Video & Transcript : 'freedom of expression' :
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I heard one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about a freedom to pollute or a freedom
- Our economy was built on an open market and the freedom of consumer choice.
- </c> built on an open market and the freedom built on an open market and the freedom of<06:00:33.520>
- And I believe our country was founded on the principles of freedom and liberty.
- And I believe our country was founded on the principles of freedom and liberty.
Keywords:
EPA, pollution control, California emissions standards, NOX regulation, congressional disapproval, HJR87, H.J.Res. 87, Congressional Review Act, CRA, EPA waiver, California waiver, preemption, vehicle emissions, heavy-duty trucks, engine emissions, Advanced Clean Trucks, zero-emission vehicles, ZEV, zero-emission airport shuttle, powertrain certification
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- freedom of religion, not the politicians' religion.
- I want to express thanks to the sponsors of this bill and the committee for their perception to this
- I want to express thanks to the sponsors of this bill and the committee for their perception to this
- I want to express thanks to the sponsors of this bill and the committee for their perception to this
- </c><03:38:34.160><c> about</c> four hours of of of uh testimony about four hours of of of uh testimony
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful.
Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned.
Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- of the nominee. Will there be questions of the nominee?
- of corrections.
- It is my honor today to bring forth this nomination of Justin Ferris of Colgate to the director of corrections
- So, to commit a felony To me, that goes to a state of mind of morals of respecting others' property.
- To the degree of the crime of which they've committed, felonies are a much harsher degree of a crime.
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
Keywords:
firearm rights restoration, nonviolent felons, Oklahoma firearm laws, gun ownership, pardon, expungement, public safety, transportation of inmates, Department of Corrections, correctional facilities, sentencing, health records, firefighters, sex offenders, employment restrictions, Oklahoma laws, bomb, explosive device, incendiary device, simulated bomb
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It could be one one-hundredth of a gram, one-thousandth of a gram, excuse me, of a pill, and it could
- It could be one one-hundredth of a gram, one-thousandth of a gram, excuse me, of a pill, and it could
- of Colorado, and the state of Utah.
- Just to kind of go a little bit: the University of Virginia Board of Visitors is actually October or
- I kind of heard anecdotally a couple of years ago.
Committees:
House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference
Keywords:
attorney discipline, legal costs, reputation damage, state bar, court costs, fentanyl, drug offenses, narcotic drugs, criminal penalties, Arizona Revised Statutes, educational institutions, public order, disruption, concealed weapons, safety regulations, firearms, muffling devices, weapon regulations, Arizona law, public safety
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Commerce and Small Business
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> 49% of whatever the other profit is. 49% of whatever the other profit is.
- Uh and do most people have cards saying what kind of cards saying what kind of >> I don't think they
- </c> cards saying what kind of cards saying what kind of >> I<00:11:18.560><c> don't</c><00:11:
- </c> in the in the positive nature of people. in the in the positive nature of people.
- </c> has a lot of input on this. has a lot of input on this.
Committee:
House Commerce and Small Business
Keywords:
Alabama State House, Montgomery, Legislative Council, demolition, state capitol, state capitol building, historic preservation, state property, inventory removal, fixtures, furnishings, reuse, recycling, upcycling, surplus property, public assets, legislative chambers, desk sale, chair sale, state auditor
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Ina Abbey, and I'm the CEO of the Tubman Center for Health and Freedom.
- of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- I'm the mayor of the city of Toppenish.
- I'm the mayor of the city of Toppenish.
- or requested by a tribe, or similar expressions of support from a tribe.
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
Keywords:
capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning, construction costs, inflation adjustment, capital facilities, project review, allotments, lease approval
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- To express some of the frustrations in Rochester, in an area that the city had designated for high-density
- the freedoms of other human beings.
- </c><00:59:38.400><c> of</c> while not restricting the freedoms of while not restricting the freedoms
- From some of the most left members of our caucus, some of the most right members of your caucus.
- From some of the most left members of our caucus, some of the most right members of your caucus.
