Video & Transcript : 'event venue' :
Page 9 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Mar 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Sports venues were almost all existing.
- So in the venues where you had sports and venue operations, let's take Anaheim, which is where the wrestling
- There was no parking for you at any of the venues.
- I represented Westwood, which was one of the main venues, both athletic venues, Pauley Pavilion was the
- I represented Westwood, which was one of the main venues, both athletic venues, Polypavilion was the
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 16th, 2026
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Tens of millions of our constituents experience these events and want to experience these events.
- It does support venues and artists.
- It doesn't help the venues. It doesn't help anyone.
- It doesn't help the venues. It doesn't help anyone.
- These are not Ticketmaster Live Nation venues.
Committee:
House Privacy and Consumer Protection
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Every high school event is exceptions. Every high school event is not<00:15:15.600><c> covered.
- At our venues, at Live Nation venues, we have an issue with folks flying drones over a concert or a..
- At our venues, at Live Nation venues,<00:21:11.440><c> we</c><00:21:11.600><c> have</c><00:21:11.679>
- Well, you know, most of the venues have security, and most of the SEC venues have security.
- Well, you know, most of the venues have security, and most of the SEC venues have security.
Bills:
HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261 , HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Capital Investment Cmte hears St. Paul bonding requests for sports facility upgrades 3/20/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's added more events to St. Paul's roster of events.
- I mean, it's really neat that you do that, and I'm a big fan of the variety of events.
- </c> local market and with other venues local market and with other venues Nationwide<00:25:20.600><c
- </c><00:25:42.919><c> assessment</c> feasibility study and venue assessment feasibility study and venue
- Whether you're a high school or professional athlete, this venue is the pinnacle of our sport.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- of events as you do.
- </c> contacts and experience in event contacts and experience in event planning,<00:30:51.080><c> nor
- </c> planning, nor broadcasting of of events planning, nor broadcasting of of events as<00:30:54.720>
- </c> fill that stadium with with events. fill that stadium with with events.
- </c> package to come in and rent the venue. package to come in and rent the venue.
Committee:
Senate Economic Development and Tourism
Summary:
The committee heard multiple governor’s messages for confirmation to the Agribusiness Development Corporation board and one appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. For GM 606, David Ige Hinazumi was supported by ADC and DBEDT, with testimony highlighting his private-sector experience, technology background, and ability to help with risk management and finances. He told senators he had attended board meetings since 2018, saw ADC as a state business arm for agriculture, and supported expanding land, facilities, and even aquaculture if resources allowed. Senators asked about ADC’s role relative to the Department of Agriculture, and he said the department’s strength is research/regulatory work while ADC should focus on business development, support, and facilities for farmers and aquaculture businesses.
For GM 607, Jason Watts was strongly supported by ADC leadership, DBEDT, and many agricultural and community groups, with one opposing testimony from Hawaii Farm Bureau. Supporters praised his governance, accountability, transparency, and frequent communication with the agency. In questioning, Watts said ADC’s top priority should be increasing land holdings, and he discussed ADC’s role in water systems, including preserving agricultural water sources and inventorying systems statewide. He also said ADC could potentially help small farmers comply with environmental permitting through a broader, regional approach if authorized by the Legislature. The committee also heard from Joshua Uyehara for GM 682, who was supported by ADC, county officials, and farm groups. He said his priorities would be accelerating ADC projects, expanding capacity, and possibly using ADC as a center of expertise for water systems and for helping farmers with environmental requirements; he also said biofuel crops and food production can be complementary, though food should be prioritized when water is constrained.
The committee then considered GM 513, Tracy Lester Smith’s appointment to the Aloha Stadium Authority. The stadium authority and DBEDT supported her, citing her experience in NASCAR, boxing, and Bellator MMA as useful for marketing, attracting events, and commercializing the stadium. Smith said she was eager to serve and would bring experience from both the landlord and tenant perspectives, helping the board think about venue operations, sponsorships, and event attraction. Senators asked about improving public perception and execution, and she emphasized accountability, timelines, and building a venue that can draw major sports and entertainment events. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Governmental Organization
Transcript Highlights:
- Within these zones, cities will be authorized to permit specific venues at their discretion to extend
- require a Super Bowl the following year, the World Cup, the Olympics—all of these events require us
- hospitality zones as well for some of those events that I mentioned.
