ownership, and access to capital, and linked those disparities to federal policy changes, housing, education, health care, and workforce development.
Administration officials testified first. Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones described persistent labor market disparities, including higher unemployment for Black and Latino residents, lower median hourly wages, and underemployment among degree holders, and highlighted state efforts such as ESOL-for-work funding, workforce training grants, MassHire career centers, skills-based hiring, and the state equity dashboards. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiami Mahania argued that poverty drives poor health, not the reverse, and said wealth gaps contribute to chronic disease, maternal health inequities, medical debt, and shorter life expectancy; she pointed to the Advancing Health Equity Massachusetts initiative, a health care affordability working group, and the governor’s push to bar medical debt from credit reporting. Assistant Secretary Juan Vega of EOED focused on entrepreneurship and procurement, citing technical assistance grants, founder support programs, place-based investment, the Business Front Door, and the need to broaden access to contracts, capital, and business growth opportunities.
Committee members pressed the panel on the effects of the federal “big beautiful bill” on households, especially single-parent and Black women-led households, and on whether the state could develop more timely data systems instead of relying on federal numbers. Officials said the impacts were still being monitored, but warned that Medicaid and SNAP changes would likely hit lower-income households and community institutions hard. Members also asked about unions and apprenticeships, microbusiness definitions, supplier diversity, pay equity, and degree inflation; the administration said registered apprenticeships and skills-based hiring are key tools, and noted that wage equity reporting is still in its early stages. Later testimony from BECMA’s Nicole O’Bean stressed that tariffs, DEI rollbacks, immigration enforcement, capital gaps, and federal funding cuts are constraining Black-owned businesses and inclusive procurement, while Gastón Institute researchers described severe Latino homeownership and rent burdens, educational inequities, and the need for housing, labor, and education policy changes to close the wealth gap.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM-EIG, PSM DEFER, PSM, PSM-EDU Public Hearings 02-13-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I won't say Asian history, but, um, Americans of Asian descent, Americans of Japanese ancestry, and especially
- I won't say Asian history, but, um, Americans of Asian descent, Americans of Japanese ancestry, and especially
- I won't say Asian history, but, um, Americans of Asian descent, Americans of Japanese ancestry, and especially
- um</c> Asian I won't say Asian history, but um Asian I won't say Asian history, but um Americans<00:
- </c><00:42:46.000><c> of</c> Americans of Asian descent, Americans of Americans of Asian descent, Americans
Summary:
The committees heard and then took action on several measures. Senate Bill 3048, relating to the State Building Code Council and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, received support from OPSD and the Chamber of Commerce, with OPSD requesting amendments tied to software licensing and a public permitting dashboard. The committees ultimately recommended passing the bill with amendments, including an effective date, and later adopted that recommendation by vote. Senate Bill 3083, relating to protective orders, drew support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Military and Community Relations Office, and a member of the public, while the Judiciary asked that the bill be deferred or amended because a prior notification process had lapsed and a new mandate could be difficult to implement. The committees nevertheless recommended passage with amendments and an effective date, noting implementation concerns in the report, and that recommendation was adopted.
The committees also considered Senate Bill 3010, which would allow law enforcement, animal control officers, and firefighters to enter unattended vehicles to rescue animals in distress. The Animal Legal Defense Fund supported the measure as a common-sense good Samaritan protection, and the Hawaii Association for Justice recommended a small amendment. The bill was recommended for passage with amendments and later adopted. Senate Bill 3187, relating to off-site construction and SPEED Task Force recommendations, received OPSD testimony in support with comments; the committees recommended passing it with amendments, deleting the dollar amount and adding an effective date, and adopted that recommendation.
In a later joint hearing with the Committee on Education, Senate Bill 2138, which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to graduate study, received support from the University of Hawaii, the Department of Defense, the Hawaii Army National Guard, and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office. Members asked whether the current law limited assistance to undergraduate degrees and whether the program would require new funding; witnesses said the bill would simply expand authority and could be implemented within the current budget. Senate Bill 2614, authorizing high school diplomas for certain veterans whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices, also drew support from DOE and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, with DOE explaining it had previously issued diplomas under an earlier version of the law and would verify eligibility through an application process. Senate Bill 2687, requiring a 100th Infantry Battalion history curriculum plan and pilot program, drew mixed testimony: DOE said the topic is already covered in existing social studies standards and the bill was unnecessary, while supporters argued the history is not being consistently taught and should be mandated. The transcript cuts off before final action on the education bills.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , Latino, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and LGBTQ-plus communities.
- My name is Donastacio Flores with Asian American Recovery Services.
- I oversee the CRDP-funded Essence of MANA program serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific
- Noon, with Asian American Recovery Services, and I oppose any cuts to CRDP.
- a consultant to the Asian American Recovery Services program who houses Essence of MANA, one of the
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis.
For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken.
EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Asian American Pacific Islander community is a vital and growing part of Texas.
- These include Asian American for Texas, AAFT South Asian American Voters Empowerment of Texas, Education
- Fund, Asian Asian Texans for Justice, OCA Greater Houston, Woody Yontos and Engage.
- The contributions of the Asian-American Pacific Islanders of Texas, culture, economy, and history cannot
- Speaker, members, I'm so grateful to be here to recognize Asian American Pacific Islander Day of Action
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- ride while a less well-off Asian-American has to pay.
