Video & Transcript Research : 'voting process'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/19/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:29.399>
providing find a different way to vote providing find a different way to vote - <00:19:38.480>
and <00:19:38.600>so applications processed and so applications processed - , registering to vote, or aiding another person in casting a ballot or registering to vote.
- <00:41:24.520>
for that that uh contains a process for that that uh contains a process for - <00:50:33.400>
of totally familiar with the process of totally familiar with the process of
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes the human services finance bill, HF2434 5/5/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Please<00:13:52.480>
vote <00:13:52.800>green. Please vote green. Please vote green. - Of those 33, 31 votes passed and two votes failed.
- Please vote yes. I recognize the taxes. Please vote yes.
- Aim votes no. The clerk will Aim. No. Aim votes no.
- My green vote today is to ensure the process and conversations continue on time. is.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Cynthia Stone Creem votes yes. Senator Durant? Have you been voted?
- Cynthia Stone Creem votes yes. Senator Durant? Have you been voted?
- Barrett votes yes. Senator Fattman. Brian C. Fattman votes no. Senator DiDomenico.
- Paul Feeney votes yes.
- Comerford votes yes. Did she vote? Thank you.
Summary:
The Senate first debated and advanced Senate Bill 2561, an act to promote student learning and mental health, centered on a statewide bell-to-bell restriction on student cell phone use in schools. Supporters argued the bill would reduce distraction, improve academic performance and mental health, and encourage social interaction, while preserving flexibility for districts and exceptions for emergencies, special education, health needs, and instructional uses. Several senators emphasized local control and the need for public input, and a number of amendments were considered: some were withdrawn, some were rejected, and others were adopted, including an amendment requiring consistent and necessary exceptions and another requiring public hearings and local public input. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 38-2.
The Senate also took up a conference committee report on a $259 million FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The report funded EMS costs, home care, the Healthy Incentives Program, DTA chip card technology, veterans benefits, the state police crime lab, the SSI state supplement, the Fair Housing Fund, and the National Guard, and included major indigent defense provisions: $40 million for 320 new CPCS staff attorneys, rate increases for private bar advocates, guardrails to reduce future work stoppages, and an independent review of the indigent defense system. Senators questioned the timing of the report, the inclusion of items not previously voted on by either branch, and the funding sources, including use of the transitional escrow fund and excess revenues. The report was accepted, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the supplemental budget was enacted.
In addition, the Senate passed other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District and a municipal roads and bridges financing bill, both by roll call vote. The chamber also enacted a health care protections bill, and it concurred in referrals on a governor’s municipal empowerment legislation. The session included a brief memorial tribute and adjournment in memory of Harry C. Christensen.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
PSM-HHS, PSM-EIG, PSM DEFER, PSM Public Hearings 03-23-2026
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- the vote. the vote.
- No vote. No vote for Any no votes? No vote. No vote for Senator<01:18:53.840>
DeCoite. - <01:21:02.480>
Senator and Vice Chair vote vote I. Senator and Vice Chair vote vote I. - Voting on vote and I vote I. Thank you.
- Any no<01:26:41.120>
votes? no votes? no votes?
Summary:
The joint hearing covered HB 1976, relating to dementia training for law enforcement, and HB 2443, relating to disaster services for people with disabilities and access or functional needs. For HB 1976, the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board opposed the bill’s process and cost, arguing there was no documented training gap because existing CALEA accreditation already includes mental illness response training that covers dementia. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, disability advocates, caregivers, and several individuals, said dementia-specific training would help first responders better handle real-world encounters and avoid harmful misunderstandings. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including changing mandatory language to permissive language in several places and removing a deadline for the first annual training cycle; the recommendation was adopted unanimously.
For HB 2443, testimony was strongly supportive. The Disability Communication Access Board, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and individual testifiers said the bill would strengthen emergency planning and response by adding a Disability Integration Specialist and better integrating people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into disaster preparedness, sheltering, and FEMA coordination. Several speakers emphasized recent storms and rescues as evidence of the need. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including changes based on Attorney General comments and adding specialized communications and comprehensive communications planning provisions previously contained in another bill; that recommendation was also adopted unanimously.
The transcript then moved to a separate mini hearing on HB 1768, relating to immigration enforcement. Supporters, including the ACLU of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would prevent local law enforcement from entering 287(g)-type agreements or otherwise participating in federal immigration enforcement, citing civil rights concerns, community trust, and the need for police to focus on local public safety. One testifier raised concerns that local cooperation could help avoid mistakes in enforcement, while supporters responded that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that local agencies should not be deputized for civil immigration arrests. The excerpt ends amid extended member questions and discussion, without showing a final vote on HB 1768.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Wed Apr 30, 2025, 9:00AM HST - Day 59
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Lanier votes yes. Senator Gonzales. Yes, Senator Gonzales votes yes.