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
Keywords:
intelligent speed assistance, transportation, speeding offenses, public safety, license restrictions, speed control, pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- for municipalities and counties by utilizing three years of the University of Florida Schimberg study
- . ...into the wonderful body of work that Florida uniquely gets to have because of Live Local.
- Last year, the Joint Administrative Procedure Committee issued a notice of nullification of the rule
- Last year, the Joint Administrative Procedure Committee issued a notice of nullification of the rule
- So in the short-range period of time, Senator Mayfield helped out In the short-range period of time,
Committee:
Senate Finance and Tax
Keywords:
recreational vehicle parks, special assessments, property tax, occupancy rates, commercial assessment, ad valorem, homestead exemption, disabled veteran, veteran surviving spouse, first responder, line of duty, service-connected death, tax exemption transfer, remarriage, primary residence, Florida Statutes 196.081, property appraiser, local government revenue, surviving spouse tax relief, alcohol distribution
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 10th, 2026
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama.
- <c> it</c> >> Well, first of all, I think most of it >> Well, first of all, I think most
- , which is comprised of the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs, the Alabama Association of Volunteer
- Not that I'm aware of. I've >> No, sir. Not that I'm aware of.
- So, are you one of<00:29:29.760><c> those?</c> of those? of those?
Committee:
Senate County and Municipal Government
Keywords:
municipal tax, license fee, local tax increase, ordinance, public hearing, 30-day notice, municipal notice requirements, city council, town council, Alabama municipalities, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 11-45-2, open meetings website, newspaper publication, local government finance, tax transparency, fee increase, municipal ordinance procedure, University of South Alabama, Board of Trustees
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Aeronautics and Transportation Feb 9th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Aeronautics and Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- previous language's effective date was the date of The action, so that you're saying that the date of
- Again, this was the case of just being consistent with language because of the emergence of different
- And part of that is related to the Operation of the agency.
- A point of clarification.
- both of his legs.
Committee:
Senate Aeronautics and Transportation
Keywords:
memorial designation, interchange, Terry Walker, transportation, Oklahoma, driver license, tracking system, expedited delivery, Service Oklahoma, REAL ID, public safety, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, infrastructure, state roads, bridges, economic development, highway construction
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 5th, 2026 at 09:02 am
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- With an average of five barrels of water produced for every barrel of oil, that's a lot of water New
- It is a remnant of the ancient oceans of the Permian era.
- I'm Leslie Hillam, CEO of the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and I'm speaking in strong support of HM
- House Memorial 45 is not a benign expression of concern for rural water supplies.
- House Memorial 45 is not a benign expression of concern for rural water supplies.
Keywords:
Taos County, Questa, produced water, treated produced water, water reuse, water quality control commission, freshwater conservation, rural communities, acequias, Indian nations, tribes, pueblos, water rights, industrial water use, data centers, artificial intelligence, AI, quantum computing, economic development, renewable energy
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- process, some of them being educators, students, families, and lots of them, all of them, community
- of doctors in the state of Washington?
- And again, thinking of some of the...
- I strongly support the effort that this committee has named, and the expression of local control is important
- I strongly support the effort that this committee has named, and the expression of local control is important
Committee:
House Education
Keywords:
reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Civil Rights & Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- us a lot of time and a lot of money.
- us a lot of time and a lot of money.
- And some recoveries are very large, but some of the cases that I've been the most proud of are some of
- the timeline of implementation of a new form.
- that's required of why, of all of the providers that happen to be empowered to sign these orders?
Committee:
House Civil Rights & Judiciary
Keywords:
psychiatric pharmacists, mental health, pharmacy regulations, healthcare, pharmacological treatments, limited equity cooperatives, common interest ownership, housing, exemption, community ownership, probate, estate administration, inheritance, heir finder, heir locator, beneficiary interest, transfer of inheritance rights, probate for profit, personal representative, executor
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- The curriculum must—out of time. You're out of time.
- I've been in touch with the advocates and just expressed two kind of hesitations.
- Of course, of course. Thank you.
- doing work, all of these types of things.
- Of course.
Committee:
House Labor & Workplace Standards
Keywords:
plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- the age of 16?
