Video & Transcript Research : 'sign language interpreters'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 5, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, but their interpretation of law.
  • <01:58:30.400> defect particular part as new language defect particular part as new language
  • the date and then also insert language the date and then also insert language saying<01:58:34.400
  • When she sees the ASL interpreter, questions or statements are translated into another language, and
  • in her mind she interprets them into English.
Bills: HB2488, HB2456
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • As a teenager, I was not taught the importance of active listening or setting boundaries, the signs and
  • As a teenager, I was not taught the importance of active listening or setting boundaries, the signs and
  • active listening or setting<00:10:15.720> boundaries,<00:10:16.680> the<00:10:16.800> signs
  • <00:10:17.200> and setting boundaries, the signs and setting boundaries, the signs and impacts
Bills: HCR67, HCR102, HR61, HR94
Summary: The joint Committee on Human Services and Homelessness and Committee on Health heard two measures on April 7, 2026. HCR 67/HR 61 would request the Disability and Communication Access Board to study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and develop guidelines. Written testimony supported the measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, DCAB, Local Independent Living Hawaii, and one individual. A DCAB representative noted the proposal could serve as a backup if related measures do not move forward. No one testified in opposition, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended. The second measure, HCR 102/HR 94, urged the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to establish a statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness and social disconnection in schools. Support came from the Department of Education, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, and individual testifiers Katie Smith and Ray Ward. Smith said peer support can reduce stigma, increase belonging, and improve school climate. Ward, speaking from lived experience, described the harms of loneliness and trauma and said a peer counselor program could provide culturally grounded support and safer pathways to help. No opposition was offered, and both committees voted to pass the measure unamended.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Wed Feb 4, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • If we have an interpreter, we will move accordingly.
  • , we will u Um if we have a a interpreter, we will u move<00:14:46.079> accordingly.
  • The language is very clear, and the committee has the language in front of them.
  • <02:45:31.439> So<02:45:31.600> this um language about chapter 76.
  • So this um language about chapter 76.
Bills: HB1531
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH-HLT Joint Public Hearing - Thu Apr 16, 2026 @ 9:45 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then, the person on Zoom must be—I was asking if the interpreter can see me from this angle.
  • I wasn't sure if the interpreter is ready. She's going to have to do the same, which is okay.
  • We also have the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, in ... allowed an ASL interpreter during allowed an
  • It's a five-year contract where they enter whatever means they approval on signing into escrow.
  • It's a five-year contract where they enter whatever means they approval on signing into escrow.
Bills: SCR63, SCR8, SCR160, SCR90, SCR93
Summary: The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness heard several resolutions focused on disability access, housing, and support for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. SCR 63 SD1 would have the Disability and Communication Access Board study communication needs in health care settings for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and revise provider guidance; testimony was strongly supportive, including from the board, a physician, and a family member who described harmful delays in care, and the committee later recommended passage as is. SCR 8 would require counties to act within 45 days on completed permit applications for home modifications needed for an older adult or person with a disability; testimony noted delays in permitting and financing, and the committee recommended passage as is. The committee also heard SCR 160, which urges state housing agencies to create a “housing ladder” program to help individuals and families move from subsidized to unsubsidized housing. Hawaii Public Housing Authority and other agencies supported the concept, and DHS described its family self-sufficiency program and said prior federal resident-services funding had declined over the past 20 years. The committee acknowledged the program may already exist in some form but still recommended adoption of the resolution as is. SCR 90 would ask county planning departments to establish kupuna-friendly building permit requirements for parking accessibility in private businesses. The committee moved it forward with an HD1 for technical amendments; a member raised concern that the measure did not specify the age threshold for “kupuna,” and said they would vote with reservations. Finally, SCR 93 would direct DHHL and the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop a coordinated support and stabilization pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or very low income. DHHL said it is already operating a transitional housing effort called Ka Leo Opu Mama for about 18 beneficiaries using more than $6 million in federal Nah Ho Sa funds, with no dedicated state funding, and the committee recommended passage as is. The meeting ended with the chair thanking testifiers and members and adjourning the hearing.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Fri Mar 20, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, to illustrate why we need to see funding for language access planning at a Haima.
