Video & Transcript Research : 'suitable seating'
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FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Next, I have two asks related to individuals who are appointed to fill a vacant elected seat for office
- I think there's two House seats and one Senate seat that have been vacant for quite some time.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Florida Commission on Ethics on several proposed legislative changes. The commission asked for changes to the Whistleblower Act to better cover ethics complaints, a public records exemption for commissioners’ and staff members’ sensitive personal information, an expanded gift-disclosure family definition to include foster relationships, and a first-time waiver of fines for late financial disclosure filers. Staff also requested technical fixes, including treating a timely postmarked appeal as filed on time, clarifying Form 6 filing requirements for appointees to elected seats, extending ethics-training requirements to municipal appointees filling unexpired terms, and clarifying where Form 10 gift disclosures are filed. Commission staff reported high electronic filing compliance rates, the rollout of automated fines, and an average of 92 days for completed preliminary investigations in 2025. They also updated the committee on two federal court challenges involving the in-office lobbying ban and the Form 6 requirement for elected municipal officers.
The committee then heard from Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who outlined preparations for the 2026 election cycle and several policy proposals. He discussed work with new supervisors of elections, ongoing election-crimes enforcement, cooperation with federal agencies on citizenship verification, and data-sharing agreements with other states. Byrd also proposed a statewide pre-certification audit system with grants for smaller counties, a more streamlined process for checking voter citizenship status after registration, and a modernization fix for voter records affected by randomized driver’s license numbers. Members asked about special elections, election-crimes investigations, returning-citizen voting determinations, chain-of-custody procedures, and interstate data-sharing agreements. Byrd said special election timing is controlled by the governor, the elections-crimes office investigates but does not arrest, returning-citizen applications are resolved within 90 days, and he is confident in current chain-of-custody practices.
The committee also considered gubernatorial nominations. By unanimous vote, members approved a block of nominees, then separately took up Joshua Kellum’s nomination to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The committee heard sworn public testimony from Robin Blevins, who urged rejection of Kellum’s appointment and criticized his background and past involvement in FWC-related advocacy. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve Kellum’s nomination as well.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, can I have you take your seats, please?
- Senator Bettencourt, Senator Hughes, can we all take our seats?
- of District 22, but rather elected to a position subordinate to them so that I could steward their seat
Bills:
SB 3, SB 16, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB17, SB 54, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB48, HB149, HB192, HB254, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10
Keywords:
flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 7th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- May be seated.
- Rule 118A to allow Assembly Members Michelle Rodriguez, Hadwick, Alvarez, and Ortega to have a guest seated
- I had the honor of working with Fed over the years when I ran for my first public office seat in Martinez
Summary:
The Assembly convened without a quorum, completed the roll call, and then proceeded with the day’s business after a prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for victims of the Texas flooding. Procedural motions suspended several rules to allow committee notices, guest seating, and the withdrawal of AB 898 back to the Senate. Members also made several guest introductions, including family members, interns, and scouting troop visitors.
On the floor, AB 1416 by Assembly Member Ta, a taxation bill, was concurred in with Senate technical amendments by a 60-0 vote. ACR 1, designating October 23 as Korean Ginseng Day, was adopted by voice vote after supportive remarks highlighting Korean culture and the health benefits of ginseng; 62 coauthors were added without objection. The Assembly also heard SB 119, the budget-related human services trailer bill, with extensive debate over CalWORKs, CalFresh, child welfare reporting, and housing/homelessness programs. Supporters framed it as a needed anti-poverty and safety-net measure, while opponents criticized it as expanding dependency and failing to address fraud and work requirements.
SB 119 passed on a 54-11 vote. The second-day consent calendar, including AJR 16 on the Tijuana River, was adopted 71-0, and the remaining consent items AJR 15 and SB 765 were also adopted 71-0. The session concluded with adjournments in memory of Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, followed by announcements of upcoming committee hearings and the next floor session before adjournment until July 10 at 9 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee May 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Anyone who are primary witnesses in opposition, would you please come and have a seat at the table?
- If your witnesses can come forward and have a seat. Thank you. And you may begin when ready.
- Your witnesses can please come and take a seat at the table. No witnesses? No witnesses.
