Video & Transcript : 'grave protection' :

Page 98 of 500
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • The American family farm has got to be protected like none other.
  • And we best protect them and keep them safe. them on that farm.
  • And we got to keep them there, and we got to protect them in every single way.
  • So I do everything I can to protect my growers in Georgia.
  • My commitment is to defend, protect, and fight for all of American agriculture.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Special Session 2026 May 8th, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You're now protecting that.
  • </c> Congress trying to protect Congress trying to protect who<00:56:12.559><c> was</c><00:56:12.799>
  • </c> the equal protection clause. the equal protection clause.
  • ><c> protected</c><02:05:57.119><c> equally</c> they shouldn't be protected equally they shouldn't be
  • </c> there saying for equal protection. there saying for equal protection.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 35 senators. The journal was adopted without objection, absent senators were excused, and there were no house messages, committee reports, motions, or resolutions before the first bill was called. The main item of business was House Bill 1, described as a conditional measure to set a process for electing U.S. House candidates in Alabama’s congressional districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 if a federal court order lifts current injunctions. The sponsor said the bill would only take effect if the court order is issued and would allow quick compliance with federal rulings. Debate centered on whether the bill was truly responsive to the court or instead an attempt at mid-decade redistricting; opponents argued it would violate Alabama’s constitutional limits on elections and ignore the court’s redistricting orders, while supporters said they were trying to comply with the court and that the issue was partisan rather than personal. Much of the discussion focused on Allen v. Milligan, the Voting Rights Act, and the meaning of the court’s injunctions. One senator argued the bill would dilute Black voting strength and was being driven by national Republican politics, while the sponsor and others insisted the legislature was acting only conditionally and that the court had not ordered the specific action being debated. The exchange became lengthy and contentious, but no final vote or other action on HB1 was taken in the portion provided.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Community Safety Oct 29th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm curious what's put in place to protect those co-responders from being hurt themselves or worse, which
  • around 911-based behavioral health triage protocols and discussion around corresponding liability protections
  • So as we innovate, we want to move carefully and collaboratively, protecting both the responders and
  • off—that should be in every community, and one that I, it's a hill I'll die on and I'll take to my grave
Summary: The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training. City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation. Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our services agency will provide effective and efficient consumer protection, business and professional
  • Please protect this vital investment. Thank you. Thank you.
  • They found a grave in the Mojave Desert, and that's where they found Juan Carlos Hernandez's body that
  • Fire protection, public safety, homelessness programs.
  • The VLF swap mechanism was designed to protect cities and counties through property tax allocations,
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • At the same time, it explicitly protects religious freedom.
  • So I looked at that as a direct protection, but now it says the right to marry under this section does
  • The change was made to make the protections for religious freedom more broad.
  • included, as opposed to broader protections.
  • I actually visited his grave this last weekend. He would have been 49.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and read several committee reports and communications into the record. Members also observed moments of silence for two young people who had recently died, and the prayer and pledge were offered before the chamber moved into business. Consent calendar number 28, consisting of several resolutions, passed by voice vote. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and retirement remarks for Representative Jeff Holowski, who was praised by colleagues for his work on financial literacy, veterans’ issues, health care, diabetes policy, and constituent service, as well as for his military service and community involvement. Holowski thanked staff, colleagues, and his family, and said he was retiring to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The chamber also recognized former Representative Harvey Kenton as a guest. The House then acted on several measures. Senate Bill 286, as amended by House Amendment 1, passed 40-0 and extends consumer protections and dealer equity standards to ATVs, side-by-sides, and vessels. Senate Bill 179, which updates the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission and its bench book/data analysis process, passed 27-14. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 23, the housing supply and affordability bill, was presented with extensive explanation and questions about local control, zoning, and implementation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and directing flags at half-staff, was also discussed in emotional remarks about overdose losses and the state’s ongoing response. The House later recessed for party caucuses.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (03/05/2025)

Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:51:21.440><c> some</c> actually um create and protect some actually um create and protect some
  • but protecting vulnerable individual but protecting vulnerable people<01:49:47.840><c> who</c><01:49:
  • now it's protecting my child.
  • now it's protecting my child.
