Video & Transcript Research : 'Native Hawaiians'
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NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/01/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a New Hampshire native. I grew up here.
- I grew up I'm a New Hampshire native. I grew up here. here. here.
- <03:09:33.640>
American, <03:09:34.800>um even if you're a Native American, um even - So our<03:09:45.000>
native <03:09:45.320>tribe <03:09:46.240>are our native tribe - Americans from the East Coast Native Americans from the East Coast United<03:10:08.960>
States.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- Looking at the subpopulation of American Indian and Alaska Native, these oftentimes are left out of the
- Looking at the subpopulation of American Indian and Alaska Native, these oftentimes are left out of the
- This is lower than the American Indian, Alaska Native patient population, but still very, very, very
- opportunity to partner with them for some scholarships or some opportunities to do training for our Native
- opportunity to partner with them for some scholarships or some opportunities to do training for our Native
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important.
The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further.
Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach.
After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- of the committee, I am Renee Scott and I run the Massachusetts Pollinator Network Program for Grow Native
- volunteer initiative in town to encourage the adoption of more sustainable landscaping practices, more native
- The native bee population is now on the decline due to the insecticides called neonicotinoids, which
- and West Nile can be serious problems and should be managed, but the way it is done now kills the native
- In rivers, invasives are bad for aquatic health, crowding out native species, depleting oxygen, suffocating
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property.
A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches.
Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Coteau region, beef cattle production systems, and also ecological research to ensure that those native
- Our scientists and range scientists at Hettinger are propagating the native plants that will be used
- something now where other agencies and other groups or interests are interested in accessing those native
- Gomont and his team have done a great job of helping the library be successful with those native plantings
- So when you visit the library this summer, you'll see native plants that NDSU had a hand in making sure
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state.
The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases.
Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers.
The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 120 May 14th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of the resolution and just mentioning substituting innovation and just mentioning immigrants and natives
- inspires innovation, is what we will be is what we will be going with because it notes immigrants and native
- natives as well.
- And whereas native tribes like the Arapjo, Cheyenne, Southern Ute, and Ute Mountain ute nurture... ..
- Everywhere we go, we see Colorado native plants that require limited water because of Representative
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 5th, 2026 at 11:33 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Gallup's a history of immigrants, a history of Native Americans, and they're our brothers and sisters
- journey is driven by her deep commitment to community empowerment, inspired by her Bachelor of Arts in Native
- And I, a little bit of inspiration back and forth, which I always appreciate, and especially as a Native
- ... ...inspiration back and forth, which I always appreciate, and especially as a Native American woman
- We've never had a Native woman represent us before, and I told Mariah, well, come up to the Roundhouse
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting Jul 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a native Texan, and I think that's what makes me an expert.
- I am a native Texan. Don't be. Believe me. Thank you.
- I am a native Texan, born and raised in various parts of Texas.
- I'm a native Texan, a concerned scientist, and a former congressional candidate for Texas's 21st Congressional
- Howdy, my name is Vicky Rushton, and as a native Texan and a retired Texas public school teacher.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm with Earth Advocacy, and I'm here on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife and the California Native Plant
- And first I just want to say I'm here on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife and the California Native Plant
- They also have to be non-native species. So this is going to be... ...the limited and narrow side.
- They also have to be non-native species.
- So this is going to be helpful up in Modoc County with juniper, but that non-native criteria will have
Summary:
The committee heard several climate, environmental, and housing bills. AB 1425, dealing with pit dewatering near the San Joaquin River Parkway, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect the river, groundwater, floodplain conditions, tribal and cultural resources, and public access from a proposed mining project near the river. Opponents, including Cemex, labor representatives, and industry groups, said the bill would bypass the CEQA process before it was complete, threaten jobs, and create uncertainty for an existing operation. Members questioned both sides about hydrology, blasting, dewatering, and the adequacy of the ongoing environmental review. The bill was moved, but several members expressed concern about preempting CEQA and some did not vote or voted no.
AB 881, which would allow California to move forward with carbon capture and sequestration pipelines, was presented as a way to advance state climate goals and capture federal funding. Supporters, including SMUD, labor, and industry groups, said the bill would help deploy carbon capture safely and preserve jobs. Environmental justice opponents supported stronger safety direction and warned that CO2 pipelines pose serious risks and that the state should not move ahead without clearer standards. The bill received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.
AB 1207, on the cap-and-trade allowance price ceiling and the social cost of carbon, was presented as a science-based update to California’s climate policy. The author and EDF said the bill would keep the program aligned with current economic and climate data and protect it from federal political interference. It received broad support and a due-pass recommendation. AB 1106, creating a coordinated network of air quality incident response centers, was also approved after testimony about wildfire smoke, toxic emissions, and the need for better real-time monitoring during disasters. AB 28, the Landfill Fire Safety Act, focused on the Chiquita Canyon landfill fire and related health impacts in Castaic and Val Verde; residents described serious illnesses and contamination concerns, while landfill and county representatives warned about costs and asked for more study. The committee nonetheless advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard AB 357, which would speed Coastal Commission review of student and faculty housing projects, with supporters citing student homelessness and opponents urging caution but acknowledging the need for more housing; the bill was presented and discussed, with the committee emphasizing the need to balance housing production and coastal oversight.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Be taught Beginning With their native language or as in English within the structured literacy.
