Video & Transcript Research : 'U.S. Army Futures Command'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Apr 1st, 2025

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaking of duty, it is my duty, as it is yours, to defend the U.S.
  • One is the Ninth Amendment to the U.S.
  • On October 17, 2023, in a memorandum by the U.S.
  • Army, it linked my debilitating heart condition to the COVID mRNA shot. This led to my U.S.
  • Army medical retirement in December of 2024. I am now 25 years old.
Summary: The Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of health care, Medicaid, and patient-access measures, along with confirmation votes. The committee first reconsidered and amended SB 1606 on patient access to records, clarifying portal obligations, deleting a section affecting nursing home facility records, and setting a January 1, 2026 effective date; the bill then passed favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of appointees and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after Harris testified about priorities including financial accountability, managed care oversight, transparency, and quality improvement. Senators asked about audit findings and Medicaid managed care performance, and several witnesses and committee members voiced support for her appointment. The committee then advanced a series of bills, most of them with amendments, including claims bills SB 28 and SB 22 for South Broward Hospital District settlements, SB 772 on undesignated glucagon in schools, SB 998 on death certification by physician assistants and APRNs, SB 1412 on home health administration flexibility, SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF, SB 306 on managed care network access during holidays and after hours, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies by physicians, SB 1602 on pediatric readiness in emergency departments, SB 1156 on the home health aide program for medically fragile children, SB 1490 on Children’s Medical Services and managed care administration, and SB 1182 on Medicaid coverage of continuous glucose monitors. Most of these bills received support from industry, advocacy, or provider groups and were reported favorably as committee substitutes. The most debated measure was SB 1270, a broad strike-all amendment combining provisions on mRNA vaccine documentation, vaccination-status protections in the Patient Bill of Rights, medical marijuana reporting and background-screening definitions, compact language, and volunteer immunity. The committee heard extensive testimony both for and against the vaccine-related provisions, including concerns about discrimination, patient safety, provider discretion, and medical liability. After additional technical amendments and a time-certain motion, the bill passed favorably as a committee substitute, with Senators Davis and Osgood voting no and Senator Harrell expressing a weak yes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 26, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, we had a U.S.
  • We have one officer who's jobing it and doing an amazing job as a U.S.
  • They say the U.S. Attorney's office, can we start referring more of these to the U.S.
  • In any of the cases that we're looking at here with the U.S.
  • about a hypothetical there in the future about a hypothetical there in the future that<00:46:24.079
Bills: SF0101
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/17/26

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So that would be the U.S.
  • We are currently in contract with the U.S.
  • The U.S.
  • The US Army do is identify those risks.
  • future generations. future generations.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Sep 23rd, 2025

Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • You can see total agricultural output since 1948; this is the U.S. agricultural productivity, total farm
  • And if we could hear about that in the future, that'd be great. Another topic was.
  • You know, I had this system; my commanders, I think, were not really fond of this system. I got.
  • That's great for commanders to use; that's good for officers to be able to use to be like, hey, where
  • Um, some future.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session, 1/14/2026 #1

Maryland House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let us address our state's future in a manner befitting the state's future in a manner befitting the
  • I'm very optimistic about our engagement here in the future.
  • And um engagement here in the future.
  • Army veteran. She is also a serial entrepreneur.
  • obesity medicine and a proud US army obesity medicine and a proud US army veteran.<01:25:54.320>
Summary: The House convened for the first day of session and first elected Delegate Luke Clippinger as Speaker Pro Tem. Members nominated and seconded him with remarks praising his leadership, work on Judiciary Committee issues, and ability to mentor colleagues. Nominations were then closed, the House voted by voice, and Clippinger was sworn in. The chamber then opened nominations for Speaker of the House. Multiple members spoke in support of Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, highlighting her personal story, legal background, public service, and committee leadership. Speakers emphasized her work on major policy areas including education, police reform, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, and support for historically Black colleges and universities. One member from the minority party also seconded the nomination, saying she had been inclusive and respectful in committee work and legislative process. After nominations were closed, the House voted by voice and elected Peña-Melnyk Speaker of the House of Delegates. She was sworn in and thanked members for their support, reflecting on the diversity in the chamber and the significance of the moment. In her remarks, she also praised outgoing Speaker Adrienne Jones and recognized family members, dignitaries, and colleagues in attendance.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 003 Jan 17th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • rededicate ourselves to the commandments rededicate ourselves to the commandments he<00:33:48.159
  • Then to live up to those commandments.
