Video & Transcript Research : 'native Hawaiian speaker'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- further speakers. further speakers.
- further speakers. further speakers.
- >> Speaker, I have no more speakers and I'm >> Speaker, I have no more speakers and I'm prepared
- Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, gas prices are out of control.
- Speaker, Mr. Speaker, Mr.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 28th, 2026
Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- I was the first undergraduate transfer student and the second ever Native American student to sit on
- And thank you to our student speakers for your testimonials about student voice and student representation
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for its sixth policy hearing of 2026 and considered one measure, ACA 18, the “student empowerment amendment.” The authors, Assemblymembers Solache and Arends, said the constitutional amendment would expand student representation on the UC Board of Regents by adding a second voting student regent, with both undergraduate and graduate representation. They argued this would better reflect the student body, improve decision-making, and align UC with the California State University and Community College systems, which already have two student voting members.
Supporters, including current and former UC student leaders and representatives from the UC Student Association, testified that students are the primary stakeholders in the university system and should have more meaningful voting power on issues such as tuition, housing, basic needs, free speech, and campus policy. They said the current single student regent cannot adequately represent the diversity of UC students and that the proposal would strengthen shared governance and accountability. No opposition testimony was presented.
Committee members voiced support, with several noting the importance of student voice and representation. The committee accepted the authors’ amendments, then voted the measure out on a due pass as amended motion to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The roll call ultimately finished at 9-0 in favor, and the chair adjourned the meeting after announcing the next hearing date.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Community Affairs Mar 31st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- DOES NOT REPLACE THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS IN THE PARTICULAR COMMUNITY DOES EXACTLY WHAT ONE OF THE SPEAKERS
- Leek: THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPEAKER CARDS BUT CAN I ASK WHO FROM MIAMI BEACH WANTS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
- TO KNOW HOW MANY QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ASKING EACH INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER. OKAY.
- I AM A FLORIDA NATIVE TOUR GUIDE AND I OPPOSE THIS BILL.
- AND BRENDA WELLS WILL BE ON DECK. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY, I AM A FLORIDA NATIVE
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 098 Apr 21st, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And<00:18:14.960>
Madam <00:18:15.240>Speaker And Madam Speaker And Madam Speaker Here. - Thank you, Madam Speaker. pinch hitting. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
- Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move uh Thank you, Madam Speaker.
- Apparently a native<05:06:43.240>
plant native plant native plant >> [laughter] >> - Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal from April 20, 2026. Members then made announcements about committee schedules, open enrollment, and the Bolder Boulder event, and welcomed guests from the Leadership Program of the Rockies. The House also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026 as Home Education Day in Colorado, on a 60-2 vote with three excused. Supporters described home education as a longstanding family choice and emphasized parental rights and educational flexibility.
The chamber then received committee reports, including an Appropriations Committee report advancing House Bills 1052, 1132, 1143, 1226, 1343, and 1344 to the Committee of the Whole. The Majority Leader moved several bills to special orders for April 21, 2026 at 9:20 a.m., and the motion was adopted without objection.
The Committee of the Whole took up House Bill 1028, concerning second language diploma endorsements for graduating high school students. After adopting the appropriations report, the House passed the bill. Supporters said it would recognize bilingualism and Colorado’s diversity. The committee then considered House Bill 1143, concerning background checks for non-employment-based educational opportunities. The bill sponsor said it would allow qualified people without Social Security numbers to participate in internships, clinical placements, and volunteer opportunities by using alternative identification. Several members opposed the bill and supported amendments, arguing for employer or institutional choice, narrower definitions, and concerns about constitutional rights, tax compliance, and the breadth of the bill. Amendment L6 failed, and the transcript ends amid extended discussion of Amendment L7 regarding enforcement against public entities, with no final action on the bill shown in the excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- there are two programs we think that need more support that includes for food service as the previous speaker
- all federally recognized tribes and 1.4 million. people who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native
- They're not currently serving native students well, or they will drop out.