- Speaker and general lady who are in fact foundational in their native languages.
- Uh, Native American compact schools where they'll be doing a deep dive in how to do the science of reading
- in the eight languages of native tribes, uh, in our state and and in teaching Spanish, how do you actually
- Uh, Spanish speaking, uh, students and, uh, and, uh, uh, Native American students said it wasn't an easy
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As the Speaker, I've noticed Gentleman from Bernalillo: a lot of Native American individuals in our chamber
- Estimado Speaker, I have a Native American joke. Gentleman from Bernalillo: OK, here goes.
- Speaker, gentle lady is, how many Native demographics on this as it gives an important perspective, and
- how many total Native voters are declined to state.
- Speaker and gentleman, decline to state and other independent for Native American voters is 23,540.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We serve the 18 counties and two<00:28:34.640>
Native <00:28:34.919>Nations <00:28:35.400 - two Native Nations of rural Southwest Minnesota<00:28:37.159>
including <00:28:37.640>the< - I share the concern about making sure these funds get out to greater Minnesota and the Native nations
- 01:46:05.440>
Minnesota <01:46:05.840>and <01:46:05.920>the <01:46:06.000>native - greater Minnesota and the native greater Minnesota and the native nations.<01:46:06.640>
And<
Bills:
HF4477
Keywords:
Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House OKs $15.4 million supplemental public safety package 5/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There's even a larger gap for services for Native American women, in spite of the fact that over 80%
- There's even a larger gap for services There's even a larger gap for services for<00:05:10.800>
Native - 11.759>
women <00:05:12.160>in <00:05:12.400>spite <00:05:12.560>of for Native - American women in spite of for Native American women in spite of the<00:05:12.960>
fact <00:05
Summary:
House File 1082, a public safety finance bill extending the time to use certain appropriations, was taken up on the House floor and described by the author as a package of funding and policy changes. The bill’s major components included $12 million for victim services such as domestic violence shelters, sexual assault advocates, child abuse programs, and general crime victim services; creation of a domestic violence task force; additional funding for Philando Castile training; increased penalties and other criminal law changes; a process for decommissioning law enforcement vehicles; a task force on uniform IDs for first responders; a non-fatal shooting clearance grant program; corrections employment program changes; and line-of-duty death benefit updates for first responders. Members speaking in support emphasized the need to stabilize victim services, improve responses to domestic violence, and address public safety gaps identified after recent events.
The House adopted Amendment A21, which requires the Department of Public Safety to convene a task force to study transitioning the ARMOR emergency communications system to a statewide funded model. Supporters said the system needs major upgrades and that the task force could examine funding options, including ideas previously discussed for a modest cell phone fee. The House then adopted Amendment A18, as amended by technical Amendment A22, to add protections for police and other public safety officers against doxxing and release of certain personal information, modeled in part on protections previously enacted for judges. Debate on A18 focused on whether the bill should protect only law enforcement or be part of a broader approach to data privacy; supporters argued officers and their families face real threats, while some members said the issue should be addressed more broadly. The amendment passed on a roll call vote, 119-11.
During third reading discussion, members highlighted the first-responder provisions, especially the task force on standard IDs and the line-of-duty death changes. Supporters said the ID task force was prompted by the June 14 events and could help quickly verify responders and improve coordination at large incidents. The line-of-duty death update was described as expanding eligibility for part-time and paid-on-call firefighters and including occupational illnesses, especially job-related cancer, in response to long-standing concerns from firefighters and their families. No final vote on the bill itself was shown in the transcript excerpt, but the bill advanced after the amendments were adopted.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy. (3-11-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, there's a Native American parable that tells the tale of two people walking by a river.
- Now,<00:15:49.840>
there's <00:15:50.080>a <00:15:50.160>Native <00:15:50.520> - American<00:15:51.080>
parable Now, there's a Native American parable Now, there's a Native
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Nov 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In when it comes to Native Americans, because it will be funded by the tribe, culturally relevant to
- Native Americans.
- build this facility, which we think would be a major boon to treatment, especially when it comes to Native
- Americans, because it will be funded by the tribe, culturally relevant to Native Americans.