  • > believed<00:46:13.359> was for a future many believed was for a future many believed
  • anniversaries, but our shared future anniversaries, but our shared future continues continues continues
  • <02:50:26.160> we accomplished together for the future we accomplished together for the future
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance with visiting students from Dr. Martin Luther King Early College, and approved the journal from the previous day after a brief, humorous exchange about a correction to the minority leadership title. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1002, a resolution commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and honoring Dr. King’s life, nonviolent leadership, and role in the civil rights movement. The resolution recounted his education, activism, speeches, writings, the Montgomery bus boycott, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the history of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Colorado and nationally, including the state holiday commission and the holiday’s service-oriented observance. Several members spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing Dr. King’s legacy as a call to action, the importance of nonviolence, community service, and the need to continue addressing injustice. Speakers highlighted the role of young people in the civil rights movement and urged continued work on equity, dignity, and inclusion. One member also connected King’s legacy to current concerns about immigration enforcement and federal power, arguing that justice requires active resistance to injustice. Another member objected that the discussion had become politicized and used the opportunity to criticize immigration policy, while the chair reminded members to stay within the resolution. The resolution text was read at length and included a call for observances, ceremonies, and activities across Colorado, encouragement of service projects, and support for teaching King’s legacy and nonviolent principles in social studies standards. The transcript shows the House adopting the journal, but it does not show a final vote on the resolution within the excerpt provided.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 25th, 2026

Finance and Taxation Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And if it's not used in the future, even with this addition, then we'll probably want to do something
  • different in the future.
  • ,<00:12:39.760> even And if it's not used in the future, even And if it's not used in the
  • future, even with<00:12:40.240> this<00:12:40.560> addition,<00:12:41.279> then<
  • But right now, we believe we do future.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Transportation Apr 29th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • families will have a voice and that local leaders have time to plan, so that no community in the future
  • law to allow judges the option to choose whether or not to display the designation "State Judge" or "U.S
  • Deputies from the U.S.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-02-11 - 1:00PM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The U.S.
  • of the Vermont Drug Task Force, the commander of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the
  • <00:14:03.920> of<00:14:04.000> the General's Office, the commander of the General's
  • > Force,<00:14:05.600> the<00:14:05.760> commander Vermont Drug Task Force, the
  • commander Vermont Drug Task Force, the commander of<00:14:06.320> the<00:14:06.720> Internet
Keywords: 927, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-16 (2:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • sought knowledge and counsel and wisdom from many sources that will help us forge ahead into the future
  • The percent of U.S. overdose deaths involving fentanyl and stimulants increased from 0.6 percent in 2010
  • what I'm attempting to address is the mode in which medicines or vaccines can be delivered in the future
  • also encourages the state of Florida to lead a trade and economic delegation to Taiwan in the near future
  • Members, on the evening of April 18th, 1775, with impending hostile action from the British Army in Boston
Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then moved to the special order calendar. Early bills passed included measures on the Florida Trust Code (SB 806/HB 1173), school district reporting requirements and educator misconduct reporting (SB 1374), debt collection email communications (SB 232), service of process updates (SB 576/HB 157), public lodging and food service establishments (SB 606), lien waivers and releases (SB 658), Crime Stoppers public records exemptions (SB 710), health care licensure and foreign-country business interests (SB 768, amended), diabetes management in schools (SB 772/HB 597), platting procedures (SB 784), fentanyl testing in hospitals (SB 1346/HB 1195), third-party reservation platforms (SB 940), electronic landlord-tenant notices (SB 1164/HB 615), leaving the scene of a crash restitution (SB 1378/HB 479), background screening for athletic coaches (SB 1546), surrendered infants and infant safety devices (SB 1690/HB 791), and affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (SB 1730, amended). Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on trespass, higher education, transportation services, the UCC, altered sexual depictions, firearms during emergencies, Brownfields, false reporting, health care billing, motor vehicles, utility services, and others. Most of the debate centered on a few controversial bills. Senators debated the fentanyl testing bill in support of faster detection and life-saving treatment, and the surrendered infants bill drew opposition over safety, anonymity, and liability concerns, though supporters argued baby boxes provide a monitored safe surrender option. The affordable housing bill received an amendment and broad support as a continuation of the Live Local Act, with changes to zoning, parking, height, and litigation procedures. The day’s most contentious measure was the agriculture/consumer services package (SB 700), where senators argued over the bill’s fluoride-related preemption; opponents criticized the policy and process, while the sponsor emphasized broader agriculture, consumer protection, and FFA-related provisions. That bill passed 27-9. Votes on the other major bills were largely bipartisan and often unanimous or near-unanimous, with several bills passing 35-37 yeas and few or no nays. The Senate also adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House. The session concluded with announcements recognizing visitors, including Taiwan representatives, and remarks about a lantern-lighting observance tied to the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, followed by adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Senate in Session May 2nd, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Evan is home from the military after four years in the Army and is a personal trainer, enrolling in college
  • IT'S LIKE THE ARMY GUY. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IN THE ALTERNATIVE IS STAIRSTEP TO 2029.
  • UNFORTUNATELY, IN 2024 AND 2023, MAYBE IN 2022, FLORIDA RANKED LAST AMONG U.S.
