Video & Transcript Research : 'survivor testimony'

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - House Judiciary

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • The ACLU's testimony had nothing to do with that.
  • And members, you're going to hear testimony today that people can be thrown in jail for merely clicking
  • So maybe for Amy, it sounded like from her testimony something came in on Facebook.
  • My name is Sherry Lopez, and I am president of the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivors Coalition.
  • My assistant was rushing to get it over here, and it is a statement that disproves some testimony that
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for your testimony. I know we're going to hear a lot more good testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - Senate Federalism and Family Law

Federalism and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I thank you for your support and your testimony and support of this concept.
  • Thank you very much for your testimony. Oh, don't run off.
  • On behalf of your friend, your testimony is very powerful and very important.
  • to decide, do I trust that testimony?
  • Their testimony can come in.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Law & Justice Feb 3rd, 2026 at 08:30 am

Law & Justice

Summary: The Law and Justice Committee met on February 3 to consider several bills on executive action, along with gubernatorial appointments. On Senate Bill 5925, which would expand Attorney General civil investigative demand authority, members debated amendments narrowing the bill for small businesses, law enforcement use-of-force matters, criminal investigations, and response deadlines. Amendment Charlie was adopted, Amendment Delta was rejected, Amendment Echo was withdrawn as duplicative, and the bill ultimately received a do-pass recommendation to Rules. The committee also confirmed Kristen Ferrer, Lisa Mannion, Kate Ben Ward, and Rochelle Cleland to their respective appointments. The committee then considered Senate Bill 6086 on judicial officer safety and threat assessments. A proposed substitute retained threat assessment authority and removed internet personal-information provisions, while amendments to limit consultant authority and tighten threat standards were debated. The amendment to remove security consultants was rejected, and the proposed substitute was approved and sent to Rules. Senate Bill 6074 on reinstituting parole was narrowed to create a parole re-institution work group; an amendment adding two victim-advocate members was adopted, and the bill was sent to Rules. Senate Bill 6296 on involuntary treatment drew the most discussion. The proposed substitute removed some enforcement and firearms-related provisions, narrowed definitions, and adjusted law enforcement and court procedures. Amendments addressing firearms, officer liability, and warrant-entry authority were debated but not adopted. The committee noted that some language would need further cleanup, but the proposed substitute ultimately received a do-pass recommendation and was referred to Ways and Means. The meeting ended with thanks to committee staff and adjournment at the House of Origin policy cutoff.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 17th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This will allow expert testimony in human trafficking cases.
Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized several guests, doctors, nurses, pages, student shadows, and visitors in the gallery. Members also adopted a motion to request the House’s consent for the Senate to adjourn for more than three days, with Senator Hicks opposing the motion because of the number of bills still available for consideration. The motion passed. The chamber then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1627, a cleanup measure to eliminate duplicate criminal code sections and clarify the law for legal research, passed 45-0 and was advanced as an emergency. Senate Bill 227, dealing with gross production tax and ad valorem taxation on oil and gas means of production, drew extensive questioning and debate over possible revenue impacts, county assessors, schools, and economically at-risk wells; it passed 37-9. Senate Bill 366, which gives charter schools a first right of refusal to buy or lease public school buildings sold or leased by districts, also generated debate over local control and lack of resale guardrails, and passed 40-6 as an emergency. Later, Senate Bill 1193 to remove general fund carryover caps for school districts passed 46-0 as an emergency after supporters argued it would reduce “use it or lose it” spending and allow more local flexibility, while opponents questioned fiscal effects and accountability. Senate Bill 1433, the Guidance Transparency Act requiring agencies to publicly disclose guidance documents in a searchable database, passed 37-7 after concerns about attorney-client privilege, administrative burden, and whether guidance could function like law. Senate Bill 1450, expanding relief from fines, fees, and court costs for certain people in the criminal justice system, was advanced and passed unanimously; Senate Bill 1481, increasing minimum recess time for K-5 students from 20 to 40 minutes, was advanced as an emergency measure; Senate Bill 1810, allowing expert testimony in human trafficking cases, passed 45-0; Senate Bill 1812, requiring school districts to make benchmark testing information available to parents, passed 46-0 as an emergency; Senate Bill 1921, increasing OSBI background-check fees, passed 39-7; and Senate Bill 1948, updating fireworks laws and limiting county restrictions on private outdoor consumer fireworks displays, was taken up with significant safety and local-control questioning.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 4th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • My background is I come... ...from a family of human trafficking and sexual assault survivors, Mr.
  • So I was surprised actually at Senator Ting's response because I did hear testimony on this bill from
  • It is important to the survivors' death and the LEOFF survivor benefit plan. Thank you.
  • They listened to workers' testimony.
  • They listened to workers' testimonies and stories, and they came back with this recommendation, which
Summary: The Senate received messages from the House transmitting several signed bills, then moved through a series of second- and third-reading actions on multiple measures. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508, clarifying the scope and authority of the Office of Independent Investigations, was advanced to final passage without objection and passed 44-4. Senators supporting it described it as a technical housekeeping bill aligning statute with current practice, while noting it had broad support from law enforcement groups and the ACLU; opponents raised concerns about overlapping investigations and authority. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, which dedicates a share of sales tax revenue from the stadium area to the South Downtown/Pioneer Square community preservation and development authority, was amended by a Ways and Means striking amendment declaring an emergency and then passed 47-1. Supporters said it would fund earthquake reinforcement, preservation, and community development in a historic district, with reporting and sunset provisions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, dealing with resale certificates for common interest communities and homeowners associations, was amended to clarify disclosure and litigation provisions and passed 39-9. Substitute House Bill 1570, allowing collective bargaining for certain employees enrolled in academic programs at public institutions, failed an amendment to remove the emergency clause and then passed 29-19; supporters framed it as recognition of student workers’ organizing rights, while opponents warned it blurred student and employee roles. The Senate also passed Substitute House Bill 1390, repealing the Community Protection Program and directing participants into other developmental disability services, after rejecting a series of amendments that sought to preserve sex-offender-related restrictions, add assessments, damages, or prosecutorial review. The bill passed 29-20 amid sharp debate over whether the program was coercive and outdated or necessary to protect vulnerable people and communities. Other bills passed included Substitute House Bill 2114 on defective license plates, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2471 on collective bargaining if the NLRB is unavailable, House Bill 1069 on bargaining over supplemental retirement contributions for Department of Corrections employees, House Bill 2441 expanding medical premium reimbursements for surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths, and Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1710 adding preclearance requirements under the Washington Voting Rights Act; the voting rights bill drew opposition over local control and litigation concerns. The transcript ends during the roll call on final passage of Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1710.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 4th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal. It received a House message that the House had passed second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5010, and then took up Senate Resolution 8700 honoring Yolanda Cortinas Trout Manuel for her community service, business leadership, and public service. Senator Fortunato sponsored the resolution and spoke warmly in support, and the Senate adopted it by voice vote and recognized the guest in the gallery. The chamber then confirmed Gubernatorial Appointment No. 9142, Maria Seguyenza to the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, after supportive remarks from Senators Bateman and Wilson-Clair. The Senate also passed Substitute House Bill 2248, described as a technical cleanup bill for Secretary of State corporate filings, and House Bill 2309, which removes postgraduate degree requirements for certain state jobs to broaden applicant pools. House Bill 2348 passed as a Department of Natural Resources efficiency measure allowing smaller land sales to be posted online and clarifying fair-market-value requirements. The Senate deferred Second Substitute House Bill 1128 at first, then later adopted a striking amendment and passed the bill as amended. The bill creates a child care workforce standards board to study workforce conditions and make recommendations; several proposed amendments by Senator King to add child-safety training language, add an expiration date, and narrow the board’s scope were rejected. Supporters said the board would professionalize child care work and improve wages and standards, while opponents argued it would add government and costs without solving affordability. The Senate also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2523 on the Community Reinvestment Program, with supporters emphasizing accountability, periodic review, and an independent study, and passed Substitute House Bill 2428 to prevent unintentional lapses in life insurance policies by allowing third-party notices. Finally, the Senate passed House Bill 2340, expanding the CARES substance use disorder recovery program to nursing assistants, and Engrossed House Bill 2317, which streamlines licensing for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program sites in certain educational settings. Most bills passed by wide margins, though Second Substitute House Bill 1128 passed with a narrower 28-19 vote. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 4th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • My background is I come from a family of human trafficking and sexual assault survivors, Mr.
  • So I was surprised actually at Senator Ting's response because I did hear on testimony of this bill from
  • It is important to the survivors of death and the LEOFF survivor benefit plan. Thank you.
  • They listened to workers' testimony.
  • They listened to workers' testimonies and stories, and they came back with this recommendation, which
Summary: The Senate took up a series of House bills, often suspending the rules to move measures directly to final passage after brief debate. Messages from the House reported signed bills being transmitted, and the Senate later signed several measures in open session. The chamber also excused a few members from voting on specific bills. Among the first major actions, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508, clarifying the scope and authority of the Office of Independent Investigations, passed 44-4 after supporters described it as a technical housekeeping bill and opponents raised concerns about overlapping investigations. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, which dedicates 20% of sales tax revenue from the two large stadiums to a community preservation and development authority in South Downtown/Pioneer Square/Chinatown International District, passed 47-1 after supporters emphasized reinvestment in historic buildings and neighborhood safety. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, requiring more complete resale certificates for common interest communities and homeowners associations, passed 39-9 after a successful amendment clarifying litigation language. Substitute House Bill 1570, allowing collective bargaining for certain student employees at public institutions, failed an amendment to remove the emergency clause and then passed 29-19 despite objections that it blurs student and employee roles. The chamber then debated Substitute House Bill 1390, which repeals the Community Protection Program and directs DSHS to transition participants into other developmental disability services. Numerous amendments sought to preserve restrictions, add assessments, or create liability protections, but most were rejected; the committee striking amendment updating agency names and dates was adopted. The bill passed 29-20 after a lengthy, emotional debate over whether the program protects public safety or unfairly restricts people with developmental disabilities, with supporters citing civil rights concerns and opponents warning about risks to vulnerable residents and the lack of a detailed transition plan. Other measures passed with broad support, including Substitute House Bill 2114 on defective license plates (48-0), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2471 on collective bargaining if the NLRB loses authority (31-18), House Bill 1069 on bargaining over supplemental retirement contributions for Department of Corrections employees (31-18), House Bill 2441 expanding medical premium reimbursements for surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths (49-0), and Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1710 adding preclearance requirements under the Washington Voting Rights Act, which drew debate over local control and litigation but had not yet reached a final vote by the end of the transcript.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Labor and Industrial Apr 28th, 2026

