Video & Transcript Research : 'sessions'
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VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Cannabis Retail Market, Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Jun 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- will also talk about cannabis-adjacent legislation that moved forward during the 2026 legislative session
- We sent legislation that moved forward during the 2026 legislative session, and then we will have public
- You may not be able to act unless you go into special session or something like that, or unless your
- As we know, in the 2022 session, the General Assembly failed to reenact those relevant provisions, and
- Obviously, there are other bills that passed this session, not just the big retail framework.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Lofton today, here with us every day during the session, we are so grateful for your service, our nurse
- Colleagues, as we end the fiscal session, we all have attempted to do the best that we could, making
- So as you look at how to handle this next session, you will have information.
- How to handle this next session, you will have information.
- The House of Representatives performed during the General Session, and I believe that that is a great
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests in the galleries, including state officers, medical personnel, student groups, and former first ladies. Members adopted consent-calendar resolutions, and House Resolution 1052 concerning Arkansas Girl State was withdrawn after Rep. DeAnn Vaught explained that 150 girls had missed a registration deadline and that the House would instead host an alternative Girls State experience this summer.
The chamber then took up several fiscal-session appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31, covering appropriations for Shared Services, Health licensing and regulation, Commerce/Insurance, Parks and Tourism, Human Services adult-aging-behavioral health, and administrative courts, all passed with large bipartisan margins. Senate Bill 75, an economic development appropriation for West Memphis, also passed after brief discussion. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate over whether it should support PBS programming, infrastructure, or private-donation matching; it failed on the first vote, was brought back for reconsideration because some members had not voted, and then failed again 73-24.
After the fiscal work concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, ending the House’s fiscal session. The House then convened as a caucus to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The body suspended the formal election process and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the prior session, and pledged continued leadership and accountability before the House adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Intern here in the Senate last session.
- She's been interning with us all session but is just now joining us on the floor. She's an.
- I hope you'll welcome her and get to know her throughout this session. Thank you.
- This is one of a number of repeal bills I'm bringing to you this session.
- , not unanimously but overwhelmingly back in the previous session.
Bills:
SB1238, SB1277, SB1304, SB1378, SB1423, SB1484, SB1501, SR32, SB1502, SB1721, SB1735, SB1832, SB1847, SB1859, SB1876, SB2170, SB2182
Keywords:
domestic abuse, domestic violence, assault and battery, strangulation, intimate partner violence, family or household member, repeat offender, felony enhancement, Class B5 felony, stalking, batterers intervention program, court-ordered treatment, protective order, presence of a child, pregnant victim, great bodily injury, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, sex offender registration
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elevating Veteran Voices – Senator Steve Green May 12th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, and that wasn't your only bill this session to help veterans.
- So, what has come out of that committee this session that you're particularly proud of or excited by?
- this this session that you're particularly<00:08:09.360>
proud <00:08:09.520>of <00:08: - or an accomplishment that this session or an accomplishment that you<00:09:45.839>
know <00:09 - then maybe that's a sign that we have balanced government this session, right?
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 9th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Appropriations - Human Resources Division
Transcript Highlights:
- During the 2005 session, we had some of this conversation, and I talked about grandmas providing child
- But I've heard it said to me a couple times throughout the session on House Bill 1540 that we spent,
- or that we passed last session, that the state hasn't been spending that money.
- So there's quite a discrepancy, and I know they're trying to get it up next session.
- And if they're short, you're going to have to make a deficiency payment next session, right?
Bills:
SB2399
Keywords:
mental health, psychiatric treatment, reimbursement, medical assistance, legislative report, 908, all
Summary:
The committee reconvened and first reconsidered House Bill 1612, the aerospace medical and mental health support center bill. Senator Cleary offered an amendment to reduce the general fund appropriation from $500,000 to $250,000 and require the university or project sponsors to find the remaining funding from other sources. The amendment passed, and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended, with members citing concerns about university funding, but others supporting the project as a one-time seed investment. The committee also discussed a possible future FMAP increase beginning October 1, 2026, which could reduce general fund costs by roughly $9 million, though members noted the figures were still preliminary and could be addressed later if needed.