  • ADVERSE ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST APPROVED NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE U.S.
  • IS NOT FAIR TO THOSE FLORIDIANS WHO WANT TO BUILD THEIR LIVES, CREATE A FUTURE FOR THEIR FAMILY, AND
Keywords: 999, senate, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 065 Mar 20th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Soon after, Representative Miller volunteered for the draft and joined the United States Army in 1958
  • <00:54:55.839> After United States Army in 1958. After United States Army in 1958.
  • Uh, the amendment's consistent with Amendment Two of our U.S.
  • It's gotten you the seventh highest in the U.S. for violent crime.
  • <03:03:35.439> that<03:03:35.760> make<03:03:35.920> it rules in the future
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal as corrected, and then proceeded out of order to memorials. House Memorial 1002, honoring former Representative Carl Eugene Miller of Leadville, was read and adopted unanimously, 63-0 with two excused. Speakers highlighted Miller’s service as a miner, Army veteran, Lake County commissioner, state representative, Public Utilities Commission commissioner, and his role in establishing the National Mining Hall of Fame and the Leadville Trail 100. His family was recognized in the chamber. During announcements, members welcomed several visiting groups, including Prowers County commissioners, the Rocky Mountain Cradle to Career Civic Influencers, the Colorado Springs School, and Advocates for Recovery Colorado, which was noted as advocating for recovery support and related policy issues. Members also mentioned upcoming committee meetings, including Finance and Appropriations, and a reminder that the business affairs and labor committee was not meeting that day. The House then set special orders for March 19, 2026, and adopted motions limiting debate time on House Bill 1126 to three hours and on Senate Bills 4 and 43 to two hours each. The chamber then resolved into committee of the whole and began consideration of House Bill 1126, which concerns requirements for dealing firearms. The bill was read at length at the request of the minority leader, who argued that the measure could hurt small, family-owned gun businesses. The bill summary described expanded permit requirements for firearm dealers, additional requirements for responsible persons and employees, recordkeeping and security mandates, reporting of theft or loss, and increased penalties for violations, including fines, suspension, or revocation of dealer permits.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/11/26 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • enlisted in the National Guard in enlisted in the National Guard in October 2005 and later served in the Army
  • 2026, while serving on active duty with headquarters and headquarters company, 103rd Sustainment Command
  • Kuwait, and while serving on active duty with headquarters and headquarters company, 103rd Sustainment Command
  • adjustment from MMB, not the agencies, because they look into how much we'll be spending into the future
  • adjustment from MMB, not the agencies, because they look into how much we'll be spending into the future
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House began with a point of personal privilege honoring Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer of White Bear Lake, including a House resolution recognizing her military service and sacrifice and a moment of silence. Members then took up House File 4987, which would rename a highway in White Bear Lake as the Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer Memorial Highway. The motion to suspend rules and advance the bill prevailed, and the bill later passed 126-0 after supportive remarks from Representatives Olsen and Curran about honoring Amimer and her family. The chamber then considered Senate File 476, the human services policy bill. Representative Noor described it as a broad package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, vulnerable adult maltreatment, continuity of care, and miscellaneous policy changes. Representative Schumacher said the bill reflected stakeholder work and added guardrails, especially around fraud and provider processes. Several amendments were offered and adopted, including a technical A13 amendment; an A8 amendment was withdrawn; and an A1 amendment on individualized home supports was also withdrawn. The bill passed 93-39. Finally, the House took up House File 4546, the forecast adjustment bill for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Representative Noor said it was a routine biennial adjustment to align spending with the February forecast. Representative Johnson W offered an amendment on foster family information-sharing but withdrew it after concluding it was not germane. Debate focused heavily on the size of the forecast increases, especially in medical assistance and housing supports, with Representative Schultz arguing the bill reflected large cost growth and urging a no vote. Noor responded that the increases were driven by forecasted utilization, eligibility, rate changes, and program integrity changes. The bill passed as amended 93-39.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • My last assignment was teaching at the U.S.
  • Army War College, where I actually created a class called Energy International Security.
  • My last assignment was teaching at the U.S.
  • My last assignment was teaching at the U.S.
  • My last assignment was teaching at the U.S.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'd also like to in the near future.
  • So, right now, just to host and future?
  • And Elexicon is what I would refer to as our boots on the ground, going back to my U.S. Army times.