- to build my life, pursue a career. and carry my culture with me on this journey to give back to my native
- For far too young, our Native American people have faced significant obstacles in their pursuit of higher
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 4, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- As the speaker before me on the amendment spoke about the amendment, it's very important because the
- As the speaker before me on the amendments spoke about the amendment, it's very important because the
- Upon completion of the plan, provide a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
- speak with you today on an issue that resonates with me not only as a phosphator, but as a Florida native
- I understand from the last speaker that, you know, and the meeting that I had with them, that it may
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met for its first meeting of session and heard four bills. HB 209, the State Parks Preservation Act, would limit development in state parks and require stronger public notice and participation for land management plan changes. Members discussed protections for cabins and existing lodging, and an amendment aligned the bill with the Senate and clarified conservation-based recreational uses. Support came from Audubon Florida, Nature Conservancy, and others, and the bill was reported favorably with committee substitute after a unanimous roll call.
HB 143 would create a Florida Resilient Buildings Tax Credit for new construction and retrofits that meet LEED-based resiliency standards, with a new advisory committee under DBPR to help administer the program. An amendment moved the process under DBPR, added UCF and FIU to the advisory council, and made technical conforming changes. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Boca Raton city council member and was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one no vote.
HB 295 would direct DEP to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan based on its 2020 recycling report, including education, market development, and recommendations for statutory changes. Testimony emphasized that the plan would be voluntary and would not impose costs or mandates on homeowners or businesses. The bill passed without amendments and was reported favorably. HB 585 would let owners of former phosphate mining lands record notice and obtain a Department of Health radiation survey to support a narrow defense against strict liability claims; an amendment clarified the notice content and limited the definition to mined lands, not gyp stacks. The bill drew extensive questions about notice, radiation thresholds, disclosure to buyers, and liability scope, but supporters from Mosaic, the Florida Chamber, and a health physicist argued it would improve transparency and help redevelop lands. It was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one soft yes and one no vote.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we've got a number of speakers here, a few of them our younger members who are maybe testifying
- And so we've got a number of speakers here, a few of them our younger members who are maybe testifying
- And so we've got a number of speakers here, a few of them our younger members who are maybe testifying
- And so we've got a number of speakers here, a few of them our younger members who are maybe testifying
- <00:59:23.480>
and um American Indian Alaskan native and um American Indian Alaskan native
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/21/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- cover historic bearing grounds, and we need to cover, uh, archaeological resources, particularly Native
- cover historic bearing grounds, and we need to cover, uh, archaeological resources, particularly Native
- The speaker says there will be other people speaking in more detail, but the point of the bill was to
- Thank you, gentlemen. >> Thank you very much. >> Uh, Jason, and I have one more speaker after Jason,
- And our final speaker. >> Have a great day. >> Yes. I appreciate your testimony.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a native Texan. I earned a doctorate in math at the University of Texas.
- I'm a native-born Texan who grew up in Austin and now lives in Coryell County.
- I am a native Texan and a transgender woman.
- And every now and then, one speaker will stand out.
- And every now and then, one speaker will stand out. Today, I'm hoping that speaker is me.
Keywords:
gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues.
Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters.
Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/24/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We didn't have Obama, Speaker Heastie. We didn't have a Tisch, James.
- Hard to follow, but I just have to stand today because I am a very proud Chicago native.
- VERY PROUD CHICAGO NATIVE.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.”
After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements.
On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 2nd, 2026 at 08:43 am
House Taxation & Revenue
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- House Speaker Mike. to preserve, now allow this local production of ammonia and relief to Minnesota farmers
- All of which are co-planted with a resilient mix of native grasses.
- ENGIE's Minnesota community solar projects was even featured in the New York Times, highlighting native
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce, labor and economic development panel hears HF1965 3/27/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- opportunity to attend one of their breakfasts, you know that they have meaningful discussions and speakers
- opportunity to attend one of their breakfasts, you know that they have meaningful discussions and speakers
- It's always great to welcome some of my fellow East Enders as a native of the East End community.
Summary:
The Texas Senate convened with a quorum, heard the governor’s emergency message outlining priority issues for the session, including property tax relief, water supply and infrastructure funding, universal education savings accounts, teacher pay, career and technical education, creation of a Texas Cyber Command, and bail reform. The governor also submitted a State of the State message and several appointment nominations for Senate confirmation. The chamber then took up a series of ceremonial resolutions and recognitions for McAllen Day, UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day, Wise County Day, and Houston East End Chamber of Commerce East End Day, along with visits from the Houston Realty Business Coalition, Cedar Creek Chamber of Commerce, Webb County/Laredo delegates, UT Dallas McDermott Scholars, Andrews County officials, and occupational therapy professionals and students.
