Video & Transcript Research : 'native forests'

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KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Agriculture. (2-4-26)

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • She's a proud Lexington native.
  • He is a senior this year at the University of Kentucky, but is a native of Louisville.
  • 00:03:12.480> a University of Kentucky, but is a is a University of Kentucky, but is a is a native
  • <00:03:14.159> So,<00:03:14.319> I'm<00:03:14.560> so native um to Louisville
  • So, I'm so native um to Louisville.
Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met with a quorum and first introduced legislative interns before taking up House Bill 309, sponsored by Representative Ryan Dodson and co-sponsored by Representative Scott Sharp. The bill would ban lab-grown meat in Kentucky, with the sponsor arguing it was needed to protect Kentucky’s cattle, livestock, and broader agricultural industries, and citing uncertainty about the long-term effects of cultured meat. Supporters also said the state should defend traditional animal agriculture and that the bill had backing from livestock interests and the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. Members raised several concerns, including whether labeling rather than a ban would be a better approach, whether the bill could conflict with the dormant commerce clause, and whether it might hinder emerging research or business opportunities in Kentucky. Some members compared the proposal to existing regulation of other products, while others said they supported the intent but were uneasy about a total ban. The sponsor responded that Kentucky should act to protect its farmers and that the issue could be revisited later if new research emerged. After discussion, the committee took a roll call vote. The bill received enough support to advance, with the chair announcing that House Bill 309 passed with favorable expression and should also pass on the House floor. Several members explained yes, no, or pass votes, reflecting a mix of support for Kentucky agriculture and concern about overbroad regulation and possible legal issues. The meeting then adjourned.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Long before 1825, the land that would become Akron was home to Native peoples who understood its beauty
  • After leaving MIMA in 2016, Paul served with the Emergency Management District of Forest County.
  • 02:13:49.840> of the Emergency Management District of the Emergency Management District of Forest
  • :51.199> In<02:13:51.440> 2018,<02:13:52.079> he<02:13:52.320> became Forest
  • In 2018, he became Forest County.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Jun 24th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • a moment on the left, you'll see all students on top in red and then low income students in gray, Native
  • And one positive that you can see here is the increase in scores for Native students, English learners
  • Those other plaintiff groups are now looking at the Native Americans saying, 'What about us?'
  • And I'm talking about the Native American policies on education.
  • At the end of its cycle, the land is returned to its native state.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/29/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • For years, many individuals—many of them Native American, unsheltered, justice-involved, and struggling
  • you seen an uptick lately in the patient brokering that has been going on, where bad actors pick Native
  • Americans and non-Natives up from the street and take them to facilities?
  • ...pick Native Americans and non-Natives up from the street and take them to facilities and see who's
  • And the boxes that Reva Stewart brought with the dead natives at the last hearing are over here; they're
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held a fourth hearing in its ongoing review of alleged fraud, waste, and abuse involving AHCCCS/Access and DHS, with a major focus on Medicaid eligibility verification for the aged, blind, and disabled (ABD) population, behavioral health and sober living oversight, and payment delays to providers. Senator Shamp presented findings she said showed major gaps in ABD asset verification, including claims that only a fraction of enrollees were checked and that many ineligible members may remain on the rolls. She urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification requirements, better PARIS data sharing, and legislative changes to close what she described as a compliance and taxpayer-risk gap. Reva Stewart also testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people, including Native Americans, continues through social media and other channels, and she called for stronger enforcement and transparency. Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, argued that the state’s response to fraud has become overly punitive toward legitimate providers. She said ADHS often sends technical paperwork deficiencies straight to enforcement instead of allowing plans of correction, that zoning approvals are being questioned despite not being within ADHS authority, and that long Access approval timelines are creating licensing and billing delays. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has seen a large volume of unlicensed complaints, that it is trying to improve staffing and data systems, and that some enforcement tools have been expanded for sober living homes. She also said many sober living operators are in recovery themselves and provide low-cost housing and support rather than direct billing to Access. Access Director Virginia Roundtree said the agency is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers. She reported steps such as daily internal huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an outside review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management, and a new external claims vendor to help reduce backlogs. Senators pressed her on a specific provider’s long-delayed payments and prepayment review, and she said the agency would provide answers early the following week. Access staff also described provider resolution roundtables and said unadjudicated claims had been reduced to zero, though members questioned whether that was due to denials rather than resolution. The hearing ended with the chair announcing legislation to preserve the American Indian Health Plan as a fee-for-service option while requiring Access to contract administrative and care management functions to another entity, citing structural failures in Access’s ability to operate the plan safely and effectively.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • In order to apply to be on the waiting list, you must be at least 50% Native Hawaiian.
  • I am an individual testifying today as a Native Hawaiian, and it's really hard to testify in front of
  • the waiting list you must be at least the waiting list you must be at least 50%<00:14:09.560> native
  • <00:14:15.240> at<00:14:15.399> least<00:14:15.680> 50%<00:14:16.320> native
  • you must also be at least 50% native you must also be at least 50% native haai<00:14:17.360>
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, May 22, 2026 - AM

Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:
  • Being seen and for native communities.
  • We know what happens when native We know what happens when native communities<01:39:53.199> are
  • She was a Native American.
  • She wasn't She was a Native American.
  • see some guys that happen to be Native see some guys that happen to be Native American<03:56:00.640><
Keywords: 916, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 3/26/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We thank you for the fresh air, the rich soil, the wide open prairies, the vast forests, the wild and
Keywords: 1183, house
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPN Informational Briefing 11-12-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That is so much noise in the industry, even among people who are native to it.
  • <00:46:00.000> to uh even among people who are native to uh even among people who are native
  • They have recently also launched the state's own native stablecoin this past summer.
  • Um, now having said that, that is becoming even more true in our digital-native world, right?
  • even more true in our digital native even more true in our digital native world<01:44:21.760>
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions. Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets. The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • As a proud native Floridian, I've seen firsthand how vital our state university system is to expanding
  • I'm a native of Palm Beach County.
  • attribute that and connect it back to the blessing that I've received in the state of Florida as a native
  • And so whether you're a native to Palm Beach County or you've moved here five months ago, one thing that
  • I'm a fifth-generation Polk County native and a fourth-generation chairman, CEO, and president of a formerly
Bills: S1694
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Nov 13th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is how we tell it in the Native American Studies program at UN, and we call it migration stories
  • AHS-eligible Native Americans and Alaska Natives and non-Native populations enrolled in Cibola County
  • American or Alaskan Native in need of health care.
  • And, of course, the needs—we looked at the population base, and so, specifically for Native Americans
  • To be able to provide health care to non-Native communities would be a goal, but in saying that, I told
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm presenting AB 977, a continuation of my commitment to ensuring the repatriation of Native American
  • A little history on the work that we've done: the history of repatriation is reburial of Native American
  • Those audits uncovered that there still are 1.4 million Native American remains still in the archives
  • A 2024 hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs revealed that CSU campuses
  • We will continue to work on effectively and quickly repatriating with our Native American partners.
Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session - part 1 May 19th, 2025

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Whereas the state of Minnesota acknowledges the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native communities
  • Whereas, Native American communities continue to demonstrate resilience and leadership in areas such
  • and encourages all Minnesotans to honor and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Aug 14th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I noticed that there was a 98% figure in here for Native Americans. Students, so your 2%...
  • In New Mexico, where I live in Clovis, there isn't any kind of native land over there.
  • So does it restrict you, or does it actually help to know that it's a Native individual?
  • If it's a Native individual, then now we'll look at the Turquoise Alert.
  • About a missing Native American. Thank you, Madam Chair and Lieutenant Vargas.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our Alaska Native community He is also incredibly patriotic.
  • And our Alaska Native health care organizations have reach into the rural parts of the state that no
  • The VA has a long history of working with our Alaska Native. health organizations to extend the reach
  • veterans, but also non-Natives who live in these rural communities to go to an Alaska Native health
  • Alaskans and non-Native Alaskans in the most rural parts of our state?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • In the 573-page book, of which I copied a few pages for you, I pray you will see the forest for the trees
  • I pray you will see the forest for the trees.
  • Hi, my name is Julie Jumis, a native Texan, here representing my family and in opposition to Senate Bill
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.
PA

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session (Jun 23 2026)