- Senator Campos votes yes. Senator Gonzales votes yes. Senator Lanier votes yes.
- Senator Padilla votes yes. Senator Steinborn votes yes. Senator Tobiasen votes yes.
- Senator Trujillo votes yes. Senator Woods votes yes. Senator Shendo votes yes.
- Senator Lanier, no, Senator Lanier votes no. Votes no, Senator Padilla.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jul 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- given the PUC's process.
- Not voting. Schiavo? Aye. Schultz? Ta? Not voting. Wallace? Zbur? Aye. Chen not voting. Davies aye.
- Not voting? Wallace? Taw? Taw, not voting. Wallace, not voting. Zbur? Aye. Zbur, aye. That's 10-0.
- Patterson, not voting. Boerner? No. Calderon, no. Davies, no. Gonzales, not voting. Hart? Aye.
- Harabedian, not voting. Hart, not voting. Erwin, aye. Irwin, aye. Kalra, aye. Papan, aye.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility rates, wildfire safety, carbon capture, methane reduction, large energy users, low-income energy programs, and clean energy supply chains. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move forward with carbon dioxide pipeline safety rules and potentially lift the state’s moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from advocates and industry-related witnesses, with no opposition registered at the time they were presented, and the committee indicated it would vote once quorum was established.
After quorum was called, the committee took up SB 57, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and address stranded infrastructure costs. Supporters argued the bill would protect affordability and encourage clean energy use, while opponents, including utilities and business groups, warned it could create uncertainty and interfere with existing regulatory processes. The committee also heard SB 256 on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including undergrounding, PSPS communication, and removal of abandoned lines; supporters emphasized the need for stronger action after recent fires, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative requirements and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. Both SB 57 and SB 256 were approved on roll calls.
The committee then heard SB 647, which would expand and standardize oversight of low-income energy savings programs and performance metrics, with strong support from community advocates and some neutral or “tweener” positions from utilities that sought further work on data collection and implementation. SB 787 followed, proposing a state strategy to coordinate supply chains and workforce development for clean energy industries including EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind; it received broad support and no opposition. The committee also considered SB 332, a study bill on utility ownership models and affordability reforms, which drew strong support from consumer and climate advocates but opposition from utilities and business groups concerned about bias, investor signals, and executive compensation provisions. The consent calendar was later approved, and several bills were reported out with votes or held open for absent members to add on.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- c> what<00:54:58.200>
at the process process of looking what at the process process of looking - <01:01:47.200>
on vote thank you chair uh voting on vote thank you chair uh voting on sb125 - <01:02:07.119>
unless this vote and any further votes unless this vote and any further votes - Seeing none, Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on SB 1582.
- Representative Loen votes aye. Representative Peruso votes aye. Representative Quinlan votes aye.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session (Part 1 of September 12, 2025 Legislative day)
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote All members vote who desire to vote.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions. Members then moved through a long agenda of Senate and Assembly bills, including several concurrence votes on budget trailer bills and policy measures. Early actions included defeating a motion to send AB 1207 to the inactive file, then passing SB 855 on armory property transfers, SB 57 on data centers and ratepayer impacts, and SB 614 on carbon capture pipeline transport, with SB 614 transmitted immediately to the Senate. The house also approved AB 144 and AB 149, the health and resources budget trailer bills, and later took up a large concurrence file with many mostly bipartisan measures.
Among the major policy items, the Assembly concurred in AB 7 on consideration of descendants of enslaved people in higher education admissions, AB 1400 on community college nursing/bachelor’s degree pilots, AB 56 on social media warning labels for children, AB 253 on housing plan-check timelines, AB 265 on disaster recovery support for small businesses, AB 301 on housing reconstruction timelines after fires, AB 325 on antitrust and pricing algorithms, AB 478 on emergency planning for pets, AB 670 on renter stability, AB 841 on the State Fire Marshal, AB 979 on AI cybersecurity, AB 1007 on faster housing permitting, AB 1032 on mental health care for wildfire victims, AB 1181 on firefighter cancer protections, and AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals. Several bills drew brief opposition or questions, including AB 149, where Assembly Member Dixon criticized omnibus budget drafting and fee increases, and AB 1264, where members discussed agriculture concerns and school nutrition. Most measures passed with strong margins, many unanimously.
