Video & Transcript Research : 'harm reduction'
Page 100 of 486
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- bill would direct the Department of State Health Services to conduct a study on the prevention and reduction
- read the caption: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1677 relating to a study on prevention and reduction
- read the caption: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1677 relating to a study on prevention and reduction
- read the caption: Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1677 relating to a study on prevention and reduction
- raised concerns that violent and threatening students are regularly placing public schools at risk of harm
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, received a House message that H.B. 422 had passed the House, and heard gubernatorial nominations for the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups and adopted a resolution designating June 20, 2025, as Texas Nuclear Legislative Day.
Members then considered and passed several bills and resolutions, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. SB 311 passed to final passage on the Texas Supreme Court’s writ power. SB 883, on off-label prescription access for COVID-19 treatment, passed to engrossment. SB 1706, creating an Open Meetings Act exception for certain defense, military, and aerospace deliberations, passed despite concerns from Sen. Eckhardt that the bill’s use of “deliberate” could weaken open-government protections. CS SB 1677, directing a study on diabetes-related amputations, passed with support from Sen. Menendez. SB 1967 expanded flood infrastructure fund eligibility to certain multipurpose projects, and SB 1255, a cleanup bill on mold assessor and remediator regulation, passed unanimously.
The Senate also approved CS SJR 40 and CS SB 871, which would change emergency and disaster law to require legislative involvement after prolonged or widespread emergencies and to limit gubernatorial suspension powers, with Sen. Eckhardt questioning whether the bill could slow urgent business closures during a disaster. Additional measures passed included SB 1426 transferring management of the First Capital State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission, SB 249 requiring TxDOT to fund memorial markers for fallen peace officers, SB 1592 centralizing collection of hotel occupancy taxes from accommodation intermediaries, SB 1271 allowing concurrent jurisdiction on military installations for certain juvenile matters, SB 745 creating a higher penalty for intoxication manslaughter involving multiple deaths, SB 365 shortening the academic fresh start waiting period at public colleges, and SB 1171 adjusting compensation and standards for certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department inspector general employees. CS SB 36, creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, passed after questions about its relationship to federal homeland security and its focus on border security and critical infrastructure.
The latter part of the session focused heavily on CS SB 38, a major eviction and squatter-related bill. Sen. Bettencourt described widespread squatter cases and argued the bill, with a Moody amendment, would clarify notice and eviction procedures while balancing property-owner and tenant rights. Sen. West said he supported addressing squatters but worried the broader eviction changes could harm vulnerable renters, especially single mothers, and said he would vote present not voting. The discussion continued with additional testimony from Sen. Kolkhorst about the need for a balanced eviction process.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and local partners set that all up and then they target the work to identify the most pollution reduction
- and local partners set that all up and then they target the work to identify the most pollution reduction
- If you get too many animals grazing in too small an area, it can be harmful, but if you do it right,
- <01:26:22.600>
but <01:26:22.719>if small an area it can be harmful but if small an - area it can be harmful but if you<01:26:22.880>
do <01:26:23.000>it <01:26:23.119>right
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- That's a 30% reduction.
- that's a 30% reduction that's a 30% reduction uh<00:42:27.920>
part <00:42:28.079>of - and to honor the state's reduction and to honor the state's Financial<00:47:12.280>
commitments - The 50% proposed reduction will cost St. Louis County about $350,000 in 2026 and 2027.
- reduction reduction will<00:51:42.760>
cost <00:51:43.119>St <00:51:43.400>Louis - and to honor the state's reduction and to honor the state's Financial<00:47:12.280>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But sometimes it is the quieter harm: the small comments made by friends or families, the sideways glances
- This resolution recognizes that these harms are real, and that our responsibility is not only to condemn
- More than 90% said anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation directly harmed their mental health.
- This bill protects patients and reduces harmful delays in treatment.
- As a result, the standard VMT mitigation strategies, which include transit investments and trip reduction
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call and opened with a prayer and pledge, then held a ceremonial observance for Jewish American Heritage Month. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 195 by Assembly Member Gabriel was presented with extensive remarks from members of multiple caucuses highlighting Jewish Californians’ contributions, the importance of solidarity amid rising antisemitism, and themes of tikkun olam and tzedakah. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added, and the chamber then recognized 14 honorees for their service in public life, philanthropy, media, faith leadership, education, and civic engagement.
