Video & Transcript : 'SGU veteran' :
Page 75 of 328
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/08/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you very much. >> And the veteran cemetery. Yep.
- Today I'm here representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee.
- </c> director out at this the veteran director out at this the veteran cemetery<00:11:43.519><c> in</
- </c><00:13:22.320><c> and</c> says, "Here's a bill about veterans and says, "Here's a bill about veterans
- </c><00:13:24.880><c> you</c> uh we veterans don't support it." you uh we veterans don't support it."
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Let us continue to build a country worthy of the sacrifices of our veterans.
- </c> uniform must en ensure that our veterans uniform must en ensure that our veterans and<00:29:34.240
- </c><00:29:47.559><c> may</c> of the sacrifices of our veterans may of the sacrifices of our veterans
- </c><02:09:11.400><c> and</c> representative for 72,000 veterans and representative for 72,000 veterans
- A proud veteran himself, Al's service didn't end when he left the military.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you so, so much for your patience around the last item, Department of Veterans Affairs.
- To date, we have six out of eight veterans' homes currently implemented in the CARE Project.
- And also, there are two more veterans' homes, Reading and Yountville, that are on track.
- And also, there is two more, two more homes, Veterans Homes, Reading and Yardville are on track.
- I look forward to hopefully visiting the Yountville Veterans Home at some point.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget May 31st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The second item on the agenda is a request from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs requesting
- in funding authority for a project to provide HVAC upgrades to a warehouse at the Louisiana War Veterans
- The second item on the agenda is a request from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs requesting
- funding authority for a project to provide upgrades in HVAC to a warehouse at the Louisiana War Veterans
Summary:
The committee received the May fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget, which reflected the updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecast. The revised forecast reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million and lowered projected revenues across the five-year baseline, including a drop in FY27 available funds and larger out-year imbalances. The statement was approved without objection.
Members then considered several Facility Planning and Control items and approved them without objection: a $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans project to build out space in the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation; a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home warehouse in Jackson; and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Lenoir Law Center addition. The committee also received, for information only, five change orders over $50,000 but under $250,000.
The committee approved contract extensions and funding actions for several agencies. Louisiana Economic Development received approval for one-year extensions and increases for marketing contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group. The Department of Education’s contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey was reported favorably after questions about the procurement process and how the contract amount relates to student enrollment. The Sabine River Authority’s $9.5 million operating budget increase and its 2026–2027 budget were approved favorably, with members discussing the planned takeover of Cypress Bend Resort operations. The Department of Health’s HERO Fund round of 15 grant awards, totaling about $4.6 million and projected to create 541 new health care credentials, was also approved favorably.
Finally, the Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were adopted, including an additional $619,850 for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and $1.5 million in emergency subfund assistance for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. The committee also reviewed a cooperative agreement between the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and its facilities corporation related to Act 35 projects, and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 12th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill also provides an avenue of protection for our veteran service organizations by allowing them
- , for the Amusement Machine Association, have been working with many of the fraternals, from the veterans
- So this helps us a lot to be able to have a process in place so that the veterans can be able to get
- are generally trying to operate within the bounds of law not risk a felony conviction, like our veterans
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met with a quorum present and first took up confirmation votes for appointees on tabs 2 through 6, which were recommended favorably without public testimony. The committee then heard CS/SB 1474, which would direct DEP to stop issuing or reissuing permits for Class B biosolids land application when a wastewater treatment facility is reasonably accessible within 50 miles, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1708, which removes a timing requirement for veterinarians licensed in good standing elsewhere to qualify for Florida licensure; it received support from Americans for Prosperity and the ASPCA and was reported favorably.
Members then considered CS/SB 204 on illegal slot machine operations. An amendment was adopted that set the baseline penalty at a second-degree misdemeanor, elevated violations involving six or more machines or repeat offenses to a third-degree felony, and made violations by a person of authority involving six or more machines or multiple prior convictions a second-degree felony. Testimony supported the bill’s effort to target larger illegal operations while protecting veterans’ organizations and other lawful users from felony exposure; the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all for CS/SB 1294 addressing Class AA biosolids, requiring agronomic-rate application, recordkeeping, IFAS guidance, and application of fertilizer-related requirements to bulk land application products, with an effective date of November 1, 2026; it was reported favorably after limited questions about oversight and IFAS’s role.
Later, CS/SB 772 was heard to allow portable electronics limited licensees to sell “iware” insurance and define that term, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1504 updated pre-licensure education for the 440 customer service representative license so a high school student completing a half-credit insurance and personal finance elective can apply upon turning 18; it received supportive testimony from industry groups and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to CS/SB 540 creating cybersecurity program requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, extending oversight to certain investment advisers, clarifying emergency suspension authority for anti-money laundering violations, extending payment deadlines for examination costs, and adjusting director experience requirements for financial institutions; the bill as amended was reported favorably. Senators McClain and Truenow requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tabs 11 and 13, and the committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Transportation Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- SENATE BILL 532 EXAMS 100% DISABLED VETERANS FROM PAYING TOLLS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA .
- THE BILL WAS BROUGHT BY A CONSTITUENT WHO IS A 100% DISABLED VETERAN WHO HAD TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES
- TO GO TO A VA HOSPITAL WONDERING IF WE ARE SUCH A VETERAN FRIENDLY STATE WHY DOES HE HAVE TO INCUR MORE
- COSTS AS A 100% DISABLED VETERAN TO GET THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 066 Mar 20th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- First, we brought up our veterans. Veterans seeking mental health help.
- Because once a veteran needs help, a veteran needs help.
- </c> Victims of our veterans. Victims of our veterans.
- </c> the hands of our veterans. the hands of our veterans.
- </c> veteran needs help. veteran needs help.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Conference Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education/PreK-12 May 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- teacher salary increase, as we do in this offer, we are continuing to focus that increase on our veteran
- teacher salary increase, as we do in this offer, we are continuing to focus that increase on our veteran
- We are continuing to focus that increase on our veteran teachers.
Summary:
The House Pre-K through 12 Education Budget Conference convened and organized by naming Rep. Persons-Mulicka as chair and Sen. Burgess as vice chair, with both selections approved without objection. Members also agreed, without objection, that ties are not allowed in committee meetings. Opening remarks from both chairs emphasized working together to resolve outstanding budget issues for the 2026-27 Pre-K-12 education budget.
The House then presented its first budget offer. The chair highlighted several points: additional non-recurring child care and development funding to help prevent any child from being disenrolled from the school readiness program in fiscal year 2026-27; agreement to the Senate’s position on $200,000 for patriotic portraits in classrooms; continued support for a $100 million teacher salary increase focused on veteran teachers; and an adjustment to the base student allocation increase to match the Senate’s $50 increase. The offer also included project funding, FEFP summary changes, and proviso/back-of-the-bill items aligned with the House budget offer.
No public testimony was offered and no questions were raised on the House offer. The chair reminded attendees that the conference was operating on a one-hour meeting notice. The meeting then adjourned on a motion to rise, without objection.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, the another document is the Veterans Home.
- </c> Military Affairs and Veterans Services.
- We're replacing 50 veteran resident beds for $155,000.
- </c> $140,000 we're replacing 50 veteran $140,000 we're replacing 50 veteran resident<03:30:13.080><c
- </c> from the military Affairs and veteran from the military Affairs and veteran services<04:03:25.560
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding.
Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program.
After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I couldn't be more proud than to serve as the only woman veteran that this body and this legislature
- As a proud combat veteran who served in Operation Iraq.
- Veterans that have been neglected and pushed to the brink of disaster.
- Veterans whose voices have been silenced and whose plights have been ignored.
- It should be heard, and we should study how SSRIs are killing our veterans. Thank you.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/13/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #18
Transcript Highlights:
- Whip, members, as passed by the House, House Bill 2226 requires a court to inquire about a person's veteran
- status and outlines procedures for potential alternative programs if the person is confirmed to be a veteran
- prosecuting agency, is required to provide information to the person regarding Arizona Department of Veterans
Summary:
The Republican caucus reviewed several House bills with Senate amendments and discussed whether sponsors would concur or refuse. HB 2003 would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit from 15 and a half to 15 and extend permit validity periods, but the sponsor refused concurrence because the bill did not grandfather in applicants in the transition period, so the measure will go to conference committee. HB 2013, dealing with ADEQ exceptional event demonstrations for large wildfires on federally managed land, had Senate changes narrowing the wildfire threshold and impact criteria; the sponsor was reported to concur. HB 2133, which would require consent verification for online sexual material, drew a refusal from the sponsor due to a circular definition and an unintended entity being included, also prompting further fixes. HB 2226, concerning court inquiry into veteran status and referrals to veterans’ services, and HB 2693, revising bona fide association qualifications and adding a health insurance feasibility study, were both reported as having sponsor concurrence. HB 2032, which changes the statewide assessment testing window and reporting dates, also had sponsor concurrence after the Senate extended the testing window and adjusted the start date restriction.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate Veteran Affairs Committee will come to order. Clark will call the roll. Hancock? Here.
- There is other business that needs to be discussed before the Veteran Affairs Committee, the ring nuns
- The Veteran Affairs Committee stands in recess, subject to the call of the chair.
Committee:
Senate Veteran Affairs
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Jun 21st, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- He's also a veteran.
