Video & Transcript Research : 'disability'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 25, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This measure requires the disability and communication access board to issue a disability travel placard
- This measure requires the disability and communication access board to issue a disability travel placard
- This measure requires the disability and communication access board to issue a disability travel placard
- This measure requires the disability and communication access board to issue a disability travel placard
- This measure requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to issue a disability travel placard
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places.
Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii.
A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (05/23/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:27.239>
placards unofficial walking disability placards unofficial walking disability - in a disabled in a disabled spot,<00:03:56.239>
getting <00:03:56.560>out <00:03:57.400 - Uh, these amendments help people with disabilities.
- They help our business disabilities.
- If you have a disabled veteran or a disabled plate, you don't need a placard. Yeah.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-20 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , a short-term disability, a single parent who isn't making enough to provide for their kids.
- , disability, uh a short-term disability, disability, uh a short-term disability, uh<01:30:08.720
- <01:31:06.680>
And mental health issues, disabilities. - And mental health issues, disabilities.
- <02:10:35.080>
Council, Disabilities Council, Disabilities Council, the<02:10:37.000>chair
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Many parents, pregnant people, elders, and people with disabilities also rely on medical assistance.
- Twenty percent of the population have somebody with a disability.
- <00:28:35.679>
You disability. 25% you have a chronic. - You disability. 25% you have a chronic.
- People with disabilities point, folks.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Conference Committee on H.F. 2438 - Transportation Omnibus - 05/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:15.920>
Um people with disabilities and needs. - Um people with disabilities and needs.
- <00:04:15.439>
So, <00:04:15.599>those on people with disabilities. - So, those on people with disabilities.
- <00:05:23.680>
and required to both have a disability and required to both have a disability
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/18/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- We also have rental vouchers through HUD's Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
- :43:41.079>
for <00:43:41.280>persons <00:43:41.599>with <00:43:41.800>disabilities - Housing for persons with disabilities Housing for persons with disabilities program<00:43:43.440
- with disabilities and other vulnerable<00:53:54.680>
minnesotans <00:53:55.240>how <00: - um and help sort of make disabilities um and help sort of make those<01:27:41.400>
slightly <01
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the most challenging features of our unsheltered population is how disproportionately disabled
- One of the most challenging features of our unsheltered population is how disproportionately disabled
- Maybe other provisions, like with the Americans with Disabilities Act, something that could happen to
- Someone who disables the light to deceive the people around them should be liable.
- actually disables it, then you are liable.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- housing and supports the type of homelessness they encounter, and balance the needs of the truly disabled
- , which now, you know, drug addiction could be a disability.
- , which now, you know, drug addiction could be a disability.
- count, 71% of those 3,100 that were counted had multiple disabilities.
- Again, 71% of our homeless population are reporting multiple disabilities, so they need more than just
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:37:38.880>
funding students with disabilities funding students with disabilities funding - I'm a staff attorney with Legal Aid, also representing the Minnesota Disability Law Center.
- representing the Minnesota disability representing the Minnesota disability Law<00:47:35.359>
- <00:48:16.040>
to <00:48:16.319>be children with disabilities to be children with disabilities - unenrolled where their disability unenrolled where their disability explains<00:48:23.200>
why
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/06/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- Sixty-five percent of those are seniors, over the age of 62, or persons with disabilities.
- Uh, 65% are seniors or people with disabilities, and uh 35% are families.
- or both and either elderly or disabled or both and if<00:21:36.679>
we <00:21:36.840>control - Mainly, these are folks on fixed income, seniors, and folks with disabilities, and the majority of our
- on fixed income folks with disabilities on fixed income folks with disabilities and<01:09:48.640
Summary:
The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard presentations focused on public housing and related funding needs, with testimony from Minnesota NAHRO and several local housing authorities. Melissa Taphorn described the role of housing authorities statewide, including public housing, vouchers, CDBG/HOME funds, Bridges, and HEAT, and emphasized that public housing serves over 36,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, or children. She said federal operating and capital funds are insufficient, creating deferred maintenance backlogs, and noted that Minnesota’s public housing capital needs over a five-year period were about $500 million, with nearly $200 million unmet. She also discussed federal uncertainty, including a recent HUD funding freeze notice, possible changes to fair housing requirements, RAD repositioning options, and Build America, Buy America costs.
