Video & Transcript Research : 'minority groups'

Page 80 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • this too, and what will remain as a chamber where the majority has the right to prevail and the minority
  • HB Number 48 by DARB relating to the creation of a working group to study alert notification systems
  • preparedness requirements for youth camps, camps, and entities that provide high-risk activities for minors
  • the emergency Response Planning and Emergency preparedness of youth camps and campus programs for minors
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • And here we go again, identifying a group of people and not making it so that they can have the same
  • And here we go again, identifying a group of people and not making it so that they can have the same
  • However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.
  • However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.
  • Madam Speaker, House Bill 445, sponsored by Representative Heffernan and Representative Minor-Brown and
Summary: The House convened on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, and moments of silence for Gerlindy Lancelotti and Iva Durham. Members then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions, including consent calendar items and several measures related to agriculture, lottery reporting, health care, fire service membership standards, inmate work, telecommunications, rent increases, youth camp licensing, primary elections, respiratory care practice, and marriage equality. The chamber also heard extended debate on Senate Bill 233, concerning removal of snow and ice from vehicles, and on House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary while barring participation in both parties’ primaries. Among the notable actions, House Concurrent Resolution 157 passed as amended, directing the State Lottery to report on options to support traditional lottery retailers. Senate Bill 53, preserving the Delaware Farm to Community Program if federal support declines, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 307, giving the Public Service Commission authority to designate eligible Lifeline carriers, and Senate Bill 339, clarifying advance health care directives, also passed. Senate Bill 235, removing a sunset on manufactured home rent increase calculations, passed, as did Senate Bill 325 after House Amendment 1 narrowed disqualifying offenses for fire service membership and adjusted related background-check rules. Senate Bill 309, discharging remaining incarceration-cost balances, and Senate Bill 324, addressing constable-related firearm permit provisions, both passed. The chamber tabled Senate Bill 233 once to consider a proposed amendment for trucks and other hard-to-clear vehicles, but the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended by the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 19, directing DHSS to study strategies to reduce health care costs, was tabled pending legal review. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry, passed after extensive floor debate and personal statements from members on both sides. Senate Bill 293, creating a licensure pathway for summer camps to participate in purchase-of-care, passed after House Amendment 1. House Bill 188 on open primary access for unaffiliated voters passed 22-17, and Senate Bill 94, concerning respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery, passed after House Amendment 2. The transcript ends as the House begins consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Jan 27th, 2026

Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:
  • they come from and whatever the particular product is behind the counter so young people, you know, minors
  • non-FDA-approved nicotine devices, which are currently sold all across the United States, are put away from minors
  • this bill is trying to keep them out, keep these products, whatever they are, out of the hands of minors
  • federal and state governments together across this country, this is a really meaningful way to protect minors
  • lot of, there could be a lot of unscrupulous, you know, opportunistic individuals or entities or groups
Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered and reported several bills. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments adopted, including changes to lottery department contracting language and machine-purchase flexibility; the committee then reported the bill favorably. SB 204, which increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a declaratory-statement process for veteran service organizations to confirm machine legality, drew support from gaming interests and some soft opposition from a veterans group concerned about implementation; it was also reported favorably. The committee then took up a proposed committee substitute combining SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and vacation properties. The combined bill would require certain rental properties near water bodies or with pools to install specified alarms, locks, fences, covers, or similar safety devices, with enforcement through DBPR and a grace period for correcting some violations. Senators emphasized the bill as a response to child drowning deaths, including those involving autistic children, and the PCS was reported favorably. SB 980, as a delete-everything amendment, would create the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in areas accessible to those under 21, with penalties and inspection authority; after questions about counterfeit products and enforcement, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1708, which removes a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for veterinary licensure by endorsement while keeping other competency requirements, and SB 680, as amended, which creates a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, subject to metering and affidavit requirements. Several members recorded votes after the roll calls, and the meeting ended with an invitation to return later for another bill before adjournment.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-04-21 - 10:00AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, and uh they're a group of delegates that are here from North Macedonia under the behind me that had
