Video & Transcript Research : 'forced sterilization'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Methodist Special Transplant Hospital and members of the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force.
- She was instrumental... ...in the creation of the Texas Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, and since
- The Texas Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force has developed a state plan to address chronic kidney disease
- Little Field, the Texas Renal Coalition, and the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force for her leadership
- A Terronimo has been a driving force at Ascension, Texas, where he has championed efforts. in cultural
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- We know that where there is demand, there is also supply, often created through force, fraud, or coercion
- um which is a multi-disciplinary force um which is a multi-disciplinary partnership<00:47:33.200>
- throughout the state um the task force throughout the state um the task force seeks<00:47:42.680
- The forms of exploitation also range from forced and coerced agricultural labor to forced prostitution
- You cannot legislate personal safety or force people to care for one another.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The bills come out of the Attorney General's task force on misclassification and are intended to
- There are freelancers and self-employed folks in the task force. We heard from a lot of them.
- we heard from a folks in the task force we heard from a lot<00:05:08.800>
of <00:05:09.000> - task force this summer um<00:08:08.800>
and <00:08:09.400>I <00:08:09.479>will < - Thankfully, we have a strong union force.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 8th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the last thing I would recommend is that there's not really a task force or committee over at
- It was that Medicaid Reform Task Force. I was actually here.
- , Medicaid reform task force.
- So the task force last done was about, it was really pre-...
- Our association has a program integrity task force already.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 04/14/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I wish you didn't have to come here and force it or force people to do it.
- I wish it was a little more forceful I wish it was a little more forceful instead<00:25:30.840><
- it or force people to I just wish force it or force people to I just wish they<00:25:49.560>
would - productive forces of Minnesota. productive forces of Minnesota.
- The before, to productive work forces.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It should make us uneasy, and it should force us to slow down and ask hard questions.
- >
providers, It forces DHS, legislators, providers, It forces DHS, legislators, providers, counties - task forces, what happens is you get like 1 million people on a task force, and they're just hunkering
- There's task forces, there's solution.
- This is what we see in community-based task forces, where there are named groups.
Keywords:
human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance
Summary:
The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured.
Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails.
Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/26/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- No one is forced to subscribe service.
- Uh, but what they're doing now has all been forced on them.
- Uh, but what they're doing now has all been forced on them.
- Uh, but what they're doing now has all been forced on them.
- Excel Energy has been forced to comment.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This could force housing providers into permanent lease obligations with no way to reclaim the unit.
- This could force housing providers into permanent lease obligations with no way to reclaim the unit.
- Some parents even installed locks anyway, only to be forced to remove them or face eviction.
- Some parents even installed locks anyway, only to be forced to remove them or face eviction.
- <01:13:21.159>
to in a locks anyway only to be forced to in a locks anyway only to be forced
Keywords:
landlord-tenant, victim confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, tenant privacy, housing law, eviction, unpaid rent, damages, release of information, shared database, protective order, victim of violence, Minnesota Statutes 504B.206, housing finance, civil law, autism, rental properties, reasonable accommodation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/05/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- participation rates included as an force participation rates included as an economic<00:42:59.599>
- participation rates to the list of force participation rates to the list of economic<00:45:19.240>
- as uh participation rate as a uh force as uh participation rate as a uh prung<00:46:09.319>
or - Well, this discussion about the importance of the county labor force participation and do we have the
- importance of the um County labor force importance of the um County labor force participation<00
- participation rates to the list of force participation rates to the list of economic<00:45:19.240>
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:
- Some of them are forced into the situation they are by abusive people.
- They are forced to go back into court again and again and again.
- I have lost my business and been forced to file for bankruptcy.
- I'm forced to face my abuser again and again.
- The legal system forced her to come back.
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors.
The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Amending the definition of physical force.
- Uh, defining the use of physical force to be the use of physical force against a person that results
- and force.
- So it's uh consistent force and force.
- use of physical force against a be the use of physical force against a person<02:11:29.599>
that<
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion.
The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date.
After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (11/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:00.560>
to <00:10:00.720>talk <00:10:00.959>about <00:10:01.360>force - <00:10:01.839>
carbon we're going to talk about force carbon we're going to talk about force - thinning also happens all go force thinning also happens all go ahead. ahead. ahead.
- <01:14:09.360>
carbon here uh of acreage of force carbon here uh of acreage of force carbon - So, if I sign up for a of force carbon offset credits if of force carbon offset credits if somebody<01
Summary:
The meeting was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance was led, and the clerk called the roll, establishing a quorum. The committee approved the prior minutes after correcting the date and changing a reference so that a draft-legislation note attributed to Representative Wlette was corrected. After that, the chair introduced a carbon presentation by Mr. Charlie Lebec and invited members and guests to move closer to view the slides.
Mr. Lebec’s presentation focused on forest carbon science and forest carbon offset markets, with emphasis on how forests store, sequester, and emit carbon. He explained greenhouse gases and the relationship between atmospheric CO2 and temperature, then defined key terms such as carbon storage, sequestration, flux, sinks, and sources. He also described forest carbon pools, noting that soils contain a large share of forest carbon, and discussed how forest age affects storage and sequestration, arguing that younger forests often sequester carbon faster while older forests store more carbon overall. He also addressed how harvested wood products can continue to store carbon, responding to a question from a member about mass timber and carbon sinks.
The presentation included regional comparisons showing New Hampshire’s forest density, carbon storage, and sequestration relative to other New England states, and noted that New Hampshire forests offset more than 30% of the state’s annual greenhouse gas emissions from nonforest sources, while Maine and Vermont offset even larger shares. Mr. Lebec said eastern forests are generally carbon sinks, unlike some western forests affected by wildfire, and stressed that forest management, soil protection, and forest age all influence carbon outcomes. No votes or substantive policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- What we call federal agency dismantling or reductions in force, there are seven cases.
