Transcript Highlights:

• ” to include the Armed Forces, Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, Commissioned Officer
• commissioned officer takes the same commissioning oath as every officer in the armed services.
• In other words, all the regulations governing the armed forces also govern these two unarmed services
• Thank you. ...only uniformed service whose weapon is not a gun, as the armed forces.
• Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, assigned to the law enforcement arm of the U.S.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-26 session on recognitions, definitions, and designations related to veterans. Chairs John Velis and Joseph McGonagle opened the hybrid hearing with housekeeping rules and noted the committee’s reporting deadlines. The hearing focused on several bills honoring veterans and military-related service, including H. 3825 to include reserve components in flag half-staff recognition for service members killed in action, S. 2499 to place a State House marker honoring three Medal of Honor recipients from the war on terror, S. 2498 to add Merchant Marine recognition at veterans cemeteries and the State House and create a Massachusetts merchant mariner medal, and H. 2500/S. 2500 to have Massachusetts fly the Honor and Remember flag for Gold Star families and fallen service members. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 3871 and S. 2467, which would update the Commonwealth’s definition of “veteran.” Testimony came from the Office of Veterans Services, veterans organizations, Public Health Service and NOAA representatives, National Guard and Reserve veterans, and Gold Star advocates. Witnesses argued the current state definition is inconsistent with federal law and excludes some service members who should be recognized, especially members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, reservists, and some National Guard members. Supporters said the bills would improve fairness, consistency, and access to benefits and services, while several speakers emphasized that service in uniform should be honored regardless of branch. Some testimony also urged a broader moral recognition of all who raised their right hand, while others focused on aligning state law with federal definitions and closing gaps in eligibility. Committee members asked questions about the practical and fiscal effects of broadening the definition, including how the proposed language would interact with existing federal standards and state benefit programs. Witnesses explained that the bills would remove the current 180-day and 90-day active-service calculations and instead recognize certain active service and six-year reserve or Guard commitments, though some members noted that this could create a broader state standard than the federal one. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee concluded after hearing from the final witness and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does the stop arm work?
• Like, you know, is it light and arm? Or is it the arm that automatically triggers the light?
• So the arm, I guess I was right. The arm extends when y'all actually open the door. Correct?
• The arm comes out. How long does it take? I don't know. How long does it take the arm to come out?
• But yeah, I have 31 years in the service.

Bills: HB767, HB 1242, HB1373, HB1404, HB1708, HB1936, HB2041, HB2198, HB2270, HB2315, HB2415, HB2427, HB2455, HB2457, HB2522, HB2523, HB2686, HB2763, HB2775, HB2944, HB3034, HB1683, HB1695

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:05.120> to highest and best quality service to highest and best quality service to
• . arm. arm.
• How does it operate with the arm?
• How does it operate with the arm? How does it operate with the arm?
• The arm the arm then the stop arm starts The arm the arm then the stop arm starts to<01:36:36.320

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school bus stop arms. school bus stop arms.
• c> began seconds after the stop arm began seconds after the stop arm began extending.<00:10:09.280
• <00:12:10.160> only school buses with stop arms only school buses with stop arms only partially
• stop arm is starting to come forward. stop arm is starting to come forward.
• <00:25:34.280> announcement for a public service announcement for a public service announcement

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• United States from stationing armed men at voting locations.
• Federal law already says you can't have troops or armed people in the civil service of the United States
• services that we are sworn to provide.
• How are we going to deal with that if we can't be armed?
• So we have an armed SRO officer.

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• Sergeant, Sergeant at Arms, escort the pages to the front. Mr. Leader, thank you. Mr.
• And so my Concern is number one for the services.
• And I would also say I do worry about services. That is one thing of all people.
• I have been very concerned about services.
• Tomorrow morning at 7:30, there will be a devotional service in the Senate lounge.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284, SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778, SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155, SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618, SB2106, SB1471, SB2139, SB2154, SB1619, SCR15, HB2786, HB2787, SB1525, SB2011, SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Bills: SB2097, SB2317, SB2319, SB2177, SB2190, SB2424, SB2524, SB2627, SB3084, SB895, SB896, SB3102, SB3157, SB3215, SB2050, SB2090, SB2211, SB2572, SB2096, SB2025, SB2127, SB2046, SB2262, SB2354, SB2387, SB2487, SB2955, SB3234, SB2851, SB2573, SB2391, SB3282, SB3055, SB2189, SB2194, SB3152, SB2635, SB888, SB2203, SCR1, SCR2, SCR3, SCR4, SCR5, SCR6, SCR7, SCR8, SCR9, SCR10, SCR11, SCR12, SCR13, SCR14, SCR15, SCR16, SCR17, SCR18, SCR19, SCR20, SCR21, SCR22, SR3, SR5, SR6, SR7, SR8, SR9, SR10, SR11, SR12, SR13, SR14, SR15, SR16, SR17, SR18, SR19, SB2010, SB3118, SB3276

