Transcript Highlights:

• be spent on phone calls.
• Uh they can't be used for phone calls.
• Now, let's pose that question to director. collection of phone call, collection of phone call, where<
• If this goes through and inmates are afforded free phone calls and they increase their minutes, how does
• </c><02:14:02.079><c> they</c> afforded free uh phone calls and they afforded free uh phone calls and

Bills: HB676

Keywords: HB676, Hawaii correctional facilities, youth correctional facilities, adult correctional facilities, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Youth Services, inmate phone calls, prison phone calls, jail phone calls, free prison calls, free communication services, incarcerated persons, prison reform, reentry, family visitation, recidivism, video visitation, electronic messaging, commissions, ancillary fees

Summary: The committee heard three public safety bills. HB 2235 would appropriate $1.3 million for the Military Affairs and Community Relations Office to strengthen coordination on military and defense issues. Supporters, including the Hawaii National Guard and DBEDT’s military relations office, said the office helps Hawaiʻi understand federal contracting, USA Jobs, and military-related economic impacts. One member questioned why the state should fund a DoD-related office while Hawaiʻi remains under-reimbursed on impact aid; supporters responded that the office serves Hawaiʻi communities and helps prepare residents for federal jobs. The chair said she intended to recommend the bill pass with a HD1, a blank appropriation to be filled in the committee report, technical amendments, a defective effective date, and updated office title language. HB 2263 would expand Hawaiʻi family leave law to cover qualifying military exigencies. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii National Guard supported the measure, saying military families often face short-notice deployments, relocations, briefings, and urgent family arrangements that require time away from work, and that aligning state law with federal standards would provide clarity and consistency. The chair said she would recommend passage with a HD1, a defective effective date, and technical amendments. HB 2291 would clarify that certain National Guard Youth and Educational Programs employees are excluded from collective bargaining, rename the program, and codify its Hawaiian name. The Hawaii National Guard said it was a housekeeping bill with no appropriation, but requested an amendment to align the bill with updated authorities and program references; the chair asked for proposed language before the later decision-making. She said she would recommend passage with a defective date and the requested amendment if provided, and then recessed the hearing until 11:30 a.m. for decision-making on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• , daily, 15-minute phone calls... ...to create a pilot program to provide free, daily, 15-minute phone
• The statistics about the thousands of free phone calls that have been placed through the pilot program
• Now, because of the free phone calls provided by the pilot program, ...this woman writes that she's been
• Reducing the cost of phone calls, making them free, allowing people to talk to their kids has had an
• They are not eligible for these free phone calls.

Bills: SB60, SB85, SB323

Keywords: elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication

Transcript Highlights:

• I will provide the phone number and meeting ID right now for those who wish to testify or make public
• comment over the phone.
• The phone number is 1669-90-633, and the meeting ID is 824-979-7-533.
• I could go on and on about different calls throughout the years.
• Those are the worst calls that we run on.

Bills: SB60, SB85, SB323, SB309, SB465

Keywords: elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and call the Judiciary, Finance, and Civil Law Committee to order.
• And so it's more kind of a call to everybody in this room. Um, and I think your comments are great.
• And so it's more kind of a call to everybody in this room. Um, and I think your comments are great.
• And I often think of what it would have meant to me 20 years ago to have a place to call for help.
• Our agency opened because call for help.

Bills: HF3901, HF962, HF4428, HF4478, HF1775

Keywords: foster care, ombudsperson, investigative powers, children's rights, complaint process, HF4428, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, community engagement, work requirement, work mandate, employment requirement, community service, 80 hours, half-time student, income threshold, federal minimum wage, eligibility verification, benefit suspension, benefit termination

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to call to order this hearing of the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee, and today
• I would really encourage all of us to support it today, and I'd like a roll call. Thank you.
• All right, a roll call having been requested, there will be a roll call. Representative Novotny.
• And I'm glad you asked for the roll call, Representative Feist, and I'll be voting no.
• </c> code name called Project Bigfoot. code name called Project Bigfoot.