- I'm Isabella with Citizens Defending Freedom, speaking in favor of this bill.
- I’m also the founder of Conservative Ladies of America. I join you in the intent of this bill.
- A lot of people, for a lot of communities and just population of people, it's the unknown.
- Some of us are experts and some of us actually deal with AI every day all day and some of us do not.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Keywords:
special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, artificial intelligence, personal data protection, consumer rights, chatbot, deceptive practices, government contracts, public records, consumer protection, data privacy, investigations, proprietary information, chatbots, Florida statutes, nonprofit
Summary:
The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million, with the higher cap first applying to the 2027 allocation; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a Cybersecurity Experiential Internship and Clearance Readiness Program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida, but an amendment removed the bill’s funding appropriation; the amended bill was reported favorably. SB 554, a Florida Bar-backed update to the not-for-profit corporations statute, was also reported favorably after support testimony from the Bar and others. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive financing and undisclosed health conditions at retail pet stores, drew strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which sets rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was reported favorably as well.
The committee also considered SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the small cities CDBG program, clarify rural community eligibility to include certain unincorporated areas, exempt military conveyances from a reverter clause, and revise E-Verify enforcement and penalties. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including the fine structure, treatment of workers incorrectly flagged, and whether the bill could affect gig workers or retroactive cases. Senator Smith opposed the bill during debate, arguing it created unequal treatment for employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. SB 998 was reported favorably.
SB 214 would expand the rural economic development initiative to include special districts in rural counties and was reported favorably. SB 482, the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights, generated the most extensive discussion; it would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate disclosures and de-identification rules, restrict unauthorized use of name, image, and likeness, and give enforcement authority to the Attorney General. Supporters emphasized child safety, privacy, and the need for guardrails, while opponents and some informational witnesses raised concerns about privacy, age verification, enforcement, and the bill’s breadth. The bill was reported favorably, and the committee also approved SPB 7030, a committee bill creating a public records exemption for Department of Legal Affairs investigations tied to the AI enforcement provisions.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Of it.
- like he did most of the rest of<00:04:45.600><c> us.
- Of it. Rachel, if you'll call the >> Sure. Of it.
- So, this takes care of<00:07:11.280><c> that.</c> of that. of that.
- > these kinds of things will take care of these kinds of things will take care of that<00:07:35.120><
Bills:
SB89 , SB54 , SB127 , SB128 , SB77 , SB78 , SB100 , SB101 , SB102 , SB103 , SB113 , SB126 , SB122 , SB136
Keywords:
pilotage, commission, statewide laws, maritime regulation, repeal, sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, state agency, continuous operation, government efficiency, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, 911 services, 911 Board
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- In just a few years of war, 3% of the total population of Japan perished.
- Let us support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people. Let freedom ring.
- tens of thousands of Gazans.
- Here in America, we have freedom of religion.
- want to express my support for the climate bill and my appreciation of my state representative, Erica
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Service
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing focused first on teacher retirement legislation, especially H. 2932 and S. 1884, which would give long-serving educators a one-time opportunity to enroll in Retirement Plus after the program’s 2001 rollout was described as confusing and inconsistently communicated. Legislators, union leaders, and many teachers testified that some educators missed the opt-in window because of faulty notices, leave status, transfers, or misinformation about payroll deductions, and that many have had to work several extra years as a result. Supporters said the bills would correct an unfair administrative error, provide a buyback option with interest, and could also save local school districts money by allowing earlier retirements. Representative Mark Sylvia also testified for H. 4234, a Fairhaven-specific bill to raise the age limit for special police officers from 65 to 70 and clarify appointing authority, citing experience and budget needs.
The committee then heard testimony on several pension investment and divestment bills. Supporters of H. 2811 and related climate-risk measures argued that PRIM should assess, disclose, and address climate-related financial risk in the state pension fund, warning that fossil fuel investments could threaten long-term returns and public finances. Environmental advocates and financial experts said climate risk is systemic and urged transparency, divestment planning, and alignment with the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Another set of speakers supported H. 2984, which would divest pension investments from companies selling weapons to Israel; they argued the state should not be complicit in violence in Gaza and cited humanitarian and human rights concerns. Additional testimony supported H. 2900 and S. 1869 to divest from the firearm industry, with speakers saying pension investments should not undermine Massachusetts gun laws.
