Video & Transcript Research : 'Cold War veterans'

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AL
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 14th, 2026

Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, this bill is an atomic veterans bill. It's a tag.
  • Uh this bill is an atomic uh veterans Uh this bill is an atomic uh veterans bill.<00:15:34.000><c> It's
  • Absolutely. you're a veteran and you're 1% disabled, you're a veteran and you're 1% disabled, [clears
  • </c><00:18:43.840><c> that's</c> a big deal but if many veterans that's a big deal but if many veterans
  • one of our veterans drills co-sponsor one of our veterans drills that<00:20:45.679><c> I've</c><00:20
Bills: HB131, HB77, HB131, HB77
Keywords: Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, diversity, government oversight, Sunset Law, congressional districts, HB77, absentee voting, absentee ballot, disabled voter, disability accommodation, voter assistance, ballot delivery, ballot application, designee, caregiver, election manager, vote by mail, mail ballot, ballot harvesting, voter access
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 2nd, 2026

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security will now come to order.
  • I wanted to take a moment to recognize an outstanding veterans group that's here in our committee today
  • We can't do enough for our veterans, can we?
Bills: S0502, S1182, S1514
Keywords: military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction, federal law, state law, veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, public records, trade secrets, Space Florida, confidentiality, open meetings
Summary: The Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. Senator Burgess presented SB 1514, a public records measure tied to Space Florida that exempts Board of Space Florida meetings from public records requirements when trade secrets are discussed. He said the exemption was needed to protect sensitive business information and support Space Florida’s mission. The bill drew no questions or debate, and it was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered CS for SB 502, sponsored by Senator Wright, which would provide concurrent state and federal legislative jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on U.S. military installations in Florida when federal jurisdiction is waived and the conduct is also a state crime. Senator Wright argued the change would allow juveniles to be handled in the state juvenile justice system rather than federal court, which he said is better suited for rehabilitation. The bill also had no questions or debate and was reported favorably by unanimous vote. After the bills, the committee recognized representatives from a Pasco County veterans wellness group and their therapy dog, Grit, for their work with veterans. The committee then adjourned without objection.
US
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine bridging the gap, focusing on enhancing outreach to support veterans' mental health. Apr 29th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Senate Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • With veterans serving community organizations provide veterans life-saving clinical care and non-clinical
  • For so many veterans, it's geared toward meeting veterans where they are, providing access to services
  • The fact is, the Veterans Crisis Line has seen a dramatic impact in call volume, largely from veterans
  • among veterans will increase?
  • Outreach materials acknowledging LGBTQ veterans. women, veterans of color, and disabled veterans have
Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources
Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.
FL
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

House in Session Mar 26th, 2025

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I move that funding of Florida's Senior Veterans Crisis Fund and Appropriation 602 on page 142 of HB
  • Members, this project will help our veterans in crisis by obtaining federal Veterans Affairs benefits
  • Over the past three years, the Association of Veterans has submitted 50,000 claims to the Department
  • of Veterans Affairs and has had 47 claims denied.
  • BECAUSE OF OUR VETERANS, GUESS WHAT.
Keywords: sales tax reduction, budget cuts, boating safety, water treatment, municipal utilities, school safety, medical malpractice, firearm purchase age, cursive writing instruction, first responder support, veto overrides, veterans funding, infrastructure projects
Summary: The Florida House convened for regular business, with Speaker Perez announcing historic budget plans including the largest state tax cut in Florida history - a permanent 0.75% sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, saving Floridians nearly $5 billion annually. The House will propose a budget lower than both the Governor's proposal and last year's budget. Several bills passed including Lucy's Law (boating safety), water access facilities funding, municipal utility rate corrections, hazardous walking conditions for schools, and medical malpractice 'Free Kill Law' repeal. The controversial firearm purchase age bill (HB 759) passed 78-34, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18, despite emotional opposition citing the Parkland shooting. Other bills addressed cursive writing instruction, peer support for first responders, and government sunset reviews. Multiple veto override motions were approved unanimously, reinstating funding for veterans programs and infrastructure projects.
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Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 28th, 2026

Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So all this does is bring it down so that a disabled veteran is 50% disabled or greater can apply and
  • , I wasn't a disabled veteran.
  • Now I am a disabled veteran and then eventually I was hired and I utilize a similar practice.
  • ,</c><00:03:50.480><c> I</c> because even though I was a veteran, I because even though I was a veteran
  • </c> working with the Department of Veterans working with the Department of Veterans Affairs.<00:03:57.200
Bills: HB292, HB307, SB33, HB292, HB307, SB33
Keywords: economic development, incentives, transparency, compliance, Alabama Jobs Act, speedy trial, visiting judge, court administration, public interest, criminal justice, SB33, marriage, premarital class, conflict resolution, marriage license reform, probate judge, Administrative Office of Courts, AOC, domestic violence, intimate partner violence
KY
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (6-21-23) - Reupload

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AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Public Safety and Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, line 60 describes it'll be a disabled veteran spouse.
  • Um, and then on down to line 65, there will be a new disabled veteran spouse plate issued for one motor
  • Uh, and then she has to return the disabled veteran plate when she receives that one, providing proof
Bills: HB1, HB198, HB11, HB32, HB33, HB34, HB56, HB68, HB72, HB101, HB102, HB110, HB154, HB166, HB168, HB274, SB114, HB1, HB198, HB11, HB32, HB33, HB34, HB56, HB68, HB72, HB101, HB102, HB110, HB154, HB166, HB168, HB274, SB114
Keywords: DUI, driving under the influence, ignition interlock, interlock device, driver license suspension, restricted license, motor vehicle, alcohol offense, first offense, repeat offender, blood alcohol concentration, BAC, license revocation, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, public safety, traffic safety, chemical dependency, substance abuse, court referral program
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Higher Education & Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 5954 relates to veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility.
  • So thanks for thinking about the families of our veterans, committee members.
  • About the families of our veterans.
  • I'm also with the Veterans Legislative Coalition.
  • I'm also here as a member of the Veteran Legislative Coalition, and what you...
Bills: SB5826, SB5828, SB5909, SB5954
Keywords: medication abortion, public education, access, healthcare rights, postsecondary institutions, college grant, scholarships, higher education, private institutions, Washington State, undergraduate programs, enrollment, program review, public institutions, veterans, tuition waiver, education, survivors, eligibility, 904
Summary: The Workforce Development Committee heard public testimony on several higher education bills. SB 5954 would align Washington’s veteran survivor tuition waiver rules with federal survivor education benefit eligibility, extending age and time limits for children, spouses, and domestic partners in certain cases. Senator Wagner said the bill would help families who lost state eligibility while waiting for federal certification, and veteran advocates supported it as a way to expand educational opportunity for military families. The committee then heard SB 5826, which would require public colleges and universities to provide access to medication abortion through student health centers or referrals and online information by the 2027-28 academic year. Supporters, including students and reproductive health advocates, said the bill would reduce travel, wait times, stigma, and barriers to care for students. Opponents, including religious and anti-abortion witnesses, argued the bill would promote abortion, impose costs on campuses and taxpayers, and expose students to medical and moral harms. No vote was taken. Members also heard SB 5828, which would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for students attending private, not-for-profit four-year institutions so the amounts are tied to public four-year averages. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill would preserve student choice and prevent aid cuts from disrupting students mid-degree, while public university faculty opposed shifting more aid to private schools during a tight budget year. The committee also heard SB 5909, which would require public baccalaureate institutions to review and report low-enrollment undergraduate programs and potentially discontinue them after repeated low enrollment, with teach-out plans and exceptions for workforce, equity, and accreditation needs. Supporters framed it as a transparency and efficiency measure; faculty and campus representatives opposed it as too blunt and likely to harm small, specialized, and underrepresented-student-serving programs. The hearing concluded without recorded votes or final action on the bills.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee REVISED: SB1403 - Added Apr 8th, 2026 at 04:30 pm

A&B Finance Subcommittee

OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: 11:15 a.m. - New Start Time

Health and Human Services Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • Example would be last year a veteran died and left $3 million to the Oklahoma National Guard that was
  • It passed out of the veterans committee unanimously.
  • It would just require that businesses of a certain size post information about veterans benefits in a
  • And it would change existing law related to 100% disabled veterans so that 100% disabilities caused by
  • 100% disabled veterans.
Bills: HB3043, HB3044, HB3078, HB3940, HB4117, HB3428, HB4275, HB3257, HB3901, HB4298
Keywords: HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: 11:15 a.m. - New Start Time