Bills: HF4077, HF3809, HF3639, HF4478, HF3363, HF3874

Keywords: municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations

Summary: The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register. Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets. Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I call this meeting of Health Finance and Policy to order.
• They may be able to bump up call pay—from two hours at $2 an hour for call time to three hours.
• </c><00:10:33.680><c> in</c> what's your total number of calls in what's your total number of calls in
• Berman anything you want to call me is Berman anything you want to call me is fine<00:45:09.839><c> I
• </c> undermining their efforts to break free undermining their efforts to break free of<01:12:43.639>

Bills: HF696, HF1429, HF1379

Keywords: HF696, rural EMS, ambulance, emergency medical services, uncompensated care, payment pool, rural health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, public safety answering point, PSAP, nontransport, unpaid ambulance calls, EMS reimbursement, rural ambulance provider, general fund appropriation, Minnesota health finance, specialized life support, metropolitan counties, emergency response funding, HF1429

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls Noah Jones.
• Chair calls Marissa Anacone and Linda Litzinger.
• calls. calls, emails to her personal cell phone and her personal email address. information she was
• Free and reduced lunch.
• which is regardless of whether it's free or not?

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls Aaron Kinsey. Thank you. Mr.
• Chair calls Christy Shawel. Thank you. Thank you.
• I can be in the room with you, I can help you call.
• Chair calls Jennifer Biondo.
• Chair call Steve Swanson. Thank you. All right, Ms. Tencopa.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of us legislators got phone calls about this bill, and we had no answers because the identity of
• They should know that when they're getting an AI-generated phone call, that it is not a human being.
• ...that when they're getting an AI-generated phone call, that it is not a human being on that, or a person
• And unfortunately, I've encountered people in my district who have been duped with these AI phone calls
• I believe that completes our business of the day. that when you receive a phone call that's generated

Bills: HB88, HB181, HB210, HB250, HB486, HB529, HB544, HB639, HB996, HB1036, HB1071, HB1113

Keywords: local law, special bill, legislative process, transparency, election amendment, Medicaid, SNAP, fraud detection, income tax, legislative auditor, data sharing, state revenue, lobbying, public service, ethics, statewide officials, compensation, disclosure requirements, government employment, financial disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• With that I yield to the Senator Blumenthal and I decided it sounded better to call him the vice chairman
• Engelbaum, if I'd send you the names of these companies that are calling... consistently, would you follow
• we are more effective, more efficient, and better, for the most part, when we work together and we call
• And we're talking here about rearranging chairs on the deck of that sinking ship, call it the Titanic
• necessary guardrails for claims preparation and preserves veterans choice when seeking a reasonable free

Bills: SB124, SB201, SB275, SB410, SB478, SB607, SB610, SB611, SB654, SB702, SB787, SB831, SB892

Keywords: Department of Veterans Affairs, disciplinary procedures, accountability, personnel actions, whistleblower protection, cancer, military, aircrew, veterans, health study, toxins, morbidity, mortality, service members, mental health, community care, accessibility, treatment programs, substance abuse, appointments

Summary: During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm wondering, um, at the top of page three, the inmate phone calls, $3.1 million each year, is to provide
• I'm wondering, um, at the top of page three, the inmate phone calls, $3.1 million each year, is to provide
• page three I'm wondering um the top of page three the<00:04:37.919><c> inmate</c><00:04:38.400><c> phone
• </c><00:04:38.639><c> calls</c><00:04:39.120><c> 3.1</c><00:04:39.759><c> million</c><00:04:40.160><c
• > each</c> the inmate phone calls 3.1 million each the inmate phone calls 3.1 million each year<00:04

Bills: HF3006, HF2130, HF1290

Keywords: Department of Corrections, DOC, corrections budget, supplemental appropriation, deficiency funding, public safety finance, incarceration, prerelease services, community supervision, postrelease services, supervised release, probation, reentry, reentry services, prison reform, body-worn cameras, corrections officer cameras, ARMER radio system, PREA, Prison Rape Elimination Act

Transcript Highlights:

• We want phone-free schools. You'll hear from parents that want us to do it now.
• Cell-free phone schools should never be an objective.
• Two years ago, we went phone-free, and it has been absolutely transformative for my community.
• So when he came back, we ended up doing a cell phone-free policy. Teacher capacity has increased.
• policy that's phone-free away for the day for everyone in the state of Washington.