No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs repeatedly thanked speakers, limited testimony time, and noted that written testimony could be submitted later. The hearing concluded with the committee moving through the sign-up list and hearing extensive public testimony on the teacher retirement and divestment proposals.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- of the state of California.
- This bill keeps these devices out of the trash can and out of the hands of our children.
- Isha Ayur, on behalf of the City of Mountain View and the City of Thousand Oaks, in support.
- San Joaquin, Freedom for Immigrants, Future Leaders of America, Healthy Contra Costa, Immigrant Justice
- Any of the members of the public that would like to step forward and express your support, your name,
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several tax-related bills, beginning with AB 760, which would exempt settlement payments tied to the Garden Grove chemical incident from California income tax. The author and a school district trustee described evacuations, school closures, and losses to residents, businesses, students, and staff, arguing the payments should make victims whole rather than be taxed. There was support from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations, with committee amendments accepted.
Members then heard AB 2319, creating a California post-production tax credit for film and television work done in-state, even when principal photography occurred elsewhere or the project did not receive the existing film credit. The author and supporters from the Motion Picture Editors Guild, California Post Alliance, and others said post-production jobs and facilities are leaving California and that the bill would help retain high-wage work; opponents were not present. The committee members generally supported the measure, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2186 followed, excluding future reparations benefits for descendants of formerly enslaved people from state income tax. The author and NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference said taxing such benefits would undermine reparative justice; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0.
The committee also heard AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes and add enforcement tools. Supporters, including waste, recycling, local government, and public health groups, said disposable vapes create fire hazards, waste problems, and costs for local agencies; opponents argued the bill would mainly eliminate the legal market while leaving illicit products untouched and urged stronger enforcement instead. The author accepted committee amendments adding CDTFA enforcement, but the bill was not voted on because a motion was pending and members were absent. Later, AB 1519, AB 2172, AB 2222, AB 1793, AB 2089, and AB 1265 were heard and each received support from committee members and passed 2-0 or 3-0 to Appropriations, with amendments accepted where noted. AB 1519 clarified that the 20-year tax collection statute of limitations should not be reset by later fees or penalties; AB 2172 would let large counties use a single assessment appeals commissioner for complex property tax appeals; AB 2222 would create a temporary tax credit for local news organizations to retain and hire journalists; AB 1793 would authorize symmetrical cash rounding to the nearest nickel after the federal penny phaseout; AB 2089 would streamline the welfare exemption filing process for affordable housing; and AB 1265 would extend and revise the historic building tax credit to encourage adaptive reuse for housing and mixed-use projects.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So I want to start by thanking uh all of the members of the LCCMR, of which several of us are on this
- </c> contents of the bill. contents of the bill.
- It's kind of an option of last resort.
- </c> of the Public Policy Project. of the Public Policy Project.
- </c><00:30:09.840><c> of</c><00:30:10.240><c> this</c> will include some discussion of of this will include
Keywords:
natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, land acquisition, real property, trust fund, commissioner approval, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, conservation easement, land purchase, state land, public lands, property acquisition, value assessment, tax assessed value, Metropolitan Council, Board of Water and Soil Resources
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Feb 18th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- It all kind of depends on that date of hire. Yeah. Okay.
- Similarly, the EITEs receive benefits of millions of dollars in part because of their ability to reduce
- some banking of either the bank of allowances and/or the banking of the proceeds from consignment, because
- Joel Creswell, again, manager of the Climate Pollution Reduction Program of the Department of Ecology
- of the Climate Pollution Reduction Program of the Department of Ecology, signed in as other today on
Committee:
House Environment & Energy
Keywords:
ski areas, winter sports, terminology, recreation, economic development, SB6291, on-site wastewater treatment, onsite wastewater treatment, septic system, sewage treatment, wastewater inspection, environmental health, local board of health, public health, professional engineer, land surveyor, certificate of competency, inspection standards, design review, supervised practice