Later in the day, the Assembly also considered a separate set of Senate bills, including SB 760 on behest reporting for charitable appeals, SB 271 on student parents’ access to child care and financial aid services, SB 613 on methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, SB 744 on postsecondary accreditation, SB 461 on a facility transfer for police services in Imperial, SB 487 on compensation for injured firefighters and peace officers, SB 635 on street vendor protections, SB 641 on licensing relief after disasters, SB 720 on red-light camera programs, SB 763 on Cartwright Act penalties, and SB 274 on limits for automated license plate reader data retention. SB 274 drew the most extended debate, with supporters emphasizing privacy, civil liberties, and misuse of data, and opponents arguing the bill would hamper law enforcement and crime-solving tools. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote shown for SB 274 in the excerpt provided.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators will proceed to vote. All members voted.
- Senators will proceed to vote. ...Proceed to vote.
- Senators will proceed to vote. All senators voted.
- Senators will proceed to vote. All senators voted.
- Members will proceed to vote. All senators voted.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer by Rabbi Moshe Umatz, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar after a motion to reconsider SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. Several bills were also set aside during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, and school social workers.
The Senate passed a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included funding for expedited DNA testing grants for local law enforcement (SB 1072/HB 847), additional aggravating factors in capital cases involving religious, school, or government gatherings (SB 984/HB 693), fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients (SB 924/HB 677), commuter rail indemnification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties (SB 916/HB 867), restrictions on disposing of migrant vessels in Florida waters (SB 830), specialty license plates including Miami Northwestern and several colleges and institutions (SB 824), an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign (SB 398), relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University (SB 364), charter school changes allowing parent conversion and municipal job-engine charter schools (SB 140), sex offender registration reporting changes (SB 1654/HB 1351), penalties for assaulting utility workers (SB 1386), juvenile justice revisions and truancy process updates (SB 1344), reporting of student mental health outcomes (SB 1310/HB 969), foster home license transfer simplification (SB 1174/HB 989), water access facility funding and boating industry incentives (SB 1162/HB 735), Florida Virtual School operational changes (SB 1122), school readiness program support for children with disabilities (SB 1102), sexual image offenses involving minors (SB 1180/HB 757), age-related defenses in child sex offense cases (SB 1136/HB 777), tampering with electronic monitoring devices (SB 1054/HB 437), certified recovery residences and local zoning accommodations (SB 954), and the FSU Election Law Center (SB 892). Most of these bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though SB 984 and SB 140 drew some opposition.
One of the most extensive debates centered on SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office staff, citing emails and campaign-related communications tied to Amendment 4; the amendment failed on a 13-23 vote. Senators then debated the bill’s relationship to state election law, free speech, and the role of faith-based outreach. Supporters emphasized the office’s service network and reported benefits to children and families, while some senators raised concerns about interfaith representation and political use of government resources. The bill was then read a third time and the Senate proceeded toward a final vote as the transcript ended.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 26th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a record vote. Clerk, ring the... Bell. I have all members voted. Voting aye.
- Harless voting aye. Have all members? Voted. Jones voting aye.
- Isaac voting aye, Mr. Romero voting aye. Mr. Hunter voting aye. I have all members voted.
- Is Isaac voting no? King voting no. Gervin-Hawkins voting aye. Mr. Cook voting no.
- A record vote, Clerk, ring the bell. Shaheen voting aye, Isaac voting aye. All members voted.
Keywords:
HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I vote no.
- So I vote aye.
- With that, I vote aye.
- I am voting present with reservation for my vote on the floor. Thank you.
- vote?
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2076, which would create a reimbursement program for school safety training and equipment, maintain an approved list of training programs meeting AZPOST standards, and allow eligible schools to adopt policies permitting certain employees to carry concealed firearms on campus if they complete approved training and meet notification/confidentiality requirements. The sponsor, Rep. Bliss, framed the bill as an optional, fiscally responsible medical-response measure meant to help school employees stop bleeding and save lives in emergencies, emphasizing that no school would be required to participate and that no new state appropriation was needed.