  • <01:04:03.360> larger would uh plan for our future larger would uh plan for our future larger
  • <01:07:58.600> for log on in the foreseeable future for log on in the foreseeable future for
Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then focused first on the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s legacy systems and two specific projects. COT officials said many agencies have made progress moving off legacy applications, with remaining mainframe systems slated to be retired through RFPs or other work orders. They also described a legacy funding pool of $10 million per biennium used to help agencies transition. The two projects discussed were the Kentucky aerial photography and elevation data program, which provides statewide aerial imagery and lidar data for GIS, E911, environmental, transportation, and other uses, and a citizen identity and access management system intended to give residents a single login for state services. Officials said the GIS program costs about $1.2 million annually to host and maintain, with data acquisition costing several million more per year, and that the citizen identity system would cost about $2.5 million per year after an initial three-year COT investment. Members asked about duplication of funding, licensing, local government use, and whether multi-factor authentication would be required; COT said the GIS data is being acquired as statewide unlicensed data and that MFA would be available but not yet mandated statewide. Committee members pressed COT on costs, overlap with cabinet-level IT spending, and the practical benefits of the GIS and identity projects. COT explained that GIS hosting is generally covered through enterprise assessments billed quarterly to agencies, while the new aerial data is intended to benefit the whole state and local partners. On the identity project, officials said it would centralize authentication for citizens who use state systems, improve compliance with zero-trust and NIST-related security expectations, and reduce help desk and maintenance burdens through self-service account tools. Members also discussed whether the system would extend to local governments; COT said it would be a Kentucky.gov-style state login for users inside the state identity infrastructure, not a local-government system. The Department of Education then testified that it does not operate mainframes or major legacy systems, having moved long ago to cloud-based, off-the-shelf products and vendor-supported services. KDE officials described a strong emphasis on staff cybersecurity awareness, standardized statewide systems, vendor risk-sharing, and reducing sensitive data exposure, including efforts to move away from student Social Security numbers. They also highlighted a transition from Microsoft Active Directory to Identity Automation, which they said will improve identity management and make multi-factor authentication universal across K-12. In response to questions about Kentucky Wired and internet service, KDE said all 171 school districts and KDE agencies have been moved to a new next-generation internet service through ENA by Zayo, with strong satisfaction, e-rate savings, and better reliability. Officials warned that any internet disruption would immediately affect attendance, grades, student records, payroll, security systems, and communications across the K-12 system.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Following Michael Pratt's sentencing, U.S.
  • We regularly share sensitive information with the FBI, U.S.
  • I represent U.S.
  • A quote from the U.S.
  • But I... ...kind of where you see it going in the future.
Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills on public safety, parole, criminal justice oversight, Proposition 36 implementation, behavioral health, gang database reform, cargo theft, and nonconsensual intimate images. The chair explained hearing procedures and noted that SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Several measures were heard but not voted on because quorum was lacking. SB 1446, a committee bill, would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make en banc votes public record, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluation of certain incarcerated people serving determinate or indeterminate terms. Support came from the California District Attorneys Association; opposition came from the Ella Baker Center, Uncommon Law, public defenders, and others who argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The author said the bill was intended to clarify review standards and improve transparency. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual/one-strike offenders from elderly parole eligibility. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office and California District Attorneys Association supported it, citing cases such as Gregory Vogelsang and David Funston; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and others argued elderly parole is already highly restrictive, evidence-based, and cost-effective. Vice Chair Seyarto strongly supported SB 1278, emphasizing victim justice and public safety. SB 1354 would bar out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission; a committee amendment removed a criminal penalty and left enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for Proposition 36 implementation, with committee amendments deleting a specific appropriation and shifting funding decisions to the budget process; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and administration, while opponents criticized the bill as fiscally reckless and duplicative. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer statewide standards for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, especially ABA services for children; supporters said it would improve patient safety and program integrity. SB 1210 would extend CalGang-style oversight, notice, appeal, and DOJ regulation to all gang databases, not just shared ones; supporters described harms from inaccurate, unregulated local databases, while police chiefs opposed applying the CalGang framework to all local investigative files. The committee also heard SB 1019, which would create a DOJ cargo theft task force and add reporting requirements; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, ports, and law enforcement said organized cargo theft is harming supply chains and worker safety, and no opposition was presented. Finally, SB 1217 would create a DOJ clearinghouse to help victims remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, from covered platforms; amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and clarified law enforcement’s role. The author and survivor witnesses described ongoing trauma from repeated reposting of exploitative images and argued the bill would provide a centralized removal process. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1217, with no final votes taken on the measures heard.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • allow that future Attorney General to act in contravention to that law?
  • Or, to change this, would a future legislature have to change it?
  • The U.S.
  • That Congress under Article III, the U.S.
  • I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, retired.
Bills: SB10, SB16, SB6, SB 6, SB 10, SB 16
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC Informational Briefing 09-24-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • An apt description comes from former U.S.
  • And that's from U.S. v. United Mine Workers in 1947.
  • of the country who has represented both districts of a two-district representative delegation in the U.S
  • <00:29:08.640> fiscal wants to do that for a future fiscal wants to do that for a future fiscal
  • Um, again, more information on my thoughts, actions, activities as Hawaii's U.S.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii. Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements. Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.