Video & Transcript : 'SGU veteran' :

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OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: SB1304 - Added Apr 15th, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Health and Human Services Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, 15 Senate Bill 1533 all it does is make sure that if a resident veteran of Oklahoma passes away
  • And it helps with the indigent problem and helps bury our veterans with dignity.
Bills: SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555
Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight
Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 41 Apr 15th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma House Floor Meeting

OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 41 Apr 15th, 2026

Oklahoma House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Heart when he served with the Marines in Vietnam, if he would be okay with me recognizing him as a veteran
Bills: HR1051 , HR1048 , SB2074 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555
Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly
Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of special presentations and introductions celebrating Oklahoma State University, the Cowgirl Wrestling Club, the OSU livestock judging team, military children, poster contest winners, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kurt Emerson, and the Nurse of the Day, Beverly Felton. Much of the floor time was devoted to OSU Day remarks, including a citation honoring the university and comments from Speaker Hilbert, Coach Eric Morris, and President Jim Hess. The House then took up Senate Bill 2074, a pharmacy benefit manager measure intended to regulate PBMs and support pharmacists. An amendment by Representative Jenkins to remove a section of the bill was tabled, and members questioned the bill extensively about reimbursement rates, consumer costs, employer options, transparency, and the impact on independent pharmacies. After debate, the bill advanced and passed the House by a vote of 87-7. Members also considered Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to cap property tax growth. The measure, as amended, would set a 1.75% annual cap on homestead property tax growth and a 4% cap on other properties, with a stair-step senior freeze. The resolution drew debate over effects on local government revenue, schools, roads, jails, and inflation, but supporters argued it would provide strong taxpayer protections. The House passed the resolution 85-9 and then took the additional vote required to refer the constitutional amendment to a special election.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: SB1304 - Added Apr 15th, 2026