Summary:
The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met with a delayed start while waiting for quorum, then heard several bills before moving to the suspense file. AB 564 by Assemblymember Haney would freeze the planned cannabis excise tax increase at 15% rather than allow it to rise to 25%; supporters argued the legal cannabis industry is struggling against the illicit market and high taxes, while opponents said the measure would reduce funding for children, youth programs, environmental restoration, and enforcement promised under Prop. 64. The bill was sent to suspense during regular order and later approved out of suspense on a 6-0 vote with amendments, including a five-year sunset and a reduced rate. AB 1265, also by Haney, would extend and expand the state historic tax credit to encourage rehabilitation of vacant historic buildings for housing and mixed-use projects; preservation and housing advocates supported it, and it was also sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately.
The committee then heard AB 1377 by Assemblymember McKenna, which would require studios seeking optional diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility film tax credits to complete the plans they submit to the California Film Commission. Labor supporters said studios should do more than make good-faith efforts, and the bill passed 5-1 to Appropriations. AB 1416 by Vice Chair Ta would clarify disaster-related property tax deferrals for homeowners who have requested installment plans, and it passed 7-0 to the Assembly Floor. Afterward, the chair gave a general warning that the bills on suspense represented large revenue losses and emphasized the committee’s need to weigh tax expenditures against other state priorities.
On the suspense file, the committee approved AB 27, AB 53, AB 97, AB 231, AB 232, AB 429, AB 613, AB 984, and AB 1485, mostly on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while AB 547 passed 5-1. Several other bills, including AB 386, AB 389, AB 490, AB 6991, AB 814, AB 1057, AB 1219, AB 1282, AB 1354, AB 1431, AB 1435, and AB 1481, were held in committee. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after completing the suspense-file actions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-HHS, AEN, AEN-EIG Public Hearings 04-11-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:09:46.800>
Please <00:09:47.040>have <00:09:47.120>a <00:09:47.279>seat - Please have a seat. started the hearing. Please have a seat. hop<00:09:48.080>
in.
Summary:
The joint Health, Human Services, Agriculture, and Environment hearing first took up HTR 28, which would reconvene the working group created under House Resolution 18 to continue addressing water and air contamination and remediation issues tied to the Pua Range Training Facility. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with speakers describing long-standing community concern and alleged lead contamination near the shooting range and nearby beach areas. One testifier urged passage as a critical mechanism for protecting the community. The committees then voted to recommend passage of HTR 28 as is, and the motion was adopted.
The committees next considered HCR 25 HD1, asking the Department of Agriculture to add a statement on desecration laws to the plant and animal declaration form, and HCR 200, concerning the Maui axis deer control and venison initiative. The Department of Agriculture and DLNR offered comments on HCR 25 HD1, and HCR 200 drew support from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council and others, who said axis deer pose economic and environmental threats. Both measures were advanced with technical amendments, and both recommendations were adopted.
The hearing then moved to HCR 27, which asks Hawaii’s congressional delegation to petition USDA to address disparities affecting Hawaii’s agricultural exports, and HCR 42 HD1, encouraging each county to develop its own biosecurity plan. The Department of Agriculture supported HCR 27, and testimony on HCR 42 HD1 emphasized county-level invasive species prevention, the need for local biosecurity planning, and gaps in state and county authority over noxious weeds and invasive plants. After a brief recess to regain quorum, both committees voted to pass HCR 27 with technical amendments and HCR 42 HD1 as is; all motions were adopted and the hearing adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Figures: Real quick, not adding any seats.
- Four of our seats are based on 1963 senatorial districts.
- We're taking those four seats, making three United States at large and turning one of them into...
Keywords:
county tax, education funding, capital projects, local government, sales tax, food trucks, mobile vendors, business license, health inspection, statewide regulation, zoning ordinances, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, municipal zoning, zoning board, appeals process, circuit court
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So be in your seat before 9:30 on the 6th, please.
- Members, please take your seats for a memorial resolution. The Chair recognizes Mr. Kitzman.
- the Colorado River, which flows through the communities of Wharton and Glen Flora, and the county seat
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Session will start at 10 if you're We're not here at 930, we don't wait on you, so be in your seat before
- 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 Members, please take your seats
- roughly in half by the Colorado River, which flows through the communities of Wharton. and the county seat
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 45 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair would like to take this opportunity to recognize, seated in the second division, Renee Diaz
- The Chair would like to take this opportunity to recognize, seated in the second division, Renee Diaz
Summary:
The House took up several committee and Senate messages, including a Rules Committee report adopting resolutions congratulating Judy and Dick Jolin on their 50th wedding anniversary and commending the National Brain Tumor Society for recognizing May 2026 as Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The chamber also welcomed guests in the gallery for Apraxia Awareness Day and received a gubernatorial message proposing injured-on-duty compensation for Chelmsford firefighter Nicholas Spinalee, which was referred to the Committee on Public Service.