Health and Human Services Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • An example would be last year a veteran died and left $3 million to the ODBA, or I'm sorry, the Oklahoma
  • It passed out of Veterans Committee unanimously.
  • It would just require that businesses of a certain size post information about veterans' benefits in
  • And this change would make these veterans eligible to receive state-level benefits that Oklahoma offers
  • to 100% disabled veterans.
Bills: HB3043, HB3044, HB3078, HB3940, HB4117, HB3428, HB4275, HB3257, HB3901, HB4298
Keywords: HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting
Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee opened with prayer and then heard a series of bills, most of them request bills from state agencies or related to veterans and military matters. House Bill 3043 would let the Oklahoma Dental Board Association hire temporary or PRN workers during peak periods; it passed 11-1. House Bill 3044 would continue an existing tax-return checkoff for donations and passed 12-0. House Bill 3078 would create an online donation option for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs during license and tax transactions and passed 12-0. House Bill 3940 made a number of cleanup and policy changes to a prior Oklahoma National Guard measure, including retention, benefits, discipline, museum operations, and state active duty pay issues; it passed 11-0. House Bill 4117 would define family resource centers in statute and emphasize faith-based partnerships, workforce development, and braided funding; it passed 12-0. The committee also advanced House Bill 3428, which would require certain businesses to post information about veterans’ benefits in a conspicuous place to help more eligible veterans enroll in benefits; members discussed raising the employee threshold from 50 to 100, but no amendment was adopted during the meeting, and the bill passed 10-2. House Bill 4275 would allow counties and cities to employ case managers and peer support specialists while maintaining certification, to support sheriffs and first responders, and it passed 12-0. House Bill 3257 would treat 100% disabilities caused by VA medical malpractice as service-connected for state benefit purposes, aligning state law with federal treatment, and it passed 12-0. Two public health bills also advanced. House Bill 3901 would authorize psychological autopsies in suicide and overdose cases to better understand causes and improve prevention; members discussed whether the process should include notifying prescribing physicians when patients die from opioid overdoses, and the bill passed 12-0. House Bill 4298 would allow DHS child care rule changes to be distributed by mail and electronically, reflecting current practice, and it passed 12-0. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures do pass.
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Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 16th, 2025

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It will provide scholarship opportunities for eligible dependents of disabled and deceased veterans that
  • may meet certain residency... veterans that may meet certain residency and disability requirements.
  • will also set up and establish a pilot program to allow a certain number of dependents of eligible veterans
  • Um, as far as the qualifying veterans' disability rating, and that's for this first amendment.
Bills: HB46, HB379, SB22, HB487, HB273, HB525
Keywords: rural physician, tax credit, healthcare access, physician recruitment, Alabama, HB379, Alabama income tax, nonresident exemption, remote workers, traveling employees, mobile workforce, withholding tax, state tax reciprocity, multistate employees, temporary work, work location tracking, time and attendance system, remote work taxation, professional athlete, professional entertainer
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 24th, 2025