- <00:20:10.320>
and <00:20:10.640>reductions <00:20:11.039>in <00:20:11.200>force - , dismantling or and reductions in force, dismantling or and reductions in force, there<00:20:11.840
- <00:56:42.799>
to by March 31st, it will be forced to by March 31st, it will be forced to - So the first case I'm going to discuss is the FRT case, that's forced reset triggers.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety.
Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA.
The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This task force will take a comprehensive look at compensatory revenue.
- This task force will take a comprehensive look at compensatory revenue.
- This task force will take a comprehensive look at compensatory revenue.
- This task force will take a comprehensive look at compensatory revenue.
- task force proposal on compensatory<01:08:55.279>
revenue.
Bills:
HF1388
Keywords:
BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I have just witnessed families who are forced to make impossible decisions between financial stability
- <00:15:38.639>
to witnessed families who are forced to witnessed families who are forced to - recommendations; any legislative modifications to the task force to adequately monitor and implement
- implement the task force implement the task force recommendations,<01:30:01.920>
any <01:30 - <01:30:04.080>
to modifications to the task force to modifications to the task force to adequately
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- We think that forcing these companies to post clear and conspicuous signage will decrease the volume
- <00:12:36.200>
these forcing these forcing these companies<00:12:38.360>to <00:12:38.560 - a possibility, you know, that the bad actors are still going to act like bad actors, but if we can force
- them to post signage post can force them to post signage post signage<00:13:26.120>
at <00:13: - You're<01:11:14.440>
forcing You're forcing You're forcing this,<01:11:15.960>but this
Keywords:
cosmetics, returns, refunds, consumer protection, high-pressure sales, transparency, accountability, HB1660, Hawaii, county labor standards, counties, contractors, building permits, permit denial, permit suspension, permit revocation, wage theft, wages, benefits, hours
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken.
The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:59:47.039>
into <00:59:47.240>the <00:59:47.440>labor <00:59:47.920>force - or investments into into the labor force or investments into into the labor force um<00:59:50.240
- said that they'll have to reduce the level of coverage provided, and one in ten say they will be forced
- said that they'll have to reduce the level of coverage provided, and one in ten say they will be forced
- said that they'll have to reduce the level of coverage provided, and one in ten say they will be forced
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, November 21, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Trump is also considering forcing Lockheed Martin to do the same.
- The rest of the country should not be forced to subsidize one mayor's destructive actions.
- The rest of the country should not be forced to subsidize one mayor's destructive actions.
- The rest of the country should not be forced to subsidize one mayor's destructive actions.
- The rest of the country should not be forced to subsidize one mayor's destructive actions.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Local Government (7-29-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, obviously we're on Housing Task Force 2.0.
- This might be a question for the housing task force.
- This might be a question for the housing task force.
- The issue, I believe, is not the market forces at play.
- The issue is I market forces at play.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:05
Roll Call 00:00:12
Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:03:12
Discussion of Housing and Land Use 00:21:58
Discussion of Short Term Rental Policies 01:03:17
Adjournment 01:15:38, 958, all
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from its June 4, 2025 meeting and then heard a series of presentations focused largely on housing and land-use policy. Senator Robbie Mills and Representative Josh Bray discussed two 2025 housing measures: Senate Bill 50, which would create residential infrastructure development districts to help local governments finance infrastructure for new housing developments through special assessments and local debt, and House Bill 7, which would let local governments identify development areas and rebate new property tax revenue to developers as an incentive for housing growth. They said Kentucky faces a statewide housing shortage of roughly 210,000 units, projected to grow if building patterns do not change, and argued that regulatory relief and financing tools are needed to increase supply.
Representative Rebecca Rymer presented House Bill 371, which would require local permitting when an industry’s residual waste landfill is located in a different county from the industry itself. She said current law lets such landfills bypass local review, leaving host counties with no say despite road impacts and other local burdens. She said the bill would preserve the existing exemption when the landfill and industry are co-located, and noted support from KLC and KO. Representative Steve Doan also described House Bill 806, a statewide backyard chicken bill that would allow domesticated hens, prohibit roosters, set a minimum of six hens that local governments could not go below, and preserve local authority over setbacks, sanitation, maintenance standards, and egg sales. He said it would override outright local bans but not HOA restrictions, and cited a current Northern Kentucky dispute and ADA litigation as reasons for the proposal.
The committee then heard a broader discussion on housing and land use from Charlie Gardner of the Mercatus Center and Nolan Gray of California YIMBY and the Bluegrass Institute. They outlined categories of land-use regulation, described the recent growth of state-level housing reforms nationwide, and cited examples such as ADU legalization, smaller lot sizes, reduced parking minimums, streamlined permitting, and single-stair or other building-code reforms. They argued that housing shortages are a statewide concern, that localities often have incentives to block growth, and that state intervention can reduce costs and uncertainty without compromising health and safety. Members asked about the housing shortage estimate, the effect of red tape on safety and local authority, and how state reforms could be phased in; the presenters said reforms often include lead time, can be targeted to larger jurisdictions, and should focus on reducing time and cost while maintaining basic standards.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- And can't be forced into playing a game. Isn't that right?
- And can't be forced into playing a game. Isn't that right?
- against a female athlete—where do you get that the boy is forced?
- You and I both know of no instance in which someone has forced that boy to wrestle.
- If he were forced to play on girls' teams, he would lose the core of who he is.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.