Pennsylvania House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill provides for native habitats at Commonwealth facilities.
  • address the dwindling habitats for crucial pollinators by prioritizing the use of insecticide-free native
  • address the dwindling habitats for crucial pollinators by prioritizing the use of insecticide-free native
  • This bill also directs the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to share their native plant
  • expertise with other agencies and set the example by installing native pollinator habitat on Commonwealth
Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed numerous guests and interns to the chamber, and established a quorum with 202 members voting on the master roll call. The House then received committee reports on several bills and a resolution, including measures from Consumer Protection, Finance, Communications and Technology, Rules, and Appropriations, and agreed to the reports. House Bill 1877 was reported as passed by the Senate without amendment and was signed by the Speaker for presentation to the Governor. The chamber adopted House Resolution 363, as amended, directing the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania’s early childhood education system, including the role of public and private equity in child care and recommendations to improve access and affordability. The House also advanced several bills on final passage, including House Bills 2551, 75, 76, 426, 1127, 2234, and 1585. These measures addressed issues such as banning government text-message collection of fees and tolls, medical licensing for physician assistants and physicians, native habitats at Commonwealth facilities, joining the dental and dental hygienist compact, a spent grain donation tax credit, and restrictions on mugshot removal fees. Most passed with broad support, though House Bill 1127 drew opposition over concerns about licensing standards and the compact structure. Members also considered House Bill 2650, creating the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development Certification for data centers, and House Bill 2496, establishing a temporary pause on data center proposals while local ordinances are reviewed. Both bills were amended several times. Debate on HB 2650 focused on data center impacts on electricity costs, water use, noise, community benefit agreements, and farmland protection; one farmland-protection amendment was tabled, while other amendments on closed-loop cooling and enforceable local criteria were adopted. Debate on HB 2496 centered on preserving local control and home rule authority for municipalities, with amendments clarifying that local governments could continue curative amendment procedures and retain zoning powers. The House agreed to both bills as amended. The House also re-reported several bills from Appropriations and Rules, reconsidered and re-accepted a prior committee report on House Bill 2359, and announced caucus and committee meetings. At the end of the session, the House moved several bills to Appropriations, removed Senate Bill 1058 from the table calendar to the active calendar, and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 11 a.m., unless recalled sooner.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Transportation Apr 1st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • academic and field settings focused on expanding habitat networks and building capacity within the native
  • the increase will be to support research in partnership with IFAS to help establish a more robust native
  • With more resources for this research, they can work to reduce the cost of native wildflower seeds and
  • bring down the cost of planting native wildflowers for everyone.
  • But most importantly, this will allow the Department of Transportation to incorporate more native wildflowers
Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and amendments related to traffic safety, utilities, schools, and motor vehicle administration. Senator Pizzo’s SB 1782, as amended, expanded reckless driving per se to include certain high-speed behaviors; the late amendment removed impound language but kept mandatory court appearance, and the bill was reported favorably. Senator McLean’s SB 818 on utility relocation was amended to include an important state interest finding; after testimony from county groups opposing the cost shift to local governments and Charter Communications supporting the bill, it was also reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1644 on emergency vehicles, after a delete-all amendment broadened warning-signal use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles. Senator Trumbull’s SB 1348 on DHSMV services was amended to streamline local delivery of motor vehicle services and remove certain fines, waiting periods, and CDL retesting provisions; it passed favorably with support from Florida Tax Collectors. Senator McLean’s SB 1188 on local governing authorities and charter schools drew the most debate, with supporters arguing local governments were using traffic and site-plan rules to block charter schools and opponents warning the bill would tie the hands of local governments and create a blanket preemption; it was reported favorably. The committee then passed SB 636, which limits use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic conditions, and requires FDOT signage. Senator Arrington’s SB 1152 increased the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee from $15 to $25 to raise more money for wildflower research and habitat programs; it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission, and then adjourned.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Which is solving the problems and improving the lives of Native people. So, good, good committee.
  • treaty and trust responsibilities that the United States federal government has with tribes and other Native
  • mean this group on both sides of the aisle, deeply knowledgeable, not just about their own states, Native
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 28th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Overwhelmingly Native Americans. Overwhelmingly Native Americans. And he felt some kind of way.
  • “Roosevelt having the lynching is any different to Washington with the Native Americans.
  • When you first look at this bill, you can think when Black students, Hispanic students, Native Indian
  • When you first look at this bill, you can think when Black students, Hispanic students, Native Indian
  • “Honestly, about Washington and Lincoln, it doesn't silence Black history, Native American history, or
Bills: S0124, S0206, S0420
Summary: The committee first heard SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School’s statute to remove outdated language and clarify its service, funding, governance, reporting, and district coordination provisions without changing day-to-day operations. Florida Virtual School testified in support, members praised the bill, and it passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for SB 206 on students with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Harrell explained that the bill would require autism and neurodevelopmental training in educator preparation programs, require ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, create an Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, provide salary supplements for teachers with the autism endorsement, and require district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. A large number of speakers—teachers, parents, students, and advocacy groups—supported the bill while urging that implementation be fully funded, high quality, and not become an unfunded mandate. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing the growing number of students with autism and the need to recruit and retain special education teachers. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 420 on patriotic displays in classrooms. Chair Burgess explained the bill as a way to place portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in schools to encourage civic and patriotic reflection, and he offered an amendment narrowing the requirement from every classroom to one prominent display in each school and adding language making it subject to state appropriation. The amendment was adopted. Testimony on the bill was mixed: some speakers supported the idea as a spark for civic discussion, while many others opposed it as symbolic, unnecessary, or better addressed through curriculum and teacher training rather than mandated displays. In debate, some senators argued the portraits could prompt broader historical conversations, while others raised concerns about representation, classroom autonomy, and funding. The transcript ends during debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Thu Feb 27, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 23

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So giving kids access to life-saving education in school will help so many families, particularly Native
  • education in school will help so many families<00:42:33.960> particularly<00:42:34.520> native
  • <00:42:34.839> Hawaiian families particularly native Hawaiian families particularly native
  • I believe DHHL should be focused on providing living units for their constituents, the Native Hawaiian
  • <00:46:32.559> Hawaiian con constituents the native Hawaiian con constituents the native Hawaiian
Keywords: 910, house, all