Health and Human Services Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • If a grandchild is helping a grandparent navigate burial processes or veterans' benefits and those types
  • If a grandchild is helping a grandparent navigate through processes of burial or veterans' benefits and
  • Members, Senate Bill 1533, all it does is make sure that if a resident veteran of Oklahoma passes away
  • a resident, the ODBA is not obligated, and it helps with the indigent problem and helps bury our veterans
Bills: SB1983 , SB444 , SB1503 , SB1561 , SB592 , SB1501 , SB1946 , SB1567 , SB1833 , SB2026 , SB904 , SB2178 , SB1651 , SB1558 , SB1565 , SB1553 , SB1257 , SB65 , SB1749 , SB1242 , SB1642 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1562 , SB1794 , SB1644 , SB1533 , SB933 , SB1555
Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight
Keywords: SB1983, foster care, resource family partner, resource family partners, Department of Human Services, DHS, child welfare, foster homes, foster children, placement data, data sharing, de-identified data, aggregated data, sibling groups, placement disruptions, foster parent recruitment, foster parent retention, private child-placing agency, Title 10A, Oklahoma
Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then heard a long series of Senate bills, many of them agency request or cleanup measures. Early bills included SB 1983, directing DHS to provide foster care data to resource family partners to better identify foster family needs; SB 444, allowing hospice personnel to control or destroy controlled substances after a patient’s death; and SB 1503, a PCS related to pregnancy resource center outreach and in-state referrals, which drew discussion about virtual versus face-to-face support and was reported out after members agreed to continue working on the language. Other measures advanced included SB 1561 on progressive discipline for certain M.T.M.S. personnel, SB 592 and SB 1946 on alcohol-related licensing/sales issues, SB 1501 and SB 1567 as cleanup or implementation bills, and SB 1833 codifying a SNAP waiver barring candy and soft drinks purchases. The committee also considered several health and human services bills. SB 2026 expanded access to military discharge papers to grandchildren; SB 904 addressed public funds and state facilities, with members raising concerns about legislative interference in medical decision-making and liability; SB 2178 modified alcohol licensing insurance requirements; SB 1651 updated Oklahoma Medical Board license language; SB 1558 clarified the definition of a child for level E group homes; SB 1565 promoted Food is Medicine efforts to improve maternal and infant outcomes; and SB 1553 required psychologist review of appealed adverse determinations involving mental health claims. SB 1257, with a policy recommendation, expanded THC/controlled substance language to align with federal guidelines, and SB 1749 made a cleanup change related to food trailers and LP gas inspections. Later in the meeting, the committee advanced SB 65 with a policy amendment adding fentanyl and xylazine test strips; SB 1242, which included OMMA education and abandoned grow cleanup provisions; SB 1642, allowing shorter acute prescriptions to help reduce addiction risk; SB 640, treating abandoned grow facilities as public nuisances so local governments can abate them; SB 667, clarifying accreditation language for chiropractic programs; SB 1436, requiring hospitals to provide information on obtaining records after stillbirth or miscarriage; SB 1484, codifying medical examiner practices in infant or child deaths; SB 1562, addressing hospice patient solicitation; SB 1794, creating a mental health bed-availability database; SB 1644, seeking data on alpha-gal syndrome to support federal research funding; SB 1533, ensuring burial assistance for Oklahoma veterans who die out of state; SB 933, creating a right-to-try pathway for individualized treatments; and SB 1555, aligning the definition of intellectual disability with federal law. Most bills were reported out do pass, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to a few nays on some measures. SB 1304 was laid over, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are not so obvious farmers, bankers, lawyers, teachers, veterans, business people, mothers, fathers
Bills: SB1423 , SB1426 , SB1502 , SB1377 , SB1983 , SB1466 , SB1645 , SB1647 , SB1847 , SB1565 , SB1562 , SB1329 , SB1383 , SB1833 , SB1555 , SB1344 , SB1839 , SB1280 , SB1832 , SB2001 , SB1405 , SB2143 , SB1989 , SB1393 , SB1392 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1220 , SB1516 , SB1239 , SB1531 , SB1349 , SB1221 , SB1538 , SB1309 , SB1434 , SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138
Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 9th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Samuel, Joseph, or even David and Moses, we are not so obvious farmers, bankers, lawyers, teachers, veterans
  • Veterans, business people, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers, still our calling to serve
  • Navy veteran, having served as a machinist and submariner within the Navy's nuclear propulsion program
Bills: SB1423 , SB1426 , SB1502 , SB1377 , SB1983 , SB1466 , SB1645 , SB1647 , SB1847 , SB1565 , SB1562 , SB1329 , SB1383 , SB1833 , SB1555 , SB1344 , SB1839 , SB1280 , SB1832 , SB2001 , SB1405 , SB2143 , SB1989 , SB1393 , SB1392 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1220 , SB1516 , SB1239 , SB1531 , SB1349 , SB1221 , SB1538 , SB1309 , SB1434 , SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138
Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators
Summary: The Senate convened, the roll was called, and a quorum was declared. The chamber opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to a series of floor introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Sameed Faruqi, and psychologist of the day, Dr. Jeffrey Martindale, along with several interns and guests on the floor and in the gallery. A major ceremonial item was the introduction of the Oakdale/Oktaha Lady Tigers fast-pitch softball team, which was recognized for winning the 2025 OSSAA Class 2A state championship. Senator Fricks presented a citation honoring the team’s resilience, sportsmanship, and community pride, and the coach briefly thanked the Senate and described the long-term connection between the players and the school program. The Senate also recognized the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association in the gallery. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript; the only formal action was a motion adopted to adjourn when the clerk’s desk was clear. Committee announcements noted that HHS would meet at 1:00 and Revenue and Taxation would meet later in the afternoon, and the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 10th at 1:30 p.m.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Taxation Apr 6th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, House Bill 3044 reauthorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs income tax checkoff.
  • Empower citizens to further support our veterans. With that, I yield for questions. Pass.
  • We are creating the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Equipment and Capital Improvement Programme.
  • It's a fund that will be designated to capital Improvements that the Oklahoma Department of Veterans
  • reauthorizing that they can make donations from their tax refunds to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans
Bills: HB3044 , HB3465 , HB3625 , HB3704 , HB3759 , HB3920 , HB3972 , HB4191 , HB4311 , HB4426
Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation
Keywords: veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Oct 7th, 2025