The floor also featured guest introductions and a procedural vote on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9 by Assembly Member Borrero, which would add affordability as a required consideration in CPUC rate-making, remove telecommunications from the commission’s portfolio, create an office of broadband, and expand legislative appointments. The amendment was adopted. The Assembly then moved through a long third-reading file, passing measures including AB 1697 delaying implementation of a 2025 employment law, AB 2322 on stormwater permit definitions, AB 1653 on hearing-illness education, AB 2274 closing a loophole involving secrecy in trafficking cases, AB 2512 on Anaheim Angels naming language tied to a land exemption, AB 1956 prioritizing young men and boys in suicide prevention, and AB 2273 addressing prosecutorial handling of a local sexual abuse case.
Additional bills passed included AB 1809 extending job order contracting for school and community college districts, AB 1970 banning step therapy for serious mental illness and substance use disorder medications, AB 1973 expanding practice authority for advanced practice clinicians, AB 2055 updating vessel law, and AB 2059 narrowing CEQA vehicle-mile-traveled mitigation for certain rural highway projects. The Assembly also adopted ACR 186 designating May 2026 as California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month and H.R. 11 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after a lengthy debate that included support from several caucuses and some disagreement over the resolution’s framing of current threats to LGBTQ+ communities.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Mar 17th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Advanced wastewater treatment is much more effective at removing these harmful contaminants, but it is
- When your product harms people and the environment, you redesign it.
- These natural resources and our economy will be harmed if this bill moves forward.
- Certainly, we want facilities that are less harmful in terms of the release of emissions.
- Senator Arrington, I did take your comments into consideration when we made the reduction.
Summary:
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.
The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably.
SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-04-16
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- have access to this critical information, which will help promote practices that can mitigate the harmful
- environmental<00:45:35.400>
impacts <00:45:35.880>that <00:45:36.040>can harmful - environmental impacts that can harmful environmental impacts that can result<00:45:36.440>
from - Representative Vang replied that Minnesota has nutrient reduction goals that have not yet been met and
- goals, and so far we nutrient reduction goals, and so far we have<01:06:05.840>
not <01:06:06.000
Keywords:
air pollution, lead emissions, continuous emissions monitoring system, CEMS, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MPCA, environmental monitoring, emission compliance, air quality, public health, industrial pollution, permitted facility, residential exposure, toxic metals, emission limits, pollution control, stack monitoring, real-time emissions monitoring, natural resources, environment
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 2:00PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Alcohol-related harms are the third most preventable cause of death in our community.
- Alcohol-related harms are the third most preventable cause of death in our community.
- Alcohol harms cost the state $937 million annually in costs.
- Reduction to underage drinking would lead to less alcohol-related violence in our state.
- Reduction to underage drinking would lead to less alcohol-related violence in our state.
Keywords:
liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers.
Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels.
Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- They're able to get bill reductions directly through this program.
- Make no mistake, the impact of this bill would irrevocably harm ENGIE's investments made in Minnesota
- These Minnesota entities will also be harmed should this bill become law.
- To change the law and cause these harms, one would assume that there is a very compelling reason.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Dec 17th, 2025 at 01:11 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Like many speakers today, I too am here to speak about House Bill 63 and the reduction in funding.
- The significant reduction forced ATC to cut the equivalent of three full-time positions, including special
- I'm here to express serious concern about the unintended consequences of HB 63, particularly the reduction
- . concern about the unintended consequences of HB 63, particularly the reduction.
