Video & Transcript Research : 'photograph'
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- For the remarks, I have photographs.
- For the record, I have photographs.
Summary:
The committee and rules meeting advanced a package pull of measures and then moved a series of individual bills and one joint memorial from the white sheet to the floor calendar or second reading calendar. Among the measures discussed were SB 6308 on tools for courts in shelter care hearings to address child protection and tort liability concerns; SB 6200 on tenant rights to install portable cooling devices; SB 6080 on parameters for local jails holding ICE detainees and reimbursement; SB 5911 on protecting benefits and funds for youth in extended foster care; SB 6177 on expanding disclosures on the LEAP website; SB 6052 on a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment; SB 6182 on an Abortion Savings Program; SB 5828 on college scholarships for private universities; SB 6335 on changes to the Transportation Commission; SB 6017 on trauma-informed treatment of victims and witnesses; SB 6346 on a tax on high earners, which drew opposition over constitutionality and impacts on businesses; SB 6262 on vehicle weight thresholds for certain transportation vehicles; SB 5470 on detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas; SB 5999 on allowing advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants to serve as acting local health officers in smaller counties; SB 6244 on extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products; and SB 5961 on transferring the Imagination Library Program to SPI. The committee also advanced Senate Joint Memorial 8014 requesting an investigation into a killing.
Most measures were described by sponsors as technical, administrative, or supportive of housing, transportation, public health, child welfare, or transparency goals. SB 6346 prompted the most substantive debate, with Senator Braun arguing it functioned as an income tax that could harm small and medium businesses and raise constitutional concerns, while the sponsor characterized it as a tax on millionaires. SB 5999 drew a brief concern about how long acting local health officers could serve, though the member said they would still support it. SB 5961 was noted as having local support and was framed as better aligning the Imagination Library with early childhood literacy goals.
The committee approved the package pull and each individual motion by voice vote, with the record reflecting ayes carrying the motions and no recorded roll-call votes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Peterson said it was likely the last sit-down of the first half of session and noted one more standing rules meeting was expected on Monday before cutoff on Tuesday.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- He was a renowned civil rights photographer from Orangeburg, South Carolina, whose life's work helped
- He was a renowned civil rights photographer from Orangeburg, South Carolina, whose life's work helped
- Over the course of more than six decades, Williams photographed protests, arrests, community gatherings
Summary:
The House convened on Ash Wednesday with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the journal approved, and a series of guest introductions recognizing Dr. William Thompson, Disability Day at the Capitol participants, Arizona Cattle Growers, a GCU student guest, striking ASU Aramark workers and union supporters, Nurse-Family Partnership nurses, Navajo Nation visitors, and others. Members also made remarks honoring Lent, Ramadan, Black History Month, and various community figures. Attendance was recorded at 54 present, 3 absent, and 3 excused, and the House received committee substitutions and Senate messages without objection.
The chamber adopted House Resolution 2006, a death resolution honoring Yvonne Glee Lyme Federson and her work with Childhelp to combat child abuse. The resolution was adopted unanimously, followed by a moment of respectful silence. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and later an additional Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. Measures receiving do pass recommendations included HB 2089, HB 2177 as amended, HB 2258, HB 2322 as amended, HB 2786, and HB 2825 as amended, with amendments adopted on HB 2177, HB 2322, and HB 2825. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and ordered those bills engrossed or regrossed as appropriate.
In the additional Committee of the Whole, members debated HB 2074, HB 2104, and HB 2105, all property- or health-related measures. HB 2074 drew sharp debate over an amendment removing a life-of-the-mother exception in a partial-birth abortion provision; supporters said the change clarified that safer medical alternatives exist, while opponents argued it would criminalize care even to save a mother’s life. HB 2104 and HB 2105 were amended to add taxable improvements as a trigger for assessor review and to make a standardized report optional, with supporters saying the changes improved county property tax administration and opponents warning they could hinder assessors and create litigation. All three bills received do pass as amended recommendations and were ordered engrossed.
The House then took up third-reading votes and passed HB 2173, HB 2203, HB 2223, and HB 2501 by 57-0 votes with three not voting. HB 2307, an emergency measure concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and out-of-state treatment options, passed 37-20 with three not voting, but failed to achieve the required two-thirds vote for the emergency clause. Members explained votes in support as a temporary response to a lack of in-state treatment beds, and in opposition as a bill that was too broad or not yet implementable. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
AZ
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- don't know if you all have ever seen it in previous testimonies with other people, but it shows a photograph
- I don't know if you've seen that classic photograph, but that's what we're...
