Video & Transcript Research : 'Native American students'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Apr 4, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 46
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like to welcome and introduce my friend Pat Gagean and his students, uh, seventh and eighth grade
- students from Island School who are here today visiting the capital.
- And as an educator, I cannot ignore the multitude of voices coming from parents and students who are
- He carried a special love for the Native Hawaiian people, advocating tirelessly for the preservation
- He carried a special love for the Native He carried a special love for the Native Hawaiian<01:20
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 06/03/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Lives as Americans. And by the way, they didn't choose to be trans any more than I chose to be gay.
- And my concern with this piece of legislation is that while we're creating native pollinator planting
- THAT YOU'RE SUCH A FINE STUDENT OF MY STATEMENTS THROUGH THE YEAR, SENATOR BILL IS REPORTED.
- >> Yes. >> The sponsor yields. >> Would that potentially include student populations?
- >> WOULD THAT POTENTIALLY INCLUDE STUDENT POPULATIONS?
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the journal, and then moved through a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills for third reading. The chamber also received and accepted a Finance Committee report on nominations for Kathleen Mosier as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Terrence O’Leary as Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and John Kagia as Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. All three nominees were confirmed, with Mosier and O’Leary confirmed unanimously and Kagia confirmed 57-1, with Senator Walczyk voting no.
The Senate adopted previously approved resolutions recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and mourning the death of Susan Irene Wright of Harlem. Senators Brisport and Bottcher spoke at length in support of Pride Month, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and ongoing threats to the trans community. On the Susan Wright resolution, Senators Cleare, Bailey, and Bottcher praised her community leadership, philanthropy, and family legacy, and Assembly Member Jordan Wright was recognized in the chamber.
The body then considered and passed many bills on the calendar, including measures on insurance, environmental conservation, public health, education, business law, labor, social services, highway law, and local tax exemptions. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote, including a measure to end higher insurance premiums for widows, a bill to prohibit correctional facilities from denying visitation because of menstrual products or IUDs, and a Medicaid-related bill to expand access to blood pressure monitors for pregnant people. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable opposition from a small group of senators.
Late in the session, the Senate took up a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting. Senator Stewart-Cousins sponsored the measure, and Senator Walczyk questioned it extensively, arguing voters had previously approved an independent redistricting process and objecting to changes that would remove the Legislature’s two-thirds map-approval requirement and alter the commission’s role. The sponsor said the changes were needed in response to aggressive partisan redistricting in other states and would still require voter ratification in future sessions. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote on the amendment shown.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of the species hunted are also invasive and destroy fragile native ecosystems.
- Many of the species hunted are also invasive and destroy fragile native ecosystems.
- I'm here with Young Americans for Liberty today. We're on the campuses.
- I'm here with Young Americans for Liberty today. We're on the campuses.
- <01:11:02.880>
objectives as a teacher, I teach student objectives as a teacher, I teach student
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 433, which would restrict the carrying of “bladed weapons” and related items. The Office of the Public Defender, Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Knife Rights, and many individual testifiers opposed the bill, arguing it is overbroad, vague, and likely unconstitutional. Common concerns were that the term “bladed weapon” could sweep in ordinary tools such as pocketknives, Leathermans, multi-tools, fishing and camping gear, and items used by farmers, ranchers, hunters, divers, and martial arts practitioners. Several speakers also warned that the bill could burden lawful self-defense and create an affirmative-defense scheme that shifts costs and proof burdens onto defendants.
Supporters and opponents alike focused on the need for a clearer definition, with HPD saying a narrower definition would help distinguish ordinary tools from dangerous weapons used in assaults. Opponents repeatedly urged the committee to defer or kill the measure, citing pending and related court cases and the risk of new constitutional challenges. Some testifiers tied the bill to Native Hawaiian gathering rights and subsistence practices, saying it would interfere with hunting, fishing, and food gathering, while others argued it would do little to deter criminals and instead penalize law-abiding residents and visitors.
After finishing testimony on SB 433, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 2575 relating to firearms. The transcript shows the start of that item with the Office of the Public Defender and other agencies being called, but no substantive testimony or action on SB 2575 is included before the excerpt ends. No votes or final committee actions are reflected in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Our school districts serve over 33,000 students in 68 school sites, from kindergarten to high school.
- We estimate that we have incurred over $56,000 for serving lunches to the students who were evacuated
- Thank you. toxic safety, freed Southern California, and Americans for non-smokers rights.