The committee then returned to Human Services budget items, including early childhood and child care funding, a community cultural center grant, and several other adjustments. Members discussed reducing the “best in class” amount, changes to child care grants and quality/infrastructure funding, and clarifying that prior child care assistance appropriations were in fact being spent. They also agreed to reduce the 1915(i) Medicaid waiver line by $2 million, with the understanding that the entitlement would still be funded as needed. The committee also considered taking guardianship funding out of House Bill 1012 because a separate bill, Senate Bill 2029, would move that funding elsewhere; members agreed that removing it from the budget could help the overall bill and could be restored if the separate bill failed.
Several study amendments were discussed. Senator Cleary proposed adding a maternal health study related to prenatal services, doulas, midwives, and Medicaid, and members expressed support. The committee also discussed a software/case-management study proposal, but the department said it had not requested it and would not support it as presented, so members leaned against advancing it unless the department first evaluated it. Another amendment would authorize the department to work with the city of Grafton on a long-term plan for the LSTC campus and require a report back to the legislature; members supported that as legislative intent. The committee also agreed to remove a truancy study section for later conference discussion, and it reviewed other possible study ideas, including assistive technology, before adjourning to await updated long sheets and bill text.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- To the Senate of the 89th Legislature Regular Session, I ask the advice, consent, and confirmation of
- During the last two legislative sessions, we were able to ensure the University of Houston has received
- We all continue through this session and on this floor. to do our best to work together.
- Also, I really look forward to a future moment in the session.
- So come back immediately after this event, after the joint session.
Keywords:
teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- But we can't do that; we're in executive session. So there's a motion to go into executive session.
- Motion by Senator Murphy, so we are in executive session.
- But we can't do that; we're in executive session. So there's a motion to go into executive session.
- But we can't do that; we're in executive session. So there's a motion to go into executive session.
- But we can't do that; we're in executive session. So there's a motion to go into executive session.
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- and Johnson be temporarily excused from today's session.
- President, there are informational communications available on the session web.
- It's available on session web and is identified as amendment number one.
- It's available on session web and is identified as amendment number one.
- I move to excuse Senator Victory for the balance of today's session.
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- and Johnson be temporarily excused from today's session.
- It is an S-1 available on session web and is identified as Amendment Number One.
- It's available on session web and is identified as amendment number one.
- It's available on session web and is identified as amendment number one.
- I move to excuse Senator Victory for the balance of today's session.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, excused several members, and heard a memorial statement from Majority Floor Leader Singh honoring Thomas James Cleary, a longtime Michigan public servant, lobbyist, and civic volunteer. The chamber also recognized a departing staff member from Senator Geis’s office and later welcomed guests from Cleary’s family. No substantive debate occurred during these tributes, and remarks were ordered printed in the journal.
The Senate then handled a large number of introductions and referrals, including Senate Joint Resolution K to prohibit autopen use by certain executive officials, Senate bills on Treasury revenue collection and liquor control, and numerous House bills covering housing, health, insurance, natural resources, education, consumer finance, child care licensing, public employment contracts, and other topics. Several housing and finance-related House bills were sent directly to the Committee of the Whole by unanimous consent. In Committee of the Whole, bills including House Bill 4072, House Bill 5630, Senate Bills 792, 793, 947, 1013, and 885 were considered; substitutes were adopted for House Bill 5630, Senate Bills 1013, 947, and 885, and the committee recommended all of those bills, plus House Bill 4072, Senate Bills 792 and 793, for third reading.
On final passage, House Bill 4042 and House Bill 5630 each passed 34-0, with four members excused. The Senate also concurred in the House substitute to Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, approving an extension of the state energy emergency, by a 33-1 vote. By contrast, concurrence in the House substitute to Senate Bill 878 failed 2-32, sending that appropriations bill to conference committee. The House then named conferees on Senate Bill 878, and the Senate named conferees for both SB 878 and HB 5630 after the chambers disagreed on those measures.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- These are agency updates on the status of outstanding rulemaking from the 2023 regular session.
- So we had about 90 rules that we promulgated following the 2020 session.
- We have a new session. And then wait to say... “Pass a law. Two years goes by.
- We have a new session, and then we decide to do rules.
- So there’s only five rules from across the board that are still left from the 2023 session.
Summary:
The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture moved to repeal rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify that pregnant women may still be referred to child support enforcement but will not be sanctioned during pregnancy and the 60-day postpartum period, removed the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminated a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B when group health coverage ends. DHS also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model for sickle cell disease and a technical Medicaid medication-assisted treatment update that does not change coverage.