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security has now come to order.
  • It's to help the men and women, the families, the dependents, the veterans that rely on those military
  • guy, a retiree with family members in a state that is absolutely the best state in the nation for veterans
  • Then we have two statutory positions for the executive director of the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • a genuine love and respect for the men and women of the U.S. military, their dependents, and the veterans
Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, and Domestic Security met for its first meeting of the 2025-26 session and heard presentations from Major General John Haas, Adjutant General of Florida, and Tim McGregor, executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission. General Haas reviewed the Florida National Guard’s missions, statewide footprint, domestic disaster response, and federal deployments, emphasizing the Guard’s role in hurricanes, border-related support, and other state operations. He also discussed recruiting and retention, noting that recruiting remains strong but retention is challenged by the Guard’s high operational tempo, and he outlined efforts to expand force structure, improve facilities, and modernize units, including Camp Blanding upgrades, new armories, additional infantry, engineer, military police, and aviation assets, and the Air National Guard’s F-35 conversion. Members asked questions about recruiting methods, typical brigade size, and how many personnel would be needed to reduce the average duty burden back toward the statutory 39 days. Haas explained that Florida’s large population helps recruiting, especially through community and school outreach, but that the state’s frequent domestic missions make the current 12,000-member force too small for its workload. He said the Guard’s high tempo is the main reason members leave for the reserves and argued that more force structure is needed to reduce strain. Committee members also discussed prior efforts to influence National Guard stationing decisions based on population shifts and domestic mission demands. McGregor then described the Florida Defense Support Commission’s work to protect military installations, prevent encroachment, support workforce and economic development, and improve the military-friendly environment for service members and families. He highlighted the commission’s grant programs, the military benefits guide, and a spouse license reciprocity matrix, as well as site visits to installations and defense-related facilities across the state. Members asked about Lockheed Martin’s innovation and simulation work in Orlando and discussed the value of military spouse reciprocity compacts. No bills were heard, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (8-27-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome, everyone, to the third meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs,
  • Before we get into our distinguished veteran for the day, I want to just take a moment to add one thing
  • uh for the day, I distinguished veteran uh for the day, I I<00:03:10.959><c> want</c><00:03:11.040><
  • At this time, I would like to ask that our distinguished veteran and the representatives please join
  • An honorable veteran of the community.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then spent much of the meeting recognizing members of the Falmouth Police Department and related support personnel. Representatives and senators described the department’s response to a May 17, 2025 shooting between two vehicles, saying officers secured the area, apprehended suspects, and prevented further harm within about 30 minutes. They also recognized Officer Jonathan Bis for helping rescue a person from a burning storage facility on May 3, and honored Chaplain Abram Croer and police administrator Marilyn Belure for their support roles. Members praised the officers’ service and presented citations; one member also noted the recent flooding in Falmouth and the strain on local responders. The committee also observed a moment of silence for a firefighter who died after a vehicle crash while responding to a call. The committee then recognized Sergeant Major Jimmy Thorne, USMC (Ret.), with a lengthy citation for his military service and community involvement. The citation highlighted more than three decades of service, including Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia, multiple injuries, exposure to Agent Orange, and numerous decorations such as the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Speakers also noted his continued civic work in Williamstown and Grant County. Thorne thanked the committee, said enlisting in the Marine Corps and moving to Kentucky were two of his proudest decisions, and received a committee coin. Members and guests offered additional remarks about his character and service. Finally, Brigadier General Charles Jones and Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson gave an update on spring storm response and recovery. They said Kentucky has had three declared disasters and one undeclared event this year, with 113 of 120 counties affected in the last 12 months, including February flooding, April flooding, and May tornadoes; a January ice storm appeal was denied. Gibson emphasized the rising frequency and cost of disasters, citing about $350 million in public assistance over the first 10 years of the period reviewed versus about $2 billion in the last five years. He reported on sheltering, disaster recovery centers, FEMA and SBA assistance, and said about $57 million in individual assistance had been paid and nearly $69 million obligated, while public assistance projects were still moving through review and payment.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 15th, 2026

Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here to present AB 1775, which ensures that California steps up to support veterans who are harmed
  • And without state intervention, these veterans face real risks of unemployment, housing instability,
  • AB 1775 is co-sponsored by Equality California, Minority Veterans of America, Out in National Security
  • Despite putting significant resources toward developing and maintaining its veteran... I know.
  • Motion is due pass to the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Wahab, aye. Choi.
Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development
Keywords: 987, senate, all
FL
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-26 (3:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Redondo moves that funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund in Specific
  • Members, this project will help our veterans in crisis by obtaining federal Veterans Affairs benefits
  • In particular, over the past 20 years, the National Association of Veterans has presented over 50,000
  • claims to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, and in that time has had only 47 claims denied
  • Because of our veterans. Guess what?
Summary: The House convened for opening-day business, with prayer, a moment of silence for Captain Bill Guston, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum established. The Speaker outlined a budget message emphasizing reduced spending and a proposed permanent 0.75% sales tax cut, and the chamber then received the Governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001. Members moved to reinstate several vetoed appropriations, including the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1, the Department of Corrections automated staffing/time management system, and Baldwin sewer and water main work; each reinstatement passed unanimously. The House also adopted a special order calendar and special amendment procedures for the General Appropriations Act and related bills. On the special order calendar, several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including Lucy’s Law on boating safety (CS/CS/CS/HB 289), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process. These measures focused on boating safety, water infrastructure, utility-rate fairness, school walking safety, and procedural civil-law updates. A major floor debate centered on HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “Free Kill Law” limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-awaited justice measure for families who lost adult children or unmarried relatives to medical malpractice, while opponents were not recorded in the final vote tally; the bill passed 104-6 after extensive emotional testimony from sponsors and affected families. The chamber also heard a lengthy, highly divided debate on HB 759, which would lower the firearm purchase age from 21 to 18. Supporters argued the current law is inconsistent with adult rights and responsibilities and cited constitutional precedent, while opponents emphasized Parkland, youth gun violence, and public-safety concerns; the transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, with no final vote shown.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Mar 27th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just to put it in perspective, our veteran population is 1%.
  • Of Project Vanguard, I represent the community of veterans and energy.
  • This bill violates all those beliefs we hold as veterans and Texans.
  • Veterans like myself understand firsthand the cost of energy security, weakening our state.
  • As a veteran of renewable energy, I'm concerned that the bill would jeopardize thousands of veterans
Bills: SB458 , SB819 , SB1238 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1791 , SB1810 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB758 , SB1455 , SB1706
Committee: Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer
US
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Business meeting to markup an original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. Feb 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am

Senate Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • Slash them for health care and housing for seniors and veterans.
  • You have about a half—a half a trillion dollars to plus up things like defense and veterans benefits.
  • Thirty percent of federal workers are veterans, for God's sake. It's about 1-3% of the population.
  • The civilian workforce—thirty percent of the federal workforce—is veterans.
  • They're the folks who provide health care services to our veterans in veterans hospitals.
Committee: Senate Senate Budget
US
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 27, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> community and ensure that other veterans community and ensure that other veterans receive<00:12:
  • Getting toxic-exposed veterans access to their records to prove their claims, cancer care for veterans
  • </c><02:12:34.639><c> Crisis</c> folks they support Veterans Crisis folks they support Veterans Crisis
  • </c> fund getting toxic exposed veterans fund getting toxic exposed veterans access<02:12:58.440><c>
  • </c><02:26:13.399><c> no</c> even heard a bit ago about veterans no even heard a bit ago about veterans
Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1012, house, all
WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session-Day 2, February 10, 2026-PM

Wyoming House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So on and against. reputation for honoring our veterans. reputation for honoring our veterans.
  • Okay, members, you're voting on House Bill 67, eligibility of veterans for veterans property tax exemption
  • Vietnam veteran ribbons and all the Vietnam veteran ribbons and all the other<00:31:16.480><c> wars</
  • </c><00:31:48.000><c> for</c> House Bill 67, eligibility of veterans for veterans property tax exemption
  • I move House Bill 68, Veterans Exemption.
Keywords: 916, all
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session May 20th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He supported jurisprudence, veteran affairs, finance, and economic development.
  • He supported jurisprudence, veteran affairs, finance, and economic development.
  • Due to a limited number of veteran cemeteries, families of these veterans must travel long and far to
  • opportunities to address the operational needs of veterans' cemeteries.
  • to address the operational needs of veterans' cemeteries.
Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/03/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #8 and #9

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Committee on Appropriations, House Bill 2960 establishes a veteran
  • specialty court program and fund to help municipalities and counties create veterans courts for the
  • purpose of supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of veterans.
  • $300,000 from the State General Fund in each of the next five fiscal years to the Arizona Department of Veterans
  • amended by the Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections, House Bill 2165 exempts veterans
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules. Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/03/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #8 and #9