- Kylie Lindelli, on behalf of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, in support.
- Of our youngest community members, specifically our babies and TK through 12 students.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Feb 12, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 14
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And welcome to your House of Representatives. 1,800 students across six campuses on 1,800 students across
- <00:19:55.039>
studying student at Shamanad University studying student at Shamanad University - We will also have Native Hawaiian Charter students here visiting the Capitol.
- Thank you, Madam Speaker. the Native Hawaiian Caucus. We will have the Native Hawaiian Caucus.
- /c><01:13:25.199>
students have Native Hawaiian Charter students have Native Hawaiian Charter
Keywords:
gambling, prediction markets, Hawaii gambling laws, financial contracts, ethical concerns, electric bicycles, micro-mobility devices, safety regulations, traffic laws, insurance exemption, high-speed electric devices, land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, building code, permitting process, training, state council
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, the American Cancer Society. Mr. Chair, I'm moving the bill. I appreciate that excitement.
- My name is Tim Gibbs with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
- Tim Adam representing the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Mr.
- But I and other immigrant students work very hard.
- And it doesn't matter if there is no group except Native Americans who've experienced such things as
Summary:
The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742.
Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility.
The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a Native Hawaiian descendant of the Native inhabitants in Hawaiʻi prior to 1778, born and raised
- <00:18:51.640>
ho advancing the well-being of native ho advancing the well-being of native - Being Native American also, tribal federal government seems to just throw money at the problems, millions
- <00:20:09.200>
American <00:20:09.640>also budget um being Native American also budget - um being Native American also tribal<00:20:10.880>
uh <00:20:11.400>federal <00:20:11.720
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- increase the allowance for EFA students. increase the allowance for EFA students.
- Because the base adequacy is per student.
- Because the base adequacy is per student.
- Uh, we currently have 9,500 students in the school system, of whom 49 languages are the native languages
- 9500 students and languages among those 9500 students and of<00:49:45.839>
the <00:49:46.079><
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- first proposal represents savings from a decision by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe not to join the American
- This proposal also seeks to strengthen protections for Native American families by removing the cap per
- This school year here at Listos, 14 of our 37 students receive early learning scholarships currently.
- That is almost twice as many students—40% of our enrollment. So it would really greatly affect us.
- uncomfortable as you are praising my bill, being a DFLer who got a letter of support from the Center for the American
Keywords:
child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill expands the list of events eligible for reimbursement to include American Performance Horsemen
- and the American Rodeo.
- It also adds Teton Ridge Live Productions and Teton Ridge American LLC to the list of site selection
- These resources will deepen students' understanding of constitutional principles, public service, and
- Well, you mean the one, the Olympic Trust Fund, the Pan American Games, and the motorsports?
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day- REASSEMBLE Part 1 Jun 30th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- students for the modern workforce.
- We know students are using it, whether we want them to or not.
- And I want to make one note: when I talk to high school students or middle school students about artificial
- Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
- School social workers support students' mental health, addressing trauma, connecting students and families
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/34
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the harm reduction manager at Native American Community Clinic, or NACC.
- NACC is a FQHC that aims to address health disparities within the urban Native American community.
- We see the results of criminalization and its uneven application in the following: Native Americans are
- Native Americans in Minnesota are disproportionately experiencing homelessness and make up over one-third
- We see the results of criminalization and its uneven application in the following: Native Americans are
Summary:
The committee approved the March 22, 2024 minutes and then took up House File 3761, the Safety Through Support Act, with a motion to lay the bill over. Representative Lee Finke said the bill is intended to improve re-entry outcomes and public safety by expanding prison visitation, including mentoring and access for mental health and medical professionals, and by creating a task force to support rehabilitation and re-entry. Testifiers in support included Holly Bot, who described how family visits helped her through incarceration and later into successful re-entry and business ownership, and Zeke Caliguri, who argued that consistent visitation and community connection are essential to humanity, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Elliot Bhai of NAMI Minnesota also supported the bill, framing visitation as a form of needed mental health support in prisons.
Members raised several concerns and suggestions. Representative Hudson questioned the bill’s strip-search limitation language, asking what would count as a credible, documented security concern, and also worried the task force could create discriminatory access or favor certain viewpoints. Representative Finke said she did not view a conviction as making someone permanently a security risk and said the task force was meant to ensure meaningful visitation for everyone, not to enable discrimination. Representative Hollins and Representative N. supported the bill’s overall goals while suggesting language could be tightened and noting that maintaining outside ties helps people return as productive members of society. Representative Witte asked about the Department of Corrections commissioner’s presence, and the chair said questions for him could wait for a later bill.