The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules. One created procedures for the department to issue interpretations in local construction plan disputes under Act 591 of 2025. The Contractors Licensing Board and Residential Contractors Committee amended rules to raise the restricted commercial license threshold and light building project limit from $750,000 to $1.5 million, and to allow deferral of owner-complaint investigations while related civil litigation is pending. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader cleanup and policy changes under Act 746 of 2025, including eliminating the Class C license by moving those holders into Class B, expanding work limits for Class A and B licensees, changing continuing education to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and keeping annual license renewal. Members asked detailed questions about impacts on businesses, training, youth working with parents, and whether any unintended burdens were created; the board said it had notified licensees and had received little pushback.
The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting for Act 473 of 2025, concluding that the statute was sufficiently detailed and did not require additional rules. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report was accepted, with the Department of Education stating that the library’s three existing rules should remain in effect. During the update on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained that many delayed rules were held back because they were likely to be amended again in 2025, and members expressed concern about the length of time some rules have remained unfinished. The meeting ended after written 2025 rulemaking updates were noted, with no further action taken.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/21/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- This is my 11th session here at the Capitol. Happy to work with all. And no gray hair on top?
- It's my second session here at the legislature. I'm a student at ASU.
- This is my fifth legislative session.
- This is my first session.
- I started the Senate in 2012, and this is my 10th session. Thank you. And the Senate pages.
Keywords:
merit-based hiring, public employees, non-discrimination, employment practices, Arizona Revised Statutes, optometrists, eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, healthcare, vision care, 1182, all
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1023, which would require optometrists to conduct eye exams according to the standard of care in the community at a recommended one-year interval, while allowing eyeglass prescriptions to be extended up to two years or shortened based on risk factors. The sponsor described it as a compromise between a longer prescription period and existing practice, and the Arizona Optometric Association supported the bill as codifying best practice and clarifying the standard. The committee moved the bill and gave SB 1023 a do pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 1013, a merit-based public hiring bill that would prohibit state and local public employers from using policies or practices that base hiring on race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin, while preserving compliance with anti-discrimination laws. An amendment was offered to clarify that the bill would not limit voluntary veterans’ preference employment policies, and the committee adopted that amendment. Supporters argued the bill would ensure public jobs are awarded based on qualifications and protect taxpayers; opponents argued it could undermine diversity efforts and that the veterans language was unnecessary or awkwardly drafted.
After testimony from supporters and debate over the amendment and the bill’s effect on diversity, veterans’ preferences, and prior criminal history in hiring, the committee voted on SB 1013 as amended. The bill received a due pass as amended recommendation on a 4-3 vote, and the committee then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 17th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- During the 87th legislative session, we passed House Bill 2106, which transferred rulemaking authority
- HB 201 builds upon our work from the last three sessions so the Texans can continue to be a model for
- And as someone who's undergoing her second round of IVF, while we're also in the legislative session,
- And can I just add that last session, it came out clean out of the committee.
- And so here we come, uh, five sessions later now and we're, we're looking to close that loophole.
Keywords:
disabled veteran, partially disabled veteran, veterans property tax exemption, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, surviving spouse, appraisal district, Tax Code, local government revenue, homestead portability, service-connected disability, veteran benefits, Texas property tax, residence homestead, disability rating, disaster response, financial assistance, helicopter, municipalities
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We pass this out. last session got through the House and it is back again.
- Another investment in the legislative session, it's not over with.
- This is something that we know we've been asking for for multiple sessions.
- Last session I authored a bill to reform the JRS 2 pension plan to make it actuary overly sound.
- I said this months ago before session even started, met with many people.
Keywords:
school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, uh, Senate Bill 263's radio broadcasters franchise tax, we passed this out last session, got
- Of the 1.1 in addition that we put in last session.
- So, so it's another investment, investment in the legislative session is not over, right?
- This is something that we know we've been asking for for multiple sessions.
- I said this months ago before session even started, met with many people.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Investing in Minnesota Housing - Senator Lindsey Port Feb 3rd, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Joining me now is Senator Lindsey Port, who says housing is a key priority for her this session.
- Last session, you put forth ideas, bipartisan housing policies, that ultimately failed, with critics
- What do you think it will help you accomplish on this topic this session?