Committee members asked about tenant rent calculations and the populations served. Testimony clarified that public housing residents generally pay 30% of monthly income, with utility allowances factored in, and that the average tenant rent in Minnesota is about $399. Members also heard that about 65% of public housing households are seniors or people with disabilities, while about 35% are families. The committee then heard examples of how state POP grants have been used to preserve public housing stock. Kurt Kina of the Red Wing HRA described multiple POP-funded projects that replaced windows, upgraded heating and cooling, and modernized electrical systems in a 100-resident high-rise, saying the work was essential to keep the building viable.
Louise Siba of the St. Paul PHA testified that St. Paul’s authority serves nearly 22,000 people through more than 4,200 public housing units and over 5,200 vouchers, with most townhomes and high-rises serving elderly or disabled residents. She said St. Paul PHA has received nearly $16 million in POP funding since 2012, including about $8.5 million last year, and that those funds enabled major life-safety and modernization projects such as the Denan Terrace renovation and boiler, plumbing, and interior upgrades in high-rises. Jill Keers of the Duluth HRA described a broader set of housing programs, including vouchers, rehab loans, emergency repair funds, construction training, and development. She said Duluth HRA is adding 128 housing units between 2023 and 2025, including mixed-income rentals, senior housing, and family townhomes, and stressed that state investment through POP and other programs is necessary to keep housing affordable and safe.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- at a fundraiser with him and the union, Chelmsford Union, raising money in concert with kids in disability
- with him and the Union, Chelmsford Union, raising money, raising money in concert with kids in disability
- Should he be expected to survive on the disability benefits calculated from a part-time academy instructor's
- At 28 years old, should he be expected to survive on the disability benefits calculated from a part-time
- considered, quote, on the job, and that put it into a completely different category of the way his disability
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 21st hearing and took up late-filed bills, with testimony focused mainly on firefighter and police personnel matters. The committee heard strong support for H.5429/H.6138, Governor Healey’s bill to provide injured-on-duty compensation and full pay and benefits to Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinelli after he was seriously injured while instructing at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Testimony from Rep. Simon Cataldo, Rep. Rodney Elliott, PFFM leaders, Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan, and others emphasized that Spinelli was performing public service training work, that the incident exposed gaps in coverage for firefighters serving in academy roles, and that the bill should be a prompt, statewide fix. Several speakers also urged future legislation to address broader policy gaps for DFS support-branch and part-time personnel.
The committee also heard testimony on a Topsfield home rule petition, H.54435, to allow Police Chief Neil Hovey to continue serving until age 68 or retirement. Rep. Kristen Kasner and local officials praised Hovey’s leadership, training, regional coordination, and management of public safety at the Topsfield Fair, and asked for favorable passage. In addition, Sen. Ryan Fattman and Rep. Joe McKenna testified for S.3051, a bill to provide certain retirement benefits to the surviving spouse of fallen Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta, describing his death while assisting a stranded motorist in a snowstorm and the town’s support for honoring his family.
PFFM and other police/fire union representatives generally supported the firefighter and LaPorta bills, while PFFM also stated opposition to H.5389, a separate bill authorizing continued employment of the Upton police chief. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a recorded vote during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Capping Property Taxes to Increase Affordability – Senator Michael Kreun Mar 13th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we have a program for disabled vets that exempts a certain amount of their property value before
- Um, we have a program for disabled vets that exempts a certain amount of their property value before
- Um, we have a a program for disabled<00:04:58.960>
vets <00:04:59.360>that <00:04:59.680 - >
exempts <00:05:00.639>a <00:05:00.880>certain disabled vets that exempts a certain - disabled vets that exempts a certain amount<00:05:01.520>
of <00:05:01.759>their <00:05
Summary:
The discussion focused on Minnesota affordability pressures, especially rising property taxes, gas, and grocery costs. Senator Michael Kreun said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide in the last year, about 7%, and argued that many constituents are worried about being able to stay in their homes. He attributed much of the increase to unfunded state mandates on cities and counties and said mandate relief should be part of the solution.
Kreun described a bill that would cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with an additional allowance tied to population growth. Under his example, if inflation were 3% and a city grew, property taxes could rise 3.5%; anything above that would require voter approval through a referendum. He said the proposal would not apply to school districts, which already have a separate cap. He also mentioned other relief ideas, including increasing the disabled veterans property tax exemption and allowing seniors to defer property tax increases until they sell their homes.