  • to provide more protections.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Without this bill, California is taking on massive wildfire mitigation projects to protect our communities
  • I was asked to convey the support of the NRDC, Elected Officials to Protect America, and Sierra Club
  • Without appropriate liability protections, agencies could be penalized for circumstances they cannot
  • It may no longer be subject to certain customer protections.
  • Lastly, AB 388 lacks the restrictions and limitations necessary to appropriately protect ratepayers.
Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Are you talking about a different data system, or are you talking about the cradle-to-grave?
  • We want to make sure that the legislature protects those funds in the state budget.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight Feb 3rd, 2026

Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • ways, like we're going to put together this multilateral team that's going to do, you know, cradle to grave
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 101 Apr 24th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> to be made to protect our youth. to be made to protect our youth.
  • If we're all about protecting women, let's make sure we're protecting women with this amendment.
  • Let’s protect it now so we can keep our students’ money protected, their parents’ money, and that we’
  • Let’s protect it now so we can keep our students’ money protected, their parents’ money, and that we’
  • Let’s protect it now so we can keep our students’ money protected, their parents’ money, and that we’
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • The environmental<00:20:07.120><c> protection.
  • </c><00:20:08.080><c> reducing</c> environmental protection. reducing environmental protection. reducing
  • :13:16.800><c> in</c> greatest uh need is access to care in greatest uh need is access to care in graves
  • c> enrollment</c><01:13:18.880><c> and</c><01:13:19.040><c> education</c><01:13:19.840><c> in</c> graves
  • or enrollment and education in graves or enrollment and education in Trig<01:13:20.480><c> County.
Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 16th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • What happens to those protections? Because we don't have a fiscal note.
  • And I don't see anything that's being put in place for those protections or even for any direction as
  • I have grave concerns with all of this.
  • Equal protection demands more than neutrality in language.
  • The work of a criminal court handling evidence, managing sensitive trial records, and protecting the
Bills: SB256
Committee: House Judiciary
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 4th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Landry is an act to amend Title 46 relative to the Louisiana pregnancy and baby care initiative and to protect
  • provisional appointment in the fire and police civil service for municipalities, parishes, and fire protection
  • provisional appointment in the Fire and Police Civil Service for municipalities, parishes, and fire protection
Bills: SR107 , SCR53 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR12 , HB167 , HB181 , HB243 , HB316 , HB321 , HB335 , HB492 , HB578 , HB624 , HB708 , HB864 , HB906 , HB968 , HB969 , HB978 , HB985 , HB1005 , HB1032 , HB1077 , HB1095 , HB1104 , HB1118 , HB1157 , HB1187 , HB1189 , HB1195 , HB1198 , HB1220 , HB221 , HCR58 , SB283 , SB338 , SB488 , SB520 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB972 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , SB68 , SB76 , SB149 , SB191 , SB196 , SB318 , SB162 , SB382 , SCR33 , SCR30 , SB112 , SB194 , SB307 , SB341 , SB346 , SB363 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , SB513 , SB408 , SB131 , SB145 , SB333 , SB464 , SB466 , SB500 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB228 , SB246 , SB249 , SB268 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB312 , SB319 , SB323 , SB369 , SB431 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB501 , HCR14 , HB537 , HB652 , HB653 , HB661 , HB726 , HB756 , HB851 , HB964 , HB966 , HB34 , HB35 , HB48 , HB474 , HB553 , HB758 , HB852 , HB10 , HB16 , HB36 , HB44 , HB46 , HB52 , HB61 , HB78 , HB98 , HB102 , HB124 , HB126 , HB131 , HB135 , HB141 , HB142 , HB164 , HB170 , HB171 , HB179 , HB194 , HB231 , HB245 , HB280 , HB292 , HB294 , HB297 , HB305 , HB336 , HB337 , HB351 , HB436 , HB594 , HB789 , HB956 , HB957 , HB995 , HB1040 , HB50 , HB117 , HB120 , HB122 , HB139 , HB148 , HB149 , HB185 , HB199 , HB247 , HB271 , HB286 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB842 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB119 , HB129 , HB677 , HB850