Representative Mu asked about the fiscal note and the research behind the bill. Staff said a fiscal note had been requested but not yet signed off by the LBO, which was one reason the bill was being laid over. Finke said she could share the visitation study and noted that the bill responds to research linking visitation to lower recidivism; she also said remote visitation data shows value but can be costly. After closing remarks emphasizing that visitation is “medicine” and that most incarcerated people will return to the community, the chair renewed the motion and laid over House File 3761. The committee then moved on to House File 4959, with a motion to re-refer it to the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/19/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Native American communities in rural Arizona have borne the steepest cost of these failures.
- Native American communities in rural Arizona have borne the steepest cost of these failures.
- Generally, the American Rescue Plan Act prohibited state Medicaid agencies that received ARPA funding
- And indiscriminate reaction to the fraud that created, and has created irreparable harm towards our Native
- American population and the healthcare providers that serve them.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EDT-LBT, EDT, EDT Public Hearings 02-06-2025
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- plant we know that many of kaai native plant we know that many of our<00:21:46.360>
plants <00 - Council for Native wine advancement is prepared to provide support to this body to help further this
- Council for Native wine advancement is prepared to provide support to this body to help further this
- I think this warrants continued discussion in regards to Native Hawaiian and the preference of Native
- Hawaiian and the preference of uh native Hawaiian and the preference of native<00:39:16.319>
Hawaiian
Summary:
The joint Senate hearing covered Senate Bill 1536 and Senate Bill 1571. SB 1536 concerned the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s CEO position and whether the exemption from retirement benefits should be changed. Testimony and committee discussion focused on the estimated cost, the current budgeted amount, whether the change would make the position more competitive, and whether alternatives such as a portable retirement plan had been considered. The witness said the proposal came from HTA’s legislative committee and that the position’s salary and benefits would still likely fit within the budgeted amount. No vote was taken on SB 1536 during the excerpted discussion.
The hearing then moved to SB 1571, relating to tourism. Debed and HTA representatives said they supported the bill in written testimony, but HTA’s witness said the measure had not been discussed or voted on by the full board and recommended deferring action until the board could clarify its position. Several members of the public testified both in support and opposition. Opponents raised concerns about changing “Hawaiian sense of place” to “Hawaii sense of place,” warning it could weaken protections for Hawaiian culture and invite broader interpretations that might affect places like the Hawaii Convention Center. Others opposed a provision removing a two-year waiting period for HBCB board members before serving on the HTA board, citing conflict-of-interest concerns.
Committee discussion centered on the meaning and practical effect of the bill’s language, especially the distinction between “Hawaiian” and “Hawaii,” the scope of HTA’s tourism and destination-management role, and whether translation and language policy were being applied too broadly or too narrowly. Some members argued the bill could help preserve Hawaiian culture and place, while others worried about exclusionary interpretations, costs, and whether resources would be better spent on programs rather than expanded translation. The hearing ended with the chair announcing a short break and moving toward decision-making, but no final action on the bill was shown in the excerpt.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Jan 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Finale World Book as the most patriotic town in America for our Native Americans serving in military
- Richard with the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico. We're here in support of this bill.
- Let's say it didn't get enough students; you know, I wouldn't teach that class.
- That's within the institution's control, or if there's zero students that sign up for the class.
- And then, Madam Chair, an expert, which could potentially pass down to our students and teachers and
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CAA Info Briefing - Thu May 22, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:38:21.680>
Hawaiian Native Hawaiian Native Hawaiian um<00:38:24.640>uh <00:38:25.040 - But the Native Hawaiians, you know, even for schools, for the students that want to continue to go to
- <01:16:00.080>
What largest number of Native Hawaiians. - What largest number of Native Hawaiians.
- :16:44.640>
even <01:16:44.800>for native Hawaiians, you know, even for native Hawaiians
Summary:
The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing on May 22 with the Hawaii Arts Alliance, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Chair Capella said the purpose was to better understand the organizations’ work and strengthen relationships ahead of the interim and next session. The Hawaii Arts Alliance, led by Executive Director Gay Humphrey, described its mission to enrich Hawaii’s cultural fabric through arts education, advocacy, and community engagement, and highlighted its history tied to Alfred Price, including the creation of Hawaii’s 1% for art law and the alliance’s 45 years of service.
