Transcript Highlights:

• available to veterans in Texas.
• House Bill 3359 protects the privacy and safety of veterans by ensuring that applicant veterans status
• available to Texas veterans.
• So the voter registrar has a list to connect veterans with the Texas Veterans Commission. OK.
• Um, So, when veterans choose, a lot of veterans choose Military City USA or Texas as a place to call

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> another veteran service organization. another veteran service organization.
• </c> veterans.
• And the Veterans Second veterans.
• Veterans Affairs Committee. Democrats Veterans Affairs Committee.
• Veterans are veterans. Let me explain.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.
• ' homes and veterans' service organizations.
• It also allows the flexibility to appoint tribal veteran representatives, National Guardsmen, or veterans
• , and formerly justice-involved veterans.
• Guardsmen or veterans and formerly justice-involved veterans.

Bills: SB6084 , SB6044 , SB5950 , SB6046 , SB5763 , SB6215 , SB6160 , SB6123 , SB6049 , SB6164 , SB6313 , SB5784 , SB5046 , SB5489

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• The veteran would have to apply through their school veterans office for the grant money through the
• Department of Veterans Services.
• He came, he was chatting with a veteran in Yavapai County and was made known that there was a veteran
• It's about the veteran. Doesn't matter where he attends. Veteran programs are veteran programs.
• it would affect veterans in the Valley, veterans, and just the entire state.

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee heard several bills. HB 2416 would appropriate $20 million for Department of Public Safety border support, including equipment, law enforcement positions, and grants to local governments for border-related enforcement and detention costs. Supporters, including the Arizona Sheriffs Association, said the funds are fully used each year and are largely spent on drug interdiction, especially against fentanyl and methamphetamine. Opponents argued the bill’s immigration-enforcement language was too broad and that the money should instead go to health care, education, food assistance, or prevention programs. The committee approved HB 2416 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2806, which would require county recorders, ADOT, and AHCCCS to use the federal SAVE system and report citizenship-verification results to JLBC and the Auditor General. The ACLU of Arizona opposed the bill, saying SAVE is not designed to determine voter eligibility, could wrongly flag eligible citizens, and would likely lead to litigation and confusion. Several members questioned the need for the bill, noting existing citizenship requirements and current use of SAVE in some agencies, while others supported it as a way to ensure only citizens access voting and benefits. HB 2806 passed 4-3. HB 2663, a technical cleanup bill updating military leave language for state and local employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves, drew little opposition and passed unanimously. HB 2759 would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Veterans Services for a grant program with Yavapai County educational institutions to help veterans with emergency housing, equipment, professional development, and other shortfalls tied to delayed GI Bill payments. Testimony supported expanding help for veterans, but some members raised concerns that the bill was limited to Yavapai County and included private institutions; the sponsor and witnesses said it could serve as a pilot and potentially expand statewide. The committee approved HB 2759 on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• are not considered veterans.
• are not considered veterans.
• c> veterans</c><00:53:08.559><c> in</c> homelessness um with veterans in homelessness um with veterans
• Homeless veterans, as Dr.
• Jano works for the Veterans Department working on veteran homelessness issues.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered. Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach. Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• have disabled veteran license plates?
• They may be a veteran.
• of veterans, I'd say a large proportion of veterans<00:25:48.240><c> do</c><00:25:48.640><c> leave</
• They may be a veteran. disabled placard. They may be a veteran.
• </c> um changes to reflect veteran services. um changes to reflect veteran services.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in reference to the veterans, as a combat veteran myself, with the 82nd Airborne for the veterans
• And in reference to the veterans, as a combat veteran myself, with the 82nd Airborne, for the veterans
• And in reference to the veterans, as a combat veteran myself, with the 82nd Airborne, for the veterans
• And in reference to the veterans, as a combat veteran myself, with the 82nd Airborne, for the veterans
• Statewide veteran resource centers serve over 65,000 student veterans across 115 colleges.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard updates on several higher education budget items, beginning with a pulled follow-up item on the State Library’s administration of the Imagination Library. The chair said the committee had received new documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance late the prior evening, and staff would review it before deciding whether additional oversight or accountability measures are needed. The committee then turned to the California Community Colleges budget request, with Chancellor Christian outlining strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery, asking for 3% enrollment growth funding, changes to the three-year average formula, removal of the 10% growth cap, and support for several one-time and ongoing initiatives including the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, Rebuild L.A., veterans services, Calbright College, and the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and fraud prevention in enrollment systems; the chancellor said the system is using DMV and other identity verification tools, AI screening, and audits, and that reported final enrollment numbers are clean. The committee then reviewed the student-centered funding formula. The Department of Finance described the governor’s proposal to fully repay $408.4 million in deferrals, provide a 2.41% COLA, and add one-time funding to cover current-year apportionment costs, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended prioritizing the proposals within available Proposition 98 funding. Community college finance staff said most districts are growing, many would benefit from current-year funding rules, and that without the proposed apportionment funding districts could face a deficit factor and reduced course access. Members asked about infrastructure prioritization, deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, and campus police; staff explained that life safety projects are prioritized first, followed by modernization and growth-related facilities, and that colleges are built to high safety standards under the Field Act. Enrollment growth was discussed separately, with Finance and LAO supporting the governor’s 1.5% growth proposal split across two fiscal years, while noting that growth is being driven in part by dual enrollment, regional demographic shifts, and unemployment. The Chancellor’s Office said 54 of 72 districts grew year over year and that funding more growth could help districts move off hold harmless status, though some districts face long-term demographic challenges. The committee also heard from Calbright College President Agita Menon, who described Calbright’s role serving adult learners statewide, its completion and wage gains, and the governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing funding. The LAO recommended transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula beginning in 2027-28, arguing that the current proposal lacks a clear funding rationale and performance linkage; Calbright responded that its competency-based, non-credit model is structurally different and should be funded separately, while agreeing to continued accountability reporting. Finally, the committee received an update on the Community College Higher Education Student Housing Program. Finance said the governor proposes about $11 million ongoing General Fund for debt service on approved student housing projects, and that 11 projects are in the financing pipeline, with two completed, three under construction, four in working drawings, and two in preliminary plans. Finance also noted that some projects have withdrawn and that about $81 million in bond authority remains unallocated, which the Legislature may need to address going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We admitted two more veterans and we're up to 130.
• New Mexico State Veterans Home serves veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and
• All right, our Veterans Home Project.
• more services for veterans and their families.
• Department of Veterans Services, a Veterans Service Officer that is there once a week, as well as the