  • Um and<00:10:50.480> uh<00:10:50.560> they're<00:10:50.760> a<00:10:50.800> group
  • <00:10:51.000> of<00:10:51.120> delegates<00:10:51.640> that and uh they're a group
  • of delegates that and uh they're a group of delegates that are<00:10:51.840> here<00:10:52.080
  • included in the House-passed minors included in the House-passed version<00:26:09.000> of<00:
Keywords: 926, house, all
Summary: The House opened with ceremonial readings and announcements, including a pledge of allegiance and a House Concurrent Resolution recognizing April 2026 as the Month of the Military Child in Vermont. Members also welcomed guests in the gallery, including military families, Vermont Library Association leaders Daisy Benson and Amy Williams, a legislative intern, delegates from North Macedonia under the Open World Program, and Norwich University students. Several caucus and event announcements followed, including a reception for an art exhibition, caucus meetings, and a legislative cabaret notice. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 89, relating to expanding survivor benefits. Committee members explained that the bill would extend the existing emergency personnel survivor death benefit to additional categories of workers, including law enforcement officers, certain corrections employees, family services workers, and certain state-operated mental health employees, with a prospective effective date of July 1, 2026. The House General and Housing Committee reported the bill favorably 10-0-1, and the Appropriations Committee reported 11-0-0, noting there was no new money in the bill and that the fund currently had enough for one claim. The House voted to propose the bill to the Senate as amended and ordered it to third reading. The House also considered House Bill 626 on sexual extortion, voyeurism, and nonconsensual disclosure of sexually explicit images. The Senate amendment added enhanced penalties for voyeurism involving victims under 18, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. After hearing from the Defender General, prosecutors, sheriffs, and the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, the House Judiciary Committee recommended concurrence 10-0-1. The House agreed to concur in the Senate proposal of amendment, and third reading was ordered. At the end of the session, the House adjourned on a voice vote until Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • When we start changing the laws where crimes and people aren't held responsible for minor crimes, and
  • laws having to do with human trafficking, gun charges, drug charges, auto theft, which seems like a minor
  • But we chase people because when we stop people for minor violations, even, you know, infractions on
  • They're going to have to get a group of subject matter experts, and then once they put that together,
  • And so we try to group, you know, share the costs and put out those resources. Thank you.
Summary: The committee held a hearing on active and mass shootings in California, focusing on prevention, response, training, communications, and gaps in preparedness across law enforcement, schools, campuses, fire, EMS, and state agencies. Opening remarks emphasized the frequency and impact of gun violence, the need for faster coordinated response, and the importance of learning from recent tragedies such as the Stockton-area mass shooting described by Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The first panel included representatives from police, sheriff, and campus public safety agencies, who discussed incident command, interoperable communications, next-generation 911, threat assessment, emergency notification systems, and the value of joint drills and cross-agency planning. Witnesses also highlighted differences in training and authority across jurisdictions, especially for private university public safety departments versus public campus police. Campus representatives said they rely heavily on municipal law enforcement for armed response, while also using run-hide-fight protocols, text alerts, surveillance, and threat assessment teams. Members raised concerns about standardized training, after-action reviews, mental health resources, school resource officers, and whether campus safety plans and drills are sufficiently consistent or workable. Sheriff Withrow argued that early intervention and accountability are being weakened by well-intentioned laws, while other witnesses stressed prevention through relationships, diversion, and coordinated support services. The second panel from Cal OES, the Department of Education, POST, and EMSA described statewide systems and standards. Cal OES outlined its Reduce the Risk initiative, gun violence restraining orders, mutual aid, unified command, after-action reporting, and nonprofit security grants. The Department of Education explained California’s statutory school safety framework, annual safety plans, regulated armed assailant drills, and local flexibility, while acknowledging compliance gaps and the need for more mental health support. POST described the new requirement for 16 hours of standardized active shooter training for recruits and ongoing local training options. EMSA explained its role in medical response and terrorism training standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 4/8/2026 #1

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • international relations uh with a minor international relations uh with a minor in<00:04:03.920>
  • <00:04:35.520> here understand that there is a group here understand that there is a group
  • President minor for the and Mr.
  • recognize the minority whip. recognize the minority whip.
  • Pages minority whip has an amendment.
Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and handled several ceremonial and introductory matters before moving into committee reports. The chamber welcomed the doctor of the day, recognized an intern and a guest in the gallery, extended birthday wishes to Senator Chris West, and received remarks from the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Andre Moraru, who emphasized Romania’s strategic partnership with the United States, NATO cooperation, investment ties, energy projects, and support for Ukraine. Senators also briefly noted Maryland’s military and diplomatic ties to Romania. The ambassador’s remarks were journalized, and members were given time to meet with him off the floor. The Senate then took up a series of second-reading bills, mostly from the Finance Committee, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the measures advanced were Senate Bill 39 on behavioral health reimbursement rate methodology and a work group for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers; Senate Bill 605 directing the Public Service Commission to study broadband and VoIP oversight; Senate Bill 721, Ralph’s Act, providing expedited DDA/Medicaid eligibility for certain recently relocated individuals; and Senate Bill 891 on perinatal mental health screening, coverage, training, and reporting. Each was amended in committee and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also advanced several House bills, including House Bill 427 extending the task force on responsible use of natural psychedelic substances and adding an HBCU representative; House Bill 480 requiring transportation network companies to maintain written deactivation policies; House Bill 532 requiring overtime pay for firefighters employed by governmental units after 168 hours in a 28-day period; House Bill 816 reducing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund assessment cap from 3% to 1% and authorizing an affordability program; House Bill 829 requiring human trafficking awareness training for certain for-hire and rideshare drivers; House Bill 862 requiring a two-person crew for certain freight rail operations in shared corridors, contingent on similar action in neighboring states; and House Bill 999 revising Class 9 limited distillery license rules and production limits. Most of these bills were reported favorably, with no objections, and were ordered to third reading or passed for third reading as applicable.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (01/28/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • the U.S. routinely turn away unaccompanied minors, even emancipated minors.
  • I also spend my time talking to groups I also spend my time talking to groups about<03:38:19.840
  • We can't just blanket it as one group of people.
  • We can't just blanket it as one group of people.
  • We can't just blanket it as one group of people.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Human Services Apr 15th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Let's be clear: SNAP participants are a minority. Of grocery shoppers.
  • Traditionally, most minorities have had goat milk or camel milk or something else.
  • That's why there are different types of group homes.
  • It took the time of an employee from each of these groups.
  • I'm happy to get a group together; we can have more than just me.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice May 12th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • together, and that group is going to be part of sharing this facility.
  • Minor must be reserved for the rare and uncommon youth offender.

  • It is a mandate that the court reserve life without parole for only the rarest minor offender.
  • We have Chris Alexander with Louisiana Citizens Group, who's in opposition, does not wish to speak.
  • Chris Alexander with Louisiana Citizens Group, who's in opposition does not wish to speak.
Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on juvenile justice, gaming background checks, corrections, and criminal procedure. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably SB 258 on juvenile traffic violations, SB 321 on electronic bonds, SB 134 on child sexual abuse material/sexting-related offenses involving juveniles, and HB 75 on promotional play for racetracks after adopting an amendment narrowing the bill’s application. The committee also reported favorably SB 422 on unsupervised probation for certain fourth-offense OWI cases, SB 440 on the Renaissance District board membership, SB 393 on explosives regulation after correcting a bill-number mix-up, SB 339 on gaming-industry background checks, SB 325 on excluding certain persons from sports wagering, and SB 288 on criminal history background checks. Most of these measures were described as technical cleanups or modernization efforts and drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, or industry groups, with little or no opposition. The most substantial debate centered on SB 201, which would change how Louisiana handles juvenile homicide sentencing, including first- and second-degree murder cases and review of old death sentences converted to life terms. Supporters from the Attorney General’s office said the bill would align sentencing procedures with existing Supreme Court law and give courts a more neutral framework. Opponents from the SPLC and the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights argued it would weaken the safeguard that life without parole for children should be reserved for the rarest cases, expand exposure to juvenile life-without-parole sentences, and raise constitutional concerns. After an amendment was adopted, the committee voted 7-3 to report SB 201 favorably as amended. The committee also heard SB 523 on clemency and sentencing considerations for defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault. Supporters said it would create a path to pardon or commutation and allow victimization to be considered at sentencing, while several survivor-advocacy groups opposed the bill’s pre-sentence investigation requirement, warning it could introduce biased or harmful information and that the bill did not go far enough to fix sentencing problems. After testimony from the Board of Pardons and Parole and the Sheriff’s Association, the committee reported SB 523 favorably as amended. It also reported SB 320 on DNA detection and rape-kit data reporting, SB 470 on pregnant women in custody and shackling during delivery, and SB 345 requiring annual OJJ reporting, with members noting confidentiality concerns that may need amendment later. The final bill taken up in the excerpt was SB 313, which would bar clerks and vendors from charging additional electronic filing fees in criminal and traffic cases, but the transcript cuts off before action on that measure.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 10th, 2026 at 04:43 pm

Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, it's bundled in one group, but it's a three-year strategic plan.
