Video & Transcript Research : 'free expression'

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MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Nine - Tuesday, April 28

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to start with sort of an overarching concern I have, which is a concern I've heard expressed on
  • I would, and I think we’ve seen this morning and now almost in the afternoon some expressions of where
  • The right to direct the education of the child free from government...
  • The right to direct the education of the child free from government.
  • So if they're directing the health care of the child free from government interference, are you saying
Keywords: 959, house, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the House Journal for the previous day by a vote of 123-1, and then recognized a series of special guests, including a physician, several sheriffs, school groups, interns, and other visitors. The chamber then moved into third reading and perfection of bills, with some measures sent to the informal calendar before debate began on House Bill 1758, which would make daylight saving time permanent in Missouri. Supporters argued it would end the twice-yearly clock change and could improve productivity and convenience, while opponents raised concerns about dark winter commutes, safety, and health effects. The bill passed third reading by a vote of 107-31 with two present. The House next took up House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits to clean up the statutes and reduce Department of Revenue reporting work. Members from both parties generally supported the bill as a government-efficiency and accountability measure, though one member questioned whether removing credits from statute could make them harder to revive later. The bill was perfected and printed without opposition. The chamber then considered House Bill 3405, which clarifies that the state and local tax (SALT) pass-through entity provision is a deduction rather than a tax credit, with sponsors saying the change would streamline Department of Revenue processing and improve the accuracy of tax credit reporting. That bill was also perfected and printed after discussion about tax administration and fiscal note implications. Finally, the House debated House Bill 2426, a parental rights bill covering education, medical, privacy, and related decisions for children, and applying a strict-scrutiny standard to government actions affecting those rights. Debate focused heavily on whether the bill merely codified existing protections or expanded parental authority in ways that could affect school records, recordings, evaluations, truancy, medical consent, and district transparency requirements. The House adopted House Amendment 1 by a vote of 98-25 with six present, an amendment addressing IEP procedures and requiring parental consent for certain major changes unless due process requirements are met. Further debate continued on the underlying bill, with supporters emphasizing parental involvement and opponents warning about unintended consequences for schools, child welfare, and existing legal standards.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Judiciary (09/10/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • my own only my own this is expressing my own only my own views<00:20:50.880> on<00:20:51.039>
  • The view, as I've heard it expressed in our caucus, is against this legislation for a number of reasons
  • The view, as I've heard it expressed in our caucus, is against this legislation for a number of reasons
  • I'm all for free speech. So say what you have to say if you want to, but we're going to recess.
  • I'm all for free speech. So say what you have to say if you want to, but we're going to recess.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee began by explaining that the meeting was a work session and that votes would only be taken where there was clear consensus. CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” was discussed first but not acted on because the prime sponsor was absent. Members raised concerns about whether the issue belonged in the constitution and what the amendment would mean in practice, and the chair recessed the matter for a future meeting. HB 74, concerning the definition of “citizen” for the right-to-know law and disclosure of preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body, drew little support. Members noted the Senate’s prior rejection of a related bill and agreed the proposal was unlikely to advance. A motion to ITL the bill passed unanimously by roll call, 15-0, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 232, dealing with rights of conscience for medical professionals, was also recessed. Members said they had not yet seen the amendment, which was described as narrowing the bill to abortion-related issues and limiting penalties. Several members said they could not judge the bill without the amendment and expected disagreement, so the chair recessed it. HB 253, on interest-bearing pooled trust accounts maintained by lawyers, was discussed at length; the chair said the bill did not address the underlying IOLTA issue and would likely create conflict with the bar and judiciary. Members cited existing Supreme Court procedures and suggested the bill was unnecessary. A straw vote showed support for interim study and ITL, and the committee ultimately voted 15-0 to place HB 253 on consent. HB 293, aimed at preventing minors from accessing obscene material on internet-connected devices, prompted substantial debate. Members generally supported the goal but objected to the bill’s private right of action, its focus on manufacturers rather than content providers or internet platforms, uncertainty about the filtering technology required, and concerns about defining obscenity on a national rather than community basis. The committee discussed forming a subcommittee to work on the bill further, and members volunteered to serve, indicating the issue would be revisited rather than voted on immediately.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Apr 1st, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You feel free to move forward and pass this bill if that's what you decide. >> Thank you.
