Video & Transcript : 'black mangrove' :
Page 76 of 338
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So this isn't a black and white, you're in, you're out, but it does add a boost to put our public resources
- So this isn't a black and white, you're in, you're out, but it does add a boost to put our public resources
- So this<00:13:10.800><c> isn't</c><00:13:11.279><c> a</c><00:13:11.519><c> black</c><00:13:11.760><c>
- </c><00:13:11.920><c> white,</c><00:13:12.079><c> you're</c><00:13:12.320><c> in,</c> this isn't a black
- and white, you're in, this isn't a black and white, you're in, you're<00:13:12.639><c> out,</c><00:13
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Apr 3, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 45
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Carol Anne Gonzalez, Lucy Valerie Haseawa, Takahashi, Earl Takahashi, Miss Barbara Black, Mr.
- Peter Black, Mr. Rick Tabor, Miss Elizabeth Dixon, Miss Amy Noberkawa, Miss Kathleen Wyatt.
- </c><00:13:29.680><c> Peter</c><00:13:30.079><c> Black,</c><00:13:30.720><c> Mr.
- </c><00:13:31.040><c> Rick</c><00:13:31.279><c> Tabor,</c> Black, Mr. Peter Black, Mr.
- Rick Tabor, Black, Mr. Peter Black, Mr.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jul 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our air quality every summer goes right to black. The evidence is black and white to me.
- Black bears and mountain lions, on the other hand, those depredations are statutorily identified under
- So in the following two slides, I'll review wolf depredations and then wolves compared to black bears
- Black bears are more consistent in terms of the number of depredations we see in a year.
- Black bears are more consistent in terms of the number of depredations we see in a year.
Summary:
The committee heard two main presentations. First, University of Idaho representatives Rob McQuaid, Matt Powell, and Dean Dennis Becker described the university’s land-grant mission and its work in agriculture, natural resources, extension, research, and workforce training. They highlighted the Morrill, Hatch, and Smith-Lever Acts; the university’s colleges and research stations; the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station; 4-H; the CAFE dairy research facility; the deep soil ecotron; the wildfire, forestry, and policy analysis programs; and the university’s role in veterinary, forestry, and agricultural education. Members asked about quagga mussels, New World screwworm, chronic wasting disease, federal and state funding cuts, and the status of the CAFE project. The university officials said they were willing to assist on invasive species issues, but emphasized not duplicating or diluting agency work, and they described significant impacts from federal funding delays and state cuts. No votes were taken.
The committee then heard testimony from Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse on Idaho’s position regarding ICE’s 287(g) partnership programs. He argued that participation should remain voluntary and locally controlled, and explained the differences among the jail enforcement, warrant service officer, and task force models. He said local agencies already cooperate with ICE in limited ways, but mandatory participation could create staffing, liability, and community-trust problems. Members asked about costs, detention standards, administrative versus criminal warrants, liability exposure, and whether deputies lose local control under task force arrangements. Hulse said the programs vary in cost and complexity, that ICE housing standards can be burdensome, and that local sheriffs should decide based on resources and community needs. The committee also discussed the number of Idaho agencies currently participating and the compensation and exit provisions in the agreements. No formal action or vote was taken.
In a later segment, the committee heard testimony from the Idaho Wool Growers Association and sheep producers on the long-running domestic sheep and bighorn sheep conflict. Stan Boyd reviewed prior legislation and litigation involving bighorn sheep transplants, notice requirements, and “hold harmless” protections for permittees, while Harry Solon described how forest closures and bighorn-related decisions reduced his family’s sheep operation and forced layoffs. The testimony focused on the economic and family impacts of the closures and lawsuits, and on the history of state efforts to protect grazing permittees. No committee action was recorded.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Ninety percent of them are Latino or Black.
- Black and Latina students make up just 27% of Massachusetts students' population but account for 64%
- Black and Latina students make up just 27% of Massachusetts students' population but account for 64%
- This is particularly true for Black male students... ...police are placed in schools.
- All right, we're going to go back to Frank Black Cloud. I believe you're with us now, Mr. Cloud.
Summary:
The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues.
The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now.
Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 06/02/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- more than 8 million New Yorkers of color, through membership in the New York State Association of Black
- MORE THAN 8 MILLION NEW YORKERS OF COLOR, THROUGH MEMBERSHIP IN THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF BLACK
- AND TO THIS END, THEY HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE HIGH HIGHER EDUCATION GOALS OF BLACK, HISPANIC AND OTHER
- To our distinguished scholarship recipients from the Black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Legislative
- Whether this will create black market, I don't know if we could control that.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage.