The alliance outlined its current work, including administering SFCA-funded statewide programs such as Artist in the Schools and the new folk and traditional arts program, with 34 teaching partners serving more than 100 public and charter schools and Kumu Hawaii as the single grantee for traditional weaving instruction. It also discussed Arts First Partners, the incubation of Arts at Mark’s Garage, expanded advocacy efforts supported by Creative West grants, and new multi-year philanthropic support from the Hawaii Community Foundation and Atherton Family Foundation. The alliance said it is launching statewide listening sessions and an arts advocacy training program, and noted that most SFCA funds pass through the alliance to program partners, with the organization retaining 10 to 14 percent for administration.
SFCA Executive Director Karen Ewald then described the agency’s role as the state arts agency, its strategic planning process, and its main programs, including Art in Public Places, the Capital Modern museum, Artist in the Schools, apprentice mentoring grants, community arts grants, the Hawaii State Poet Laureate program, a statewide cultural extension program, and the Hawaii Open Arts Program. She said SFCA has 21 staff with one vacancy, is awaiting a federal NEA partnership agreement, and is considering new revenue streams such as a cultural trust. She also noted that the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission was recently attached to SFCA, which has improved coordination and allows SFCA to provide funding for conservation and upkeep of the King Kamehameha statues statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, with questions deferred until after the presentations.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 3rd, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- American Bar Association does recommend there should not be an upfront fee.
- The American Bar Association says that jurisdictions should not charge an application fee for public
- HB 1603 will help with the implementation and compliance of the Native American Graves Protection and
- Of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, otherwise known as NAGPRA.
- As many of you may know, NAGPRA was enacted in 1990 to ensure Native American human remains, funerary
Summary:
The committee met to review fiscal aspects of House Bills 1417 and 1425, both part of a broader criminal justice reentry package. HB 1417 would eliminate the $35 public defender application fee and end court-ordered reimbursement of indigent defense costs, while also removing the $55 monthly community supervision fee. Testimony from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the Department of Corrections said the bill would replace lost revenue with general fund appropriations of about $310,000 for indigent defense and $1.5 million for supervision fees, and that the fees are rarely collected and can hinder reentry. Representative Clemene said the bill is intended to reduce barriers to successful community reintegration and improve data and supervision practices.
HB 1425 would create and fund front-end diversion, deflection, and pretrial services programs. Supporters described it as allowing prosecutors and local jurisdictions to divert appropriate low-level offenders from prosecution, establish deflection programs for people with behavioral health needs, and expand pretrial services. The bill includes a pilot program in three counties, a $1 million appropriation to DOCR for one FTE and contracts with local providers, $750,000 to DHS for treatment services, and $55,000 for a study of pretrial services cost savings. Committee members asked several questions about how the pilot counties would be chosen, how the consultant study would be procured, and what services the DHS funds would cover.
The committee also heard House Bill 1603, which would provide a $500,000 matching grant for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, with $100,000 available to each of North Dakota’s five tribes if matched. Sponsor testimony said the funds would support a Historical Society NAGPRA compliance committee and help catalog and repatriate human remains and cultural items in coordination with tribes. After questions about the federal mandate and the difficulty of identifying artifacts, the committee voted 4-0 to give HB 1603 a do-pass recommendation, with Senator Meyer assigned to carry it forward.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/09/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Public Safety & Law Enforcement
Transcript Highlights:
- Under the previous administration, the American people witnessed a catastrophic breakdown of our borders
- ICE has beaten, detained, and even murdered American citizens.
- Families are terrorized, and American citizens have been murdered.
- we are discussing history, it is also important to note that it wasn't until July 15, 1948, that Native
- American suffrage was finally passed, with the Arizona Supreme Court overturning the case of Porter
Keywords:
corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives May 20th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sergeant First Class Moore was a native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
- They didn't know what to do, and it is not an American thing to leave a man behind.
- Let's give a round of applause for this American hero.
- Give a round of applause for this American hero. Rep. Owen, can you come see?