Keywords: sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, grant funding, food security, climate resiliency, housing development, zoning exemption, government assistance, affordable housing

Bills: SB2097, SB2317, SB2319, SB2177, SB2190, SB2424, SB2524, SB2627, SB3084, SB895, SB896, SB3102, SB3157, SB3215, SB2050, SB2090, SB2211, SB2572, SB2096, SB2025, SB2127, SB2046, SB2262, SB2354, SB2387, SB2487, SB2955, SB3234, SB2851, SB2573, SB2391, SB3282, SB3055, SB2189, SB2194, SB3152, SB2635, SB888, SB2203, SCR1, SCR2, SCR3, SCR4, SCR5, SCR6, SCR7, SCR8, SCR9, SCR10, SCR11, SCR12, SCR13, SCR14, SCR15, SCR16, SCR17, SCR18, SCR19, SCR20, SCR21, SCR22, SR3, SR5, SR6, SR7, SR8, SR9, SR10, SR11, SR12, SR13, SR14, SR15, SR16, SR17, SR18, SR19, SB2010, SB3118, SB3276

Keywords: sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, grant funding, food security, climate resiliency, housing development, zoning exemption, government assistance, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• for their dedicated state public service for their dedicated state public service and<00:05:44.840
• for their dedicated state public service for their dedicated state public service and<00:08:10.080
• during his lifetime of public service. during his lifetime of public service.
• service as a state trooper. service as a state trooper.
• from Champlain Community Services here. from Champlain Community Services here.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional performance by the State House singers, then moved to routine chamber business. The Speaker announced that the Committee on Ways and Means had reported favorably on Senate Bill 214, which concerns pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts and includes an appropriation; it was referred to Appropriations under House Rule 35A. House Resolution 17, affirming that all Vermonters are presumed competent to communicate and must be provided effective communication resources of their choice, was read by title only and placed on the calendar for action on the next legislative day. The chamber also took up two adopted House Concurrent Resolutions honoring long-serving State House staff. HCR 279 honored Head Doorkeeper Michael C. Waite and his wife, Sergeant-at-Arms Administrative Assistant Donna Waite, for their public service, and HCR 282 honored Doorkeeper Dennis Miles for his dedication to the General Assembly and Vermonters. Both resolutions recounted the honorees’ military, law enforcement, educational, and State House service and directed the Secretary of State to send copies to the honorees. Several members then offered remarks recognizing the Waite and Miles families, praising their mentorship, service, and support for the page program and chamber operations. Additional announcements included a diaper and wipes drive in the State House lobby to support Vermont military families through the National Guard Family Readiness Program, a welcome for Vermont nurses participating in a national rally, and recognition of guests from Champlain Community Services. The House then recessed until approximately 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Service Award.
• duty, faith, humility, and service. duty, faith, humility, and service.
• nuclear-armed states.
• <08:18:59.600> In arms control over an arms race. In arms control over an arms race.
• or we can fall into an arms race. or we can fall into an arms race.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Bills: HR65, HR66, HR67, HR68, HR69, HCR33, HCR34, HB1006, HB1007, HB1008, HB1010, HB1011, HR58, HR59, HR60, HR61, HR62, HR63, HR64, HCR32, SCR2, SCR5, SCR6, SCR11, SCR16, SCR17, HB43, HB447, HB573, HB1000, HB1001, HB1002, HB1003, HB1004, HB1005, SB8, SB10, SB12, SB16, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB29, SB32, SB41, SB42, SB44, SB49, SB58, SB68, SB75, SB77, SB81, SB97, SB103, SB159, SB163, SB172, SB180, SB182, SB244, SB248, SB253, SB254, SB279, SB306, SB318, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB397, HB53, HB57, HB64, HB100, HB102, HB106, HB111, HB137, HB152, HB155, HB177, HB238, HB256, HB258, HB272, HB337, HB350, HB359, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB445, HB546, HB557, HB584, HB661, HB697, HB726, HB727, HB747, HB752, HB756, HB758, HB759, HB765, HB767, HB825, HB858, HB930, HB941, HB957, HB964, HB203, HB228, HB234, HB260, HB268, HB271, HB285, HB289, HB351, HB400, HB413, HB469, HB534, HB551, HB552, HB574, HB576, HB634, HB649, HB677, HB735, HB739, HB779, HB784, HB796, HB842, HB850, HB919, HB8, HB9, HB10, HB15, HB16, HB17, HB18, HB19, HB22, HB33, HB34, HB35, HB44, HB46, HB47, HB48, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB135, HB142, HB164, HB185, HB215, HB226, HB232, HB233, HB242, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB301, HB334, HB436, HB468, HB548, HB571, HB582, HB593, HB594, HB609, HB613, HB712, HB722, HB732, HB746, HB827, HB845, HB848, HB921, HB923, HB951, HB953, HB999, HB733, HB875, HB952, HB868, HB119, HB140, HB52, HB901, HB193, HB570