Keywords:
high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 11th, 2025
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 7004 is an open government sunset review for a public records exemption relating to property photographs
- Relating to property photographs and personal identifying information of applicants or participants in
Summary:
The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met and reported several bills favorably. Senate Bill 7000 repealed the sunset on a public records exemption protecting site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species; Senate Bill 7006 preserved exemptions for building plans and related records showing 911, E911, public safety radio, and NG911 infrastructure; and Senate Bill 7004 extended the exemption for property photographs and personal identifying information tied to certain housing assistance programs. Each of those bills drew no questions, no public testimony, and no debate before favorable votes.
The committee also considered Senate Bill 448 on administrative procedure, which proposed broader reforms to the Administrative Procedure Act, including agency rulemaking oversight and cost-benefit analysis requirements. An amendment removed the bill’s eight-year sunset. The Florida Bar’s Administrative Law Section testified with concerns that some provisions could chill agency guidance, increase costs and delays, and create standing issues for challenges. Supportive testimony also came from Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended.
Senate Bill 1058, as amended, updated state references to the “Gulf of America” in geographic and instructional materials and removed the road designation of Tamami Trail. Senator Polsky objected to the change as unnecessary and wasteful, while the sponsor said the bill simply aligns materials with the new name going forward. The committee adopted the strike-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. Later, Senate Bill 924 was heard and amended to expand state employee fertility preservation coverage beyond cancer to other medically necessary treatments, remove age limits, require coverage of standard cryopreservation services, and set storage limits. Senators Polsky and Rodriguez praised the measure as important for young patients facing infertility risks, while one senator questioned whether the state group plan was the right vehicle. The committee reported SB 924 favorably, and members later recorded additional affirmative votes on SB 448 and SB 1058 before adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 14th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- invite our members of the Senate to join Senator Smallwood-Cuevas and Representative Jones for a photograph
- Members, if any members would like to join Senator Ochoa Bogh and our guests for a photograph, you may
- Senator Ochoa Bogh and our guests for a photograph. You may do so at this time. Thank you.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor privileges and recognitions. Members welcomed a delegation from Catalonia on the 40th anniversary of the California-Catalonia sister-state relationship, Solano Community College’s speech and debate team, and several small business honorees, including Royal Clothiers and Old California Botanicals. The chamber also recognized Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones for his advocacy on democracy and voting rights, with multiple senators speaking in support of his visit.
On business, the Senate confirmed Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Laura Ederton Speed as Executive Director of the State Bar, both by unanimous 35-0 votes. The body adopted SCR 163 designating May as California Tourism Month, highlighting tourism’s economic impact, and SCR 170 declaring Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week, with extensive testimony from senators about the trauma firefighters and first responders face and the need to reduce stigma and expand support. The Senate also adopted SCR 174 marking the 60th anniversary of California’s pilot regional centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasizing the system’s role in community-based care.
The Senate adopted SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after extended debate focused on LGBTQ rights, hate violence, and the need for allies to speak out; the resolution passed 26-0. The chamber then approved a second-day consent calendar of multiple bills by 34-0, moved SCR 116 to the inactive file, granted reconsideration on SR 111 for a later session, and heard motions to adjourn in memory of Carl Anthony and Lupe Estrella. The Senate announced committee hearings and then adjourned to reconvene Monday, May 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 14th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- invite our members of the Senate to join Senator Smallwood Cuevas and Representative Jones for a photograph
- Members, if any members would like to join Senator Ochoa Bogh and our guests for a photograph, please
- Senator Ochoa Bogh and our guests for a photograph. Please do so at this time. Thank you.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 05/14/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Photographs and met with grieving constituents.
- PHOTOGRAPHS AND MET WITH GRIEVING CONSTITUENTS, NOW SENATOR BASKIN, MET A WOMAN WHOSE SON HAD BEEN SHOT
- And as we start developing more and more of these projects, and particularly looking at one of my photograph
- AND AS WE START DEVELOPING MORE AND MORE OF THESE PROJECTS AND PARTICULARLY, LOOKING AT ONE OF MY PHOTOGRAPH
Summary:
The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior journal, and processed several messages from the Assembly, including motions to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills for Assembly bills on the calendars. The chamber also reconsidered and restored Senate Print 1788, an act amending the Real Property Tax Law, to the third reading calendar. The Rules Committee reported Senate Print 10324, the state budget appropriations bill, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the message of necessity and laid the bill aside before taking it up on the controversial calendar as a budget extender.