- Equal Rights Foundation, strongly oppose ACA 7, and also represent San Diego Asian Americans for Equality
- Equal Rights Foundation, strongly oppose ACA 7, and also represent San Diego Asian Americans for Equality
- includes things from African American literature, includes things from Asian history, it includes all
- Asians. People of Asian descent.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several measures, beginning with SCA 5, which would create an Equalization Reserve Account to help reduce long-standing per-pupil funding disparities between basic aid and non-basic aid school districts. The author and supporters argued the measure would create a stable, endowment-style funding source using only interest earnings, while charter school advocates opposed it, saying the bill would exclude charters and could raise equal protection concerns. After the quorum was established, SCA 5 was approved and sent to Appropriations.
The committee then heard SJR 18, a resolution condemning Citizens United and urging limits on corporate money in politics. The author argued that unlimited independent expenditures have increased corporate influence and dark money in elections, while there was little testimony in opposition. The resolution was approved and referred onward. The committee also considered two consent items, AB 1736 and AB 2421, which were approved together without debate.
ACA 7 generated the most extensive discussion. The measure would revise the state constitution’s application of Proposition 209 in education, with supporters saying it would allow race-conscious tools to address persistent racial inequities in student outcomes and resource allocation, especially for Black students. Opponents argued it would weaken Proposition 209, invite discrimination, and likely fail politically and in court. After lengthy debate, the measure was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved ACA 18, which would add a second student voting seat on the UC Board of Regents, with supporters emphasizing student representation and opponents absent. Finally, AJR 29, opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail administration, was approved and sent onward. All measures on the agenda were ultimately advanced.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/18/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Like I put here, Southeast Asian, but actually it is Minnesota Asian-American, so that's the correction
- </c> but actually is Minnesota Asian-American but actually is Minnesota Asian-American so<01:47:36.080
- Minnesota Asian American Film Festival.
- There is growing demand for Asian and Asian-American stories, as evidenced by the success of Parasite
- </c><01:53:02.400><c> and</c> growing demand for Asian and growing demand for Asian and Asian-American
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 01/29/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- B probably knows this, but I just want our members to be aware that when you put Asian American as a
- Even though they put us in the same silo as Asian-American, which is a role model for success, although
- </c><00:41:51.720><c> the</c><00:41:52.160><c> uh</c><00:41:52.599><c> the</c> put Asian American as
- a whole the uh the put Asian American as a whole the uh the income<00:41:53.240><c> earning</c><00:41
- which is role model as Asian-American which is role model for<00:42:16.440><c> Success</c><00:42:17.400
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on the Census Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:30 am
Senate Committee on the Census
Transcript Highlights:
- Asian population overcounts in 2020. Asians and American Indians, yeah, it's Asian.
- There's the Asian population and then there's the American Indian and Alaska Native combination.
- So Asian and all other groups are included with Asian.
- So Asian and other groups, as well as just Asian responses.
- So how did those who said Asian by itself—they didn't say Asian and Hispanic or Asian in something, just
Summary:
The Senate Committee on the Census met on December 8 at 9:32 a.m. to examine the dynamics that drive census undercounts and overcounts, with testimony first from Joseph Salvo and then from Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute. Salvo explained the Census Bureau’s two main evaluation tools: demographic analysis, which uses vital records, migration estimates, and Medicare data to produce a national benchmark, and the post-enumeration survey (PES), which compares a separate sample-based count to the census. He said the 2020 census showed a small national net undercount, but larger age- and race-based disparities, including the highest undercount among children ages 0 to 4, higher undercounts for men, substantial undercounts for Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and overcounts among some older and college-age groups. He also described how self-response, non-response follow-up, administrative records, proxy responses, and imputation affected data quality, arguing that proxies and imputation were especially weak and that outreach remains critical for 2030.
Committee members asked Salvo to clarify the methods and error bands, the role of international migration estimates, and how the PES differs from the census address list and LUCA. He explained that PES is based on a separate sample of blocks and can add units within sampled blocks, but it does not measure units missed entirely from the original address list; LUCA matters because it improves that list before enumeration. He also discussed age heaping, duplicate responses among older adults, and why group quarters and COVID-related disruptions complicated the 2020 count. Senator Driscoll briefly interrupted to describe Randolph’s successful appeal of its 2020 count after an undercount in disability care homes, and Salvo noted that the post-census group quarters review helped correct some missed facilities.
Susan Strait then focused on Massachusetts-specific results. She said Massachusetts’ 2020 count was strong overall, with population growth above the national average and a PES-based finding that the state was overcounted by 2.24 percent, though she emphasized that this did not mean all areas were accurately counted. Using demographic analysis, she said Massachusetts had an estimated 4.15 percent undercount of children ages 0 to 4, with the largest county-level undercounts in Hampden, Suffolk, and Essex, and she linked higher child undercounts to lower educational attainment and female-headed households. Strait also reviewed operational metrics showing that Massachusetts had relatively strong internet self-response, but that non-response follow-up relied heavily on household interviews, administrative records, proxies, and imputation in different counties. She highlighted higher proxy use in college-heavy counties such as Hampshire and Suffolk, and said counties with more minority residents were more likely to have population-count-only cases and other indicators of harder-to-count populations. The hearing ended with discussion of how these findings could inform outreach and census planning for 2030.