Opponents, including Giffords, Arizona for Gun Safety, and the Arizona Education Association, argued the bill would normalize armed staff in classrooms, create confidentiality problems for parents and law enforcement, and expose students and staff to additional risk. They also said teachers are not trained as trauma responders and that the bill’s immunity and secrecy provisions could reduce accountability. Supporters, including Arizona Citizens Defense League and other proponents, said the bill adds guardrails to existing law, focuses mostly on first aid and de-escalation training, and gives schools an option to prepare staff for emergencies. After debate, the committee voted 6-5-1 to give HB 2076 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up House Bill 2830, which directs the State Board of Education to adopt science standards requiring instruction on fetal and prenatal development and specifies that the instruction is not sex education. Opponents, including the Arizona Education Association and Reproductive Freedom for All, said the bill politicizes science, creates fragmented instruction, and could lead to questions that inevitably touch on sex education while failing to address broader student health needs. Supporters, including Arizona Right to Life, a school board president, and a biology teacher, argued the bill is simply about age-appropriate, medically accurate science and parental transparency. The committee approved HB 2830 on an 8-4 vote.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: Media Availability on Floor Session Motion to Expel Senator Nicole Mitchell Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And she just continues to play the process off of itself.
- Can you, if they had not been able to take this into a procedural vote, contend to vote with their leadership
- If they had not been able to take this into a procedural vote, contend to vote with their leadership?
- /c><00:03:55.280>
with procedural vote Co tend to vote with procedural vote Co tend to vote with - Is there a transition process in place to transition from the sharing situation to the process of...
Summary:
The meeting centered on a motion to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell from the Minnesota Senate while her criminal case remains pending. Republican speakers argued that Mitchell’s trial delays and continued service were undermining the Senate’s integrity, distracting from legislative work, and denying her constituents full representation because she is not serving on committees or participating in caucus. They said the motion was intended to uphold accountability, justice for the alleged victim, and the institution’s standards of conduct.
DFL leaders and other defenders of Mitchell argued that she has not been convicted, is entitled to due process, and remains the duly elected representative of Senate District 47. They said Senate rules, Mason’s Rules, and custom require ethics proceedings to be completed before expulsion, and that the Senate should not act on her criminal case. They also emphasized that the Senate’s priority should be passing a budget and continuing to work under the chamber’s power-sharing agreement.
The expulsion effort did not succeed. After debate and a procedural vote, Senate Democrats voted to keep Mitchell in the Senate, and leaders said the matter would remain unresolved until her court and ethics proceedings move forward. Republicans indicated they may continue to raise the issue, while DFL leaders said they would focus on governing and expected the chamber to reorganize if control changes after the upcoming election.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Is everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot.
- Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Is everyone voted?
- Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Is everyone voted?
- Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Is everyone voted?
- We are not voting on general revenue. We're not voting on special revenue.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health & Human Development Committee Meeting Jun 18th, 2026
Health & Human Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Please note that any votes taken shall be done in a roll call manner.
- Just as important, the bill standardizes this process.
- The bill also creates a clear process for oversight.
- I will now take the roll call vote. Representative Chiquotia, yes.
- I would now take the roll call vote on Senate Bill 257.
Keywords:
Delaware Health Fund, healthcare access, preventive care, tobacco settlement, public health initiatives, grant program
Summary:
The House Health and Human Development Committee met and considered a series of health, human services, and related bills. The committee heard and advanced House Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 13, which standardizes hospital charity care and financial assistance statewide, and Senate Bill 296 with Senate Amendment 1, which restructures the Delaware Health Fund grant process with a more formal, transparent competitive rubric. Both measures received supportive testimony from DHSS, the Delaware Healthcare Association, and the Delaware Nurses Association, and both were released by committee on roll-call votes.
The committee also released Senate Bill 313 with Senate Amendment 1, which places a temporary moratorium on acquisitions of nonprofit acute care hospitals by for-profit entities and expands notice/review requirements for sales of hospital real estate; Senate Bill 340 with Senate Amendment 1, which requires long-term care facilities to carry specified liability insurance, with questions raised about the exemption for state-owned facilities; Senate Joint Resolution 20, which directs DHSS to study independent assessment tools for Medicaid home- and community-based services; and Senate Bill 341, which updates Delaware Health Information Network law and formally recognizes DIN as the state’s health data utility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some discussion on constitutional concerns, insurance coverage, and the rationale for the state exemption in SB 340.
Later, the committee advanced Senate Bill 257, which requires new animal shelters to be licensed and inspected before operating and removes a prior exception for certain rescue organizations; and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 278 with House Amendment 1, which allows earlier pre-authorization for summer child care enrollment and lowers copays for half-day care. Public testimony on these measures came from animal welfare advocates, YMCA representatives, and other stakeholders, all largely in support. Each bill was released by committee, with several votes walked for absent members, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- If the President of the United States is very critical of voting practices elsewhere, voted and said
- The actual vote-by-mail requests received—these are not vote-by-mail ballots received; these are the
- We want people to vote. We want them to get their vote-by-mail.
- We have an alternate but equally effective approach for vote-by-mail ballots and early voting.