A lengthy debate followed on the budget extender, with Senator O’Mara and others criticizing the continued delay in finalizing the state budget, the lack of public details, and the absence of a schedule for joint budget committee meetings. Senator Serrano responded that the extender was necessary to keep state government operating while final budget negotiations continued, but could not provide specifics on policy items such as Tier 6 pension changes, New York City aid, local government support, or school aid. The extender was ultimately passed 56-2, with Senators Rhoads and Weik voting no.
The Senate then adopted several previously adopted resolutions, including a memorial resolution for former Congressman Eliot Engel and a resolution marking the fourth anniversary of the Tops Friendly Markets mass shooting in Buffalo. The Buffalo resolution prompted extensive remarks from multiple senators about racism, gun violence, community trauma, and the need for policy responses; it was adopted with broad support. The chamber also passed a series of bills on the third reading calendar covering highway, municipal, environmental, banking, veterans, education, public health, and public service matters, with most passing overwhelmingly and a few drawing minority opposition. Notable floor debate occurred on a study bill regarding battery energy storage systems, where senators raised concerns about fire safety and siting; the bill passed 45-13. The Senate adjourned to reconvene on Monday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- A photograph of her, the other babies, my grandma, and the other moms graces the entrance of Wilcox Hospital
- A<00:07:37.199><c> photograph</c><00:07:37.599><c> of</c><00:07:37.919><c> her,</c><00:07:38.560><c>
- the</c><00:07:38.800><c> other</c><00:07:39.039><c> babies,</c> A photograph of her, the other babies
- , A photograph of her, the other babies, my<00:07:39.599><c> grandma,</c><00:07:40.000><c> the</c><00
Keywords:
drug paraphernalia, overdose prevention, public health, substance use, harm reduction, criminal justice reform, public servants, harassment, safety, government, criminal offense, nepotism, transparency, public officials, accountability, government ethics, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee first took up three previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2418, which repeals the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, was amended to keep prohibitions on manufacturing-related paraphernalia and then passed. SB 2568, which elevates harassment against certain public officials to a misdemeanor, was amended to place it in the harassment statute, narrow the nexus language, and extend coverage to all public employees; it passed with amendments. SB 2661, dealing with nepotism rules in the code of ethics, was amended so the ethics restrictions would apply more broadly to legislators and judges as well, and it also passed with amendments. In each case, the committee reported no no-votes or reservations and adopted the measures.
The committee then heard Governor’s Message 684, the nomination of Judge Stephanie Char to the Fifth Circuit Court on Kauai. The governor’s office testified in strong support, and the Hawaii State Bar Association representative said the usual review process found her qualified. Judge Char described her Kauai roots, 17 years as a public defender, and service as a district family court judge since December 2020, saying she would bring hard work and continued commitment to access to justice.
Members questioned her about recusals on a small island, her experience handling criminal and civil matters, sentencing repeat offenders, administrative appeals, and how she would approach competency and fitness issues under HRS 704. Char said she had recused only a few times, emphasized case-by-case sentencing and probation conditions tailored to underlying problems, and said she would rely on preparation and education for unfamiliar administrative matters. On 704 cases, she said defendants awaiting evaluation should generally remain in custody, with possible diversion or strict release conditions in appropriate cases, and that those found unfit would need to be sent to Hawaii State Hospital. No vote was taken on the nomination; the committee announced it would decide on Monday, February 23, at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So currently the law says that a child may be photographed or fingerprinted in connection with being
- What this would simply say is that a child shall be photographed and fingerprinted in connection with
- And then it essentially maintains that a child may be photographed and fingerprinted in connection with
- , sometimes the juvenile themselves—they need to put them in the lineup, but they do not have a photograph
- Garvey's concerns about the photographing and the sharing and the data and whatnot.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (4-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- photo of a candidate on the right helping a candidate on the left unlawfully pass the exam, being photographed
- photo of a candidate on the right helping a candidate on the left unlawfully pass the exam, being photographed
- 25:36.159><c> being</c> left unlawfully pass the exam being left unlawfully pass the exam being photographed
- </c><00:25:38.960><c> You</c><00:25:39.200><c> can</c> photographed by a whistleblower.
- You can photographed by a whistleblower.
