Video & Transcript : 'grave protection' :

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CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Attacking DEI has become a vehicle for rolling back protections.
  • Fewer resources, fewer protections, fewer pathways to opportunities.
  • In rural regions, non-Japanese friends stepped up and protected the assets, the land, the houses, the
  • In rural regions, non-Japanese friends stepped up and protected the assets, the land, the houses, the
  • Thank you. ...full protection under the law. I encourage an aye vote on this resolution. Thank you.
Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation bills. AB 107, a junior budget bill, was described as a technical measure that updates federal appropriations by about $15 million, exempts certain Proposition 4 funds from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending, and makes other technical corrections without adding new projects or General Fund spending. Some senators objected to the APA waiver as reducing transparency, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117, an early-action trailer bill for Bay Area transit, authorizes a $590 million loan from the state’s transit and intercity rail capital program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which can then lend the money to Bay Area transit agencies for operating support, with repayment and interest secured by transit revenues. Supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; opponents raised concerns about ridership recovery, accountability, and consolidation. The bill passed 28-9. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees: Sonoma County Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Riverside Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson. Both were supported by colleagues who praised their experience and backgrounds, and both confirmations passed. The body also adopted SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opposing federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Supporters argued DEI is essential to civil rights, education, public service, and equal opportunity, while criticizing the Trump administration for dismantling related federal offices and funding. The resolution passed on a largely party-line vote after extensive floor debate. Finally, the Senate adopted SCR 78, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Senators from both parties spoke about the injustice of the internment, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of remembering the history to guard against future abuses. The resolution passed unanimously, and the author then introduced survivors and guests in the chamber.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Feb 18th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill puts guardrails in place to ensure that public school children are protected from the most
  • I urge you to support this bill and to protect all students and to create a fair learning environment
  • I urge you to support this bill and to protect all students and to create a fair learning environment
  • With regard to liability protections, in addition to the other liability protections that I didn't describe
  • With these protections in place, Senate Bill 5346 can improve focus while still respecting students'
Bills: SB6278
Committee: House Education
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • than protection of the person or property of another.
  • And I want to make sure we're protecting the public.
  • I want to make sure we're protecting the public.
  • And that's why we do detention, because we want to protect the public and we also want to protect the
  • And so we want to protect them as well as society.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, with no quorum at the start and throughout much of the hearing, so bills were presented and discussed but no final votes were taken. The committee heard SB 936 on nitrous oxide sales, SB 941 on commissary price caps in private immigration detention facilities, SCR 118 urging release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, SB 1009 on juvenile detention standards, AB 46 on mental health diversion, and SB 948 on firearm safety training and registration for new residents. The chair explained public comment procedures and noted that SB 891 was on consent, but the transcript focused on the other measures. SB 936 drew strong support from the author, prosecutors, local officials, and public health/environmental groups, who described rising misuse of flavored large nitrous oxide canisters, youth targeting, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and waste disposal costs. Opposition from the ACLU argued the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory rather than criminal approach, warning about overreach into ordinary household items. Members generally expressed support, though some asked for narrowing amendments to avoid unintended coverage. SB 941 was presented as a cap on markups for commissary goods sold to detainees in privately run federal immigration detention facilities, modeled on prior prison commissary limits. Supporters described severe price inflation for basic necessities and the burden on families, while no opposition testified. SCR 118, calling for full release of unclassified Epstein investigation files, was supported by the author, a survivor statement, and anti-trafficking advocates; one member objected that the resolution could implicate people without full facts, while others emphasized transparency and survivor accountability. SB 1009 and AB 46 both centered on criminal justice discretion: SB 1009 would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth and was supported by defenders and youth advocates but opposed by probation and district attorneys who warned about public safety and resource constraints; AB 46 would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk, with prosecutors and victims’ families supporting it and public defenders, ACLU, and behavioral health groups opposing it as an unnecessary restriction on treatment. SB 948 would expand firearm safety certificate requirements to include live-fire training and require new California residents to register firearms within 60 days; the author and gun-safety advocates supported it as a common-sense safety measure, and the hearing moved into support testimony as the transcript ended.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • than protection of the person or property of another.