  • About two sessions ago, we were able to get a full-time language access coordinator in the department
  • Mahalo. see funding for language access planning see funding for language access planning at<00:18:20.520
  • we were able to get a full-time language we were able to get a full-time language access<00:18:25.000
  • I believe this is the kind of language that's authorizing the emergency proclamations.
Bills: SB2109, SB2151
Summary: The committee on Public Safety met on March 20, 2026, and the chair opened by noting severe rain and flooding conditions in Hawaii and said the committee would proceed with the hearing but defer decision-making until the next meeting on March 25. The first measure discussed was SB 2109, an omnibus bill on emergency preparedness communications. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from state agencies and advocacy groups such as the Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and others. Supporters emphasized the need for funding and planning for multilingual emergency materials and language access, citing current evacuation notices that were not available in languages such as Ilokano or Tongan. The chair stated that action on SB 2109 would be deferred until March 25. The committee then heard SB 2151, relating to emergency management and changes to the governor’s emergency authority. Testimony was mixed but heavily focused on concerns about executive power. Earthjustice supported the bill with amendments, saying it should narrow extraordinary emergency powers, add definitions for emergency and disaster, preserve transparency under the Uniform Information Practices Act, and lower the legislative threshold to terminate an emergency proclamation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Other supporters, including the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and some individuals, also backed reform. Opponents, including Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and numerous individuals, argued the bill still gave the governor too much power, used overly broad disaster definitions, and did not sufficiently protect constitutional rights; several urged major amendments or repeal of portions of Chapter 127A. Some opponents specifically objected to the two-thirds termination standard and to provisions they said could enable compulsory immunizations or other mandates. Members questioned Earthjustice about whether the bill would suspend constitutional rights. Earthjustice responded that the bill would not authorize constitutional violations, but would allow suspension of laws enacted by the legislature, and pointed to existing statutory procedures for individuals to challenge emergency proclamations. The witness described a Mauna Kea case in which a three-judge panel granted relief to an individual under the current statute, and explained that the process could potentially affect a broader proclamation if allowed to run to completion. The hearing continued with additional testimony and questions, but no final vote or committee action on SB 2151 was taken during this portion of the meeting.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Apr 7th, 2025 at 10:00 am

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • for open-up discussion on this, I think the bill is absolutely necessary for the terms of cleanup language
  • . ...from Representative Schreiber Beck's testimony in updating just language to now switch from NDSA
  • Right, and then you have to be able to vote if we have the language here.
  • So they would probably, if we added in that language, they would fit that in where— Let's see here.
  • Chairman, just wanted to clarify section five of the bill does have language in there regarding immunity
Bills: HB1404
Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with six members present and first took up House Bill 1404, which would update North Dakota scholarship eligibility language by allowing the NDA Plus assessment to be used in place of ACT scores in certain pathways. The Department of Public Instruction explained that the bill does not eliminate the ACT entirely, but removes outdated references tied to ACT accountability testing that will no longer apply after this year’s seniors graduate. Members discussed how the change affects public and nonpublic schools, then voted 6-0 to give HB 1404 a do pass recommendation. The committee then returned to House Bill 1363, a bill dealing with school emergency response planning and automatic external defibrillators. Members adopted an amendment clarifying that the requirements apply to school-owned facilities and grounds, replacing language about school events and venues, and revising the planning language for school-based events not held on school-owned property. The committee also debated whether the bill should be mandatory or permissive; a motion to change “shall” to “may” failed, with members noting the bill’s liability protections. The committee then voted 5-1 to pass HB 1363 as amended, with Senator Gerhardt carrying the bill. Before recessing, the chair noted that House Bill 1533 would be taken up later in the day after additional information from DPI was received.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • So do you have language, and is that language what you just said that they should have a sink?