The House concurred in Senate referrals for bills on consumer-connected devices, crumbling concrete relief for homeowners, and naming the Hianus Transportation Center, and it also suspended Joint Rule 12 for a petition by Omar Gómez concerning reports of crimes to law enforcement. Another petition, by Michael S. Day on quantum investment tax incentive programs, had Joint Rules 12 and 9 suspended, was then referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies after a division of the question.
The House also advanced several bills from the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee, including the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code, a Holyoke Charter change removing the treasurer as acting mayor, and a Kingston special police retirement-age bill, all ordered to a third reading. The chamber passed to be enacted or engrossed multiple local bills, including measures for Andover, Plymouth, Pembroke, Auburn, New Salem, and Falmouth. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned to that time in informal session.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance and Taxation Apr 9th, 2025 at 04:00 pm
Finance and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- You're not in your seat as usual. Representative Doctor, you're not in your seats as usual.
Summary:
The committee first reconsidered its action on Senate Bill 2093, then took up an amendment offered by Representative Hagert. The amendment would use $20 million for broad-based income tax relief by expanding the bottom income tax bracket, with the stated goal of providing relief beyond law enforcement-related spending. Members discussed how the Tax Department calculated the bracket changes, the continuing marriage penalty issue, and the broader goal of reducing income taxes over time. The amendment was adopted, and the committee then approved a due pass recommendation on the amended bill and re-referred it to Appropriations on a 12-1-1 vote.
The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 2323 so Representative Anderson could have his vote recorded. During discussion, Representative Dockter raised a possible amendment about moving a funding bucket, but after questions from members and the chair’s reminder that reconsideration was intended only to allow a recorded vote, Dockter withdrew the idea. Representative Foss noted information that the SIF fund had been reduced and said the bill’s impact on the prairie dog bucket would not change. The committee then voted to recommend due pass on amended Senate Bill 2323 and re-refer it to Appropriations; the motion carried on a roll call vote.
The meeting ended with adjournment. No other formal actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/03/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- As you return to your seat, will Michelle Weslin please come forward?
- As you go back to your seat, can I have Jessica Lynch come forward?
- Uh, as you return to your seat, can Emily Gibalina please come forward?
- Uh, as you return to your seat, can Emily Gibalina please come forward?
- As we turn to your seat, can I have Genevie Flumador come forward?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We could repeal the VIP preferred seating tax exemption and put more funding towards the READ Act.
- seating and athletic stadiums.<01:40:57.360>
and <01:40:57.520>it <01:40:57.679>would - <01:41:43.600>
tax repeal the VIP preferred seating tax repeal the VIP preferred seating tax - Senator McQuade, so we were both there when this—it was like VIP preferred seating and it's like suites
- But for people who are not sitting in skyboxes and do not have VIP seats—lucky them—that's where that
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Because if we're just filling seats for the sake of filling seats and then coming to the Legislature,
- sake of just filling seats for the sake of filling<00:12:52.560>
seats <00:12:52.880>and <03:18:02.560>- So no matter who was in the seat, >> Yeah.
area there's a big open seating area there's a big open seating area associated - Time on the hot seat. Yes. Good. >> Yes. Time on the hot seat. Yes. Good.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/23/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- For safety reasons, everyone must be seated.
- All right, if there's anyone who still wishes to have a seat, there are several seats still available
- You can both come forward and take seats on either side of the center.
- You can come forward to the vacant seat there. Hello. I am Natalie Casper.
- Carlson can also step forward and grab a seat.
MO
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor debate of HF25 3/13/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a little desk, there's some seating, there's usually some old people magazines, somebody with
- I'll ask you to educate women on the use of car seats if they choose to keep the baby.
- They were able to help out 1,739 women get a car seat and attend a car seat safety program. 2,620<01:
- What it took away is car seats, clothing, diapers, supplies. I've been to them.
- car seats car seats clothing<01:40:45.480>
diapers <01:40:46.440>supplies <01:40:47.360
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/21/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] Could you take your seats
- Requiring periodic re-evaluation ensures the cooperative's regulatory framework remains suitable for
- Please take your seats.
- Okay, please take your seats, everyone.
WY
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- for giving victims a seat at the table. for giving victims a seat at the table.
- employees non- voting seats on the employees non- voting seats on the board,<02:43:01.040>
not - <02:43:24.399>
About <02:43:24.800>60% also have a seat at the table. - About 60% also have a seat at the table.
- that we can continue to bring more seats that we can continue to bring more seats to<02:43:40.319
Summary:
The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.