- And, doing this work for the last couple of years, there is no veteran monument in the Commonwealth of
- Massachusetts, but there is a Cape Verdean Veterans Memorial in Rhode Island.
- And having a veteran, I think, is a great thing.
- He's really a Way-ahen person as well, and he is a Vietnam vet, by the way, a Vietnam veteran.
Summary:
The Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Feasibility Commission met to continue its work toward making recommendations to the Legislature on establishing a cultural center in Boston. The chair reviewed the commission’s mandate, upcoming monthly meetings, site visits, listening sessions, and the plan to eventually hire a consultant for the feasibility study. Members also discussed the importance of capturing the broader 200-plus-year Cape Verdean history in Massachusetts, especially in light of Boston’s 250th anniversary and Cabo Verde’s recent 50th independence anniversary.
A major portion of the meeting focused on reviewing and narrowing a list of potential additional commissioners. Members discussed the need for geographic, sector, and generational diversity, and several commissioners raised concerns about overrepresentation from New Bedford and the need to include people connected to other Cape Verdean communities such as Brockton, Boston, Wareham/Onset, Taunton, the Cape, and Haverhill. Testimony and comments emphasized including people with skills in arts, culture, history, construction, philanthropy, law, education, museum curation, and community organizing. Members also discussed whether to use a slate, an inventory of skills and regions, or individual votes, and whether abstentions should be treated as “reserve your rights” instead.
The commission voted to appoint three individuals: John Cruz, former State Senator Vinny deMacedo, and Angelo Lopes Barbosa or a designee from the Center for Cape Verdean Studies at Bridgewater State University. The body then voted to pause the remaining commissioner appointments until the next meeting and directed the chair and staff to create an inventory of candidates by skills, region, and other relevant criteria. Members also agreed to add two newly suggested names—former Brockton City Councilor Tina Cardoso and Maria Gomez-Pena—to the candidate list. The chair said the next meeting would be scheduled for January, and the meeting adjourned after the commission approved the motion to adjourn.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 39 Apr 13th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- following order of business will be followed today: prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, introduction of veteran
- Please recognize Representative Wolfley to present the Veteran of the Week.
- Even now, he sends me suggestions for things we could do to help seniors and veterans, some of which
- And whereas veterans are among the most honorable of all those in public service, protecting every American
- for service both in the military and in the community, and whereas the state of Oklahoma holds our veterans
Bills:
SB1290 , SB1530 , SB1847 , HR1050 , SB169 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1991 , SB1778 , SB1579 , SB1992 , SB3 , SB2028 , SB1928 , SB2127 , SB2117 , SB1439 , SB1930 , SB330 , SB1191 , SB2110 , SB2134 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1613 , SB1246 , SB1976 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB2071 , SB259 , SB1314
Summary:
The House convened, completed the roll call, and heard an invocation, a Veteran of the Week recognition for Colonel William S. Hartzell, and several guest introductions and special presentations, including the Coeta Tigers wrestling team, the Murray State College shotgun team, and visitors from Taiwan. The chamber also recognized the Psychologist of the Day, Nurse of the Day, Doctor of the Day, and Pages of the Week, along with committee meeting announcements and a motion to adjourn at the end of business.
Members then considered and passed a series of bills. Senate Bill 1290 on 211 services passed 82-0 and its emergency clause also passed. Senate Bill 1530 on state government and innovation/research funding passed 58-27. Senate Bill 1847 on Medicaid home and community-based services passed 78-10 with its emergency clause. Senate Bill 169 increasing longevity pay for state employees passed 85-4 with emergency. Senate Bill 1377 requiring DHS to provide duffel bags and hygiene items for foster children passed 88-4 with emergency. Senate Bill 1990 on the Incentive Evaluation Commission passed 88-4. Senate Bill 1991, a cleanup measure redirecting certain lease and land-sale revenues to O-CAMP, passed and its emergency clause also passed.
The House also adopted H.R. 1050 reaffirming Oklahoma’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, followed by remarks from Taiwanese officials. Senate Bill 1778, the Strong Readers Act, passed 87-5 with emergency after discussion about reading screeners, funding tiers, and an optional second-grade assessment. Senate Bill 1579, described as a taxpayer bill of rights related to ad valorem tax, drew extended debate over property taxes and state savings before passing 85-0. Senate Bill 1992, defining strategic financial partners for an income tax credit, passed 65-24. The House then moved to adjourn until Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- treatment courts across 38 counties, consisting of felony drug court, DUI court, mental health court, veterans
- DUI court, mental health court, veterans court, and juvenile drug court.
- So I stand before you as a military veteran and former probation officer to tell you: we're not babysitting
- negative reinforcement their entire lives and nothing has changed so I stand before you as a military veteran
- and former probation officer to tell you we're not babysitting So. before you as a military veteran
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 12th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It was brought in 1976 to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial, to honor valiant veterans of the Korean
- He, too, is a proud Korean American, a veteran, and someone whose love of country is reflected not simply
- And there are so many Korean veterans here in the United States. So many Korean veterans.