- And I think it can be a place where, in what might be a challenging legislative session, we can find
- legislative session we can find<00:10:07.920>
real <00:10:08.120>Common <00:10:08.440><
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Republican Media Availability 1/14/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to call members of legislative session to call members of the<00:04:09.439>
House <00:04:09.560 - Getting back to Tab Key—so you said you'll follow judges' rulings on the session as a whole, control
- of the session, but a judge just ruled this morning that his election should stand.
- It says the session didn't actually have the Speaker of the House, and I will be going in at noon.
- didn't actually have I'm the the session didn't actually have I'm the speaker<00:10:44.040>
of
Summary:
The transcript centers on the Minnesota House organizing itself at the start of session, with House Republicans asserting that 67 members were present, enough to elect a Speaker and begin operating, while 66 Democrats were absent. The speaker and other Republican leaders argued that the House has authority over its own quorum rules, internal rules, and presiding officers, and that the Secretary of State does not have constitutional authority to control House organization or adjourn the chamber. They said the Secretary of State’s adjournment was improper and indicated the dispute would likely be resolved by the Minnesota Supreme Court if challenged.
The Speaker said she was honored to serve, emphasized working for Minnesotans, and said committees would begin meeting later in the week. Republicans framed their agenda around public safety, fraud prevention, fiscal restraint, and affordability, and repeatedly called on Democrats to return to the chamber and “get to work.” They also said they were open to continued negotiations, but only if Democrats were reasonable and present.
Questions from reporters focused on the legal basis for proceeding after the Secretary of State adjourned the session, the likelihood of court review, and whether Republicans would follow any Supreme Court ruling. The Speaker said they would comply with court decisions but were confident in their position. She also said the House would meet again at noon the next day and that the status of members who did not take the oath in the chamber would be reviewed if they appeared.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- . out of executive session.
- coming out of the executive session coming out of the executive session signify<00:57:38.880>
- motion to go into executive session. motion to go into executive session.
- All those in into executive session.
- This is just an executive session.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We've got about 60 to 65 permanent and session-only employees.
- got about 60 to 65 permanent and session got about 60 to 65 permanent and session only<00:16:04.120
- Every session is a little bit like a snowflake, right?
- As I mentioned, we typically meet weekly during the session.
- <00:53:09.799>
and often times in the rush of session and often times in the rush of session
Summary:
The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director.
Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff.
Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance and Taxation Apr 9th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Finance and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- We put the PERS system in front of it last session. We have SIF in front of it.
- ...ever going to get anything, and they're planning projects around hoping that that fills every session
- You know, last session, we paid off a huge chunk of their water debt to build out the western area water
- I think we can take another look here in the next couple sessions to see if there's some other changes
- As someone coming from a non-oil-producing area in a rapid-growth county, next session, when I bring
Summary:
The Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up Senate Bill 2093, described as providing a small amount of income tax relief for widowed law enforcement peace officers. The committee briefly discussed the limited scope of the relief, then recommended a due pass by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes. Representative Hagert was assigned to carry the bill to the floor.
The committee then spent most of its time on Senate Bill 2023, which concerned the Prairie Dog/energy impact grant funding formula and support for debt incurred by oil-impacted cities. Members debated whether the bill unfairly shifted money from the remaining 1% pool that also serves non-oil-producing cities and counties. Supporters argued that Williston, Dickinson, and Minot took on substantial debt to accommodate Bakken growth and that the state has already benefited from that development; opponents said the formula has been repeatedly eroded and that the bill would further disadvantage other political subdivisions.
An amendment was offered to narrow the bill’s duration from six bienniums to two, increase the grant amount to $25 million per year, correct distribution percentages, and require reporting to legislative management. A legislative staffer explained the added guardrails: the money could only be used for debt incurred within a specified date range and only for debt service, not new projects or operations. The amendment passed on a roll call vote, and the committee then recommended the amended bill due pass and re-refer to Appropriations by a 7-6 vote, with one member absent. Representative Steiner was designated to carry the bill. The committee then adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC-TRS Public Hearings 02-03-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I know that there are many no secret police bills before you this session.
- <00:46:29.200>
of continuous legislative session of continuous legislative session of legislature - , regarding special sessions, regarding special sessions, adjournments,<00:46:44.080>
and < - year of a regular session. year of a regular session.
- legislative session. legislative session.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard.
SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments.
SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.