  • You feel free to move forward and up.
  • Uh, and if there's any questions feel free to ask.
  • Uh, and if there's any questions feel free to ask.
  • And if there's if feel free to ask.
Keywords: 920, all
Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Senators then adopted the prior day’s journal and excused absent members. A lengthy point of personal privilege followed, in which Senator Smith criticized the prior day’s handling of the special order calendar and argued that minority-party senators were denied the chance to speak, while Senator Coleman said Senate Bill 318 had been removed from the calendar and tied that to Child Abuse Prevention Month; she also noted Senate Bill 43, which would provide civil recourse for child sex assault survivors, had not advanced. The presiding officer also recognized guests in the gallery, including staff from the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Senate then received multiple committee reports, largely on a unanimous or near-unanimous basis. Finance and Taxation Education reported favorably on House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, 517, and 98, and Senate Bill 380, with some substitutes or amendments; Finance and Taxation General Fund reported Senate Bill 378 favorably; County and Municipal Government reported House Bills 568, 499, and 433; Education Policy reported House Bills 8 and 380; Banking and Insurance reported House Bill 545; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported House Bill 586 with two nays; Healthcare reported House Bills 533 and 605; Tourism and Marketing reported House Bills 513 and 626 and Senate Bill 357; and local legislation committees reported several Mobile County and Madison County bills, including Senate Bill 379 relating to Madison County and various House bills, all advancing to the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate agreed to allow committee reports to be received at any time during the day. Several resolutions were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee, including Senate Joint Resolution 100 honoring Presley Skelton, SJR 101 commending Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, SJR 102 establishing the Alabama Forest Products Retention and Pulp and Paper Mill Stability Study Commission, SJR 103 mourning Norman Wendell Arnold, and SJR 104 designating Alabama as the river state. The chamber also suspended the rules to take up Senate Joint Resolution 105, commending Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth for his service; the resolution included a lengthy recitation of his background and accomplishments and was read for immediate consideration with all senators added as sponsors.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is, you know, we've got enough time here, so please feel free to chime in, anybody.
  • This is, you know, we've got enough time here, so please feel free to chime in, anybody.
  • This is, you know, we've got enough time here, so please feel free to chime in, anybody.
  • This is, you know, we've got enough time here, so please feel free to chime in, anybody.
  • This is, you know, we've got enough time here, so please feel free to chime in, anybody.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully. Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day Jun 30th, 2026

Delaware Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It said, 'I'd like to express the insult felt by myself and others in our industry.'
  • So it just expresses the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms.
  • When they talk about the magnificent options to eat, and more specifically, the portion size and free
  • So feel free to grab the cake as we move on the agenda and work on some bills here.
  • Voting is one of the most basic expressions of belonging in a democracy.
Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Education (03/10/2026)

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • let's just circle back to free speech. let's just circle back to free speech.
  • about their rights to free speech? about their rights to free speech?
  • If your goal as a legislator is to truly support free expression while also supporting your constituents
  • <02:45:03.359> expression<02:45:03.920> while to truly support free expression while
  • to truly support free expression while also<02:45:04.560> supporting<02:45:05.040> your
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Some have expressed concerns that tweaking the current program, as we're doing here in Minnesota, and
  • concerns that tweaking the expressed concerns that tweaking the current<00:08:23.520> program
  • giveaways and we centers without free giveaways and we urge<00:51:33.200> a<00:51:33.359>
  • We're also committed to reaching the 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 goal, and we believe our area is
  • We're also committed to reaching the 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 goal, and we believe our area is
Keywords: 1183, house
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I would like to first express my gratitude.
  • I would like to first express Chairman. I would like to first express my<02:43:13.920> gratitude.
  • The United States government must be a free and impartial referee.
  • It delivers<07:24:49.360> tax-free<07:24:50.400> Trump<07:24:50.718> accounts<07
  • :24:51.440> for delivers tax-free Trump accounts for delivers tax-free Trump accounts for newborns
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Government Oversight Feb 24th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Government Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I don't know, like Discover and some of the other ones, American Express.
  • Yeah, so I understand how the free market works. Thank you for the education.
  • So here's a free market. You're on the same page. You're right there.