Keywords: condolences, Sam Goodwin, Northwestern State University, football coach, athletic legacy, obituary, ShaMonica Huggins, Louisiana, community support, public service, law enforcement, memorial resolution, Louisiana Legislature, tribute, centenarian, community recognition, Louisiana history, birthday celebration, Jeanerette, French bread

Transcript Highlights:

• arm, so that's just in one day.
• helping to reduce repeat stop arm helping to reduce repeat stop arm violators<00:10:00.600> by
• You can't see the lights or the stop arm. there's a buser with their arm up are there's a buser with
• parking and school bus uh stop arm parking and school bus uh stop arm violations<00:23:35.960> so<
• <00:27:13.720> goes they put their lights on the arm goes they put their lights on the arm

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: On February 3, 2025, the committee first took up Senate File 483, as amended by the A2 author’s amendment, which would expand Minnesota’s medical-review exemptions for drivers with a history of loss of consciousness or seizures. The bill’s author explained that current law still requires some people who have been seizure-free for years, and off medication for years, to keep returning to a physician for paperwork even when their doctor says no further review is needed. A testifier described losing his commercial driving career after a seizure disorder, then being forced to keep paying for periodic neurologist visits despite being seizure-free since 2003 and off medication since 2009. The committee adopted the A2 amendment and then approved the bill, sending Senate File 483 to the State Government Committee. The committee then heard Senate File 737, which would increase mandatory minimum fines for repeated school bus stop-arm violations from $500 for a first offense to $700 for a second and $950 for a third. The author and the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association argued that repeat violations remain too common and that stronger penalties, along with stop-arm cameras, would help deter dangerous driving and protect children. A State Patrol representative said 2024 saw about 2,100 stop-arm charges, roughly double two years earlier, and attributed much of the increase to cameras making violations easier to prove; he also said conviction rates on the charge are about 50 to 55 percent. Committee members asked about repeat offenders, camera coverage, and whether bus stop locations should be safer, with one member noting only 23 people had been convicted of a second offense since 2015 and one of a third offense. The discussion ended with no final vote shown in the transcript, but the bill received supportive testimony and extensive questioning about enforcement and bus-stop safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, the chair recognizes the sergeant-at-arms.
• Madame President, the chair recognizes the Sergeant-at-Arms.
• The Sergeant-at-Arms will escort stand?
• The Sergeant-at-Arms<00:07:29.520> will<00:07:29.759> escort<00:07:30.160> the Sergeant-at-Arms
• <00:40:20.720> across efficiency and customer service across efficiency and customer service

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• arm is fully extended or not.
• Supreme Court ruling around stop arms Supreme Court ruling around stop arms being<00:21:29.280><
• The red lights are flashing stop arm.
• a community assigning community service a community assigning community service to<01:04:32.640>
• from them nor assign a community service from them nor assign a community service punishment. punishment