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Committee on Appropriations, House Bill 2960 establishes a veteran
  • specialty court program and fund to help municipalities and counties create veterans courts for the
  • purpose of supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of veterans.
  • $300,000 from the State General Fund in each of the next five fiscal years to the Arizona Department of Veterans
  • amended by the Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections, House Bill 2165 exempts veterans
Summary: The meeting reviewed two caucus packets covering a wide range of bills, with most items described by staff and then passed over without questions. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, emergency shelter grants, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, and uranium contamination monitoring. Other measures addressed utility plant replacement, local government investment pools, task-order contract posting, ambulance reporting and certificate-of-necessity changes, short-term rental regulation, tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans, memorial authorization, manufactured home installer licensing, CPR/AED training in schools, national park fee exemptions for military members and veterans, and a tourism improvement area funded by lodging businesses. Several bills focused on child welfare and family law, including expanded kinship placement notification, a neglect definition change tied to poverty, evidence rules in custody and dependency matters, DCS investigations when a protective parent is involved, and parenting-time supervision requirements. Health-related bills included midwife practice changes, controlled substance monitoring program updates, interstate EMS licensure, prostate cancer screening coverage, sleep apnea coverage, and resident electronic monitoring in care facilities. Judiciary and property-related bills included enhanced trespass penalties, post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien excess proceeds procedures, and unlawful entry into residences occupied by vulnerable adults. A few members briefly explained or defended selected bills, including the child protection measures, the CPR training requirement, the ambulance reporting bill, the tourism improvement area bill, and the bill moving inter-facility transports away from police. The sponsor of HB 2950 emphasized it was a voluntary, opt-in lodging assessment with local approval and statutory guardrails. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and most bills were noted as being on consent or third-read consent calendars, with several removed from consent or not yet on a calendar.
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Pro Forma Floor Session Feb 18th, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • 84th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 to recognize and remember Japanese American veterans
  • copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Nisei Veterans
  • 84th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 to recognize and remember Japanese American veterans
  • , Executive Order 9066 to recognize and remember Japanese American veterans, incarcerees, and civil rights
  • copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Nisi Veterans
Keywords: 904, all
Summary: The Senate first handled routine business, including approving the previous day’s journal, receiving House messages transmitting House Bill 73 and Second Substitute House Bill 1784, and referring Senate Bill 6353 to the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections. It then moved to resolutions. Senate Resolution 8687, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and acknowledging the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, drew extensive remarks in support from several senators. Speakers emphasized the injustice of the internment, the contributions of Japanese American veterans and civil rights activists, the importance of remembrance, and the need to prevent similar abuses in the future. The resolution was adopted by voice vote. The Senate also considered Senate Resolution 8688, recognizing Washington’s dairy farms and the role of dairy producers in the state’s economy and communities. Senators shared personal ties to dairy farming and praised the hard work of family farms, dairy workers, and industry representatives. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and visiting members of the Washington State Dairy Council, Dairy Women’s Organization, and Dairy Ambassadors were recognized in the gallery. At the close of business, the Senate agreed to adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/12/2026 - African American Legislative Day

Transcript Highlights:
  • Born to a Vietnam veteran father and a career civil servant mother who were natives of New Orleans, she
  • Public Safety and the Military Affairs Committee, I think about speaking for him, speaking for those veterans
  • public safety and the military affairs committee, I think about speaking for him, speaking for those veterans
  • who came home, Speaking for him, speaking for those veterans who came home that was spit on, speaking
  • for those veterans who came right here to Phoenix in Arizona and could not buy a home.
Summary: The joint protocol session for African American Legislative Day opened with prayer, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and performances of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A representative from Buffalo Soldiers of America used the occasion to correct the program name and briefly described the organization’s history, community events, and interest in obtaining a vacant building for a museum. Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed attendees and said the event was an opportunity to hear directly from African American leaders and advocates on issues such as opportunity, public safety, education, affordability, individual freedoms, and economic security. Representative Quante Cruz, chair of the African-American Legislative Conference, read a Black History Month proclamation and emphasized the 100-year recognition of Black History Month and the importance of honoring African American contributions in Arizona and nationally. Ashley Anderson and Jerry McPherson of the Governor’s Office of African American Affairs highlighted the conference theme, “Made for This Moment,” and urged continued civic engagement, policy advocacy, and year-round collaboration with the office. Representative Leah Landrum Taylor introduced the guest speakers, including Senator Kiana Maria Sears, who spoke about Black history, legacy, and the need to keep pushing for justice, food security, housing, and economic parity. She reflected on her father’s military service and the barriers Black veterans faced in Arizona, including difficulty using VA benefits to buy homes, and urged attendees to use their voices and votes. Representative Blackman also offered remarks connecting the day’s message to biblical themes of courage and perseverance. The session ended with closing remarks and a benediction from Representative Cruz, who stressed building community across districts and thanked participants before the joint protocol session was dissolved.