The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations.
Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- When it comes to, say, people of color, I've been to towns where there's not one Black person.
- But everybody locked up was Black or brown. So you're missing... Right?
- Well, I'm Black. I don't want to see no white emojis, right?
- For example, of Black people, we're always portrayed as the boogeyman in criminal justice.
- My staff's right back there in gray and black. I've seen you show up in Houston quite a bit.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Feb 10th, 2026
Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm addressing it from a black man's point of view.
- Um, the black community has always been at the mercy of the majority and white community.
- </c><00:16:34.399><c> And</c><00:16:34.560><c> I'm</c> a black man's point of view.
- And I'm a black man's point of view.
- ><c> has</c><00:16:50.000><c> always</c><00:16:50.480><c> been</c><00:16:50.639><c> at</c> the black
Keywords:
criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-24 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is currently housed within the Florida
- Moving the council on the social status of Black men and boys... ...and relocates the council to Florida
- Moving the council on the social status of Black men and boys... Please read the next bill.
- The Florida Council on the social status of black men and boys is currently housed within the Florida
- Moving the council on the social status of black men and boys on. ...outline and statute.
Summary:
The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar.
A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields.
Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- summary of the bill: This bill designates a bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 271 over a tributary of Black
- Lake Creek in Black Lake Township, Cambria County, as the Martin J.
- This bill designates a bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 271 over a tributary of Black Lake Creek in
- Black Lake Township, Cambria County, as the Martin J.
Summary:
The House began with ceremonial recognitions, including guests of Representatives Benham and Warren and a farewell acknowledgment for longtime floor staffer Michelle Martin, who is leaving House service for a role in the Senate. The chamber then took up caucus and committee announcements, recessed several times, and later returned to consider a series of committee reports and bills. House and Senate bills were reported from Rules, Appropriations, and Judiciary, including referrals of several measures to committees.
The House adopted House Resolution 515 unanimously, urging Congress to review Major Richard D. Winner’s actions for possible Medal of Honor recognition. It also adopted House Resolution 208, directing a performance audit of services, wait times, and processes in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services; supporters said it would help improve services for Pennsylvanians with vision impairment, while the vote was 201-1. The chamber then passed several bills with amendments, including measures on foster care youth benefits, AI companion safeguards, prison industry enhancement program administration, memorial bridge designations, firefighter and EMS donation options through PennDOT renewals, horse-racing background checks, and fertility preservation coverage.
Several bills reached final passage. House Bill 1239, limiting homeowners associations from restricting rooftop solar installations, passed 109-93. House Bill 2146, amending the Sunshine Act to tighten the 24-hour agenda notice rule while preserving limited exceptions, passed 193-9 after debate over transparency and local-government flexibility. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, passed narrowly 103-99 amid objections from Republicans and concerns about impacts on local broadcasters and contract rights. Senate Bills 971 and 972 also passed finally, dealing with township audit deadlines and municipal memorials for first responders.
The House also approved House Bill 2412, funding state-related universities for fiscal year 2026-27, by 155-47 after debate over Penn State’s campus closures, accountability, and per-student funding differences; House Bill 2413, appropriating funds to the University of Pennsylvania, passed 195-7. The chamber then moved several bills back to Appropriations, signed Senate Bills 971 and 972, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 8th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, he was the first Black person to serve in that position, where he worked hard to reduce pollution
- In fact, he was the first black person to serve in that position, where he worked hard to reduce pollution
- He was a Black man with an eye on opportunity and community.
- During his life, he was also a member of several organizations dedicated to the empowerment of Black
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and handled a number of procedural motions, including suspending rules for adjournments in memory and guest introductions, rescinding prior action on SB 493, and re-referring several Senate bills to different committees. Members also recognized guests on the floor, including family members, interns, firefighters from the Corona Fire Department, and the Quartz Hill High girls’ soccer team, which was honored for its historic championship season.
The main floor action was on AB 1795 by Assembly Member Gibson, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage and set clearer insurance claim practices. Supporters said the bill would help wildfire survivors return home safely and urged science-based standards and a rebuttable presumption that contamination after a wildfire was caused by the fire; opponents warned the bill could raise costs and should better address government failures in fire recovery. The bill passed on a 54-6 vote, including the urgency clause.
Members also adopted SCR 137, proclaiming March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, with remarks praising her role in advancing gender equality and equal rights. The resolution was adopted after 65 co-authors were added and then approved by voice vote. The consent calendar, including SJR 11, was adopted 71-0.