  • The free market is going to determine what these credit card companies are paying because that credit
  • So I hope that answers your question, and I hope it points back to the free market enterprise question
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Some of these employees are here today to express concerns about the bill.
  • California and across the country, over 70% of my clients come to me after having utilized one of the free
  • But, you know, at the end of the day, veterans should be able to get the services from the CVSOs for free
  • It is a free service to connect people with the benefits they deserve.
  • It is a free service to connect people with the benefits they deserve.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met as a subcommittee because a quorum was initially lacking, and heard six bills. AB 81 by Assemblymember Ta would require CalVet to study the mental health needs of women veterans; supporters from county veterans service officers, veterans organizations, and behavioral health groups said women veterans face higher rates of military sexual trauma, PTSD, depression, and suicide, while no opposition appeared. The bill was later passed 7-0 and re-referred to Appropriations. AB 826 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would prohibit unaccredited individuals or businesses from charging veterans fees to file or assist with VA benefits claims, impose a civil penalty, and direct penalty revenue to veterans services and district attorneys. Supporters argued the bill would curb predatory “claim sharks” and protect veterans from exploitation, while opponents from private claims consulting firms and several veterans said the measure could restrict access to legitimate help and should be narrowed to target bad actors instead of banning paid assistance broadly. After extensive testimony and discussion about federal law, accreditation, and possible amendments, the committee passed the bill 8-0 and re-referred it to Judiciary. AB 556 by Assemblymember Patterson would clarify that campus-level mandatory fees are covered under the CalVet fee waiver for dependents of certain veterans and Medal of Honor recipients. Supporters said the bill would fulfill the state’s promise to veterans’ families, while concerns were raised about fiscal impacts on CSU campuses and the need for more precise cost estimates. The bill was passed 6-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its rules 7-0 and approved the consent calendar, which included AB 264, AB 1508, and AB 1509, all re-referred to Appropriations.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Apr 2nd, 2025

Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Then there's a $3.95 charge; otherwise, it's free. Mr.
  • Now is the time to act to safeguard free enterprise, consumer choice, and equal access to consumer choice
  • So anyway, I just want to express our sentiment on this bill.
  • We also feel that this approach is decidedly un-American and anti-free market.
  • We'd like to see the free market allowed to dictate which benefits and options are being offered.
Keywords: 923, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Mar 3rd, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • classroom teachers, and authorizes districts to provide salary supplements for areas of critical need free
  • We do have concerns, as many others have expressed before us, about some of the changes related to the
  • advance and to graduate, removing the requirement to pass the assessment in order to graduate will free
  • But removing the requirement to pass the assessment in order to graduate will free up those students
  • once they've passed those classes to to um ...free up those students once they've passed those classes
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 296, as amended by strike-all, on middle and high school start times. Senator Bradley explained that the amendment would repeal the statewide mandate for later start times and return scheduling decisions to local school boards, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic effects of sleep deprivation and to consider later start times when setting transportation schedules. Testimony and debate were largely in support, with several school district and education group representatives waiving in support, and members citing transportation, staffing, family logistics, and cost concerns under the existing mandate. The strike-all was adopted, and SB 296 was reported favorably by roll call vote, with Senators Berman, Osgood, and Chair Calatayud voting yes and Senator Gaetz voting no; other members were absent or not recorded in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 356, which would designate January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. Senator Berman said the date matches the UN’s Holocaust Remembrance Day and would require the governor to annually proclaim it, while allowing public observance and instruction about the Holocaust’s harms and its impact on the Jewish community and humanity. There was no substantive opposition in the excerpt, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote with yes votes from Senators Berman, Gaetz, and Chair Calatayud. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools. Senator Simon described a broad deregulation package affecting student assessments, grade promotion, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, internal audits, facilities planning, cost-per-student-station limits, emergency make-up days, federal fund timing, and VPK oversight. Testimony was mixed: school district and education organization representatives generally supported the flexibility, while some groups opposed or urged changes to the grade 4 promotion and graduation-related provisions, arguing they could weaken academic standards. After debate focused especially on third-grade promotion and testing requirements, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on SB 296 and SB 356, and the committee adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/6/26 - Part 2

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that is a concern for the Capitol area, the place where people come to demonstrate, come to express
  • I understand the frustration that's been expressed both on the floor and personally.
  • I know that many of us are spending every... every free hour right now.