  • and is is that >> So do you have language and is is that language<00:49:34.000> what<00
  • The fingerprinting requirement in the 2006 law, and as interpreted by OHCA, has a number of issues.
  • <01:40:32.880> in they're redundant with other language in they're redundant with other language
  • on page three, line 21, adding language on page three, line 21, adding language in<01:42:38.960>
Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Fri Jan 30, 2026 @ 11:00 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • It also requires a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture
  • Sign Language for their communications.
  • The ASL interpreter is most important during the emergency broadcast, so people can see sign language
  • So people mouth, their sign language.
  • Would that, you know, and if the media is there to say, if the sign language interpreter is standing
Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held its first hearing and began with House Bill 1531, which would require the governor or county mayor to provide an ASL interpreter during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and require news outlets to show the interpreter in a picture-in-picture window. Testimony was strongly supportive from disability advocates, who said live captions can be inaccurate and that ASL access is critical during emergencies, but broadcasters raised practical concerns that the bill as drafted could require extra camera crews and reduce coverage. Members discussed possible alternatives such as government-provided pool feeds and interpreter placement, and the chair recommended deferring decision-making on the bill to the following Wednesday to allow time for amendment language. The committee then heard House Bill 1751, which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel. The Hawaii Army National Guard, the Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii representatives supported the measure as a recruiting, retention, and professionalization tool. A member asked about funding, and the response was that the program is funded through a state appropriation currently set at $250,000 and was described as sufficient at present. The bill drew no opposition in the hearing. Next, House Bill 1752 was taken up. This measure would remove the Adjutant General as a nonvoting ex officio member of the HAIMA advisory committee and add the HAIMA administrator as a nonvoting ex officio member of the MSAC. The Department of Defense and Department of Health supported the bill, with the Department of Health asking that it be aligned with other EMS modernization provisions in the governor’s package so the related measures remain consistent. No objections were raised. The committee also heard House Bill 1577 on 911 services, which would require the 911 Board to establish a statewide emergency safety profile system for residents to voluntarily store emergency-relevant personal information. The Department of Health, disability advocates, the 911 Board, and others supported the concept, saying it could improve emergency response for people with disabilities, kūpuna, families, and others with functional needs. Testimony also raised concerns about funding, system integration, confidentiality, advanced directives, and liability protections if information does not reach responders in time. Members discussed statewide coordination and existing county systems, and the hearing continued with those issues unresolved.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 5th, 2025

Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, sir, on 11 of the reports to require the language is simple.
  • It's the amendment adding the geographical language. Here it is, right here.
  • Okay, House Bill 119 is for the renewal of the Board for Interpreters and Transliterator.
  • Now on to HB119 concerning interpreters and transliterators.
  • Word interpretation for the courts. We don't know where he's at on those negotiations.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDU-HWN, EDU Public Hearings 04-20-2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, if in fact you are interpreting it as an whether the AG is interpreting it and so there's a difference
  • Now, if in fact you are interpreting it as an whether the AG is interpreting it and so there's a difference
  • Now, if in fact you are interpreting it as an whether the AG is interpreting it and so there's a difference
  • Now, if in fact you are interpreting it as an whether the AG is interpreting it and so there's a difference
  • The AG is interpreting it, and so there's a difference in legal interpretation that means that as long
Bills: HCR122
Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Hawaiian Affairs first took up HCR 122, which requests the University of Hawaii to allow an ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi E Pathway under the Niʻihau dialect. Testimony was generally supportive, and the chair noted agreement with the House author to mirror amendments already made in the Senate version, including technical, non-substantive changes and a micro-credential reference. Both committees voted to pass HCR 122 with amendments. The committee then heard HCR 181, affirming the legislative intent of HRS 302A-1116 regarding the Department of Education’s authority to create temporary positions. DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi testified that the department follows statutory requirements and consults with the Attorney General, while several members expressed concern that the department’s interpretation could allow repeated annual renewals and undermine the budget process. Members discussed the need to make the bill more explicit that temporary positions may not exceed one year. The committee ultimately adopted the proposed SD1 and passed HCR 181 with amendments. The committee also considered HCR 42 on recognizing cheerleading as a title sport, HCR 53 on a UH associate degree completion audit, HCR 110 on refining campus roles within the UH system, HCR 111 on clarifying UH system and campus responsibilities, and HCR 118 HD1 on strengthening menstrual health education and adopting a comprehensive menstrual cycle curriculum. HCR 42 and HCR 53 were passed with technical/non-substantive amendments, HCR 110 and HCR 111 were passed unamended, and HCR 118 HD1 was passed with amendments reflecting the Senate version. Testimony on HCR 118 strongly supported standardized menstrual health education, with speakers emphasizing student demand and existing school infrastructure.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
  • off on that. ...approve that and sign off on that license.