Keywords:
0:22 – Roll Call
0:30 – Approval of minutes
1:04 – Department of Veterans Affairs
2:06 – Board of Pharmacy
3:20 – Board of Optometric Examiners
39:26 – Board of Nursing
40:07 – Board of Emergency Medical Services
41:52 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
44:36 – Transportation Cabinet: Department of Vehicle Registration
45:36 – Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
47:00 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Medicaid Services
49:59 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Community-Based Services, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then took up several regulations. The first was a Department of Veterans Affairs regulation, with a staff amendment, to allow nurse practitioners to apply for the Veterans Affairs nurse loan repayment program year-round and to make technical drafting changes. The committee heard from the Office of Kentucky Veteran Centers, then adopted the staff amendment and approved the regulation without objection.
The main item of the meeting was the Board of Optometric Examiners’ proposed amendment to 201 KAR 5:010, which would allow applicants to use the Optometry Examining Board of Canada written exam in place of part one of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam for licensure. The board said the change would improve access to care, provide an additional pathway for Canadian-trained candidates, and still require applicants to pass the remaining national board parts. Opponents, including NBEO officials, ARBO, Pearson VUE, and several optometrists, argued the Canadian exam is not equivalent, does not test the same biomedical science content, is not validated for U.S. scope of practice, and raises concerns about test security, transparency, and portability across states. They urged the committee to find the amendment deficient or vote no.
Committee members questioned both sides about prior communication with the board, whether Kentucky would be the first state to adopt such a change, the rationale for the proposal, and the cost difference between the exams. Supporters said the board had received some written comments and one phone call, and that the proposal was driven by access concerns and the presence of Canadian students. Opponents said they had not had direct discussions with the Kentucky board before the hearing. No final vote on the optometry regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee heard extensive testimony and rebuttal before moving on.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM-HHS, PSM DEFER Public Hearings 02-07-2025
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Part of this comes with collection of DNA, photographs of injuries, providing a narrative or obtaining
- Part of this comes with collection of DNA, photographs of injuries, providing a narrative or obtaining
- Part of this comes with collection of DNA, photographs of injuries, providing a narrative or obtaining
- of this comes with collection<00:49:26.400><c> of</c><00:49:26.720><c> DNA</c><00:49:27.640><c> photographs
- </c><00:49:28.280><c> of</c> collection of DNA photographs of collection of DNA photographs of injuries
Summary:
On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused.
The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided.
In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- , uh, in the practical application where do they go submit to a photograph so it can be uploaded to the
- So, is the thought here that we would simply use the photograph from their latest booking into the jail
- </c><00:38:45.040><c> from</c> would simply use the photograph from would simply use the photograph from
- So I'm confused by that. >> They do, but then that takes a clerk at the counter to take a photograph
- It takes a human body to receive that person's registration fee, record that fee, take the photographs
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Locke, you would get him with the family as soon as possible so they could get the many photographs
- of Senator Miller and... ...so they could look at the many photographs of Senator Miller and determine
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- sheriff's office, or the government agency for identification processing, including fingerprinting and photographing
- sheriff's office, or the government agency for identification processing, including fingerprinting and photographing
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met to take up several House bills and adopted recommendations on a number of them. HB 111, which would authorize civil claims against persons or businesses profiting from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking and extend the civil statute of limitations to 10 years, was recommended to pass unamended after discussion with the Attorney General’s office. HB 54, increasing penalties for repeated excessive speeding offenses, was recommended to pass with the Attorney General’s first suggested amendment requiring identification processing, including fingerprinting and photographing, for convicted violators unless already done. HB 70, dealing with condominium budget summaries and reserve requirements, was recommended to pass as amended, and HB 320, allowing supported decision-making agreements for qualified adults including those with disabilities, mental illness, or age 65 and older, was also recommended to pass as amended. These recommendations were adopted without objection, though some members noted reservations on HB 54 and HB 70.
HB 239, which would clarify that inability to provide certain needs to a child due solely to lack of financial resources does not constitute abuse or neglect, was deferred to Thursday, April 3, at 10:00 a.m. HB 359, concerning covered offender registration and a proposed exemption related to sexual assault in the fourth degree, was recommended to pass with amendments deleting section 2 after concerns that the current statute already covers the issue and that the added language would create a title problem by addressing two topics. The committee adopted that recommendation. HB 412, establishing presumptions and expanding lobbying-related definitions for certain communications with government officials, was recommended to pass with an added clarification excluding purely informational, ceremonial, or routine relationship-building communications from the presumption; that recommendation was also adopted.