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have so many veterans that struggle, and I’ve chaired the Veterans, Defense, and Veterans Affairs
  • . veterans from World War II.
  • My first coach was a veteran from World War II.
  • I've dealt with so many veterans, and so many veterans...
  • Texas Veterans Commission.
Bills: HCR92, HB 114, HB561, HB 1171, HB1894, HB2026, HB2143, HB2337, HB2564, HB114
Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance, Personnel and Public Retirement (8-20-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • I get Veterans Affairs back in front.
  • </c> admitting veterans. admitting veterans.
  • Uh, every year we bring in all of the veteran service organization leaders, major veteran community leaders
  • Uh this year we will have veterans face.
  • We'll have about 110 veteran leaders there. It's invite only.
Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:30 Personnel Cabinet 00:03:25 Department of Veterans Affairs 00:12:40 Auditor of Public Accounts 00:22:39 State Treasurer 00:42:24, 958, all
Summary: The committee first heard from Personnel Cabinet officials on House Bill 6, which required the Kentucky Employees Health Plan to offer a qualified high-deductible health plan by the 2026 plan year. Officials said the plan was already added for 2025, described it as the lowest-premium option with higher deductibles, and explained that federal rules prevent first-dollar coverage except for limited preventive services. They said 264 members had selected the plan out of about 142,000, and noted it also allows health savings accounts. Members asked about the plan’s benefits, what “catastrophic” meant, the deductible amounts, and whether employees were aware of the option; the cabinet said it would continue to highlight the plan in communications and that the deductible is above $8,000 for individuals and above $16,000 for families. The committee then received an update from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs on the Bowling Green veterans center. Officials said the current target is to move into the building on October 28, with first admissions about two months later, pending final fixes and certification steps for Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA. They explained that about $7 million in FY25 appropriations lapsed because of construction delays, staffing ramp-up was postponed to avoid unnecessary spending, and the unspent funds should be considered in the next budget request. Members praised the project and asked about annual operating costs; officials said the current operating budget is about $15 million, though they do not expect to spend all of it this year. The commissioner also announced the fifth annual state commanders conference in Lexington, focused on veterans issues and featuring state, federal, and advocacy leaders. State Auditor Allison Ball then outlined her office’s budget priorities. She said the office is primarily a billing agency that charges audited entities for its work, and warned that some agencies are now signaling they may refuse to pay for audits related to kinship care and the medical cannabis application process. She said the office plans to continue requesting outlier credits for unusually burdensome county audit fees, funding for the ombudsman office’s transition and expanded in-office operations, and revenue replacement for local government audits and possibly state audits and special examinations. Ball also said the office conducts about 500 audits, reviews, and examinations a year and wants to restore performance audits with seed funding, as well as add investigators to the ombudsman office to focus more on child abuse and neglect cases. Members discussed the value of performance audits, the possibility of raising certain board thresholds to account for inflation, and the need for additional capacity to handle more audits.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • to explain the the American Civil War to explain the relevance<00:37:40.840><c> of</c><00:37:40.960>
  • Students may learn about the Civil War in their U.S. history class, but they also will learn about it
  • Students may learn about the Civil War in their U.S. history class, but they also will learn about it
  • Documents about his experience in the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg.
  • </c> Civil War. Civil War.
Bills: HF1458, HF2063, HF2164, HF1377, HF927, HF1059, HF1910, HF2232
Keywords: CPA, certified public accountant, public accounting, accountancy, licensure, license mobility, substantial equivalency, interstate practice, out-of-state accountant, NASBA, Uniform CPA Examination, board of accountancy, attest services, audit, tax preparation, financial advisory, consulting, accounting education, master's degree, bachelor's degree
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Veterans Guardian. Yeah, Veterans Guardian.
  • So I'm a 25-year veteran.
  • of Foreign Wars, the... ...decision letters that tell us they're represented by the Veterans of Foreign
  • Wars, the American Legion.
  • Is Veterans Guardian itself helping veterans fill out the forms? Mr.
Bills: SB1003, SB1060, SB1134, SB1275, SB1327, SB1429, SB1618, SB1634, SB1654, SB1803, SCR1002, SCR1005, SCR1023, SCR1027
Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, voter registration, temporary absence, absentee voting, residency, military voters, overseas voters, election law, Arizona Revised Statutes, political signs, campaign materials, public safety, municipal regulation, veterans
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 4/8/25

