Transcript Highlights:

• My name is State Representative Ethan Cha, and I represent 47B in the House of Representatives.
• and<00:02:09.280> I<00:02:09.520> represent Representative Ethan Cha and I represent
• Representative Ethan Cha and I represent 47B<00:02:11.280> in<00:02:11.520> the<00:02:
• <00:14:44.480> So, Representative Gihur. Thank you. So, Representative Gihur. Thank you.
• > add<00:18:24.799> to Representative Cha will also add to Representative Cha will also

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates discussed House File 2444, a veterans and military affairs bill to formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos during the secret war from 1961 to 1975. Speakers, including Rep. Ethan Cha and other veterans and family members, said the measure is long overdue and framed it as both a symbolic and practical step to restore dignity, honor, and veteran status to Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority veterans whose service had not been formally acknowledged. Testimony emphasized the historical role of the SGUs, the secrecy of the war, and the heavy losses suffered by the community. Speakers described the bill as a bipartisan effort with support from House and Senate members, and noted that a similar version had already passed the Senate unanimously. They also said the bill would help Minnesota set an example for other states and improve public understanding of the secret war and the contributions of Southeast Asian communities. Rep. Cha explained that the bill creates a new statutory definition for veterans of the secret war in Laos, establishes eligibility criteria for benefits and privileges, authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to verify veteran status, and creates a 12-member task force to advise that process. The bill would allow access to certain state veterans benefits and privileges, including veterans designation on IDs, grave markers, honor guard, state veterans cemeteries, and related preferences. In response to questions, speakers said the main challenge had been educating colleagues because the war was classified, and they estimated fewer than 1,000 SGU veterans are still alive. They also said the bill carries no major monetary benefit and is intended primarily to provide recognition and a framework for verification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Novatne. Representative Novatne.
• Representative<00:08:18.960> Long,<00:08:19.440> Representative Representative Long, Representative
• Uh, Representative Hudson.
• Representative<00:47:08.800> Gomez. Representative Gomez. Representative Gomez.
• Nure and Representative Representative Nure and Representative Hussein,<00:54:52.400> should<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Vice Chair of the committee, Representative Vitolo; Representative Bruce Ayers; Representative Hannah
• ; Representative Ryan Hamilton; Representative Adrianne Ramos; Representative Ken Sweezey; Representative
• The Vice Chair of the committee, Representative Vitolo; Representative Bruce Ayers; Representative Hannah
• ; Representative Ryan Hamilton; Representative Adrianne Ramos; Representative Ken Sweezey; Representative
• Representative Dennis Gallagher; Representative Ryan Hamilton; Representative Adrianne Ramos; Representative

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• 14.960> Pere, represent rural counties like Pere, represent rural counties like Pere, Stevens,
• 18:38.479> Agus<02:18:38.960> who Representatives Lamalfa and Agus who Representatives
• leading and representing his community. leading and representing his community.
• sponsor of the bill, Representative sponsor of the bill, Representative Dingle.
• duty.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the First District, which is part of Arlington County.
• I represent the 15th District in Fairfax, located entirely in Fairfax County.
• Ashley Wright, representing the Arc of Virginia.
• are, and if you represent a group, please indicate that.
• So it might be a presentation from a representative from another state.

Summary: The Virginia Disability Commission held its first meeting of the year on June 18, established a quorum, and introduced members. Senator Barbara Favola was elected chair and Delegate Amy Laufer was elected vice chair, both unanimously. The commission also reviewed and unanimously approved its electronic/remote participation policy, which mirrors last year’s policy and allows limited remote participation under Virginia FOIA rules. Staff then reviewed a package of 14 disability-related bills that passed last session and were signed into law. Topics included disabled veterans’ vehicle registration fee exemptions, open captioning requirements for movie theaters, guardianship/conservatorship order forwarding, service dog team definitions, education and transition planning for students with disabilities, Blue Envelope and driver communication training for law enforcement and driver education, deferred disposition and jury service protections, voting rights in guardianship cases, expansion of the Virginia Human Rights Act, continuation of a DD waiver eligibility change, and DMAS training authority for autism competency checklists. Members discussed implementation concerns, especially making the Blue Envelope/driver communication program more visible and considering a follow-up letter and DMV presentation. The commission then adopted its interim work plan unanimously, with discussion of possible presentations on DMAS and Medicaid waivers, DBHDS telehealth training implementation, SCHEV and VDOE transition planning, transition from institutions to community settings, criminal justice reform, transportation and parking accessibility, adult-sized changing tables, and school accessibility. Members also suggested adding EVV concerns, seclusion and restraint, rare disease issues, and insurance coverage problems for needed medications. Public commenters urged the commission to address burdensome EVV requirements for family caregivers, improve accessibility for local government meetings and documents, and explore a standardized credential/career pathway for direct support professionals. The chair said follow-up work would be assigned on EVV and implementation issues, and the meeting location would move to the Senate side of the Capitol going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Sloti. Representative Sloti.
• Representative Groa. Representative Groa.
• the duty of to warn. the duty of to warn.
• Representative Sellers? Yes. Representative Deroy? Yes. Representative Kelley? Yes.
• Representative Groto? Yes. Representative Davis? Yes. Representative Dargie? Yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the house, we have duty.
• Representative Capella, aye. Representative Garcia, aye. Thank you very much.
• <01:50:29.600> Hi, Representative.<01:50:34.080> Hi, Representative.
• Hi, Representative.
• And we have um right here, Representative Representative Representative Garcia.<01:50:41.360> I