  • We're adjusting one of the language for one of those.
  • We will take that language.
  • What does that language mean? Enforcement. Enforcement of what?
  • Uh, we kind of got notified that the agreed language we had on this may not work.
Bills: HB441
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • the Texas Seal of Biliteracy to provide a uniform statewide credential for students fluent in two languages
  • They all speak a language other than English at home.
  • A useful language would be a great thing, particularly Spanish in this country these days, you know,
  • I mean, you want them to be able to converse and be able to write in the language.
  • We need to put this language into policy practice so that way we can keep it moving.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Apr 3rd, 2025

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, there is a lot of language support and programs to address their learning and language needs.
  • in a language other than English.
  • In most cases, that language is Spanish, but we also have Mandarin dual language programs.
  • versus across both languages.
  • arts, science—in both languages.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Feb 2nd, 2026 at 09:02 am

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there any language in here, and I'm Not seeing it.
  • language education.
  • And while sometimes there are interpreters in the room, having done this with Navajo interpreters sometimes
  • Medical interpreters are not healthcare providers, and medical interpreters and interpreters Need to
  • as a medical interpreter.
Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Education Feb 2nd, 2026 at 08:32 am

House Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think the dollar sign is appropriate as we move forward.
  • that—and I don't want to, for lack of a better term, the general population—not the ones that are signed
  • So if you go to page nine, line 18 through 25, that is really adding some specific language based on
  • This also included language that's identified by both the United Nations and the United States Department
  • the money for food pantries or you needed... it for this, I would not only support it, I would co-sign
Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Health Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • That was at the table, and this speech-language pathology board had a... Language pathology board.
  • It's language provided by them.
  • So, I'm assuming I just want to make sure that the language that was provided by...
  • So what I did was I added in the language in the...
  • The speech and language pathologist would not supervise... language pathologist would not supervise more
Bills: HB441, SB274
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education May 13th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • According to a 2021 report by the Modern Language Association, the number of college students enrolled
  • in a foreign language course has fallen by over 30% since 2009.
  • Foreign language proficiency is one more tool in that toolbox.
  • a language.
  • This language came in from the coordinating board.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee, February 16, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:01:55.119> and Senate File 59, the K12 language and Senate File 59, the K12 language and
  • of is the instance when a senior signs of is the instance when a senior signs for<01:54:09.920><
  • And I just want to during their signing.
  • <01:54:30.639> uh, this bill for uh, students to sign uh, this bill for uh, students to sign
  • So, sorry about all the signed.
Bills: SF0059, SF0053
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • And it gets to the governor and signed into law.
  • education methods with a focus on dual language immersion programs.
  • I do think we need to tighten the language up.
  • I signed up on both. I'm testifying on both bills.
  • I only signed up for Senate Bill 2624, but since they're together...
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • I understand you have some substitutions. language to explain for the benefit of the committee.
  • We really appreciate all of your testimony, just keep your language.
  • We've signed subpoenas for social media.
  • I do think we need to tighten the language up.
  • I signed up on both. testifying on both bills.