  • >> Every free hour right now. >> Signing letters to seniors, seniors' censure, like me.
  • >> I recognize member from Ramsey Representative got free. Thank you, Mr.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House took up Senate File 3432, a public safety bill requiring identifying equipment and insignia to be removed from emergency vehicles sold to the public. The chamber first adopted a House language amendment, then debated a broader security package that would fund judicial and courthouse security, Capitol security measures, short-term protection for legislators facing credible threats, State Patrol deficiency funding, and additional BCA analysts and investigators to assess threats statewide. Supporters framed the bill as necessary to protect public safety, democracy, and First Amendment activity at the Capitol and courthouses; they also said the package was pared down from larger requests and based on security reviews. The House adopted an A-1 amendment clarifying that BCA staff could investigate threats statewide, and later rejected a Schultz A-3 amendment that would have eliminated all appropriations in the bill. The A-3 was defeated on a 37-94 vote after the House upheld the Speaker’s ruling that a proposed school-safety secondary amendment was not germane, with that appeal decided 69-62. A major theme of debate was whether the Legislature should prioritize security for members and the Capitol before passing school safety funding. Several members argued they could not support spending tens of millions on Capitol and legislative security without first funding school safety for all students, including public, charter, private, and tribal schools. Others defended the bill as necessary because of recent threats and violence, including the June 14 tragedy, and said the Capitol security changes were based on professional recommendations. Some members also criticized the new security setup as overly restrictive or “security theater,” while supporters said the measures were needed to keep the public, staff, and lawmakers safe. After the A-3 was defeated, the bill was read for third time and members continued floor debate. The discussion remained split between those emphasizing immediate Capitol and legislative security needs and those insisting school safety should come first. Representative Agbaje then moved to table the bill, and the clerk began a roll call on that motion.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/17/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the Vice President of Government Affairs at NetChoice, a trade association dedicated to free speech
  • and free enterprise online, testifying in respectful opposition to HF 4138.
  • So, I really appreciate it. speech and free enterprise online, speech and free enterprise online, testifying
  • > the<01:20:35.199> only<01:20:35.440> intention<01:20:35.920> of they're free
  • And the only intention of they're free.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 27th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Then they would be free to amend the bill and send it back to us in a different form.
  • Oh, Chicken Express, get your bird. Mr.
  • SB 2972 by Creighton, relating to the express... ...expressive activities at public institutions of higher
  • Free speech in higher education has been a hot topic. ...for several years now.
  • We're going to make sure that our campuses must provide a public forum for free speech expressions.
Bills: SB15, SB35, SB290, SB1365, SB2568, SB18, SB427, SB1860, SB1864, SB2675, SB596, SB2858, SB3058, SB816, SB1163, SB1484, SB1898, SB1777, SB1802, SB2692, SB315, SB1585, SB1626, SB2058, SB2050, SB2105, SB2245, SB2764, SB2611, SB2497, SB2452, SB2243, SB1705, SB1244, SB1361, SB438, SB578, SB584, SB2690, SB2521, SB2487, SB2342, SB2063, SB125, SB2041, SB1962, SB1413, SB6, SB2878, SB13, SB30, SJR87, SB7, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB57, SB512, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB1346, SB2753, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB552, SB646, SJR1, SB15, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SB2501, SB66, SB268, SB331, SB618, SB414, SB1394, SB2425, SB898, SB993, SB442, SB735, SB784, SB2538, SB1919, SB1013, SB2215, SB2322, SB626, SB570, SB747, SB2183, SB673, SB1015, SB1447, SB1370, SB1784, SB1897, SB2873, SB2891, SB2933, SB2540, SB2681, SB2695, SB1965, SB2203, SB872, SB875, SB1030, SB1277, SB1730, SB1681, SB1152, SB2969, SB2747, SB2705, SB2541, SB1708, SB2080, SB2721, SB1986, SB2392, SB2539, SB2857, SB2799, SB2785, SB2782, SB1531, SB1927, SB1263, SB1098, SB35, SB290, SB1365, SB2568, SB18, SB427, SB1860, SB1864, SB2675, SB596, SB2858, SB3058, SB816, SB1163, SB1484, SB1898, SB1777, SB1802, SB2692, SB315, SB1585, SB1626, SB2058, SB2050, SB2105, SB2245, SB2764, SB2611, SB2497, SB2452, SB2243, SB1705, SB1244, SB1361, SB438, SB578, SB584, SB2690, SB2521, SB2487, SB2342, SB2063, SB125, SB2041, SB1962, SB1413, SCR9, SB21, SB1198, SB1405, SB2601, SB2778, HB5560, HB762, HB1584, HB 107, HB 114, HB138, HB4386, HB2495, HB581, HB3348, HB5323, HB4341, HB6, HB171, HB143, HB449, HB3486, HB4263, HB5246, HB2, HB2011, SB17
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 18th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • For example, of the six audit teams coming free this summer, three of them will need to transition to
  • I am here on behalf of my board and the more than 900 dedicated educators we represent to express our
  • regional agency, which will further enhance the Bay Area's universal fare payment system, including free
  • And we'd like to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation for Senator Archuleta's prioritization
  • Cynthia Cortez, Restore the Delta, in support of an audit of DWR, also expressing support on behalf of
Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 19th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • On top of all of this, he was influential in helping fellow business leaders land the Round Rock Express
  • He made bond, and now he walks the street free.