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 12 relating to the duty of the Attorney General to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed
• It says the Attorney General, the Attorney General shall perform other duties as may be required by law
• This, she was doing her duty.
• Uh, they could be representing certain school district.
• Making sure their constituents are well represented. Excuse me.

Bills: SB 10, SB 8, SB 15, SB 12, SB 6, SB 13, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, criminal prosecution, jurisdiction, hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Turner, Vice Chair Noble, Representative or no Representative Button Representative Cayon.
• Uh, Representative Bernal offers a committee substitute. To House Bill 552.
• Uh, Representative Bernal offers a substitute.
• Seeing no one, the chair recognizes Representative Goodwin to close on the bill.
• SD SLD4 representative testifying for the HJR.

Bills: HB148, HB203, HJR30

Keywords: HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Valdez Representative Valdez is excused.
• Representative<00:22:39.200> Joseph. Representative Joseph. Representative Joseph.
• Representative<00:36:56.400> Brics. Representative Brics. Representative Brics.
• . represent. represent.
• >> Representative >> Representative >> Representative Jackson.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 006 on immigration. The resolution reaffirmed support for immigrant Coloradans, emphasized their economic and cultural contributions, and called for transparent, accountable federal immigration enforcement, including an end to masked or unidentified enforcement tactics and limits on actions near schools, clinics, courthouses, faith spaces, and other sensitive locations. It also urged humane federal immigration reform, stronger state transparency tools, and protection of First Amendment rights and peaceful protest. Representative Joseph and Representative Brics spoke in strong support of the resolution, arguing that immigrants are integral to Colorado and that aggressive enforcement has caused fear, family separation, and harm in communities. They cited examples of alleged federal overreach and personal stories of affected constituents to argue for dignity, accountability, and reform. Representative Baron opposed the resolution as written, saying some parts were acceptable but others were too partisan; he offered an amendment that would emphasize legal immigration, federal authority over immigration enforcement, and a more bipartisan framing. The amendment debate centered on whether the proposal was truly bipartisan and whether the resolution should be narrowed to focus on legal immigration and federal jurisdiction. Supporters of the amendment said it better reflected shared values and legal realities, while resolution sponsors rejected the changes and asked for a no vote. The transcript ends during continued debate over the amendment, with no final vote on the resolution or amendment shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , it's just the district I represent, it's just the district I represent, which<00:25:37.440>
• <00:35:10.440> 36, representative for House District 36, representative for House District
• Mariano represents the best of Waipahu. Mariano represents the best of Waipahu.
• fulfill those duties and in those duties fulfill those duties and in those duties we<00:42:55.480
• representative for Hawaii. representative for Hawaii.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:35.200> second Representatives convene the second Representatives convene the second session
• to more to be a stellar representative to more to be a stellar representative of<01:04:20.000>
• House Bill 1015 by Representative McCormick and Representative Tagert and Senators Simpson and Amabile
• Richardson Representatives Pascal and Richardson Representatives Pascal and Richardson and<01
• And some of the do represent.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received a series of engrossing/revising/enrolling notices and committee reports. Committee reports advanced several measures, including House Bills 1139 and 1263 from Business, Labor, and Technology; House Bills 1206, 1111, and 1014 from Finance; and later Appropriations reports on House Bills 1423, 1419, 1276, 1256, 1015, and Senate Bills 189, 188, 187, 180, and 125. The chamber also granted a brief recess for guests and later granted leave for the Joint Budget Committee to meet while the Senate was in session. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and personal privilege remarks. Senators recognized the University of Denver men’s hockey team for winning the 2026 NCAA championship and adopted a joint Senate-House tribute honoring the team’s 11th national title. Senator Kolker also marked Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Day/Week, describing the condition, the need for screening and treatment, and honoring a guest advocate living with TD. The Senate then moved through third-reading consent and final-passage votes on multiple bills. Measures passed included SB 181, HB 1338, HB 1344, HB 1336, HB 1227, HB 1314, HB 1282, HB 1317, HB 1078, SB 167, HB 1069, HB 1132, HB 1347, HB 1210, HB 1196, HB 1224, and HB 1028; HB 1028 was first removed from the consent calendar, amended with a conforming amendment, and then passed. Several bills drew notable opposition, including HB 1132 and HB 1210, while HB 1069 passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over the general order second-reading calendar to Friday, May 8, 2026, and took up special-order second-reading bills in committee of the whole, adopting the special-order consent calendar and reporting those bills back favorably for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:24:46.679> Smith. Representative Smith. Representative Smith.
• Representative<00:25:26.840> Smith. Representative Smith. Representative Smith.
• Representative<00:40:54.760> Nadeau. Representative Nadeau. Representative Nadeau.
• . represented. represented.
• Representative Baker. Representative Baker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kuros? Aye. Representative Bress? Representative Cooper? Pass.
• Representative Lopez. Representative Liguori? Aye. Representative Maples?
• Representative Contreras. Representative Kappa. Representative LaGoree. Aye. Representative Lopez.
• Representative Contreras. Representative Kappa. Representative LaGoree. Aye. Representative Lopez.
• Representative Ligori. Aye. Representative Cooper. Representative Ligori? Representative Lopez?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm truly honored to represent all of you in our community. Thank you, Mr.
• Representative Dutton is a proud son of Houston's 5th Ward.
• Representative Dutton began his first legislative session.
• Representative Dutton.
• So I did this to represent victims...

