Transcript Highlights:

• It provides an alternative an alternative to full guardianship by allowing persons with disabilities
• authorizing a supporter under a supportive decision-making agreement to assist an adult with a disability

Bills: SB66

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> syndrome and a co-founder of ad advocacy syndrome and a co-founder of ad advocacy organization<00
• </c><00:58:09.440><c> are</c> and developmental dis disabilities are and developmental dis disabilities
• </c><00:58:56.079><c> services</c> with the director of disability services with the director of disability
• So, thank you for your time. disabilities by improving our system and disabilities by improving our system
• I lead our aging and disability County.

Bills: HF3738, HF2295, HF3520, HF3666

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• HB523 is a bill that you had a discussion HB523 is a bill that you had a discussion with some advocacy

Bills: HB397, HB523, HB397

Keywords: real estate, disclosures, equitable interest, disciplinary actions, Alabama Real Estate Commission, parole procedures, advocacy, parole board, victim representation, inmate rights, HB397, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax, tax relief, senior exemption, elderly homeowners, retiree exemption, disability exemption, blind exemption

Bills: HM9

Keywords: Mexico, New Mexico, cultural ties, economic partnership, advocacy day

Bills: HM9

Keywords: Mexico, New Mexico, cultural ties, economic partnership, advocacy day

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Sabrina Gonzalez Ocedo, and I'm the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for The Arc of
• For too long, students with disabilities in Texas have been shortchanged by a system that has failed
• Educators are proud to serve students with disabilities from birth to age 21.
• Educators are proud to serve students with disabilities from birth to age 21.
• Parents and educators have long demonstrated their devotion to students with disabilities.

Keywords: special education, funding, equity, advocacy, Texas Legislature, SB568, HB2, disabilities

Summary: This was a press conference calling on the Texas Legislature to increase and reform funding for special education, with speakers arguing that the current system leaves a roughly $1.7 billion gap and forces districts to stretch general education dollars to cover mandated services. Sabrina Gonzalez Ocedo of The Arc of Texas opened by framing the issue as one of equity and self-determination for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and noted support for legislative efforts including Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 2. She also thanked a coalition of advocacy groups and legislators involved in special education funding work. Representative Steve Toth spoke in favor of investing surplus dollars in special education, citing high rates of functional illiteracy and dyslexia among prison populations and saying earlier intervention could change life outcomes. Amy Litzinger described how accommodations and assistive technology helped her succeed in school and urged continued investment so other students can access similar supports. Sarah Harden, a parent and disability advocate, shared her daughter’s positive experience in a well-supported district but warned that many Texas districts cannot provide comparable services because of funding shortages and that families are increasingly worried about cuts. Rachel Hull, a special education director, said well-resourced special education is transformational and outlined the need for individualized services, therapies, vocational training, and college readiness supports. Jean Mayer, a school trustee, said districts are struggling to meet state and federal requirements because funding does not match actual costs, pointing to staffing shortages and the need for parent engagement and professional development. The speakers repeatedly urged lawmakers to fully fund Senate Bill 568 and broader special education reforms this session; no votes were taken, as this was an advocacy event rather than a committee hearing.

Bills: HM9

Keywords: Mexico, New Mexico, cultural ties, economic partnership, advocacy day, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Christina Delgado and I'm the Southwest Advocacy Associate for Community Justice.

Keywords: gun violence, legislation, public safety, firearm access, community advocacy, testimony, survivors

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions surrounding gun violence legislation and the implications of proposed bills aimed at easing access to firearms. Numerous advocates and survivors of gun violence shared their emotional testimonies, expressing concerns about the safety of children and communities in the aftermath of tragic incidents. Notable speakers included representatives and community leaders who condemned the proposals that would allow younger individuals to obtain handguns and reduce restrictions on firearm carry in schools. The meeting concluded with a rallying call for lawmakers to prioritize public safety over the interests of gun lobbying groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• s significant contribution to the empowerment of people with disabilities by naming a new new transit
• This resolution highlights DART's impactful work, particularly in the drafting and advocacy for the Americans
• with Disabilities Act.