Kreun said the proposal has been mostly well received by constituents and homeowners, while local governments are concerned about losing revenue if state mandates continue. He said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He also noted broader affordability ideas in his caucus, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees, but said he was not aware of current bipartisan efforts on property taxes specifically and remained open to working across the aisle on affordability measures.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- establish a lifetime hunting and fishing license for state residents who are totally and permanently disabled
- I think it may even increase the number of permits by those being disabled. Yeah, I think so.
- 07.520>
being the number of permits by by those being the number of permits by by those being disabled - . disabled. disabled.
Keywords:
Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, age verification, parental consent, consumer protection, app store regulations, data privacy, Internet filters, digital safety, minors protection, civil liability, device manufacturers, obscenity, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 28, 2026 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Next on the agenda we have PCS for HB 1121, Aging and Disability Services by Representative Rizzo.
- Chair Melo: Next, we have Laura Lee Minutello, who is also waiving in support today and she is with Disability
- Now we will take up CS for HB 1121, relating to Aging and Disability Services.
- Rizzo: enforcement, fiscal accountability, and legislative transparency across Florida's aging, disability
- They love our seniors and they love what we do here in Florida Vice Chair: for disabled community and
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- advocates for the rights and self-determination of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- the US Department of Justice's report that addresses the urgent need to protect children with disabilities
- Children with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities in TJGJD facilities, are
- We thank Representative Noble for her continued support of children with disabilities and for her leadership
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Most importantly, I'm the mother of a young woman with significant disabilities, and it's through that
- Most importantly, I'm the mother of a young woman with significant disabilities, and it's through that
- I'm the policy director at Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, DREDF, and I speak on behalf
- Today, our board continues to include both disabled persons and parents of kids with disabilities.
- I reiterate our desire to work with the authors of AB 2490 to make sure the bill works for disabled,
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- These are disabled children with physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities.
- These are disabled children with physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities.
- I would hate to see disabled children. physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities.
- Forcing an older or disabled adult out of their home without due process is unconscionable.
- I'm the policy director with Disability Rights, Education, and Defense Fund. Thank you.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- One of them had co-occurring developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and depression.
- Next we have Jordan Goldstein of the Disability Law Center.
- As an advocate with the Disability Law Center, I urge us to approach the challenges facing our mental
- “I recovered in 2016 from alcohol and prescription pills I used to cope with my disabilities.
- And I'm the parent of a child with an intellectual disability.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on several juvenile justice and parole-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on H. 2051/S. 1087 to end lifetime parole for juveniles and emerging adults, and H. 1923 to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds. Chairs Brandy Fluker-Reid and Lydia Edwards opened the hearing by noting the large number of bills and witnesses, the need to keep testimony moving, and special procedures for incarcerated witnesses and sensitive testimony. They also acknowledged the historic nature of the hearing being chaired by two Black women attorneys. No votes were taken during the hearing itself.
Many incarcerated speakers and advocates supported ending lifetime parole, arguing that young people can change, that lifetime supervision creates constant fear of technical violations, and that it undermines rehabilitation, family stability, employment, and reintegration. Several testified about their own trauma, youth, and growth in prison programs, while others emphasized the costs of decades of supervision and the racial disparities in the system. Support also came from elected officials, UTEC, the Transformational Prison Project, United Way, CPCS’s Youth Advocacy Division, the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, and others, who said juvenile systems are better suited to developmentally appropriate treatment and that the bills would improve public safety and reduce recidivism.
There was also opposition, including testimony from family members of a murder victim who argued that lifetime parole should remain for serious violent crimes and that some offenders are not sufficiently rehabilitated. One virtual witness described a family tragedy involving the kidnapping and murder of her infant nephew and warned that ending lifetime parole could remove needed long-term supervision for dangerous offenders. In addition to the juvenile justice bills, the committee heard testimony on H. 1867, a bill related to continuing care for severe mental illness, and H. 2063, which would increase penalties for assaults on correction officers and other prison staff; the correction officers’ union supported H. 2063 and related safety bills. The hearing continued with many more witnesses and bill topics, but no final committee action was announced in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 03/19/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- Transportation is an issue, especially for disabled veterans who may have mobility issues and because
- <01:18:55.280>
and uh camp in our area for uh disabled and uh camp in our area for uh disabled - I am a 60% rated disabled veteran.
- Back then, I was not rated as disabled by the VA.
- Essentially, that is one of the independent living centers that help people with disabilities.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities in support.
- Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- Quincy Council on Developmental Disabilities in support. Thank you.
- The Disability and Communication Access Board in support, not present.
- APS can also help people with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mobility impairments
Keywords:
image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort