Video & Transcript : 'disability rights' :

Page 86 of 500
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Feb 9th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Summary: The Senate convened, the roll was called, and a quorum was declared. The chamber opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then proceeded to a series of floor introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Sameed Faruqi, and psychologist of the day, Dr. Jeffrey Martindale, along with several interns and guests on the floor and in the gallery. A major ceremonial item was the introduction of the Oakdale/Oktaha Lady Tigers fast-pitch softball team, which was recognized for winning the 2025 OSSAA Class 2A state championship. Senator Fricks presented a citation honoring the team’s resilience, sportsmanship, and community pride, and the coach briefly thanked the Senate and described the long-term connection between the players and the school program. The Senate also recognized the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association in the gallery. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript; the only formal action was a motion adopted to adjourn when the clerk’s desk was clear. Committee announcements noted that HHS would meet at 1:00 and Revenue and Taxation would meet later in the afternoon, and the Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 10th at 1:30 p.m.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare May 12th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right.
  • It's not going to be based on income, right? Right.
  • It's not going to be based on income, right? Right.
  • Right? Right, right. Further than that, right? Um, I don't know.
  • Right.
Bills: HR174 , HR194 , HCR98 , SB39 , SB124 , SB190 , SB236 , SB270 , SB273 , SB359 , SB415 , SB426 , SB437 , SB451
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Municipal Apr 29th, 2026

Municipal

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not right.
  • Right?
  • Who loses a right, who gains a right if the prescriptive period isn't tolled?
  • Right. I pay for it too.
  • Right. So the motion on the table. Right.
Committee: House Municipal
Summary: The committee met on April 29 and considered a series of local and special bills affecting municipal and parish governance, blight enforcement, development districts, and term limits. Early action included a motion to apply a three-minute rule. House Bill 483, concerning the Fulberg/Marini Security and Improvement District in Orleans Parish, was voluntarily deferred after discussion and no support cards. House Bill 484, which revised the New Orleans Regional Business Park board by reducing membership from 12 to 11 and giving the mayor four direct appointments with removal authority, was adopted as a substitute and reported favorably. Senate Bill 78, dealing with the Shreveport Downtown Development District, was amended to correct a legislative district reference and then reported favorably. The committee also heard announcements that several previously deferred bills would not be heard that day. Several Shreveport-related blight bills were advanced. House Bill 1051, authorizing demolition of certain dilapidated properties in Shreveport, was amended to allow the city to rely on findings from code enforcement, fire, police, or other public safety officials, and then reported favorably. House Bill 1080, addressing condemned commercial property in Shreveport, was also reported favorably, though the author said he would continue consulting with the city attorney before floor consideration. House Bill 66 for Alexandria expanded the city’s administrative adjudication authority to cover a broader range of ordinance violations, including building, zoning, vegetation, nuisance, sewer, drainage, licensing, and permit matters; it was supported by the city and reported favorably. House Bill 326, requiring the Tickfaw police chief candidate to reside within the village, also passed favorably. House Bill 793, a contentious bill concerning recorded subdivision plats and prescription, drew extensive testimony from the author, parish officials, a former appellate judge, and the McCormick family. Supporters said the bill closes a loophole exposed by recent court rulings that could let noncompliant plats become enforceable after five years without actual notice to local governments, while opponents argued the current substitute still creates uncertainty and could burden property owners; the author said the bill was prospective only and would also go to the Law Institute. Despite the debate, the committee moved the substitute favorably. Senate Bill 148, allowing municipalities to pay a modest per diem to planning and zoning commission members by local ordinance, was reported favorably with support from Lake Charles. The committee rejected House Bill 208, which would have let St. Helena Parish voters decide whether to impose term limits on parish governing authority members. The bill’s author argued the people should decide, but the St. Helena Police Jury opposed it and committee members emphasized local control; the final vote was 3 yeas to 10 nays. House Bill 1215, concerning the disposition of historical statues and monuments, was amended to bar the Office of State Parks from placing transferred monuments back in the parish from which they were removed, and then was reported favorably. House Bill 472, authorizing local rent stabilization ordinances during a governor-declared emergency, was amended to limit such ordinances to the emergency period, tie increases to the consumer price index, and cap them at 365 days; discussion continued on whether the measure duplicated existing price-gouging laws and whether a broader study would be preferable.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Apr 21st, 2026

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, Mr.
  • So I was like, all right. So I was like, all right, why don't we make it statewide?
  • All right. Thank you.
  • All right. Thank you. You may proceed, Senator. All right. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair and members.
  • All right. And, Mr.
Bills: HR118 , HB1120 , SCR11 , SB73 , SB89 , SB128 , SB149 , SB180 , SB191 , SB196 , SB238 , SB318 , SB340
Committee: House Ways & Means
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - Senate Finance

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, thank you. Talk in one minute. All right, come on up. All right, come on up. Mr.
  • Sure, right.
  • Right. Excellent. All right. Thank you.
  • All right, Mr. Vice Chairman. All right, Mr.
  • Right.
Committee: Senate Finance
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/17/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right. Okay, thank you. Right. Who do we have next? Next, we have Jacob Emmett.
  • All right, Jacob, welcome.
  • on them, right?
  • All right. Chairman Carter? Thank you. Vice Chairman Wade? All right. Chairman Carter.
  • Is that right? Yeah, Mr.
Bills: SB1254 , SB1431 , SB1478 , SB1566 , SB1787
Committee: House Commerce
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26

State Government Finance and Policy

AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Feb 25th, 2026

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> That's right. Sit and wait. >> We fell off. &gt;&gt; That's<00:01:57.360><c> right.
  • </c> &gt;&gt; Right on time, Representative Falner. &gt;&gt; Right on time, Representative Falner.
  • &gt;&gt; That's<00:04:56.960><c> right.</c> &gt;&gt; That's right. &gt;&gt; That's right.
  • </c><00:05:42.479><c> now</c> I mean, I need an answer cuz right now I mean, I need an answer cuz right
  • </c> &gt;&gt; All right. I appreciate that, sir. &gt;&gt; All right. I appreciate that, sir.
Bills: HB329 , SB5 , HB329 , SB5 , HB43 , HB75 , HB396 , HB43 , HB75 , HB396
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 11th, 2026 at 05:05 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right. Thank you. All right.
  • Right.
  • Right.
  • All right, back to the sponsor. Madam Chair, we... All right, back to the sponsor.
  • All right. Anyone else? Questions? Comments? All right.
Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • That it it could screenings, right?
  • All right, uh, take a quick recess. Reconvening. All right.
  • </c><00:48:34.160><c> to</c> have HB 2000 relating to the right to have HB 2000 relating to the right
  • Right now it's 18.
  • Right now it's 18. the age restriction. Right now it's 18.
Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 10, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills. HB 1849 relating to licensing drew comments from DCCA’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division and the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, both of which stood on written testimony. The Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights testified in strong support, emphasizing that some immigrants, including DACA recipients, are already contributing in Hawaii and that the state should help create pathways for them to remain and advance professionally. No vote or final action was taken on HB 1849 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2000, the wheelchair right-to-repair bill. Encart opposed the measure, arguing that repair delays are largely driven by insurance prior authorization and that wheelchair repairs involve FDA-regulated medical devices where improper repairs could create health risks. Peter Fritz testified in support, saying the bill was modeled on similar laws in other states and that he had personal experience through his sister’s use of a wheelchair. Members questioned whether repairs done outside insurer networks might not be reimbursed, and Fritz said that was a concern but that the need for timely repair outweighed it. The committee also discussed HB 1753 on social media, where DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but suggested an amendment to the definition of personal information. On HB 1511 relating to consumer protection, DCCA’s Insurance Division supported the bill, while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association offered comments seeking to preserve legitimate manufacturer and dealer communications about vehicles, warranties, recalls, and related services. The committee also took up HB 276 HD1 and HB 1513 on condominiums. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission offered comments on HB 276 HD1. For HB 1513, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority supported the bill, but DCCA’s Insurance Division opposed it, warning that diverting HHRF funds could weaken reinsurance arrangements and raise premiums for consumers who rely on the fund. Members questioned whether the proposed condo loan program would need HHRF money and whether the amounts in the bill were necessary, and the division said it opposed using HHRF for that purpose. The committee also heard HB 2188 on housing, where OCP supported the measure and the Hawaii Association of Realtors raised concerns about conflicts with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the use of tenant screening reports, noting that a working group is already addressing landlord-tenant issues. Members asked OCP to research how other states handle similar laws and whether additional language is needed to avoid federal conflict. Finally, on HB 1876 relating to mental health, the Department of Health’s Adult Mental Health Division supported the bill but said it remains opposed to harmful, non-evidence-based treatment modalities; Pride at Work Hawaii also testified in strong support. No final votes or committee decisions were reported in the excerpt.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 11th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • You right what you wrong.'
  • Right.
  • All right. Anyone else? Comments? All right.
  • All right. Those in the... Okay, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right.
  • All right. And there's one more?
Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform measure. Sponsor Chair Chandler and Minority Leader Armstrong described months of stakeholder negotiations aimed at balancing patient compensation with concerns from physicians, hospitals, and insurers about litigation costs, punitive damages, and access to care. The committee substitute kept the existing monetary damage caps but changed several provisions, including definitions of “occurrence” and “value of medical care,” treatment of future medical expenses, a higher clear-and-convincing standard for punitive damages, a two-step process before punitive damages can be pled, and a lower punitive-damages cap for smaller providers versus a higher cap for large hospital systems. Supporters said the bill would help recruit and retain doctors and stabilize the malpractice market; opponents argued it weakens accountability, especially for corporate and out-of-state hospital systems, and several speakers urged a stronger amendment to preserve patient rights. After debate, the committee voted 10-0 to give the House Judiciary Committee substitute for HB 99 a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Joint Resolution 5, which would amend the state constitution to allow legislative compensation. Sponsors and supporters said paying legislators would make service more accessible to working people, parents, rural residents, and others without independent wealth, and would broaden representation. Several advocacy groups and individual commenters backed the proposal, while members raised questions about the pay formula, with the resolution tying compensation to the state median income. Some members supported the idea but preferred a salary commission or a different mechanism. The committee approved HJR 5 on a 7-3 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing House Memorial 39, which calls for a task force to study the current state of sexual assault examination kits and report on backlog progress. Sponsor Rep. Ferrari and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs explained that a prior task force a decade ago found more than 5,000 untested kits and led to policy changes, including the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights and a statewide tracking system. The memorial is intended to reassess whether backlogs remain and recommend further fixes.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 11th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right.
  • All right.
  • All right.
  • All right.
  • All right.
Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264
Summary: The committee first took up a lengthy informational presentation on the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) and New Mexico medical malpractice insurance. Teresa Hassey, a plaintiffs’ attorney, described the PCF’s origin in the 1976 Medical Malpractice Act, its role as a state-backed excess coverage system, and her view that it was mismanaged when hospital participation expanded without individualized risk assessments. She argued that hospitals underpaid surcharges, that the fund was depleted by claims, and that the 2021 amendments and later legislative infusions were meant to shore up deficits and phase hospitals out. Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane and LFC analyst Julia Rodriguez presented a different perspective, emphasizing recent general fund infusions, current surcharge collections, the use of actuarial reviews, and the PCF’s budget and settlement activity. Kane said the market is highly concentrated, New Mexico’s malpractice costs and defense expenses are high, and the fund still provides lower-cost coverage than the open market, while also noting ongoing issues with future medical claims, TPA transition, and investment management. Committee members questioned the presenters at length about why New Mexico malpractice premiums are so high, whether defense costs were being conflated with claim payouts, how the PCF works with primary coverage and excess coverage, and whether hospitals were properly assessed when they entered the fund. Several senators raised concerns about punitive damages, corporate practice of medicine, and whether the state’s legal environment is driving doctors away. Others challenged the data comparisons, noting differences between one-year figures and multi-year averages, and asked why New Mexico’s costs remain far above neighboring states. Kane and Hassey disagreed on the causes, with Kane pointing to high claims and defense costs over time and Hassey arguing that hospital participation and punitive-damage exposure distorted the market. The chair concluded the discussion by saying the committee had not exhausted the topic and that he still wanted a clear path to reducing doctors’ insurance costs. After a break, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 41. Senator Charlie introduced the bill, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for the most serious sexual crimes in New Mexico. He argued that trauma, coercion, fear, and delayed disclosure often prevent survivors from reporting promptly, and said the law should reflect that reality. The bill was presented as a response to survivor testimony heard in a prior hearing, and the sponsor framed it as part of a broader effort to modernize the justice system for sexual violence cases.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Feb 11th, 2026

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • right? right? &gt;&gt; Yeah.<00:04:50.479><c> Age</c><00:04:50.800><c> appropriate.
  • All right.
  • All right. So, we've adopted the &gt;&gt; Okay. All right.
  • All right. What &gt;&gt; Thank you, Mr. Chairman. All right.
  • All right.
Bills: SB209 , SB248 , HB122 , SB99 , SB209 , SB248 , HB122 , SB99
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 7th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right. Patience... All right.
  • Jim Jackson for Disability Rights New Mexico.
  • So, just high-level, this applies to all children, not just children with disabilities, is that right
  • and the victim's rights are protected equally. that the accused rights and the victim's rights are protected
  • All right.
Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104
Summary: The committee first heard two related House Joint Resolutions sponsored by Representative McQueen. H.J.R. 6 would equalize the legislature’s 60-day and 30-day sessions into two 45-day sessions, remove the germaneness requirement from the second session of a biennium, and clarify veto-override language. H.J.R. 7 would keep the current 60-day and 30-day session lengths but make the same germaneness and veto-override changes. Supporters argued the measures would modernize the legislature, improve internal control of the agenda, and make the flow of work more efficient; opponents warned of more bills, lobbying fatigue, and reduced public participation. Both resolutions were moved on due pass and passed the committee 8-0. The committee then heard House Bill 120 on limiting student restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor and LESC staff said the bill arose from a stakeholder working group and would clarify definitions, prohibit dangerous practices such as mechanical, chemical, and prone restraint, require training and school safety plans, improve reporting to parents and the Public Education Department, and strengthen oversight. Testimony from educators, disability advocates, parents, and state officials strongly supported the bill, describing harmful and sometimes underreported restraint and seclusion incidents and emphasizing the need for clearer rules and de-escalation training. Some members raised concerns about implementation, definitions, teacher safety, and whether the data were sufficient; the sponsor and staff said the bill was meant to give teachers tools and minimum standards, not to require intervention in every situation. The bill passed on a due pass motion 9-1. Next, the committee considered House Bill 60, which would add certain crimes against peace officers to the Victims of Crime Act so officers injured in the line of duty would receive the same notification, participation, and restitution-related rights as other victims. The sponsor and the district attorney supporting the bill said it was a public safety measure with negligible cost and would also extend protections to affected family members. Support came from law enforcement, business, and public safety groups. Members asked about whether the officer must know the assailant is a peace officer, how the rights would work if the officer is also a witness, and how restitution interacts with workers’ compensation; the sponsor said the bill applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the defendant knows the person is an officer. The committee passed HB 60 unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 151, a committee substitute on the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations. The sponsor said the bill, called the Survivor’s Justice measure, would extend the time for survivors to file claims from age 24 to age 58, add public actors to the bill’s scope, and create an administrative compensation fund supported by an appropriation, with $12.5 million already in the budget and a request for another $12.5 million. The sponsor explained that the change reflects the average age at which survivors come forward and that the bill is part of a long-running effort to address childhood sexual abuse claims.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Labor & Workplace Standards

Transcript Highlights:
  • The proposed sub also clarifies the time frame for the right to cure.
  • now my yes vote is the right vote for today.
  • All right, how's that? Yes. Great. Please proceed. Oh, great.
  • All right, how's that? Yes. Great. Please proceed. All right, how's that? Yes. Great.
  • All right, our goal is just... ...values and our mission here at the OAH. All right.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • disability.
  • All right. With that, we'll go right into the hearing.
  • And you're right under that. Any questions? All right.
  • All right, next please. Yes, I see Queen Katsuda. All right, next please.
  • All right. Free resource. All right. Any other questions? All right.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/27/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • The law is the law, right?
  • Thank you. ...So right now we're talking about water, and we were denied water rights, mineral rights
  • Right. So you have to support the nation... ...to that settlement, right?
  • that pumping right.
  • “All right.