- Association, representing independent brick-and-mortar music venues and festivals in California.
- Venue Association and director of operations at August Hall in San Francisco, in full support.
Committee:
House Governmental Organization
Summary:
The committee met without quorum for much of the hearing and heard testimony on a series of bills, mostly on business, alcohol licensing, transparency, and public health. AB 342 by Haney would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with 4 a.m. last call on Fridays, Saturdays, and state holidays; supporters argued it would help tourism, nightlife, conventions, and major events, while opponents warned it would weaken California’s 2 a.m. statewide last-call standard and create public safety risks. AB 684 by Patel would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and inclusive. AB 1008 by Addis would add up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to reflect tourism growth, and AB 1039 by Hart would require state agencies to offer nonprofits up to 25% advance payment on new grants and contracts; both drew support from local officials and nonprofit advocates. AB 221 by Ramos would streamline the Tribal Nations Grant Fund to provide equal annual grants to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and AB 795 by Jeff Gonzalez would create a commission to plan California’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary, with supporters emphasizing civic engagement and fiscal safeguards. AB 28 by Mark Gonzalez would authorize additional neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce secondary-market costs and support restaurants, AB 1246 by Hoover would raise craft distiller sales limits and address brandy barrel storage, AB 1428 by Ta would expand reporting of surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 by Ortega would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies; each received supportive testimony, with AB 957 backed by health and pharmacy groups and no opposition. Several measures were voted out to Appropriations, some on consent, and the committee later recorded roll-call votes after quorum was established, with AB 957 receiving one no vote and the other bills advancing with broad support.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Nov 6th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- venue statutes.
- And why this matters is because venue is local.
- The historical background of venue...
- So venue rules require that cases be filed where the defendant lived or where the event occurred.
- Those are the rules that apply for venue.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- Alex Torres on behalf of the National Independent Venue Association, representing 650 venues and promoters
- So my encouragement is that I want more smaller events that can couple along with these larger events
- They didn't have another big event. Napa has almost no transient occupancy.
- They didn't have another big event. They just have the wineries. They don't have a big event.
- That's their signature event.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Alex Torres, on behalf of the National Independent Venue Association, representing 650 venues and promoters
- , also on behalf of the California Capital Venues Coalition, in strong support.
- So my encouragement is that I want more smaller events that can couple along with these larger events
- They didn't have another big event. They just have the wineries. They don't have a big event.
- That's their signature event.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard several bills focused on California’s creative economy, sports development, and cultural preservation. SB 226 by Senator Cabaldon would clarify that infrastructure revitalization financing districts may be used for entertainment and sports facilities, with testimony from West Sacramento officials emphasizing that the tool would rely only on project-generated city tax increment and would not affect school districts, counties, or the General Fund. Members discussed the relationship between IRFDs and EIFDs and the distinction between infrastructure financing and direct subsidy of private sports teams or stadiums.
SB 865 by Senator Ashby proposed support for destination music festivals, citing the economic impact of events such as Aftershock and Golden Sky in Sacramento and similar festivals elsewhere in the state. Supporters from Visit Sacramento and Danny Wimmer Presents said festivals generate substantial jobs, tax revenue, and tourism spending while promoters bear the financial risk. Several committee members and public witnesses supported the bill as a way to sustain the creative economy, local businesses, and opportunities for artists. The bill passed the committee on a unanimous vote and was sent to Appropriations.
SB 1050 by Senator Ashby would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements, including audio ads, to inform consumers and protect human performers from displacement. SAG-AFTRA and voice actor advocates argued that consumers deserve to know when an ad uses AI-generated likenesses or voices, while TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and other industry groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about overbreadth, audio-only implementation, private enforcement, and the need for clearer exemptions and definitions. Members generally supported the bill’s goal but noted technical issues to refine; it passed unanimously to Judiciary. SB 1073 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a voluntary tax checkoff to support the South Los Angeles Black Cultural District. Supporters described the district’s historic and cultural significance and framed the measure as a way to help preserve Black cultural assets amid limited public funding. Members discussed how the checkoff would appear on tax forms statewide, its voluntary nature, and whether it could serve as a model for other districts. The bill also passed unanimously to Appropriations, and the committee later adopted the consent calendar unanimously as well.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Emergency Management
Transcript Highlights:
- make sure we're doing the basic things so that we don't prematurely run out of water during these events
- However, international events also place significant demands on regional public safety resources.
- The operational impact extends beyond game venue locations.
- This bill will complement the national special security event structure led by the U.S.
- This bill will complement the national special security event structure led by the U.S.
Committee:
House Emergency Management
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And we don't have a good venue. We don't have a good venue. We don't have a sports team.
- I wanted to see the venue. And the Sphere is a magnificent venue to go to a concert.
- that venue, Mr.
- . an event center, and if I could, Mr.
- to hear what that venue you just described would cost, just that venue, Mr. President. Senator. Mr.
Summary:
The Senate convened for an Indian Day/Native American Day session featuring prayers, drum and color guard presentations, and extensive recognition of tribal leaders, students, royalty, and community advocates from across New Mexico and neighboring tribal nations. Senators used the morning to introduce guests and speak about Native sovereignty, language preservation, education, water access, economic development, and the importance of tribal-state relationships. Several speakers highlighted personal and family ties to Native communities, while others emphasized ongoing work on issues such as clean water for Navajo communities, Native youth leadership, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives.
A major non-ceremonial item was the reading of Senate Executive Messages from the governor authorizing consideration of Senate Bills 306, 309, 312, and 313. Those bills would, respectively, change licensure rules for certain institutions, alter lottery tuition fund deposit requirements, and repeal or revise provisions related to safety helmets and child restraint devices in negligence and damages law. The Senate also received committee reports advancing House Bill 34, Senate Bills 204, 241, 77, 152, 190, and 143, along with confirmations for Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera to the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents. The Rules Committee also reported on the governor’s appointment of Don Walters as child advocate for the Office of the Child Advocate.
The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing February 6, 2026, as New Mexico Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Day, with Senator Pope speaking in support of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Throughout the session, members repeatedly acknowledged the prior night’s Senate-House basketball game, which raised more than $26,000 for cancer, and used the occasion to thank participants and guests. No roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript beyond voice votes adopting the committee reports and the unanimous-consent actions on floor procedures and guest access.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Large outdoor events create an extraordinarily chaotic environment for alcohol sales and drug use as
- over 500 independently owned and operated music venues and festival promoters across the state.
- In fact, festivals and music venues are fundamentally different than bars.
- In fact, festivals and music venues are fundamentally different, they are leading on it.
- In fact, festivals and music venues are fundamentally different than bars.
Summary:
The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach.
Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Our venue complex hosts more than 500 events annually and encompasses a 120,000 square foot convention
- Our venue complex hosts more than 500 events annually and encompasses a 120,000 square foot convention
- I was simply here in the event that he wasn't able to speak.
- The first phase of the project includes a hotel, conference center, and event venue space in partnership
- Sporting events like regional youth tournaments or golf events bring in families who stay in our local
Bills:
HB 1039 , HB2289 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3066 , HB3076 , HB3117 , HB3118 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3182 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3377 , HB3500 , HB3567 , HB3715 , HB3954 , HB4098 , HB4109 , HB4222 , HB4226 , HB4412 , HB4659 , HB4682 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB5562 , HB5596
Committee:
House Ways & Means
Summary:
The committee heard a long series of bills, most of them expanding or adjusting hotel occupancy tax or qualified hotel project authority for specific local governments. Measures discussed included HB 2404 for Childress County; HB 3066 for Allen’s Kalahari resort project; HB 4682 for Plano; HB 4683 for Anna; HB 3076 creating a project finance zone in Frisco; HB 3567 for Wichita County; HB 3715 for McAllen; HB 1039 for Alpine; HB 3182 for Burleson; HB 4926 for Grimes County; HB 4222 for Victoria County; HB 3377 for Katy; HB 4659 for Addison; HB 3241 for Georgetown; HB 4098 for Taylor; HB 3178 for Kerr County; HB 3179 for Mason County; HB 2289 for New Braunfels; HB 4412 for Kermit; HB 5165 for Monahans; HB 3500 for Bastrop; and HB 3169 for Carrollton. In each case, authors and local officials described tourism, convention, hotel, airport, or mixed-use development needs and argued the bills would help attract visitors, investment, and jobs. One non-hotel-tax bill, HB 4226, would exempt Texas food banks from sales tax on vehicle purchases and rentals, with testimony emphasizing the scale of food bank operations and the savings’ impact on meal delivery and disaster response.