Transcript Highlights:

• THE MILITARY VETERANS CERTIFICATION PATHWAY ALLOWS QUALIFIED VETERANS TO OBTAIN A FIVE YEAR TEMPORARY
• WE DO TRY TO SERVE THE VETERANS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
• WE ALSO HAVE OUR VETERANS SUCCESS ON CAMPUS.
• TO FACILITATE EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE VETERANS.
• THE VETERAN SERVICE SEEN AND MANY OF THE STUDENT SERVICE TEAMS SERVING MILITARY MEMBERS AND VETERANS

Transcript Highlights:

• ' homes and veterans' service organizations.
• The second is adhering to the principle of every veteran a veteran, and that was importantly reinforced
• Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.
• It also allows the flexibility to appoint tribal veteran representatives, National Guardsmen, or veterans
• , and formerly justice-involved veterans.

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on February 3, 2026, for executive session on 13 bills and a public hearing on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541. One published bill, Senate Bill 6123, was not moved forward. The executive session covered election integrity, holiday recognition, agency reporting and disclosure, veterans and state government administration, and several memorial or symbolic designations. Staff briefed each bill and several proposed substitutes or amendments, including changes to Senate Bills 5763, 6215, 6160, 6049, and 5784. Members discussed policy and fiscal concerns on some measures, including the cost of the aviation support grant program in SB 5763 and the inclusiveness of holiday recognition in SB 5950. The committee adopted amendments or substitutes where offered and advanced all of the bills it took up, generally by due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee or, for fiscal measures, to the Ways and Means Committee. Senate Bill 5950’s amendment was withdrawn before final action, and Senator Hasegawa stated he would be without recommendation on that bill because a Buddhist observance was missing from the list. Other bills passed with little or no opposition, including SB 6084 on voting more than once, SB 6044 on Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, SB 6046 creating a Civil Air Patrol division, SB 6160 on agency reports, SB 6049 on public disclosure exemptions, SB 6164 on WOTEC information, SB 6313 creating a Capitol Centennial Stewardship Account, SB 5046 designating Kim Chie Day, and SB 5489 naming the Wilkinson sandstone the state sandstone. In the public hearing on ESHB 1541, staff explained that the bill would reorganize the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee by increasing at-large seats, reducing the number of VSO-designated seats, and allowing appointments to reflect military experience and personal attributes. The prime sponsor and Representative Simmons described the bill as a compromise developed after prior concerns, including representation for formerly justice-involved veterans, and said it would broaden advice to the governor. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs supported the bill, saying it would provide more flexibility in appointments and preserve a 17-member committee. The hearing closed with 57 pro and 1 con sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I need to try and and do for veterans. I need to try and and do for veterans.
• Um, how many different veterans plates do we have now for veterans that can get?
• </c> because it is uh supporting veterans. because it is uh supporting veterans.
• </c> state veterans advisory committee. state veterans advisory committee.
• </c> qualified veteran veterans tax credit. qualified veteran veterans tax credit.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1280 is entitled Veterans. This does several things.
• It modernizes the Veterans Employment Program.
• The Veterans Employment and Training Services Program becomes the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program
• And lastly, it empowers our veterans' treatment courts to even include dishonorably discharged veterans
• We have struggled with our veteran plates in how we can have the disabled veteran moniker on there and