- And please don't return the vote-by-mail. Voting is a right that people died for us to have.
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 62 by Senator Errington, which would create an enforceable requirement that partisan candidates meet the 365-day party affiliation or no-party registration requirement before qualifying. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law, heard no opposition, and then approved the bill. The committee also approved a slate of 15 gubernatorial nominees en bloc and recommended them to the floor.
The Florida Supervisors of Elections presented their 2026 legislative priorities. Their requests included automatically updating voter records when DHSMV changes driver license numbers, treating verified petition signing by inactive voters as voter activity that restores active status, adding election equipment and ballots to the state’s critical infrastructure protections, clarifying public-records treatment of election worker names and addresses, allowing more flexibility for early voting sites when a supervisor’s office is not suitable, eliminating the need for provisional-ballot envelopes when polling hours are extended by emergency order, and allowing vote-by-mail voters to remain on the list for the next general election unless they opt out. Senators asked questions about inactive voter status, security implications, early voting site requirements, and vote-by-mail renewal, and several members expressed support or interest in the supervisors’ proposals.
During public testimony, several speakers urged stronger election-integrity measures, including proof of citizenship, tighter chain-of-custody controls, more hand-counting or manual audits, quarterly list maintenance, and reduced reliance on vote-by-mail and voting machines. They also criticized current audit systems and cited outside reports and research they said showed vulnerabilities in Florida’s election process. No additional committee action was taken after public testimony, and the meeting adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Feb 26, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- >> No vote. >> No vote.
- If not, vice chair for the vote. vote. vote.
- Voting on House Bill chair for the vote.
- Are there any voting? No. The Vice Chair votes no. Any voting with reservations?
- chair for the vote. chair for the vote.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land.
The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation.
The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- , 11 aye votes, one pass vote.
- <00:26:12.000>
pass 11 11 votes, 11 aye votes, one pass 11 11 votes, 11 aye votes, one pass - Chairman, well, briefly, I'm going to vote aye to move the bill along in the process.
- Chairman, well, briefly, I'm going to vote aye to move the bill along in the process.
- Chairman, well, briefly, I'm going to vote aye to move the bill along in the process.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (2-5-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- waiver process a waiver request process waiver process a waiver request process so<00:33:46.799>
- so you don't lose any votes during the process.
- The title amendment passes with a vote of 14 to zero with one pass vote.
- vote.
- The bill vote zero with one pass vote.
Keywords:
00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
01:13 - Discussion of 26RS HB 109
26:47 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 109
32:30 - Discussion of 26RS HB 190
36:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 190
37:30 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Families and Children Committee met in the 2026 regular session and heard House Bill 109, which would amend Kentucky divorce law to waive the current 60-day waiting period for couples with minor children when the parties have already completed mediation or collaborative family law and are ready to finalize their decree. The bill sponsor, Representative Deetsz, argued the measure would reward families who have already done the work to resolve custody, parenting time, and property issues outside of court, and said it would not affect traditional litigation cases. She also explained that delays can be especially burdensome when retirement-account division requires a QDRO after the decree. Committee members discussed how long collaborative cases typically take, with the sponsor estimating about six months on average and longer in complex cases, and noted that some judges already require parenting classes or allow reconciliation conferences in certain circuits.
David Walls of the Family Foundation testified in opposition, saying the bill would make divorce easier for parents with children and move Kentucky in the wrong direction. He argued waiting periods can encourage reconciliation, protect marriage commitments, and reduce harms to children and public costs associated with family fragmentation. He urged lawmakers to preserve or even lengthen the waiting period rather than eliminate it, and framed the issue as protecting children and strengthening marriage.
During questions, Representative Bojanowski strongly objected to Mr. Walls’ characterization of divorce, saying her own divorce was necessary for her children’s well-being and that the bill simply shortens the process after mediation. Representative Elliott asked about typical timelines in collaborative cases and noted that some courts require parental education. Representative Moser asked whether counseling is required; the sponsor said it is not, though reconciliation conferences may be requested at a judge’s discretion. The transcript ends after discussion of the bill and before any recorded vote or final committee action.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- The members will vote. Clerk, lock the machine for the vote. 65 votes in favor.
- Vote. Clerk, lock the machine for the vote. Court votes 62 in favor. The bill has been adopted.
- Clerk, unlock the machine for a vote. Clerk, lock the machine. Court votes 55 in favor... Vote.
- Clerk, unlock the machine and the members will vote. vote.
- The members will vote. vote. Clerk, lock the machine. Record the vote. 93 yays, 2 nays.
Bills:
HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696
Keywords:
animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365