  • childcare, free parenting classes, and they're connected to those OB-GYNs, so they can take a right
  • HCR 127 by Lujan, expressing support for the strengthening of our partnership with Taiwan.
  • HCR 118 by DeRazio, expressing support. ...for the expansion of the warship manufacturing industry in
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • our national cultural institutions, the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center, challenge our access to free
  • creative expression.
  • So in closing, I want to express my appreciation again for this opportunity to testify before you.
  • For our trustees, it became as much a question of protecting freedom of expression as protecting the
  • The arts, of course, are the content and the expression of all our cultures.
Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • that this could get included in some format after we negotiate with some of the people who have expressed
  • <00:36:19.520> minor of the people who have expressed minor of the people who have expressed
  • We have one more on the list, Becky Cole, who I believe is remote, so feel free to unmute yourself and
  • <00:42:03.839> to I believe is remote, so you feel free to I believe is remote, so you feel
  • free to unmute<00:42:04.319> yourself<00:42:04.480> and<00:42:04.720> introduce
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House energy panel OK's bill to lift MN's moratorium on new nuclear power plants 1/21/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Minnesota cooperatives are on track to meet the state's 2040 carbon-free standard.
  • Nuclear would provide under our carbon-free standard is essential for maintaining grid stability and
  • resource that can provide carbon- free resource that can provide 24-hour<00:12:00.079> Bas<00
  • Nuclear would provide under our carbon-free standard is essential for maintaining grid stability and
  • light of the mandate to be carbon free light of the mandate to be carbon free it<00:35:09.560>
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: House File 9 was heard as a proposal to alter Minnesota energy policy by creating exemptions and “off-ramps” from the state’s 2023 clean energy requirements. The bill would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility, end the moratorium on new nuclear plants, delay certain carbon-free energy compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, restrict demolition of fossil fuel plants under that same benchmark, support carbon capture and sequestration, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round. The author moved the A1 amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture policy language does not create a state funding obligation; the committee took up the amendment with no discussion and proceeded to a vote, though the result was not stated in the transcript. The bill was then referred to the Committee on Taxes. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to improve reliability and affordability, especially during extreme cold, and said current mandates are forcing coal retirements faster than replacement generation can be built. They cited MISO and NERC reliability concerns, Xcel’s proposed rate increases, and the need for an “all-of-the-above” energy approach that includes nuclear and hydro. Supporters also said the bill would help keep energy costs down for families and businesses and would allow Minnesota to use existing generation assets longer if rate targets are not met. Testimony from the Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on reliability, affordability, nuclear power, hydroelectric power, and carbon capture. The Chamber said Minnesota’s electricity costs have become less competitive for businesses and argued that stable, affordable power is essential for economic growth and future technologies such as AI. The Minnesota Utility Investors also supported allowing new nuclear and all hydro power to be considered. In contrast, the Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable long-term waste solution, describing its long history living near the Prairie Island nuclear plant and spent fuel storage and urging continued consultation on the issue. Xcel Energy said it supports low rates and sees nuclear as one option, but emphasized that any support for lifting the moratorium depends on full participation by the Prairie Island Indian Community and that decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.