Bills: HF3131, HF3436, HF3106, HF3241, HF3531

Keywords: cancer, disability, parking certificates, transportation, state law, school bus, schoolchildren, student safety, traffic safety, stop arm, flashing red lights, amber lights, passing a school bus, 20 feet, vehicle stopping distance, driver duties, school transportation, Minnesota traffic law, school bus law, bus stop signal

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair recognizes the Sergeant at Arms.
• The Chair recognizes the Sergeant at Arms.
• Chair recognizes the Sergeant at Arms.
• The Chair recognizes the Sergeant-at-Arms.
• The Chair recognizes the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Transcript Highlights:

• had the opportunity to go to her service had the opportunity to go to her service and<00:15:39.920
• ><00:35:59.480> index Sergeant at Arms Andrew Olen and index Sergeant at Arms Andrew Olen and
• The next order of business is the election of the chief sergeant at arms.
• The chief clerk will call the roll on the election of the sergeant at arms.
• There being 67 yeas and zero nays, Lori Hoda has been elected Chief Sergeant at Arms.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, then approved the prior day’s journal and confirmed a quorum. The main business was organizing the chamber for the 2025–26 session, beginning with the election of Pat Murphy as chief clerk. Members from both parties praised Murphy’s long service, parliamentary knowledge, work on remote voting during COVID, and commitment to youth programs and the integrity of the House. After nominations closed, Murphy was elected by a 67-0 vote and took the oath of office. The House then adopted a resolution allowing the remaining front-desk officers and assistant sergeant at arms to be elected on a single roll call unless there was more than one nominee for an office. Representative Niska nominated Stephanie Miller, Kathy Carlson, Erica Brinson, Andrew Olen, and Carl Hamry, and the slate was approved by voice vote. The House also elected Lori Hadap as chief sergeant at arms by a 67-0 vote after nominations and supportive remarks about her law-enforcement background, security work, and responsiveness to members; she then took the oath of office. After the chamber was organized, the House adopted resolutions directing the chief clerk to notify the Senate that the House was duly organized and appointing a four-member committee to notify the governor. The appointed committee consisted of Representatives Paul Anderson, John Koznick, Ben Bakeberg, and Max Rymer, who reported back that the governor had been notified. Members also observed a moment of silence honoring former Representative Mary Murphy for her long service. The House then set its next meeting for 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or is that you have security guards that may be armed, but you don't have armed officers?
• Or is that you have security guards that may be armed, but you don't have armed officers?
• But again, With their local police and emergency services.
• EMSA is one of 12 departments under the Health and Human Services Agency.
• I think the question is whether they should be armed or not. Oh, yeah.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on active and mass shootings in California, focusing on prevention, response, training, communications, and gaps in preparedness across law enforcement, schools, campuses, fire, EMS, and state agencies. Opening remarks emphasized the frequency and impact of gun violence, the need for faster coordinated response, and the importance of learning from recent tragedies such as the Stockton-area mass shooting described by Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The first panel included representatives from police, sheriff, and campus public safety agencies, who discussed incident command, interoperable communications, next-generation 911, threat assessment, emergency notification systems, and the value of joint drills and cross-agency planning. Witnesses also highlighted differences in training and authority across jurisdictions, especially for private university public safety departments versus public campus police. Campus representatives said they rely heavily on municipal law enforcement for armed response, while also using run-hide-fight protocols, text alerts, surveillance, and threat assessment teams. Members raised concerns about standardized training, after-action reviews, mental health resources, school resource officers, and whether campus safety plans and drills are sufficiently consistent or workable. Sheriff Withrow argued that early intervention and accountability are being weakened by well-intentioned laws, while other witnesses stressed prevention through relationships, diversion, and coordinated support services. The second panel from Cal OES, the Department of Education, POST, and EMSA described statewide systems and standards. Cal OES outlined its Reduce the Risk initiative, gun violence restraining orders, mutual aid, unified command, after-action reporting, and nonprofit security grants. The Department of Education explained California’s statutory school safety framework, annual safety plans, regulated armed assailant drills, and local flexibility, while acknowledging compliance gaps and the need for more mental health support. POST described the new requirement for 16 hours of standardized active shooter training for recruits and ongoing local training options. EMSA explained its role in medical response and terrorism training standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• state we give gratitude for the service state we give gratitude for the service and<00:02:49.959
• Carlson, Second Assistant Chief Clerk; Lori Hoda, Chief Sergeant-at-Arms; Erica Brinson, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms
• Andrew Olsen assistant Sergeant at- arms Andrew Olsen assistant Sergeant at- arms<00:05:15.680> Carl
• committee on Health and Human Services committee on Health and Human Services any<00:09:10.800><
• <00:09:46.120> any on Health and Human Services any on Health and Human Services any discussion