HI
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 10:15 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- respectfully request this committee pass this measure as is and let the judiciary committee and housing and Hawaiian
Summary:
The committee met on March 20, 2025, to hear a series of Human Services and Health resolutions. HCR 146, which asks the Department of Human Services to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project, drew strong support from disability, public health, and hunger advocates. Testifiers emphasized that the measure could create a more uniform benefits application, reduce repeated paperwork, extend certification periods from one year to three years, and ease burdens on both applicants and DHS staff. DHS said it stood on its written testimony and was available for questions. The committee also heard that a universal application could help people with disabilities avoid delays and denials caused by complex or duplicative forms.
The committee then heard HR 170/HCR 174, which requests review of Aloha-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system. Supporters from Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii and DebtFree Justice Hawaii said the resolution would help advance restorative justice, community service, and culturally grounded rehabilitation, especially if youth fees and fines are reduced or eliminated. Testimony also supported HR 133/HCR 139, which asks the Office of Wellness and Resilience to report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnesses from the developmental disabilities council, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and others said the pandemic’s trauma and behavioral impacts justify a multidisciplinary, evidence-based report, and the office requested more time to complete its findings, suggesting a deadline at the end of 2026.
The committee also heard HR 88/HCR 92, proposing a two-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program in Honolulu. One testifier described sleeping in a car and said the pilot could provide a safer option, while the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions said it supported the intent but stressed that a sanctuary is still an unsheltered situation and should lead people toward permanent housing. HCR 180, calling for collaboration among homelessness and law enforcement agencies, received comments that many of the issues are already being addressed locally. HR 103/HCR 107, which would convene a working group to strengthen Title 9 protections, received support from education, women’s, and LGBTQ advocates, who asked for student and queer representation on the working group and said federal Title 9 changes make state action important. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved from one resolution to the next after testimony and questions.
HI
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- English learners with disabilities receive accurate and culturally appropriate evaluations in their native
- Are you able to communicate to a certain level in your native language or another language that you can
- So our children who are native speakers miss out on an opportunity of being able to kind of get a leg
- communicate to a certain level of in your native language or another language that you have studied.
- So our children who are native speakers miss out an opportunity of being able to kind of get a leg up
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 2nd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, over 56% of Native Americans in the state of California will suffer some type of traumatic
- Assembly Bill 97 by Assembly Member Ramos and others, an act relating to Native American human remains
- AB 977 is a continuation of our commitment to ensuring the repatriation of Native American remains from
- auditors reported it was revealed that the California State University System had almost 700,000 Native
- would require that the California State University System audit its available land and work with Native
Summary:
The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition.
Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency.
The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 115 May 8th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I used to say, “We're working to restore the native vegetative cover to those parcels.”
- Trying to reestablish native vegetative cover in soil that's no longer native soils that have been farmed
- >
vegetative Trying to reestablish native vegetative Trying to reestablish native vegetative cover - cover in soil that's no longer native cover in soil that's no longer native soils<04:28:21.800><
- at least similarly to the native at least similarly to the native vegetative<04:29:56.800>
cover
Summary:
The Senate was in session with a quorum present, approved the journal, and received several committee and House messages before moving through a long third-reading calendar. The chamber also paused for multiple personal privilege recognitions, including welcoming community guests and students, and a lighthearted update that Senator Sullivan’s missing stuffed “Chip” had been found. The majority leader later moved to lay over the remaining third-reading bills until later in the day, and the Senate also laid over special-order second reading bills until after third reading.
On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 185 and a series of House bills, including HB 1342 on bear-luring behavior, HB 1269 on transit access, HB 1225 on distributed energy resources, HB 1233 on property tax procedures for nonresidential property, HB 1414 on medical records held by certain health care entities, HB 1256 on release procedures from the Department of Corrections, HB 1004 on a child care income tax credit, HB 1014 extending the Colorado Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit, HB 1111 creating a pesticide product disposal and container recycling program, and HB 1287 continuing certain Division of Real Estate regulatory functions. HB 1206 was laid over to Monday, and SB 193 was laid over to the bottom of the calendar. Several of these bills passed with notable no votes from minority members, while others passed with broad support.
The Committee of the Whole then took up House Bill 1276, a bill concerning protections for immigrants in Colorado and related appropriations. Senator Weisman explained and the committee adopted two amendments: one extending the deadline for peace officer training from July 1 to December 31, 2027, and another clarifying that a certification requirement would not apply to the judicial branch’s e-filing system but would continue to apply to other judicial data systems. Senator Judah spoke strongly in support of the bill, arguing it was about government accountability, privacy, and conditions in detention facilities. The committee adopted both amendments and then adopted HB 1276.
The committee also considered House Bill 1419, dealing with the overall refund amount for state revenues above the TABOR spending limit. Senator Bridges presented the committee report, and Senator Kirkmeyer spoke in opposition, arguing the bill was an unnecessary maneuver to retroactively alter accounting and TABOR refund calculations despite prior compliance and a clean audit opinion. After debate, the committee report was adopted and the bill was taken up for further discussion, with the transcript ending amid that debate.