Bills: SB6192, SB6206, SB5346, SB6125, SB5841, SB5907, SB5951

Keywords: education, reading, mathematics, student intervention, instruction, academic standards, child care, first responders, incentives, pilot program, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, school phones, classroom distraction, digital citizenship, media literacy, internet safety, cyberbullying, student mental health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6192 would require structured literacy and numeracy programs, add math interventions similar to the existing third-grade reading “gate,” create annual STAR teacher bonuses for selected math and ELA teachers, and revise literacy endorsement standards. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus schools on core academics and use research-based instruction, while OSPI and ESD representatives supported the goal but raised implementation concerns about data access and the teacher award process. Testimony was mixed: some parents and students said the bill could help struggling readers and math students, while others, including WEA and several witnesses, opposed merit pay, grade retention, and what they viewed as overreliance on standardized testing or a single reading approach. Senate Bill 6206 would create a Commerce-run pilot program to incentivize child care providers serving children of first responders, especially during nonstandard hours, on short notice, and when children are ill. The sponsor and multiple law enforcement, dispatch, and labor witnesses described child care as a major barrier to recruitment and retention, particularly for women and shift workers. Committee questions focused on how the proposal would relate to existing DCYF child care subsidies and nonstandard-hours bonuses, and whether Commerce was the right agency to administer the program. Testimony was strongly supportive overall. Senate Bill 5346 would direct OSPI to incorporate mobile device use into digital citizenship instruction and report on school phone policies and barriers, with final recommendations due in 2028. Supporters, including students, parents, educators, and researchers, said phones distract from learning, contribute to social and mental health problems, and can be addressed through bell-to-bell restrictions. Opponents argued that local school boards should decide policy, that phones can be important for safety, communication, and medical needs, and that the bill was too vague. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6125, which would stabilize school funding for districts, charter schools, and tribal compact schools if enrollment-based state revenue falls below prior-year levels; the sponsor and witnesses said it would provide short-term stability amid declining enrollment and budget uncertainty. The committee then moved into executive session on Senate Bill 5841, which would require evidence of a financial aid application in high school and beyond plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the clerk will please call the roll.
• Than the US had their government provide Ivermectin and hydrochloroquine free to their citizens.
• The clerk will please call the roll.
• Senator Perry moves the committee stands in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB25

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, please call the roll. >> Mr. Alcos, >> Mr. Amato, >> Miss Botti, >> Mr.
• Uh, so we have 15 students and we have Jonathan Cabrera and please stand when I call your name and we'll
• ><00:15:25.760><c> your</c><00:15:26.000><c> name</c><00:15:26.320><c> and</c> please stand when I call
• your name and please stand when I call your name and um<00:15:27.760><c> we'll</c><00:15:28.240><c>
• The chair will call recess to allow the members of the House to meet and congratulate the honorees.

Bills: HB2391, HB2294, HB2374, HB1997, HB2147, HB2185, HB1641, HB2195, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB1937, HB2586, HB2575, HB2030, HB2115, HB2233, HB1801, HB1546, HB2132, HB2102, HB2356, HB2457, HB2292, HB2554, HB676, HB1528, HB2061, HB2094, HB2095, HB2181, HB2369, HB2578, HB2493, HB1642, HB1991, HB1652, HB2104, HB2593, HB1553, HB1823, HB1918, HB1860, HB2604, HB2605, HB2001, HB2437, HB1947, HB2384, HB2473, HB2140, HB1458, HB2603, HB2411, HB1611, HB2138, HB2141, HB2284, HB1568, HB1924, HB1928, HB2570

Keywords: tax holiday, school supplies, general excise tax, Hawaii, consumer savings, education, land transfer, public schools, Department of Education, property conveyance, Act 307, Kauai, Maui, shade trees, fruit trees, educational program, climate change, tree canopy, environmental education, native plants

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the clerk will please call the roll. Senator Kolkhorst? Here. Senator Perry? Here.
• mortality rates. ...than the U.S., had their government provide Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine free
• The clerk will please call the roll. Senator Kolkhorst? Aye. Senator Perry? Aye. Senator Hall? Aye.
• business to come before the committee, Senator Perry moves the committee stands in recess subject to the call

Bills: HB25

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the free world. world into darkness.
• It was a distinctly anti-free speech gathering.
• Courts have called at viewpoint discrimination poison in a free society because it allows the government
• Free speech is the bedrock of a free society.
• And free speech isn't a free fall in Europe.