  • Madam Chair, my last major concern is about the... well, okay, one minor question: are the two years
  • It's just we have to be able to tap into those folks and not just exclude for a particular group.
  • So we're all a group effort here on making sure this goes. All right, Senator Bergman, now.
  • Okay, so there's just a minor change in it from the existing correct?
Bills: SB20, SB21, SB166, SB177, SB181, SB189, SM6
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • January 6th, 2026, the Chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority
  • parties with time equally allocated between the parties, and each member other than the majority and minority
  • leaders and the minority whip limited to five minutes.
  • MINUTES AS THE DESIGNEE OF THE MINORITY LEADER. >> OKAY, OKAY. >> MR.
  • And he was He was put in that position because they had conflicting groups.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Finance Division III (04/20/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • In our clinical suite, there's two group In our clinical suite, there's two group therapy<00:17:
  • We have a work group.
  • We have a work group. We're courts. We have a work group.
  • <01:34:31.560> reports And those with proposed minority reports And those with proposed minority
  • working group working group this<01:44:01.680> is<01:44:01.880> one<01:44:02.080><
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining. The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training. Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Feb 3rd, 2026 at 10:04 am

Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Native American women, all of whom were of childbearing age, including several procedures performed on minors
  • procedures were also carried out by privately contracted physicians at Indian Health Services and other groups
  • whether they are being short-sighted about our care and/or allowing their biases about certain racial groups
  • happening in the military, in prisons, in the incarcerated individuals, and mental institutions, minorities
  • those situations where it's going to require real political will and advocacy from civil society groups
Bills: SM14
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health May 19th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, it may seem minor when you're talking about patients who have personally worked with who have
  • There are certain minor things that I do think patients deserve from people who are getting more hands-on
  • Some groups that were... can we talk? Sure.
  • There are some groups that would pay for it, and the way Oliverson was saying, that's not the original
  • All of the groups that are under that are going to get charged the $15.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/12/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • the HIV epidemic eh and the minority the HIV epidemic eh and the minority Aids<00:46:30.240>
  • Because is it, well, that was minor good faith, or it's, you know, major? Um, and it's...
  • Because is it, well, that was minor good faith, or it's, you know, major? Um, and it's...
  • Because is it, well, that was minor good faith, or it's, you know, major? Um, and it's...
  • <01:33:14.080> good because is it well that was minor good because is it well that was minor
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • It also requires written parental consent before providing any sexual education to minor students. it
  • Education to minor students. Parents have the right to know and decide.
  • This is a group under DPS of eight folks who are there to help schools as a free resource.
  • <00:31:19.360> of is selecting a very small group of is selecting a very small group of people
  • ,<00:32:10.520> small having a small interest group, small having a small interest group,
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press event focused on school safety, student performance, and relief from what they described as burdensome mandates on districts. Sen. Zach Duckworth promoted the SHIELD Act, which would provide grant funding through the Minnesota School Safety Center for security upgrades such as access controls, ballistic-resistant materials, mass notification systems, and staff training. He also highlighted other education bills, including measures to require parental and teacher notification of violent incidents within 24 hours, allow short removals after serious incidents in K-3 classrooms, expand retention and intervention policies for students not meeting grade level, and increase parental access to curriculum materials and consent for sex education. Duckworth said the school safety proposal has bipartisan support and argued schools should have flexible, locally driven tools to protect students. Sen. Julia Coleman and other Republicans framed the agenda as a response to classroom violence, learning loss, and a lack of transparency. Coleman said teachers and parents are seeing serious problems firsthand and argued that schools should not hide violent incidents. She described Senate File 676 as a notification and anti-retaliation bill, and said Senate File 4023 would give schools a brief reset after serious incidents in early grades. She also backed the transparency bill requiring parental review of curriculum and written consent for sex education. The group repeatedly argued that schools, parents, and teachers should be prioritized over what they called political secrecy or overreach. Sen. Jason Rarick focused on school finance, saying new state mandates have left districts in deficit despite prior funding increases. He discussed bills to expand safe school aid to nonpublic schools, increase staffing at the Minnesota School Safety Center, expand counselor funding for nonpublic students to K-6, and conform state law to federal tax credits that could support scholarships and tutoring. Sen. Carla Nelson Housley argued that more than 60 unfunded mandates have strained districts and said Senate File 3361 would temporarily let districts transfer funds between accounts and opt out of certain new mandates from 2023-24, with public board discussion and votes. In the question period, Republicans also discussed the governor’s supplemental budget, fraud enforcement, possible bonding for IT upgrades, and potential tax and child care credit changes, while emphasizing they want bipartisan cooperation on fraud and school safety but oppose new taxes and what they called harmful mandates.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • And, you know, when my party was in the minority, we used it as leverage, and so did Republicans.