Labor & Industrial

Transcript Highlights:
  • But if they're not, there presumably would be witness testimony.
  • It allows domestic violence survivors to have unpaid leave.
  • You heard testimony...
  • Troy Prevost's testimony, is that correct? Yes, I have.
  • Thank you so much for your testimony. So the board is clear. Thank you so much for your testimony.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) May 25th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll open public testimony. The chair calls Jackie Schlegel.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Schlegel, welcome. Introduce yourself. Give us your testimony.
  • Thank you for listening and thanks for your testimony.
  • Thanks for your testimony. You're excused.
  • Seeing and hearing now public testimony is closed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Your testimony, Ms. Schlegel. Welcome, introduce yourself and give us your testimony.
  • I see your testimony. Mr. Glass, introduce yourself. Welcome, go ahead.
  • Thank you for your testimony. On House Bill 3441.
  • Your testimony. You're excused.
  • We have closed public testimony, and the bill is still in front of us.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Thanks for your testimony. Thanks for being here.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Welcome. Introduce yourself and give us your testimony.
  • I'm here to provide testimony on House Bill 220.
  • Very well, we'll open testimony. We'll open public testimony on House Bill 4202.
  • This concludes the testimony on House Bill 4904. Thanks for your testimony. You're excused.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 12th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • at the conclusion of the invited testimony.
  • I appreciate your testimony today. Thank you. Yes ma'am.
  • Thank you so much for your testimony today.
  • All right so members that concludes today's invited testimony now we move on to public testimony regarding
  • To testify on the public testimony on the invited subjects.
Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB675, HB10, HB12
KY
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Mar 31st, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's our intent to resume invited testimony and then move immediately into public testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Please state your name and give us your testimony.
  • Thank you for my testimony. Thank you. Thanks for giving us your testimony.
  • Thanks for your testimony.
  • Give us your testimony.
Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Community Safety Feb 3rd, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 1591 is the bill that offers relief to defendants who are survivors of domestic violence,
  • The first was establishing a sentencing alternative for defendants who are survivors of those aforementioned
  • I thought the testimony that the committee entertained was horrifying.
  • We heard a lot of testimony about how effective and smooth the process is running right now.
  • It's the promise we made, and most DV survivor resources right now are done in Washington State.
Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met in executive session to act on several bills previously heard. On House Bill 1591, the committee considered a substitute that would provide sentencing alternatives, resentencing, and record vacation relief for defendants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, with tighter eligibility standards and reporting requirements. Members discussed concerns about the scope of the relief and whether the abuse must be closely connected to the offense, but the substitute was approved and reported out 7-2 with a do pass recommendation. The committee also adopted Amendment 348 to House Bill 2146, which clarifies the offense of sexual exploitation of a minor to cover situations where a person causes a minor to view sexually explicit conduct knowing the minor’s viewing will be photographed or part of a live performance. The bill was then reported out unanimously. House Bill 2220, dealing with Criminal Justice Training Commission oversight and certification hearings, advanced on a substitute that removed a higher burden of proof, adjusted hearing panel membership, and directed rulemaking; it passed 7-2 after debate over whether the changes were a rollback of prior reforms. House Bill 2430, concerning the crime victim penalty assessment, was amended to increase assessment amounts, add a possible surcharge for defendants with substantial financial resources, tighten indigency exemptions, and preserve an indigent exception removed in the underlying bill. Supporters said the bill was needed to restore funding for victim services after prior budget cuts, and it passed unanimously. House Bill 2526, on prostitution, advanced on a substitute that renamed the offense, increased penalties for repeat buyers, directed most fee revenue to survivor-led organizations, and added an emergency clause; Amendment 275 was adopted to require law enforcement referrals to services before arrest in the first two investigative detentions and to add protections for people reporting other crimes. The bill passed 5-4 after substantial disagreement over whether the measure would help survivors or effectively decriminalize prostitution. Finally, House Bill 2648, addressing state and local law enforcement interactions with federal immigration enforcement, was amended to require body camera and dash camera activation during certain encounters, reporting to agencies, and indemnification protections for officers. Supporters framed the bill as clarifying duties and protecting civil rights, while opponents argued it could interfere with law enforcement and federal cooperation. The committee reported the bill out 6-3. House Bill 2641 was deferred, and the committee adjourned after completing action on the listed House bills.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/26/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, again, 2-minute limit for testimony.
  • . testimony. testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony. So, we have no further testifiers.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony. right. Thank you for your testimony.