Several senators spoke in support of the recognitions, highlighting local economic development, higher education, public health, and regional history. McAllen was praised for its growth, business climate, and cultural significance; Laredo and Webb County were recognized for trade, the Washington’s Birthday Celebration, and cross-border ties; UTSA and UT Health were commended for research, cybersecurity, and health science work; and UT Dallas scholars were recognized for academic achievement and public service. Wise County, the East End of Houston, and Andrews County were also described in terms of their economic contributions and community heritage.
The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 27 for McAllen Day and Senate Resolution 32 for UTSA and UT Health San Antonio Day without objection. It also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, which granted permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days between February 5 and February 11, by a recorded vote of 30 ayes and 0 nays. Additional resolutions listed on the calendar were adopted without objection, and the Senate recessed until noon on Wednesday, February 5.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The link is not funded from the Speaker.
- And I really hope you follow up with Speaker Damuth.
- And I really hope you follow up with Speaker Damuth.
- And I really hope you follow up with Speaker Damuth.
- And I really hope you follow up with Speaker Damuth.
Keywords:
HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation
Summary:
The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds.
Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over.
The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity (9-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- or 49% high school reading proficiency, how much of that 49% is English language learners versus native
- speakers?
- <00:33:49.120>
speakers? - speakers?
- Do you have a versus native speakers?
Summary:
The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met in September 2025, established a quorum, introduced new member Larry Forester, and approved the minutes from the August 26 meeting. The main presentation came from Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Johnson, who discussed the district’s work serving English language learners and multilingual students, including immigrant and refugee families. They said Warren County now serves roughly 5,500 multilingual students out of about 19,000 total, representing about 92 languages and 90 countries, with 57 certified multilingual teachers, a GO Center, migrant and refugee advocates, and the state’s first international high school.
The presenters emphasized that the district welcomes immigrant families and that students and parents generally value public education, but they described major challenges tied to accountability and funding. They explained that multilingual students are tested after one year in the system, even though many need more time to become proficient in English and grade-level standards, and they argued that current graduation-rate rules can unfairly penalize schools when transient students enroll briefly and then leave. They also said the cost of serving this population has risen sharply, with special revenue and especially general-fund spending increasing substantially over the past decade, prompting the district to reallocate resources from EL teacher assistants toward translation technology and additional certified staff.
Committee members asked questions about how long-term multilingual students compare with the general student body and whether the district’s data show similar graduation outcomes. Clayton said he did not have the specific comparison data at hand but believed students who stay K-12 generally reach proficiency. He and Johnson asked legislators to consider giving students more time before accountability measures apply and to shift some graduation accountability from individual schools to the district level for highly transient populations, while still maintaining accountability. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Lily was thanked for bringing such a great bill, and the speaker said they were lucky
- language that they understood the native language that they understood the song<00:28:24.799>
and - They are licensed either to a Native tribe, a community itself, or a college, school, or university.
- This is Minnesota Native News. I'm Murray Rock.
- <00:57:03.720>
news drafted this is Minnesota native news drafted this is Minnesota native
Keywords:
public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- I'll echo what a previous speaker said, where sometimes you get to say good job to the administration
- If I'm a little more emotional than some of the other speakers on this bill, that's because I have a
- I've seen abandoned cranberry bogs full of hard, compacted soil and barren of native vegetation turned
- The native people never left.
- Plentiful native sea-run trout were well known to Indigenous Americans. In the 1800s...
Summary:
The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination.
Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Sep 4th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- thank you again for the opportunity to present some of our priorities and pass it on to the next speaker
- I'm a native New Mexican.
- She is also a native New Mexican, grew up here in Farmington, and has been here at the college for 16
- We are a non-tribal Native American-serving institution, and we're extremely proud of that.
- I just want to say to the prior speaker that I do agree.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I also want to thank Speaker Burroughs for the 89th session interim charges issued to the House Committee
- March, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission amended rules governing authorization of take for native
- The department will enforce live animal movement requirements that apply to native wildlife, with inspections
- private lands, including the recent adoption of a special take authorization for disease management in native
- I sit here as a native Texan, a former Texas A&M rodeo team member, if you can imagine it, and a Texas