- Abrupt funding reductions threaten the stability of successful schools like NMIS and undermine the years
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have seen tangible benefits in the form of a reduction in our tax rate of over 10 cents in the last
- suggest an amendment to have a specific punishment for signs that are booby-trapped with intent to harm
- If it breaks the contract, it has to allow them to be made as whole as possible to not be further harmed
- This technology has been effectively used in 30 other states, with some reporting as much as a 30% reduction
- I did not print the information, but I believe that they reported a reduction in work zone incidents
Bills:
HB341, HB791, HB1564, HB1695, HB1722, HB1729, HB1772, HB2003, HB2954, HB2989, HB3084, HB3134, HB3135, HB3309, HB3611, HB3679, HB3727, HB3832
Keywords:
affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Human Services and Agriculture Committee Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- cuts and restrictions to federal food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC will disproportionately harm
- Regardless, research finds that food insecurity experiences are harmful to health for people of all ages
- So reductions to federal funding for nutrition programs would likely make it difficult to continue reducing
- when you look at the three-year sort of moving average between 2011 to 2013 and 2021 to 2023, that reduction
- when you look at the three-year sort of moving average between 2011 to 2013 and 2021 to 2023, that reduction
Summary:
The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce.
Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households.
PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally.
The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- They would go out and do work on public buildings where there was no harm to the public and they were
- They would go out and do work on public buildings where there was no harm to the public and they were
- We're looking at reduction of workforce. People are getting pink slips and being laid off.
- A reduction of footprint... This doesn't make sense to me.
- A reduction of footprint, a redirection of incarcerated individuals.
Summary:
The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations.
A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan.
Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone.
The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Jan 13th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- So the overall effect is not going to be as dramatic as it would be if this was a continuing reduction
- , whether it's an office building or whatever the situation may be, that may get a percentage of reduction
- And what that would do, it would give through a reduction of your or. give, through a reduction of your
- We were talking about reduction from 33 and a third to 30%.
- So the people want this reduction, and if you want to do some positive things, I think you could cut
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Sep 12th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The second commitment we are making, as Nat mentioned, is depletion reduction.
- This is a significant reduction, although it represents approximately 5 to 7% of the current pumping
- The cost here is related to the depletions reductions.
- You know, if we had gone to trial and lost and gotten a 1938 condition, the reduction of groundwater
- Reductions due to climate change, and we've baked that into our assumptions about what we need to do
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/25/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Number one, we want to acknowledge the economic harm done to our cities.
- the economic harm done to our<00:37:23.920>
cities. - And so for many of these businesses, it's not just a temporary uh closure or reduction in hours, but
- <00:47:08.720>
in temporary uh closure or reduction in temporary uh closure or reduction in - On the statewide headlines, but that doesn't mean our families haven't been harmed.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This task force would break that pattern, ensuring real accountability and stopping harmful changes before
- This task force would break that pattern, ensuring real accountability and stopping harmful changes before
- This task force would break that pattern, ensuring real accountability and stopping harmful changes before
- However, if reductions in services are needed, these remote communities would be the first to lose out
- across Minnesota however if reduction across Minnesota however if reduction and<01:31:43.639>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So if they have a 10-year reduction that they're counting on, they must know they have a 10-year number
- We have to kind of think about, and so you can do a billion and a half dollars of reductions in the way
- the governor did, which is really going to cause great harm.
- the governor did, which is really going to cause great harm.
- for half the reduction just to I<00:35:56.960>
think <00:35:57.160>we <00:35:57.280>
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Morning Session Apr 9th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It also references emergency management agencies and the reduction of vulnerability to disaster effects
- tax levy is below the average property tax levy in the immediately preceding fiscal year, with a reduction
- And here we are being forced to look at more lids that will be more harmful to local control and local
- 1219 and LR 317CA because while it would limit increases in property taxes to 2% plus real growth, it harms
Bills:
LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507
Keywords:
LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 16th, 2026 at 02:54 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a real reduction in capacity, and it erodes our provider's ability to provide services.
- And so the reduction in funding wouldn't be related to a fee-for-service model.
- strategies that research shows that research and community practices show are more efficient at reducing harm
- inherently criminal, but because exposure to violence and instability increases risk factors for harmful
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Feb 10th, 2026 at 09:05 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- mining in Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Namibia, all places around the world where extraction is a practice that harms
- communities with polluted air, depleted water supplies, higher utility costs, and long-term public health harms
- really hope the New Mexico way on data centers isn't unlimited pollution, unlimited air quality reductions
- really hope the New Mexico way on data centers isn't unlimited pollution, unlimited air quality reductions
Keywords:
nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County