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up three veteran-related bills. SB 78 would allow the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs to authorize a nonprofit retirement community serving only veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses to create veteran- and spouse-designated nursing home beds in a skilled nursing facility, including transfer of certificate-of-need beds within 100 miles. The Air Force Enlisted Village CEO testified in support, saying it would add needed skilled nursing care to their continuum; the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 1280, a broad veterans bill that modernizes employment and training programs, renames the program the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program, creates a job-training grant program, adjusts reimbursement caps, expands university/agriculture training stipends for veteran spouses, provides various fee reliefs, waives a one-time state business filing fee for veterans, and expands veterans’ treatment courts. Two amendments were adopted: one changed the state flagship designation to the SS American Victory and allowed disabled veteran designation on specialty plates via a DV embossing, while removing outdated references; the second removed hunting and fishing license provisions due to funding concerns. Veterans Florida representatives waved in support, and the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. Finally, SB 1282 created a public records exemption for information submitted to the Veterans Florida Opportunity Program when veterans are developing business opportunities, protecting trade secrets and related sensitive information from disclosure. Veterans Florida supported the measure, and after brief debate the bill was reported favorably. The committee then briefly reconsidered the vote for recording purposes and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that's your bill, and Chair Robbins is not a member of the Veterans and Military Affairs Division
• So many of our veterans organizations throughout the state have buildings that are in disrepair, need
• </c> community loses the the the veteran community loses the the the veteran support<00:02:46.800><c>
• </c><00:04:21.440><c> service</c> same building as Barry a veteran service same building as Barry a veteran
• </c><00:05:09.520><c> and</c> less of a safe space for veterans and less of a safe space for veterans

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a veterans housing bond. It's a veterans bait bond.
• And it does include some veterans benefits, but it is not a veterans bond.
• We do like the veterans.
• We do like the veterans.
• to our veterans.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• David Kuta, past commander of the VFW, supporting 85,000 veterans, combat veterans.
• Veterans, like all Californians, are struggling with the high cost of living.
• Keeping veterans in California must be a priority. This bill opens that door.
• And this state tax and the local revenues can really help our veterans.
• If we can one day say that we do not tax our veterans’ pensions, imagine the number of veterans that

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Laura Koerner, and I am Chair of the Texas Veterans Commission and a U.S. Navy veteran.
• My name is Laura Koerner, and I am Chair of the Texas Veterans Commission and a U.S. Navy veteran.
• Commissioner Kerner: I am the chair of the Texas Veterans Commission and a U.S. Navy veteran.
• , military veteran peers counseling, and veteran homelessness, and also supporting...
• Army veteran.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE A PROGRAM REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STATE VETERANS MAJOR DEFENDER HARTSELL
• WE KNOW WHERE WE NEED MORE STATE VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS BECAUSE MORE VETERANS ARE MOVING INTO FLORIDA
• AND VETERAN SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES.
• ALL THE VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS ARE VETERANS. THEY LIKE FIGHTING FOR OTHER VETERANS.
• I WENT OVER AND GOT TO TALK TO 101 YEAR OLD WAR VETERANS, COMBAT VETERANS, THEY WERE EXCITED AND SAID

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But then when you think about not only the application for the veterans who are among us, who have had
• Over 140,000 veterans have died by suicide during the same period.
• And the last thing I'll say to veterans who are struggling: it can be better. It can get better.
• And the last thing I'll say to veterans who are struggling: it can be better. It can get better.
• And the veteran community will lead the way for all others.

Summary: The meeting was a Texas Capitol press event in support of House Bill 3717, which would advance ibogaine research and create a public-private pathway to move the treatment toward FDA approval. Speakers included Brian Hubbard of the American Ibogaine Initiative, Rep. Cody Harris, and VETS co-founders Marcus and Amber Capone. They framed the bill as a chance for Texas to lead on treatment for opioid use disorder, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other “diseases of despair,” especially among veterans and their families. Testimony focused heavily on the veteran suicide crisis and personal stories of loss and recovery. Marcus Capone described his Navy SEAL service and said conventional treatments had not been enough for many veterans, while Amber Capone cited VETS’ support for roughly 1,000 veterans and a Stanford collaboration that she said showed large reductions in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidality after ibogaine treatment. Supporters also argued ibogaine may have broader applications, including for other substance use disorders and some neurological conditions, and emphasized the need for research, supervised clinical use, and insurance coverage. No formal committee vote or legislative action was taken in the transcript. The event ended with a brief Q&A and a call for Texas legislators to support HB 3717 and help move the bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and begin. that veterans organizations can use that that veterans organizations
• </c> property so many of our veterans property so many of our veterans organizations<00:02:06.439><c>
• </c> gaming proceeds for veterans gaming proceeds for veterans organizations<00:02:45.560><c> only</c
• </c><00:03:59.840><c> and</c> community loses the the the veteran and community loses the the the veteran
• We must honor our veterans 100%.

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: 1183, house