Bills: SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform

Transcript Highlights:

• recognized you chair representative recognized you chair representative recognized representative Moore
• Jones and representative Fiddler Hulk Jones and representative Fiddler Hulk Jones and representative
• Hy some concerns uh representative Hy some concerns uh representative Hy representative Ross representative
• deos representative Ross representative deos representative Ross representative deos and myself we just
• representative deos of Shelby represent representative deos of Shelby represent representative deos

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative. detail. Representative.
• Representative<01:08:19.679> Raymond. Representative Raymond. Representative Raymond.
• Um, Representative<01:23:58.000> Sher. Representative Sher. Representative Sher.
• Uh, Representative<01:24:04.400> Markeel. Representative Markeel. Representative Markeel.
• Representative<01:33:21.440> Corsen. Representative Corsen. Representative Corsen.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Schofield, there's others who've served on this committee over the years, Representative
• Flores, Representative Moody, and...
• Let me, let me, yes, Representative Scovino. Mr.
• Thank you very much Representative.
• Yes, Representative Flores.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Ronnie Batty Kash, and I am representing the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association.
• I'm representing the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association.
• <01:23:04.639> the Kash again I'm representing the Kash again I'm representing the Minnesota
• <01:39:02.920> to policy makers transferred the duty to policy makers transferred the duty
• Firstly, 47 educators representing nine languages comprised the first cohort last spring.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Blanton. Present. Representative Bratcher. Present. Representative Dossett.
• Representative Freeland. Present. Representative Fugate. Here. Representative Gooch. Here.
• Representative Hart. Here. Representative Johnson. Here. Representative Lewis.
• Representative Maddox. Here. Representative Massaroni. Here. Representative Moore. Here.
• Representative Walker, we we represent Representative Walker, we we represent Fort<01:35:52.520>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with the pledge and prayer, a roll call established quorum, and members announced a Veterans Caucus meeting to follow the session. The committee also recognized distinguished veteran Joe Mash Masterson of Bardstown, who was praised for his Army service, long-time advocacy for veterans, and leadership in the American Legion and local veteran organizations. Masterson thanked his family, the American Legion Post 121, and the VA staff, and several members offered remarks honoring his service and the committee’s practice of recognizing veterans. The committee then briefly addressed a referred administrative regulation, 017 KAR 001 030, which leadership described as technical updates to existing policy; no vote was taken. After that, members heard testimony from KDVA and Finance and Administration officials on the ongoing HVAC replacement project at the Radcliffe Veteran Center. Officials said the system had been problematic for years, that design work began early to accelerate the project, and that the work was complicated by the need to replace the system in an operating nursing facility. They explained that the project was bid in March, awarded to Less Mechanical, and that protective measures, shop drawings, and equipment orders were underway. Committee members pressed officials on why the problem had taken so long to resolve, why the original system had been installed, whether the issue had been communicated regularly, and whether the state should be paying for a replacement in a relatively new facility. Officials said the original system’s components and warranties had failed, that they had tried to replace parts before moving to a full replacement, and that the system’s manufacturer and quality differed from a similar facility in Glasgow that had not had the same issues. They said the current phase one contract was about $6 million, with the remaining funds held for phase two to restore full occupancy; phase two design was nearly complete and could be bid later if funding is approved. Officials estimated phase one completion around January 2026 and full completion around March 2027, depending on funding and scheduling.