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Apr 13th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Bills: HR119 , HR120 , HR121 , HR122 , HR123 , HR124 , HR125 , HR126 , HR127 , HR128 , HR129 , HR130 , HR131 , HR132 , HCR53 , HCR54 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HR115 , HR116 , HR117 , HR118 , SCR19 , SCR26 , SB102 , SB222 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB418 , SB420 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB49 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB211 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB324 , HB376 , HB377 , HB422 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB549 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1011 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB310 , HCR6 , HCR19 , HCR10 , HR74 , HCR26 , HCR35 , HCR7 , HB51 , HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB180 , HB192 , HB393 , HB430 , HB445 , HB506 , HB515 , HB521 , HB565 , HB590 , HB614 , HB638 , HB670 , HB672 , HB685 , HB692 , HB752 , HB773 , HB781 , HB799 , HB860 , HB874 , HB887 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB965 , HB972 , HB977 , HB982 , HB1006 , HB1010 , HB1044 , HB1072 , HB1088 , HB1179 , HB1200 , HB76 , HB132 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB265 , HB275 , HB291 , HB322 , HB342 , HB475 , HB486 , HB616 , HB635 , HB639 , HB690 , HB740 , HB757 , HB761 , HB774 , HB808 , HB855 , HB872 , HB883 , HB886 , HB903 , HB949 , HB962 , HB996 , HB1003 , HB1036 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1076 , HB1078 , HB1113 , HB1132 , HB1146 , HB1232 , HB1233 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB52 , HB154 , HB400 , HB463 , HB570 , HB631 , HB637 , HB870 , HB952 , HB961 , HB399 , HB868 , HB905 , HB401 , HB901 , HR20 , HB9 , HB58 , HB151 , HB193 , HB284 , HB459 , HB476 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB915
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Apr 9th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Straightforward victim protection bill.
  • So, look, this bill is about protecting churches, protecting people at the church, whether it's leaders
  • So, look, this bill is about protecting churches, protecting people at the church, whether it's leaders
  • This bill protects that right, and it protects the people who practice it, and I ask that This bill protects
  • And so we have to protect that as well.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Mar 17th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Whereas professional surveyors play a vital role in coastal restoration and protection efforts, assisting
  • , and does hereby commend the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors for its dedication to protecting
  • House Resolution by Representative Dickerson to commend Livingston Parish Fire Protection District 4
  • Members, last year the legislature unanimously passed the Kids Online Protection and Anti-Grooming Act
  • I appreciate your efforts in protecting our children from online bullying. I appreciate that.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 25th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • His Eagle Scout project helped protect and preserve a local nature center, a reflection of both his love
  • This allows law enforcement to do police protection.
  • This bill protects juror privacy. I move passage.
  • Members, House Bill 368 updates our protective... Rep.
  • Speaker, Members, this bill aims to protect the privacy of victims. I move passage.
Bills: HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HB1587 , HB3684 , HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB609 , HB630 , HB420 , HB767 , HB1708 , HB1404 , HB2457 , HB140 , HB227 , HB913 , HB2198 , HB2763 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB1318 , HB2358 , HB2765 , HB2735 , HB3307 , HB 1242 , HB2842 , HB333 , HB201 , HB694 , HB2415 , HB155 , HB272 , HB405 , HB519 , HB 1136 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1990 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3354 , HB3479 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3887 , HB4163 , HB4238 , HB 1240 , HB1842 , HB2029 , HB2622 , HB3255 , HB654 , HB4643 , HB4945 , HB3611 , HB3724 , HB3623 , HB3810 , HB4127 , HCR78 , HCR12 , SB767
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Jun 30th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is about protecting children.
  • We protect evidence, and we protect the chain of custody for evidence materials.
  • We're talking about protective orders here, yes, which means we're trying to protect people when they
  • These protections already exist.
  • These protections already exist.
Summary: The Senate Public Safety Committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of bills. Early items included AB 2605, which would require statewide reporting on public defense services; supporters said California lacks basic data on how indigent defense is delivered and that the bill would help identify under-resourced counties, while no opposition appeared. AB 1650 would require rental vehicles used in law enforcement operations to display agency identification; supporters framed it as a transparency and community-trust measure in response to immigration enforcement tactics, while sheriffs and police groups opposed it unless amended, arguing it could compromise undercover and task-force operations and raise legal and indemnification concerns. AB 1930 would require notice to the Attorney General before business entities respond to subpoenas involving legally protected abortion or gender-affirming care information; supporters said it protects patient privacy and provider safety, while opponents raised constitutional, law-enforcement, and business-burden concerns. The committee also heard AB 458, directing state procurement guidelines for firearms and accessories so agencies buy from responsible vendors, with support from police chiefs, gun-violence prevention groups, and local officials, and no opposition testimony offered. The committee then heard AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers, which would update the definition of sideshows, include motorcycles and dirt bikes, and align penalties with street racing. Supporters, including police, city, transportation, and road-safety advocates, said the bill responds to dangerous events, property damage, and injuries; opponents from civil liberties and public defender groups argued higher fines and criminal penalties are ineffective and disproportionately harm low-income people, favoring roadway design and community-based prevention instead. AB 910, the Survivors Act, would expand affirmative defenses and vacature relief for survivors of trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence; supporters, including a survivor who described decades of abuse and wrongful conviction, said the bill gives survivors a chance to tell their stories and seek relief, while district attorneys opposed expanding relief to violent offenses and warned it could erase restitution and undermine victims’ rights. AB 2624 would expand Safe at Home confidentiality protections to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters described threats, doxxing, and harassment against immigrant-serving organizations, while opponents claimed the bill was prompted by investigative reporting on fraud and would chill journalism and transparency. The committee also heard AB 31, making the tribal police pilot program permanent and creating a missing and murdered Indigenous persons task force, which drew strong support from tribal representatives and no opposition. Later, AB 1959 sought to close a resentencing loophole tied to a 2001 Santana High School shooting case by restoring judicial discretion in resentencing for certain juvenile offenders; supporters said the current process can lead to automatic release even after parole denial, while opposition testimony began with concerns that the bill was responding to one case and lacked broader evidence. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly noted they supported several bills but could not formally vote because the committee lacked a quorum, so motions were held for later action.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Apr 16th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • What happens to those protections? Because we don't have a fiscal note.
  • And I don't see anything that's being put in place for those protections or even for any direction as
  • I have grave concerns with all of this.
  • Equal protection demands more than neutrality in language.
  • The work of a criminal court handling evidence, managing sensitive trial records, and protecting the
Bills: SB256
Committee: House Judiciary
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 256, which would combine the Orleans Parish clerks of criminal district court and civil district court into one office, with the bill taking effect upon gubernatorial signature. Senator Jay Morris said the change would align Orleans with other parishes, improve efficiency, and eventually help consolidate funding and operations, noting that Orleans is the only parish with two clerks and that the criminal side lacks the civil-side revenue streams used elsewhere. Committee members questioned the timing because the election for the next term had already been held and certified, and repeatedly raised concerns that the bill would effectively eliminate an office after voters had already chosen Calvin Duncan as criminal clerk. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill would be constitutional or fair if enacted before the new term began. Opponents argued it would disenfranchise voters, target Duncan personally, and set a dangerous precedent by abolishing an office after an election. Supporters and witnesses for Duncan said the bill was rushed, lacked a fiscal note, and would create confusion about staffing, records, training, and the transition between the two court systems. Several witnesses also argued that the criminal clerk’s office is essential to access to justice and that the data and efficiency rationale did not justify the timing or effect of the bill. Calvin Duncan testified that he ran to improve access to court records after his own wrongful conviction and incarceration, and said the bill sends the message that votes do not count. Other witnesses, including teachers, voters, attorneys, former officials, and advocacy representatives, echoed that the measure undermines democracy and appears aimed at preventing Duncan from taking office. Senator Morris denied personal targeting and said the bill was about abolishing an unnecessary office, but acknowledged litigation was likely. The committee also adopted a three-minute rule for testimony by a 10-3 vote, then began hearing public testimony, with the first witnesses overwhelmingly opposing the bill.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Minnesota to show the men and women who served recognition and appreciation for their commitment to protecting
  • for serving Minnesota. [00:09:28] Glenn Pence continued: And appreciation for their commitment to protecting
  • The increased utilization would accelerate the consumption of both developed and undeveloped grave sites
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Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.