  • And I want to make sure we're protecting the public.
  • I want to make sure we're protecting the public.
  • And that's why we do detention, because we want to protect the public, and we also want to protect the
  • And so we want to protect them as well as society.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety met on March 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and hearing several bills and a resolution. SB 936 by Senator Blakespear would prohibit retail sale of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Supporters, including prosecutors, county officials, and local government groups, described rising misuse among youth, impaired driving crashes, deaths, and environmental waste from large flavored canisters. The ACLU opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was too broad and should use a regulatory approach rather than criminal penalties; the author said amendments were being considered to narrow the language. Committee members largely expressed support, though some raised concerns about wording and implementation. SB 941 by Senator Padilla would extend a prison commissary price cap framework to private for-profit immigration detention facilities under federal contract in California. Supporters said detainees and their families face extreme markups on basic necessities and that the bill would curb exploitation. There was broad support from immigrant justice, civil rights, and disability rights organizations, and no opposition testimony was presented. SCR 118 by Senator Gonzalez urged release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. Supporters framed it as a transparency and survivor-accountability measure, with testimony from CAST and a survivor statement. One committee member voiced concern about incomplete facts and the risk of political overreach, while others supported the resolution as part of broader anti-trafficking efforts. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require clear and convincing evidence before detaining youth in juvenile proceedings and would emphasize less restrictive alternatives. The author and supporters argued that detention harms youth, increases recidivism, and is overused, citing a personal witness who described spending more than 200 days in juvenile detention before her case was resolved. Probation, district attorneys, and AFSCME raised concerns that the bill could limit judicial discretion, strain county resources, and create public safety risks or uneven implementation. Committee members were split, with some supporting the bill as a needed safeguard and others saying the system needs more resources before changing the standard. AB 46 by Assemblymember Nguyen would narrow mental health diversion by allowing judges to deny diversion when public safety is at risk. Supporters, including district attorneys and a crime victim’s family, said current law is too restrictive and has allowed dangerous offenders to reoffend; opponents, including public defenders and the ACLU, argued diversion is already limited and effective and that the bill would reduce access to treatment. Finally, SB 948 by Senator Aegian would require more comprehensive firearm safety training for firearm safety certificates and require new California residents to register firearms and obtain a certificate within 60 days. Supporters, including Brady and youth gun violence advocates, said the bill would close loopholes and improve safety; gun rights groups opposed, calling it an unconstitutional financial barrier and a burden on new residents.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Commerce Feb 18th, 2026

Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • The second being Kanakuk, who covered up the abuse as the institution responsible for protecting children
  • He was silenced to his grave with an NDA that Kanakuk specifically requested and added settlement dollars
  • It protects taxpayers and ensures transparency.
  • It protects the state of Missouri from liability and clearly states that the state is not liable for
  • So, but that's actually, but that's not protecting against what I'm asking about.
Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and unanimously voted do pass on House Bill 1707, House Bill 2927, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2057. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1664, which would extend the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from age 26 to age 41. Representative Brian Sites presented the bill as a needed step for survivors, and multiple witnesses and organizations testified in support, including survivors and advocacy, tort reform, chamber, and insurance groups. No opposition was heard, and the hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 1845, a startup and angel investor tax credit proposal sponsored by Representative Gallick. The bill would create incentives for Missouri-based startups under $5 million in revenue, with higher credits for rural investment, annual caps, oversight by the Missouri Technology Corporation, and a sunset in 2033. Members questioned what taxes the credit would apply to, how it would work if Missouri changes its income tax structure, and what safeguards would prevent businesses from leaving after receiving credits. Business and economic development groups testified in support, saying the bill would help fill an early-stage capital gap and keep investment in Missouri. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3231, a broad economic development and “Missouri Innovation Zone” proposal sponsored by Representative Brad Christ. The bill would let cities opt in to create innovation zones with local permitting and governance changes, tax incentives, office-to-residential conversion tools, and reinvestment of net new revenues into public safety, infrastructure, and a rural development fund. Members and witnesses discussed local control, prevailing wage, revenue diversion, and implementation concerns, especially from the City of St. Louis and labor groups, while chambers, developers, municipal groups, and historic revitalization advocates generally supported the concept. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no committee vote on the bill.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Nov 4th, 2025

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • We ask that you vote no on SB 98 and protect the owners and the public. Thank you. Thank you.