A large portion of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory, including tributes to Larry Vane, Dr. William A. Burke, Colonel Alfred P. Glover, and Rita Semmel. The Assembly also honored departing Member James Gallagher, who gave extended farewell remarks before leaving for Congress. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 8th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, he was the first Black person to serve in that position, where he worked hard to reduce pollution
- In fact, he was the first black person to serve in that position, where he worked hard to reduce pollution
- He was a Black man with an eye on opportunity and community.
- During his life, he was also a member of several organizations dedicated to the empowerment of Black
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have Todd Peterson, followed by Neil Black and Lee Lambert. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- First up for this one, we have Todd Peterson, followed by Neil Black and Lee Lambert.
- Black, you can go ahead when you're ready. Thank you.
- Chair Fey, Ranking Member Barkis, and members of the committee, I'm Deputy Mayor Neil Black appearing
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- First up, we have Todd Peterson, followed by Neil Black and Lee Lambert. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- First up for this one, we have Todd Peterson, followed by Neil Black and Lee Lambert.
- Black, you can go ahead when you're ready.
- I'm Deputy Mayor Neil Black appearing today on behalf of the Kirkland City Council in support of Senate
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on several transportation bills. ESSB 6262 would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 to 9,000 pounds for vehicles subject to gross weight license fees; the sponsor and city representatives said it would close a loophole, make fees more equitable, and help fund road maintenance, while the fiscal note was described as indeterminate. SB 5824 would clarify how fifth-wheel travel trailers are measured, aligning Washington with other states and supporting RV dealers; the bill drew support from the RV industry. SB 6110 would exclude certain faster electric vehicles from the e-bike definition and create a Department of Licensing work group to recommend a framework for electric motorcycles; testimony generally supported the effort but urged clearer e-motorcycle definitions and earlier work-group action, with some concern about youth safety and local enforcement. SB 5833 would allow a person to leave a vehicle running for up to 30 minutes to heat or cool a pet inside, with locking and brake requirements; the sponsor and a sheriffs’ association witness discussed balancing pet safety with auto-theft concerns, and the committee heard no fiscal impact.
The committee also heard ESSB 6066, which would establish crash prevention zones in areas with unusually high serious-injury or fatal-crash rates, initially for a specific stretch of U.S. 395 and later more broadly beginning in 2029. The bill would allow local governments and WSDOT to designate zones, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, use speed cameras in the zones, and dedicate related revenues to safety improvements; supporters from Pasco and county risk pools backed the approach, while the sponsor asked for broader geographic coverage. ESSB 6311 would require continuous, accessible pedestrian passage during construction near hospitals, parks, and school routes, with temporary routes, safety plans, inspections, and enforcement tools such as stop-work orders and penalties; the sponsor said it was modeled on local practices and aimed at protecting pedestrians during construction, and contractors and transportation advocates supported it with a requested amendment clarifying design responsibility in design-bid-build projects. No votes were taken; the chair closed each public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (1-12-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we will be in the black.
- Um we will be in the black.<00:15:32.959><c> Um</c><00:15:33.279><c> but</c><00:15:33.519><c> we</c><
- :15:33.920><c> think</c><00:15:34.000><c> we</c><00:15:34.240><c> will</c><00:15:34.399><c> be</c> black
- Um but we don't think we will be black.
Keywords:
0:00– Meeting start/roll call
0:39 – Approval of minutes
1:11 – Council on Postsecondary Education
3:06 - State Board of Elections
5:33 - Office of the Attorney General; Office of Regulatory Relief
7:02 - Board of Examiners of Psychology
16:38 - Energy and Environment Cabinet; Department for Environmental Protection
17:37 - Education and Labor Cabinet - Department of Education
19:14 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met for its January meeting, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and welcomed the new regulations compiler. The first item was a repealer from the Council on Postsecondary Education, 13 KAR 2:111, which was explained as necessary because Senate Bill 77 from the 2025 session removed the regulatory authority for advanced practice doctoral degree programs at comprehensive universities. No questions were raised, and the repealer moved forward without objection.
The subcommittee then reviewed a large package of State Board of Elections regulations with staff-suggested amendments. The package would update definitions and election procedures, require e-poll books to be ready before polls open, change the standard and timeline for removing an election officer, add oversight by a State Board appointee on election days, recognize the Kentucky party, require voter registration records to be added to electronic voter records, require ballots to fit all races and questions on a single sheet, adjust precinct consolidation petition deadlines, and update incorporated forms and identification references. The package was approved without objection.
The Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Regulatory Relief also presented multiple regulations with staff amendments, covering funeral planning declarations, cemetery companies, pre-need cemetery merchandise and funeral/burial contract sellers, and crematory contract sellers. These changes were described as adding specificity, streamlining forms and reporting, and bringing the regulations into compliance with KRS Chapter 13A; they were approved without objection.
The Board of Examiners of Psychology presented several regulations, including compact rules, grace-period extensions, and significant fee increases for applications, renewals, reinstatements, exam retakes, and reciprocity. Board representatives said the increases were needed because many fees had not been raised since 2002, the board was operating at a deficit, and legal and administrative costs had risen sharply after the termination of state legal services. Members expressed concern about the size of the increases, but the chair said he would not hold the matter up and would raise the issue with the committee of jurisdiction. The subcommittee also approved staff amendments for the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s air quality regulations and the Education and Labor Cabinet’s education regulations, which updated nontraditional instruction procedures, waiver requests, instruction topics, superintendent assessment requirements, and academic standards. The meeting ended with the next meeting scheduled for February 9 at 1 p.m., and the agenda was adjourned without further objection.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 11, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Black, you recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair.
- Black, they can't even agree amongst themselves.
- Black? Yes. Brackett? Yes. Bracy Davis? Yes. Esposito? Yes. Grow? Yes. Hunschofsky? Yes. Grow? Yes.
- Black? Yes. Brackett? Yes. Bracy Davis? Yes. Esposito? Yes. Grow? Yes. Hunschofsky? Yes. Maggard?
Summary:
The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote.
The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote.
Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-11 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , leadership, and achievements of Black women and girls across Florida.
- Florida in the national Miss Black USA pageant.
- Miss Black Florida in the national Miss Black USA pageant.
- First, we have Zula Olivera, Miss Black Florida, USA.
- Miss Black Florida, USA.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public safety officials, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up several bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others substituted with House companions before final passage. No committee reports, governor messages, or House messages were on the desk at the start of the regular order of business.
The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric emergency care policies, training, pediatric equipment, a designated pediatric emergency care coordinator, and participation in the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senators also passed CS/CS/HB 1113 on public records, clarifying confidentiality protections for victims and for law enforcement officers who become victims in the course of duty, though that bill drew questions about access to information in misconduct cases and received four no votes. The Senate then passed CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a Florida Digital Service-administered program to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and grants, with amendments shifting the grant-award deadline and rejecting House differences such as locating the program at USF and adding a sunset date.
The chamber also passed CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above Article V projections and revising related fee distributions, despite concerns from some senators and municipalities about revenue shifts. Additional bills passed included CS/CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration, and CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, which addresses long permit delays and clarifies liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. Several other bills were taken up, including elections legislation (SB 1334/HB 991) that generated extensive debate and multiple failed amendments on voter ID, citizenship verification, student and senior IDs, and implementation timing; the transcript ends while that bill is still under consideration, after the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected several others.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-11 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , leadership, and achievements of Black women and girls across Florida.
- , leadership, and achievements of Black women and girls across Florida.
- Florida in the national Miss Black USA pageant.
- Miss Black Florida USA in the national Miss Black USA pageant.
- Miss Black Florida USA.
Summary:
The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, public servants, and a resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others advanced after brief debate and, in several cases, substitution of House companions for Senate bills.
The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. The Senate also passed CS/HB 1113 on public records, expanding confidentiality protections for victims and temporarily protecting the name of a law enforcement officer who becomes a victim in the line of duty; it passed 33-4. CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was amended to place the program under the Florida Digital Service and to adjust grant timing, then passed 37-0. CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court passed 38-0 after amendments affecting revenue retention, legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee sharing. CS/CS/HB 679 on trademark registration modernization and CS/CS/HB 589 on septic permit timing also passed unanimously.
The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 991 / SB 1334, an elections bill that would use Real ID data to verify citizenship, change voter ID rules, alter candidate qualifying requirements, and revise election administration procedures. Senators offered and debated numerous amendments on documentation fees, senior exemptions, human review versus automated systems, student and retirement-center IDs, and effective dates; most were defeated, though one amendment adding stock-trading disclosure language for candidates was adopted. The bill’s sponsor cited election-crimes reports and specific prosecutions involving non-citizens as justification for the measure, while opponents argued it could disenfranchise eligible voters, especially students and seniors. The transcript ends during continued questioning and debate on that elections bill, before final disposition is shown.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-06 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I thank you for being a leader for Black young men in this process. ...in this process.