Bills: SB2232, SCR1, SCR6, SCR15, SCR27, SCR32

Keywords: Unplug Texas Day, digital detox, family activities, outdoor recreation, community engagement, crossing guard, school crossing guard, crosswalk safety, school safety, student pedestrian safety, traffic safety, elementary school, campus safety, pedestrian awareness, bicycle safety, traffic regulations, commemorative resolution, appreciation day, Texas Legislature, honorary designation

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas congregates for its annual advocacy day.
• We told our stories in the press and elevated student voices in advocacy organizations.
• We told our stories in the press and elevated student voices in advocacy organizations.
• We told our stories in the press and elevated student voices in advocacy organizations.

Keywords: student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.” Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.

Keywords: USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this meeting of the Children and Senior Advocacy Committee is open for business.
• But under existing law, most of you are probably aware that our children advocacy centers may be certified
• We've got a great child advocacy... I'm...
• We've got a great child advocacy center in Mobile, but I've never heard of the Alabama Network of Children's
• Advocacy Centers.

Bills: HB493

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then they have to have an in-camera review... review for the child advocacy center, and you're probably
• you're aware that we're working with the DA's association, the sheriff's association, and child advocacy

Bills: HB493

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• institutions, collecting data on school performance and graduation rates, ensuring students with disabilities
• receive a free and appropriate public education through the Individuals with Disabilities Education
• Thank you, Ayan, and to SEAT for your advocacy work.
• Laws that protect students with disabilities under IDEA and uphold civil rights through the Office of
• Seniors and disabled Americans waiting on their Social Security checks, Seniors and disabled Americans

Keywords: public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence

Summary: This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students. Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward. Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I know we really appreciate your advocacy and your work for other families that might be facing some
• Olsson, the disability advocate for the state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF4133, HF3419

Keywords: homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> physical uh uh health workers advocacy physical uh uh health workers advocacy everybody<00:31:36.880
• </c> a coalition of children's advocacy a coalition of children's advocacy centers<00:35:21.200><c> and
• Unfortunately, one of the symptoms of his disability is sudden violent outbursts.
• One supports his mental health needs, and one supports his developmental disability.
• So far between them they disability.

Bills: HF2362, HF2136, HF1316, HF2009, HF1918, HF1614

Keywords: youth intervention, funding, mental health, education, community programs, HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so I would like to go ahead and invite the Department of Public Advocacy, Alternatives to Incarceration
• I'm the Public Advocate, the commissioner-level head of the Department of Public Advocacy.
• And I do want to security disability.
• What do we see moving back off of disability once they are feeling self-sufficient?
• They need to get off of disability because then they'll earn 10 times more.

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• by Bettencourt, recognizing February 19th, 2025 as Texas Building Owners and Managers Association Advocacy
• We are here today to celebrate the Texas BOMA Advocacy Day at the state capitol, which means visiting

Bills: SJR1, SB9, SB40, SJR36, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40, SJR1, SB9, SB40, SR62, SR92, SR95, SR108, SR110, SR111, SR113, SR114, SR117, SR120, SB314, SB314

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, El Paso, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Just wanted to get us started for the first Virginia Disability Commission.
• I've been a member of the Disability Commission since 2021.
• I mean, the Advocate for the Disabled was the executive branch agency rather than the Virginia Disability
• So it could be an advocacy group or a public agency.
• Nearly a million people in this Commonwealth are disabled.

Keywords: Disability Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as for your advocacy for our veterans, it's much appreciated. You're absolutely right.
• Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, religious minorities, folks with disabilities, and those living
• Critical language acknowledging race, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, and accessibility
• Outreach materials acknowledging LGBTQ veterans. women, veterans of color, and disabled veterans have

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.