- Knox to commend Chris Hanover's contributions to the American bar industry and North American cocktail
Bills:
HR308, HR309, HR310, HR311, HR312, HR313, HR314, HR315, HR316, HR317, HR318, HR319, HR295, HR296, HR297, HR298, HR299, HR300, HR301, HR302, HR303, HR304, HR305, HR306, HR307, HCR115, HCR116, HCR117, SCR71, SCR72, SCR73, HR73, HR118, HR144, HR196, HR237, HR249, HR260, HR267, HR272, HR273, HR276, HR278, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR113, HCR114, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, HB255, HB378, HB509, HB1090, SB80, SB131, SB143, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB367, SB384, SB388, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB468, SB469, SB496, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB295, SB433, HR179, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, HR252, HR253, HCR96, HCR103, HCR108, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB74, HB108, HB956, HB1085, HB1137, HB62, HB193, HB210, HB220, HB246, HB364, HB420, HB475, HB584, HB622, HB772, HB784, HB949, HB953, HB1043, HB1070, HB1092, HB1134, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1214, HB1199, SB268, SB283, HB782, SB149, HR84, HB646, HB998, SB56, SB163, SB197, SB97, SB326, SB341, SB518, SB123, SB353, SB479, SB495, HB901, HR20, HR74, HR168, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB441, SB449
Keywords:
HR 308, House Resolution 308, Pope Leo XIV, Catholic Church, Holy See, Vatican, commendation, resolution, Louisiana Catholic heritage, St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, South Louisiana parishes, religious recognition, ceremonial resolution, faith leadership, pontificate, spiritual solidarity, human dignity, peace, mercy
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, pledge, and a quorum, then spent much of the day on recognitions and commemorative resolutions. Members honored coach Jeffrey Craig Whittington, tourism and the Louisiana Oil Makers Association, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair, Washington Parish festivals, ACOG’s 75th anniversary, Louisiana Tech women’s basketball, and Memorial Day. A major Memorial Day presentation commended Lane Frenchy Boudreau for helping recover the body of Army Sgt. First Class James H. Moore in Vietnam; the House observed a moment of silence and presented a flag to Moore’s family. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled bills, and committee reports, and introduced several new resolutions on topics including Pope Leo XIV, orphan wells, scenic rivers, Teche water quality, and the LaMelle family’s pilgrimage to Rome.
The House then took up numerous resolutions and bills, often adopting them without objection. Among the measures adopted or advanced were studies on neighborhood crime prevention districts, parish solid waste and disaster resiliency in Washington Parish, the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail, cash-rounding practices after penny production ends, residential construction costs and inspection practices, roundabout education, Taiwan relations, TSA worker loan assistance in Shreveport, human growth and development standards, and the state income tax credit for water utility customers. The chamber also adopted or concurred in several Senate amendments on bills dealing with financial disclosure, video voyeurism, personal information protections, online child safety, STEM advisory council changes, dual enrollment tuition, fleet vehicle registration, menhaden fishing rules, recording fees, amusement ride insurance, drone footage authentication, garbage and trash contracts, insurance prescription periods, retirement system changes, juror qualifications, fireworks, inspection stickers, employment discrimination, and inactive boards and commissions.
Several measures drew discussion or division. H.B. 1199, requiring coverage for genetic testing and treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders, passed 94-0 after being discharged from Appropriations. H.B. 302, which would prohibit vape sales within 300 feet of schools, passed 86-4. H.B. 84, encouraging an interest-free loan program for TSA workers at Shreveport Regional Airport, passed 64-27. H.B. 1054 on self-authentication of law enforcement drone footage passed 78-12, and H.B. 1137 limiting employment discrimination protections to state employees passed 71-23. The House rejected Senate amendments on H.B. 468 (residential real property wholesaling), H.B. 1117 (insurance contractual payments and prescriptive periods), H.B. 956 (fireworks dates), and H.B. 74 (Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism), while concurring in or adopting amendments on many other bills. The session ended amid continued consideration of Senate Bill 56 on the West Bank/Lafitte levee governance structure, including an adopted amendment to ensure Lafitte-area representation on the board, with extended remarks about the history and accomplishments of the existing levee authority.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Griff Ryan Roberts, student in McGeorge School of Law, is Griff Ryan Roberts, student in McGeorge School
- Black students. Students are much more likely to have their absence was labeled unexcused.
- Black students experience the largest disparity, followed by Native American students.
- It's important to meet students and families where they are at.
- Unfortunately, Native Americans represent 40% of the human trafficking victims, so they're only 3% of
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only.
The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations.
The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously.
The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.