- Rouson invited me to his church to preach on Mother's Day, in the Black Baptist...” “...to preach on
- In the Black Baptist associations, some are still trying to get used to female preachers.
- And I wanted to bring the Black Caucus to visit Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay.
- That was the first time we'd been to a service in a black church. It was incredible.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several introductions and memorials, including a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with several bills substituted with House companions and adopted by voice vote or recorded vote. Early measures included a tax conformity bill tied to federal Internal Revenue Code changes, which passed 34-0, and a Medicaid/public assistance bill that drew extensive debate over work requirements, fraud reduction, behavioral health services, and SNAP/EBT reforms. Amendments offered by Senators Berman and Osgood to condition or soften the work and photo-ID provisions were rejected, and the underlying bill was placed on the third-reading calendar after lengthy questioning about implementation, exemptions, and eligibility effects.
The Senate also passed bills on computer science education and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry public-records exemption and registry update, designation of the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the legal-tender sunset for gold and silver, public-records protections for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, and local government budget transparency/spending measures. Most of these measures were adopted after minor amendments or technical substitutions, with votes generally ranging from 31-3 to 34-0. The chamber also recognized the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage.
Later, the Senate approved a digital voyeurism bill expanding the reasonable-expectation-of-privacy definition to include private fenced yards, and an insurance customer representative licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework and later qualify for licensure. The final major item was a medical freedom bill that would expand parental vaccine information requirements, add a conscience-based exemption to immunization mandates, allow behind-the-counter ivermectin for adults, and repeal the sunset on the mRNA mandate prohibition; two amendments clarifying anti-kickback rules and requiring vaccine information to include risks, benefits, safety, and efficacy were adopted, while questions from Senators Smith and Massullo focused on public-health impacts and the content of the required materials. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of them, their ballots were shoved into black trash bags and nobody knew where they went.
- I have the Black History moment for today. Members, if you want to join me.
- Today, for Black History Month, I wanted to celebrate Black athletes who are Winter Olympic athletes
- Today, for Black History Month, I wanted to celebrate Black athletes who are Winter Olympic athletes
- And then Maame Biney, originally from Ghana, became the youngest skater and first Black woman to make
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM, PSM DEFER Public Hearings 02-12-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> there but we still don't have the black there but we still don't have the black powder<00:42:39.559
- ><c> powder</c> powder or reach loaded black powder powder or reach loaded black powder firearms<00:42
- So the ones that are dying across the states are the Blacks, Polynesians, Native Americans, and Latinos
- So the ones that are dying across the states are the Blacks, Polynesians, Native Americans, and Latinos
- So the ones that are dying across the states are the Blacks, Polynesians, Native Americans, and Latinos
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 547 on water conservation, a deferred agenda item that had already been considered by the other joint committees and received no public testimony. The chair recommended adopting Department of Taxation and Department of Health amendments, passing the bill, and adding a defective date of July 1, 2050. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation; the vice chair voted yes, two senators were excused, and the recommendation was adopted.
The main hearing focused on SB 1030, which would define election fraud intimidation to include carrying any firearm or weapon at or near a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill duplicated existing sensitive-places law, raised Second Amendment concerns, and could create confusion for lawful concealed carry holders using ballot drop boxes. A smaller number of supporters, including gun violence prevention advocates and labor representatives, argued the measure would improve voter safety. The committee heard more than 1,560 total testimonies for the hearing overall, and for SB 1030 staff noted over 10 in support and over 80 in opposition; no vote on SB 1030 was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then heard SB 38, which would extend Hawaii’s ban on high-capacity magazines from pistols to any firearm with a detachable magazine over 10 rounds. Supporters, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, Brady, and other gun violence prevention advocates, said the bill would close a loophole, improve consistency in the law, and reduce the harm caused by mass shootings. Opponents, including gun owners, veterans, and Second Amendment advocates, argued the bill would criminalize lawful owners, be difficult to enforce, and would not reduce crime. The committee reported receiving over 40 testimonies in support and over 400 in opposition.
Finally, the committee began SB 401, which would add rifles capable of firing .50 caliber or higher ammunition to the list of prohibited weapons, excluding antiques and muzzle loaders. HPD and Everytown testified in support, describing the weapons as military-grade and dangerous, while Jerry Yuan and others opposed the bill, saying it was overbroad and would sweep in firearms and ammunition types that are not used in crime. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 401, before any committee action or vote on that measure.