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your time and your service. Yes sir.
• It's a subscription service in a sense. Yes, and Mr.
• Like, you know, is it light and uh arm, or is it, or is it the arm auto automatically do the light?
• So the arm, so I guess I was right, so the arm opens when they, when the arm extends when they, when
• But yeah, I have, uh, 31 years in the service.

Bills: HB 767, HB 1242, HB 1373, HB 1404, HB 1708, HB 1936, HB 2041, HB 2198, HB 2270, HB 2315, HB 2415, HB 2427, HB 2455, HB 2457, HB 2522, HB 2523, HB 2686, HB 2763, HB 2775, HB 2944, HB 3034, HB 1683, HB 1695

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• Sergeant-at-arms, roll call in the hall. Roll call is now in progress.
• Sergeant-at-arms, roll call in the hall. Roll call is now in progress.
• Sergeant-at-arms roll call in the hall. Roll call is now in progress.
• Sergeant-at-arms, roll call in the hall. Roll call is now in progress.
• Senate Bill 1428 addresses dementia service coordination.

Bills: HR1055, SB2170, SB1833, SB1198, HR1056, SB1730, SB563, SB1379, SB1645, SB2155, SB1280, SB1455, SB1456, SB1461, SB1457, SB1463, SB1465, SB1466, SB1344, SB1309, HR1054, SB2159, SB1948, HB1371, SB1365, SB1976, SB1975, SB2026, SB1565, SB1621, SB237, SB933, SB1427, SB1642, SB171, SB1873, SB2067, SB1623, SB1771, SB1805, SB1826, SB2072, SB444, SB2184, SB1966, SB1812, SB2117, SB2135, SB330, SB1239, SB1428, SB1531, SB1484, SB1405, SB3

Keywords: Oklahoma Agriculture Day, agriculture, farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, food production, wheat, cattle, beef, dairy, soybeans, cotton, poultry, pork, rye, rural economy, urban-rural, trade, commodity production, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture

Summary: The House convened under quorum call and began with several recognitions and presentations, including visits from Comanche County 4-H, the Muskogee Police Department officers who completed EMT training, the March of Dimes, and Ag Day honorees, including the Ag Hall of Fame recipient Ron Justice. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1054 designating April 2026 as Library Month, with a special presentation honoring library leaders and advocates for their work on the first Library Day at the Capitol. The House then considered and passed a series of bills, mostly on broad bipartisan votes, covering state symbols, fireworks sales, oil and gas royalty protections, AP exam access, veteran records access for grandchildren, Medicaid support for a food-is-medicine grant, law library representation, controlled substances, public health, state security staffing, financial exploitation protections, credit union modernization, workforce data, staffing contracts, enterprise zone incentives, conveyance/title theft protections, hospice narcotics disposal, duplicate statute cleanup, and memorial highway/bridge designations. One major bill, SB 237 on eliminating the solar and battery storage manufacturing tax exemption, was laid over after discussion and questions about tax policy and local incentives. Several measures drew brief explanation and questions, including SB 2159 on state symbols and wheat, SB 1948 on fireworks sales, HB 1371 on oil and gas royalty payments and bankruptcy protections, SB 1975 on AP testing locations, SB 2026 on access to veterans’ discharge papers, SB 1565 on food-is-medicine Medicaid support, SB 1642 on splitting short opioid prescriptions, and SB 933 creating a right-to-try pathway for individualized treatment. Most of these bills passed with little or no debate, and several emergency clauses also passed by the required two-thirds vote. Not all measures advanced: SB 1771, expanding Workforce Commission data authority, failed on a 27-46 vote, and the House later gave notice of intent to reconsider. SB 1365 was reconsidered and then passed, but its emergency clause failed. The session also featured an extended personal privilege speech by Rep. Scott Fetgatter marking his departure, in which he thanked colleagues and staff and reflected on his tenure and legislative work.