Keywords: censorship, First Amendment, social media, misinformation, free speech, government regulation, Big Tech, public discourse

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the implications of government involvement in censorship, particularly regarding social media platforms and compliance with misinformation standards. senators and witnesses discussed growing concerns over the influence of large tech companies, like Facebook and Google, in shaping public discourse and suppressing dissenting views. A significant part of the meeting included testimonies from various experts emphasizing the dangers of the 'censorship industrial complex'—a term used to describe the collaborative efforts between government entities and private organizations to control information flow. This collaboration is viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights, with calls for urgent legislative action to restore free speech protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the clerk call the roll?
• The chair calls Adam Colby. Melder. I thank you, God bless you, and goodbye!
• And the chair calls Dr. Laura Presley. Dr.
• I mean, look at what's called Obamacare, you know.
• The Chair calls Adina Lewis and Hunter Allen for House Bill 2885.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't get calls; parents got calls, but we didn't receive text messages.
• The chair calls Ryan Bell. I call Manuel Flores Arguelles. Manuel Flores Arguelles.
• The chair calls Juliet Thurber.
• Moreover, I'll call you a coward.
• free from harmful practices.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't get calls. Parents got calls. We didn't. We didn't get text messages.
• We didn't get calls. Parents got calls. We didn't. We didn't get text messages.
• The Chair calls Charlotte LeMay.
• That chair calls Denise... That chair calls Denise Cybert, M.
• free from harmful practices.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 186, which would require social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing account creation. Invited witnesses in support, including Mary Elizabeth Castle and David Dunmoyer, argued the bill would protect children from harmful algorithms, addictive design, bullying, sexual exploitation, and mental health harms, and emphasized parental rights and the idea that minors should not enter binding contracts with platforms. Committee members questioned them about how algorithms work, whether parents could realistically monitor content, and whether the bill would still allow educational use; the witnesses said the bill was narrowly aimed at harmful social media use and not educational content. Public testimony on HB 186 was largely in opposition, though several student witnesses said they supported the bill’s goals but wanted the age lowered to 16 or the bill amended to allow parental consent or joint accounts. Opponents argued the bill would be ineffective because teens could bypass age checks, would cut off access to educational tools, school communications, recruiting and NIL opportunities, and would burden free speech and privacy. Some witnesses also said social media helps teens with mental health, community, and creative or professional opportunities, while others warned the bill could disproportionately harm disabled and marginalized users. After public testimony closed, HB 186 was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 5138, which Chairman Hughes said would respond to a court ruling limiting the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes unless invited by local prosecutors by changing the statute to require AG prosecution. Public testimony on HB 5138 was brief and opposed by at least one witness who argued it would further erode local control and expand state preemption. The bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3225, a library bill aimed at keeping sexually explicit books and materials out of children’s sections in municipal libraries and requiring age verification for checkout, including digital access, with parental consent and other revisions added in the House. Supporters said the bill would protect children from explicit material and keep such content in adult sections, while opponents argued it would amount to censorship, be costly and difficult to implement, and could be used to target LGBTQ+ or other marginalized content. Library workers, parents, students, and advocates testified that existing library sections already separate age-appropriate materials and that the bill could reduce access to books, burden libraries, and infringe on parental choice and free expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• I made a few phone calls, and come to find out the judges themselves began to question what they were
• Phone call made, problem corrected, and that was the end of it.
• But in each case, again, a phone call was made, the people fixed the problem, and as far as I was concerned
• Plus, I got calls.
• Plus, I got calls. I spend a lot of time in getting Plus, I got calls.

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.