  • Einstein Medical School in New York and other groups have talked to us about this.
  • Uh, many groups testified in favor of this: Minnesota milk producers, farm bureau, farm union, and groups
  • Uh, many groups testified in favor of this: Minnesota milk producers, farm bureau, farm union, and groups
  • /c><00:23:07.280> just<00:23:07.600> generally groups that just generally groups that just
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're not addressing the real issues of the elections that we have and silencing the minority voice.
  • We're not addressing the real issues of the elections that we have and silencing the minority voice.
  • We're not addressing the real issues of the elections that we have and silencing the minority voice.
  • So it retains that, so that in the Senate, this minority members would still be able to nominate two
  • <02:16:42.639> members majority and control as minority members majority and control as minority
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement. Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • And here we go again, identifying a group of people and not making it so that they can have the same
  • Madam Speaker, to the members of the 153rd General Assembly, from Melissa Minor-Brown, Speaker of the
  • However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.
  • However, the Delaware Code still contains references to minors engaging in prostitution.
  • Representative Minor-Brown and Representative Harris and Senator Hansen and other representatives and
Summary: The House met on June 30, 2026, with opening ceremonies, guest introductions, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence for two deceased community members. Members also adopted Consent Calendar 29, which included House Concurrent Resolutions 153, 154, and 156, and passed House Concurrent Resolution 157 directing the State Lottery to report on iLottery options to support traditional lottery retailers, as amended to set a February 15, 2027 reporting deadline. The chamber then considered several bills on agriculture, telecommunications, health, fire service standards, corrections, elections, and education. Among the measures passed were Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program, Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecom carriers, Senate Bill 339 clarifying advance health care directives, Senate Bill 235 extending manufactured home rent increase rules, Senate Bill 325 updating firefighter/EMS background check and membership standards, Senate Bill 309 discharging incarceration-related balances, Senate Bill 324 on constable-related handgun purchase exemptions, Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication access, and Senate Bill 293 creating a licensure pathway for summer camp providers in the Purchase of Care program. The House also passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment to protect the right to marry regardless of race or gender while explicitly preserving religious freedom. The bill drew extended debate, with supporters framing it as a safeguard against future rollbacks of marriage equality and opponents raising concerns about constitutionalizing an issue already in statute; several members explained changed votes and personal reflections before the final roll call, which passed 28-12. House Bill 188, which would allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after amendment, despite some opposition over party-system effects. Two measures were tabled or amended after debate: Senate Bill 233 on removing snow and ice from vehicles was initially tabled to consider a truck-driver exemption amendment, then the amendment failed and the bill later passed as amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 19 on studying health care costs was tabled briefly pending legal clarification. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a three-year pilot program for AI and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, data privacy, and teacher oversight. The transcript ends as House Bill 478 is being read in, but no final action on that bill appears in the provided text.
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

March 13, 2026 - Regular Session

Virginia House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I rise today to introduce a group of Virginians who represent the very best of our community's spirit
  • A group today joins us in the gallery from Central High School in Woodstock, visiting the Capitol today
  • Delegate Kilgore for dutifully attending his responsibilities as minority leader. Mr.
  • With the conference report, we clarified the definition of child, minor, and juvenile to make sure it
  • With the conference report, we clarified the definition of child, minor, and juvenile to make sure it