Taxes

WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Jan 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Disabled veterans who receive an adaptive housing grant from the United States Department of Veterans
  • our disabled veterans, what they've sacrificed for this country... ...especially our disabled veterans
  • I'm with the Veterans Legislative Coalition.
  • We represent over two dozen veteran service organizations.
  • Across all of our include things for children, for veterans, for seniors.
Bills: HB2559, HB2135, HB2133, HB2442
Keywords: affordable housing, local government funding, housing programs, community development, financial assistance, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, permanent legislation, local government, tax authority, sales tax, use tax, real estate excise tax, REET
Summary: House Finance heard briefings and testimony on several bills. HB 2559 would let cities and counties impose an additional 4% excise tax on lodging and short-term rentals starting in 2027, with revenues dedicated to affordable housing programs; staff explained the existing lodging-tax structure and caps, and the prime sponsor said the bill is a local option aimed at addressing housing loss from short-term rentals. HB 2133 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose nonprofit senior citizen centers; staff described the current exemption and fiscal note, and the sponsor and one supporter said it helps keep senior centers open, while a question was raised about whether other nonprofit community centers could qualify. HB 2135 would increase and extend the disabled veterans adaptive housing sales-tax remittance, raising the lifetime cap from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the statewide cap, extending the expiration to 2038, and adding JLARC review; the sponsor and a veterans coalition testified in support, saying it helps federal grant dollars go further for accessible housing. The committee then heard HB 2442, an eight-part local government revenue and flexibility bill. Staff said it would expand or authorize several local tax tools and uses, including broader use of real estate excise tax revenues, a new voter-approved affordable-housing REET option for cities, a county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, broader uses for housing and related services taxes, changes to county mental health and veterans levies, longer levy lid-lift periods, and expanded uses for rental car tax revenue. The sponsor argued the bill gives local governments needed flexibility without creating a new statewide tax, while supporters from counties, cities, housing groups, and some service providers said local governments need more tools to address housing, behavioral health, children’s services, and infrastructure. Opponents from utilities, realtors, water and sewer districts, wireless carriers, auto dealers, and tax groups argued the new or expanded taxes would be regressive, raise housing and utility costs, or lack a sufficient nexus to the stated uses. No votes were taken in the portion provided. After that, the committee returned to HB 2559 for public testimony. Supporters, including county and city representatives and housing advocates, said short-term rentals reduce long-term housing supply and that the bill would give local communities a targeted tool to fund affordable housing. Opponents, including short-term rental owners and managers, said the bill would hurt small operators, reduce supplemental retirement income, and could be better addressed through broader lodging taxes rather than singling out short-term rentals. The hearing also included questions about the bill’s tax structure and how revenues would be used, but no action was taken in the excerpt.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Corrections Apr 2nd, 2025

Corrections

WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a Marine Corps veteran and Iraq War veteran and service-connected disabled veteran, though I should
  • Oftentimes, it's called the wounded veteran tax.
  • I'm with the Veterans Legislative Coalition.
  • The Veterans Legislative Coalition represents over 24 different veteran organizations throughout Washington
  • I am also here on behalf of the Veterans Legislative Coalition.
Bills: HB2523, HB2606, HB2684, HJM4012
Keywords: community reinvestment, housing, local funding, urban development, economic revitalization, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, social disadvantage, business certification, state guidelines, economic equity, minority-owned businesses, combat veterans, support, military service, injury compensation, veteran affairs
Summary: The House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee met on February 3 to take executive action on House Bill 2523, concerning the Community Reinvestment Program, and House Bill 2606, concerning performance measures and reporting for the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, and then held public hearings on House Bill 2684 and House Joint Memorial 4012. Staff briefed a proposed substitute for HB 2523 that would change how Community Reinvestment Account funds are distributed, expand Commerce’s reporting and tribal consultation duties, add Office of Equity and WSIPP responsibilities, and require more detailed plan updates and oversight. During executive session, the committee adopted Amendment 285 to require the community reinvestment plan to be updated every five years instead of every 10, but rejected amendments that would have barred recipients from other state down payment programs, restricted grants to officers and family members, required an independent third-party audit, or expanded the WSIPP study. The proposed substitute HB 2523 then passed out of committee on an 8-5 vote. HB 2606, which responds to a JLARC audit by streamlining overlapping duties among the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, the state broadband office, and the Office of Equity, was moved out of committee with a unanimous do pass recommendation. Members described it as a modest but useful efficiency measure, and the vote was 13-0. The committee then heard HB 2684, which would create rebuttable presumptions that people in 10 specified groups are socially disadvantaged for purposes of OMWBE certification. Supporters, including Middle Eastern and North African business owners, argued the bill would correct exclusion of MENA-owned firms from certification and contracting opportunities; opponents argued it would entrench identity-based classifications and raise constitutional concerns. OMWBE testified that the bill would be workable and that social disadvantage is only one factor in certification. The committee also heard HJM 4012, which asks Congress to bring the Major Richard Starr Act to a floor vote to allow combat-injured service members who retire before 20 years of service to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation. Veterans advocates strongly supported the memorial, and the committee closed the hearing without taking final action on either public-hearing item, noting both would be considered again the next day.