Testimony was generally supportive from city officials, economic development representatives, and industry groups such as the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association. Several witnesses described major private projects, including Kalahari in Allen, a proposed hotel and conference center in Addison, a mixed-use project in Georgetown, and a large development tied to Samsung growth in Taylor. For HB 4226, food bank representatives said the bill would help them purchase refrigerated trucks and other delivery vehicles, while an opponent questioned the fiscal note and the scope of the exemption. HB 4926 drew opposition from Camp Allen, whose representative argued a new county hotel tax would raise costs for guests and could hurt the retreat center’s operations. HB 3178 also drew an objection from a Kerr County resident who argued the tax would grow county government and pointed to event center losses, though the author said the revenue would support tourism-related county uses.
The committee took no final votes on the bills in this transcript. After each bill was laid out and testimony concluded, the chair repeatedly asked whether there was objection to leaving the bill pending; in each instance, no objection was heard, and the bills were left pending. Several committee substitutes were offered and then withdrawn or noted as conforming drafts, but no bill was reported out or otherwise acted on beyond being left pending.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ...do when they are contracted to use that venue? Is that correct?
- Would it be based on the owner of the venue, if it is an outside publicly, privately owned venue?
- To my colleagues, I would challenge you to attend a Mission of Mercy event.
- To my colleagues, I would challenge you to attend a Mission of Mercy event.
- The facts are uncontroverted because almost the entire event involving Mr.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Do when they are contracted to use that venue? Is that correct?
- Would it be based on the owner of the venue, if it is an outside publicly or privately owned venue?
- of attending the Mission of Mercy events with hundreds of dentists.
- To my colleagues, I would challenge you to attend a Mission of Mercy event.
- The facts are uncontroverted because almost the entire event involving Mr.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0.
The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18.
Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/13/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- The venue hosts various events including weddings, graduations, art ceremonies, cultural celebrations
- venue hosts various events downtown the venue hosts various events including<00:04:42.080><c> weddings
- It's the only large non-school venue capable of hosting a variety of events indoors, providing shelter
- to make the venue much more attractive for these types of events.
- for the public and alumni, like reunions. similar venues and events and are unable similar venues and
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, if they do decide to build more venues or larger venues, iron workers will be out there making
- You know, if they do decide to build more venues or larger venues, iron workers will be out there making
- You know, if they do decide to build more venues or larger venues, iron workers will be out there making
- They are a event. They are a lot of fun.
- </c><00:19:52.320><c> for</c> may stop before, after the event for may stop before, after the event for
Committee:
House Culture & Arts
Summary:
The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on February 13 and heard testimony on HB 2045, which would designate La Hoʻihoʻi Ea Sovereignty Restoration Day as a state holiday in place of Statehood Day. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Naviʻoliʻoli Newi Foundation, and many individuals and students. Supporters said the bill would better reflect Hawaiian history, sovereignty, and self-determination, while a few agencies submitted comments. The committee recessed to allow more students to arrive and testify.
After reconvening, additional student testimony continued in strong support of HB 2045. Students said the change would honor Native Hawaiian history and culture, recognize Hawaii as a sovereign nation, and provide a more historically grounded observance. Members thanked the students for traveling to testify and for sharing their perspectives. The committee then voted to pass HB 2045 with one amendment to defect the date; the motion passed unanimously with the chair, vice chair, and members voting aye, and one member excused.
The committee also heard HB 1703 HD1, which authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on lands zoned for agriculture or pastoral use. Testimony in support came from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, with comments from the Hawaii Food and Policy group. Supporters described rodeos as cultural and social events that could boost local economies, create jobs, and provide youth and community engagement. The committee passed HB 1703 HD1 with technical amendments. Finally, the committee considered HB 2461, which would increase the ceiling for the works of art special fund and appropriate funds for preservation of the state’s public art collection and a collections manager position. After discussion, the chair said the measure would not move forward this year and recommended deferral; the committee deferred the bill and adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So if there is a championship game and it's at a stadium... ...the venue?
- ...do when they are contracted to use that venue. Is that correct?
- Would it be based on the owner of the venue, if it is an outside publicly, privately owned venue?