  • So, in my view, this equates we have determined that life is worth protecting at six weeks in Florida
  • . ...determined that life is worth protecting at six weeks in Florida, and this makes it consistent.
  • We have grave concerns about the real-world impacts of this overly broad bill.
  • That is when it deserves protection.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up two bills. SB 98, by Senator Harrell, would let self-storage facilities advertise lien sales either in a newspaper or on a qualifying website, while keeping other notice requirements in place and updating contact information provisions. Supporters, including the Florida Press Association and several newspaper/storage owners, argued print and digital newspaper notices already provide broad public notice and that the bill could reduce notice effectiveness; the sponsor said the bill is an optional modernization and does not affect government notices. After debate, the committee voted 8-1 to report SB 98 favorably. The committee then heard SB 164, by Senator Grall, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, with carve-outs for the mother and lawful medical care. The sponsor said the bill aligns civil law with Florida’s criminal protections for unborn children and gives families a remedy where current law may not. Opponents, including the ACLU of Florida, health care workers, and others, warned it could invite lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, friends, family members, and people involved in abortion access, and could worsen OB-GYN shortages and deter care. Supporters said it recognizes unborn life and should be treated consistently with existing wrongful death law. The committee approved SB 164 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Civil Rights & Judiciary Feb 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that law reflects a really important value: that when the state makes a grave error that takes an
  • All enjoy constitutional protections under Article 1, Section 11 of our Washington State Constitution
  • It's a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.
  • As you know, I chair consumer protection in business, and there are many, many other forms of payment
  • And it's important to continue these protections.
Summary: The committee heard Substitute Senate Bill 5520, which revises Washington’s wrongful conviction compensation law. Staff said the bill changes the proof standard for filing claims, expands treatment of Alford pleas, requires the Attorney General to concede qualifying claims in most cases, includes civil detention in compensation calculations, changes attorney fee provisions, and extends filing deadlines. The prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington Innocence Project and exonerees said the bill would reduce unnecessary relitigation and improve access to compensation, while one witness argued it would broaden eligibility and state costs. The bill was not acted on in the excerpt, but testimony was taken and questions focused on the term “actually innocent.” The committee then heard Senate Bill 5536 on property division in dissolution and legal separation cases, which would direct courts to consider real-estate sale costs, homelessness risk, and housing needs when dividing property and liabilities, and would clarify enforcement of real property orders. The sponsor said the bill is meant to make property divisions more equitable when one spouse must keep and later sell the family home. No public testimony was taken on the bill in the excerpt. In executive session, the committee considered Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5925 on Attorney General civil investigative demands. Members debated and voted on many amendments; most Republican-sponsored amendments were rejected, but Amendment 279, limiting use by the Criminal Justice Division, and Amendment 273, requiring consultation with local law enforcement in matters that may involve criminal violations, were adopted. The committee then passed the bill out with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 7-5 vote. The committee also heard and advanced Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6002 on automated license plate readers, adopting a striker and then passing the bill out 7-5 as amended, with members emphasizing privacy protections, retention limits, and limited law-enforcement uses while some members urged broader operational flexibility. Later, the committee took brief public testimony on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6086, which would let Administrative Office of the Courts security staff conduct threat assessments and expand Supreme Court bailiff authority; witnesses described rising threats to judges and court personnel. It also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties, with local officials citing caseload growth and budget strain. Senate Joint Memorial 8006, urging restoration and expansion of the limited license legal technician program, drew support from a paralegal and victim advocate who said it would improve access to justice for domestic violence survivors. Finally, the committee considered Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5993 on medical debt interest rates, which would lower the interest cap on new medical debt and prohibit interest in certain circumstances; the bill was moved out of committee with a do pass recommendation in the excerpt.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • recent role at NextEra Energy, giving a broad perspective on energy development, environmental protection
  • We're either going to stick and say we're going to protect our homes or we're going to protect energy
  • So, all of us, you know, our national labs, we're protecting with all in us.