- So many Korean veterans, and we are enriched by their passion, by their patriotism to our country.
- A Navy veteran and project engineer by trade, Mr.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW posts, are a place for veterans to find hope and community, to fight
- In addition, they provide intake services for other resources that the Texas veterans...
- VFW posts that benefit veterans of the United States Armed Forces are necessary and valuable and should
- In the case of another pandemic, but in the situation that outside circumstances cause our veterans to
- We are not asking for anything special, but our posts are homes for our veterans.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- more than most people have ever even thought of doing, especially for our military members and our veterans
- more than most people have ever even thought of doing, especially for our military members and our veterans
- We already have a very strong workforce made up of veterans who have been very successful, developing
- a program and curriculum so that we can directly connect transportation jobs with veterans who may be
- involve a partnership with the Department of Corrections, with the Department of Education, with Veterans
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The Transportation Committee met and first considered SB 88, which would allow local governments to authorize utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) on certain low-speed county roads and municipal streets, with limits on who may operate them and where they may travel. An amendment from Sen. Wright was adopted to require minimum motor vehicle insurance, keep a registration certificate in the vehicle, and delay the effective date to January 1, 2026 for implementation. The bill drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would create a safe, locally controlled path for UTV use and reflect how the vehicles are already being used, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Florida Justice Association argued UTVs are designed for off-road use and lack the safety features needed for public roads. After debate, the committee reported CS/SB 88 favorably, with Sen. Davis voting no and several members expressing support while noting safety concerns for future work.
The committee then heard SB 274, which designates a portion of International Drive in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way in honor of the late hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen. Sen. Arrington described Rosen’s business success and extensive charitable work in Central Florida, and the bill received supportive comments from committee members and a representative from UCF. The committee voted the bill favorably without opposition.
The final item was a discussion on transportation workforce issues led by FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, with remarks from Florida Transportation Builders Association president Dan Hurtado. Perdue said Florida’s growing transportation needs, an aging workforce, and projected retirements require a broader workforce strategy, including a proposed Transportation Academy, craft and trade programs, learning labs, and a transportation research institute. He said FDOT has already reduced vacancies through recruit-and-retain efforts and hiring events, but still needs more skilled workers. Hurtado said FTBA supports expanding workforce development efforts and noted the industry’s own Florida Connect Academy. No vote was taken on the workforce discussion, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This initiative aims to actively recruit veterans, military spouses and former law enforcement officers
- the Florida Department of Children and Families and in partnership with the Florida Department of Veteran
- the launch of continue the mission and the summer of 2022, the department has thing the number of veterans
- the work that you're doing and note that you indicated in your report, you have hired 300 and 72 veterans
- Have you seen any PTSD, any problems that have occurred because of your hiring law enforcement veterans
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In Volusia County, we have about 114 homeless veterans at any one time.
- In Volusia County, we have about 114 homeless veterans at any one time.
- I sat on your Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, I think, for six years.
- I wanted to just take a moment and add to the veteran voice.
- And just on behalf of the Veterans Caucus, on behalf of the veterans community, you, sir, were one of
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to fallen service members. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar focused on a series of bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief explanations and floor debate. Several bills were temporarily postponed, but the body took up and passed multiple others, often substituting identical House companions before final passage.
The first major measure, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, drew extensive supportive debate from senators who described debate as a civic skill that builds confidence, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, especially for students in public schools and underserved communities. An amendment creating a Speech and Debate Hall of Fame, expanding access through public-private partnerships, and establishing coach training was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 1072 creating an Anti-Semitism Task Force, with a late-filed amendment clarifying that the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is not intended to infringe First Amendment rights; that bill also passed 37-0.
Other measures passed included a PFAS bill phasing out firefighting foam containing forever chemicals and setting testing, reporting, and enforcement requirements; an expansion of the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program; student health and safety legislation expanding seizure-response training in schools; updates to funeral and cemetery regulation; protected cell captive insurance company legislation aimed at increasing insurance market capacity; nonprofit corporation updates; child welfare reforms streamlining foster-care medication approvals and related procedures; salvage title/e-signature changes; and forensic client services changes allowing certain APD clients to be housed with other secure forensic residents. Most of these bills were passed after substituting House companions and received unanimous votes.
The most contentious debate came on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Senator Yarborough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting DEI practices he described as discriminatory or ideological, while several amendments sought to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances such as LGBTQ Pride Month. Those amendments were rejected, and debate continued on the bill’s scope and exemptions, but the transcript ends before final disposition of SB 1134 is shown.