- To my colleagues, I would challenge you to attend a Mission of Mercy event.
- The facts are uncontroverted because almost the entire event involving Mr.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then adopted the special order report setting the day’s floor calendar. The chamber also approved the journal and moved into special-order bills. Early action included unanimous passage of CS/HB 967, which creates an electronic payment option for constituents dealing with local governments, and HB 127, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5; supporters framed both bills as modernizing basic public services and preserving literacy and heritage. HB 453 also passed unanimously, creating pathways for students in Special Olympics and marching band to satisfy physical education and arts graduation requirements.
The House then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in public schools. The resolution drew extensive debate over whether it merely codified existing law or could create ambiguity about prayer, religious speech, and discrimination issues in schools and at school events. Supporters argued it would strengthen protections for faith expression and let voters decide; opponents raised First Amendment, church-state separation, and implementation concerns, including questions about what counts as religious expression and how schools would handle potentially offensive remarks. The resolution passed 93-17.
Several health-related measures followed. CS/HB 237, requiring APRNs who use the title “doctor” to clarify they are APRNs when communicating with patients, passed 111-0. CS/HB 363, creating a dental therapy license and a new mid-level dental provider to address access shortages, prompted sharp debate over training, anesthesia risk, and whether the bill would create a lower tier of care; it passed 80-29. HB 375, removing a mandatory supervision requirement for autonomous CRNAs, passed 78-28, and HB 301, authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services within existing licensure, passed 88-18. The House also passed HB 863, giving Citizens Property Insurance policyholders the choice between arbitration and court for disputes, by 105-3, and HB 1399, increasing oversight of property insurers’ affiliate transactions, by 160-3. The chamber then began consideration of a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief related to an incident involving the City of St. Petersburg.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I would just like to know if these events, when you do, like when you have an event, you bring your truck
- ...when you have an event, you bring your truck to a private event or a festival.
- there are weddings or events, does that mean that there's no liquor at those events right now?
- It is the only large non-school venue capable of hosting a variety of indoor events, providing shelter
- of events.
Bills:
HF1262 , HF1741 , HF472 , HF1668 , HF2055 , HF1786 , HF1876 , HF1089 , HF1121 , HF509 , HF1545 , HF2027 , HF642
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Mar 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- As many of you know, we traditionally host a biannual event in October.
- We look forward to shaping another meaningful and impactful event together.
- And, as the chair just mentioned, certainly our upcoming event in October.
- And finally, I'll be participating. as a venue to be as inclusive as possible.
- It's going to be a two-day event.
Summary:
The commission approved the December minutes and heard opening remarks on upcoming initiatives, including a second “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27 focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The chair also previewed planning for National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, including formation of a small planning group to help select employer awardees and shape the program.
A major portion of the meeting featured an update from the Attorney General’s office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts. The presentation covered lawsuits and amicus work involving higher education diversity data requests, anti-DEI funding conditions, immigration and Haiti Temporary Protected Status, NIH research grant disruptions, and Department of Education mental health training grants. Commissioners asked about possible impacts on Medicaid and whether disability is included in the federal administration’s undefined “DEI” restrictions; the AG’s office said it was monitoring Medicaid developments closely, had not seen a CMS letter at that time, and would share guidance on DEI and employment initiatives.
The meeting also included a workforce and apprenticeship presentation from Undersecretary Josh Cutler and Amara Riemann. They described registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, emphasizing paid, employer-driven training, classroom instruction, wage progression, and transferable credentials. Commissioners highlighted the Bridgewater State University Excel program for neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities as a promising model and discussed the need to build similar pathways through community colleges and employer partnerships in fields such as direct support, CNA work, and other in-demand jobs.
Subcommittee reports noted that the disability employment subcommittee heard from SEED and will host future presentations from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment and the Office of Veterans Affairs. The long-term services, supports, and health equity subcommittee discussed MassHealth budget pressures, a projected $3.5 billion budget gap tied to federal changes, upcoming Medicaid eligibility changes, and crisis standards of care. The executive director reported on collaboration with the Massachusetts Office on Disability, planning for the Lowell event, participation in statewide disability employment and autism advocacy work, and upcoming engagement with the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition. Commissioners also announced several honors, including awards for Regina Marshall, Jay Livingstone, and Vanna Howard.