HB 472, which would allow digitized identification cards to be accepted as valid identification and authorize law enforcement agencies to accept them under certain circumstances, was not decided. After a recess, the chair announced that everything after HB 412 would be deferred to Thursday, the 27th, at 10:30 p.m. in room 016, and the remaining items were postponed.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 18th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , this is related to the background studies under NETStudy 2.0, which requires fingerprints and photographs
- There are fingerprint and photograph locations across the state.
- 02:40.480><c> um</c><01:02:40.680><c> fingerprints</c><01:02:41.279><c> and</c><01:02:41.720><c> photograph
- </c> requires um fingerprints and photograph requires um fingerprints and photograph this<01:02:42.839
- There are fingerprint and photograph locations across the state.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes bill to expand recognition, benefits for veterans of 'Secret War' 5/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As I go through our family albums as the photographer of the family, there are many, many folks among
- Laotians, and Vietnamese, who are part of our family and will forever live in the memories and in the photographs
- As I go through our family albums as the photographer of the family, there are many, many folks among
- Laotians, and Vietnamese, who are part of our family and will forever live in the memories and in the photographs
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 23rd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's an incredible photograph, and we will be photographed with it in the back in a moment so you
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered a prayer recognizing World Water Day and the challenges of water scarcity, and then proceeded with several floor introductions. Members welcomed wildlife photographer Alice Cahill, outgoing California Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham, Avalon Fire Chief Michael Alegria, and a delegation of Cal Poly Pomona students participating in CSU advocacy activities. The chamber also received a message that the Assembly had passed AB 2156, and the Senate approved the March 16-19 journals as corrected.
The main floor action was on Senate Concurrent Resolution 132, which designates March 22, 2026, as California STEAM Robotics Day. The author and supporting senators emphasized the value of robotics and hands-on STEAM education for career readiness, problem-solving, and workforce development. The resolution passed by a 34-0 vote. Afterward, the author introduced student and industry guests connected to robotics education, including a Poway High School student and representatives from Garner Holt Productions.
The Senate then considered five gubernatorial appointments, all of which were confirmed unanimously: Paul Toopee as Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Peter Britery to the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, Dr. Youngping Chen and Gregory Lung to the California Acupuncture Board, and Roy Mather to the Board of Pilot Commissioners. The body also suspended Joint Rule 62A to allow the Governmental Organization Committee to hear AB 2156 on March 24 without sufficient notice. At the end of the session, the Senate adjourned in memory of Anne Colchin, a longtime Carlsbad city councilmember and public servant, and announced it would reconvene on March 26, 2026, after the State of the Judiciary joint convention.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/05/2026 - House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, Arkansas enacted a law last year that creates protections for an individual whose photograph
- For an individual whose photograph, voice, or likeness is reproduced through the means of AI and used
Summary:
The Arizona House Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee met for an informational presentation from Adam Cook Hook of the National Conference of State Legislatures on recent AI policy trends across the states. He described how legislatures are creating AI-focused committees, task forces, inventories, and impact assessments, and how states are also using AI in government operations and procurement. He noted that all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and D.C. introduced AI bills in 2025, with NCSL tracking more than 1,200 measures and nearly 200 enactments across 45 states.
Much of the discussion focused on deepfakes, elections, and synthetic media. Hook said 26 states have enacted laws regulating AI in political messaging, usually through disclosure requirements, while some states have prohibitions near elections. He also discussed laws addressing sexually explicit deepfakes, nonconsensual intimate images, and protections for performers’ name, image, and likeness. Members asked about the best state models for protecting AI-generated likenesses and how parody and satire affect such laws; Hook said courts have struck down some deepfake laws as overbroad, especially where they lacked parody exceptions or allowed broad private rights of action.
Hook also highlighted broader AI legislation in healthcare, education, workforce training, and public-private innovation efforts, including regulatory sandboxes and state-run AI tools. He summarized comprehensive AI laws in Colorado, Utah, California, and Texas, and flagged legal issues such as privacy, copyright, bias, liability, and transparency. Committee members asked about the growth of AI policy, the role of NCSL, and practical uses of AI in government; Hook said interest has grown rapidly since public release of tools like ChatGPT and that NCSL is still adapting its internal AI work. No bills were heard or voted on, and the meeting ended with the chair thanking the presenter and adjourning.