  • Our energy demand is only protected to grow, as we talked yesterday, and to meet this demand, we must
  • The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress to protect species from extinction.
Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Revised Apr 22nd, 2026 at 03:30 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • state can currently apply for this exemption through our current processes to eliminate fraud and to protect
  • like to purchase their products in Oklahoma to go through our current process to ensure that we can protect
  • please let me keep working on this and to help all of us do our part to get this off the streets and protect
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 14th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 3587 improves the processes, procedures, and protections for the implementation of court-ordered
  • So, in the interest of trying to be able to protect the right of the accused in their constitutional
Committee: Senate Judiciary
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances REVISED: SB1501 - Added Apr 8th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a bill that would just protect local manufacturers from distribution that's unordered and protect
  • It protects distributors when they have to replace products for control issues such as expiration or
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • program, without the fund being in place, there's no mechanism by which the charter schools, the protections
  • how are you going to administer this in a way that doesn't hurt the people that we're supposed to protect
  • They would be protected. You're creating a zero tolerance policy.
  • Madam Speaker, House Bill 4198, the Protection Against Workplace Violence Act allows for an An employer
  • can seek a protective order against a former employee if they can demonstrate an imminent threat against
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Summary: The Senate considered Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, a measure to terminate and restate the LEOFF 1 pension plan and use surplus funds for other state purposes if federal approval is obtained. During debate, senators discussed whether the plan should remain funded at 110% or 120% of actuarial value, whether surplus dollars should instead go to transportation or the budget stabilization account, whether members should receive an additional distribution, and whether local governments should be reimbursed for retiree health care costs. Several amendments were offered: a Gildon amendment to raise the funding target to 120% failed; a technical Robinson amendment adding a date passed; Holy, King, Harris, Schessler, and Conway amendments addressing member distributions, transportation, budget stabilization, local government health care costs, and a reconstituted board distribution all failed; and Robinson’s amendment removing Climate Commitment Act repayment language passed. The Ways and Means striking amendment, as amended, was then adopted. On final passage, supporters argued the bill was actuarially sound, had been reviewed by attorneys, actuaries, the State Investment Board, and the Department of Retirement Systems, and would allow use of excess funding for other state needs. Opponents warned it left too little in the pension fund, should dedicate surplus dollars only to one-time uses, and did not adequately reimburse cities and counties for retiree medical obligations. After debate, the Senate passed E2SHB 2034 by a vote of 25 yeas, 22 nays, with one absent and one excused. Afterward, the Senate returned to Substitute House Bill 2178, which was also passed on final passage by a vote of 39 yeas and 9 nays, with one excused. The chamber then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Feb 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • benefits for state-sponsored retirement services, preferences for certain types of employment, protections
  • Instead, it protects current misuses of the program.
  • In addition, protection order filings have increased by 41 percent, and, as Commissioner Lind mentioned
  • Violations of these requirements constitute a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.
  • I'm staff to the Consumer Protection and Business Committee.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Business and Insurance REVISED Feb 5th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Business and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • update as Other states have already done the process of a state law so that financial institutions can protect
  • A current law makes it hard to give the adult protection services or law enforcement, and the way it's
  • This bill will realign some legal roadblocks, allowing financial institutions a clear path to help protect
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Jan 20th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • That includes medical and legal expenses to protect the fund or that are incurred in compliance with
  • was temporarily expanded for the biennium to broadly include administrative expenses to prevent or protect
  • This is a narrow and technical clarification that protects the pension status of the skilled building
  • Passing 6173 while also protecting workers and asking employers to pay their fair share.
  • This is good legislation. also protecting workers and asking employers to pay their fair share.
Committee: Senate Ways & Means
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 22nd, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Disability Rights Texas is the state's federally designated protection advocacy agency.
  • When source of income is not protected, veterans and...
  • It promotes due process protections and accountability for both...
  • Currently, most firefighters are not protected.
  • Most police officers do have these protections. These protections? Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.