Video & Transcript Research : 'cost efficiency'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- We deal with insurance costs, contract costs, all the costs that you hear about.
- I'm curious about cost to build. We certainly saw with inflation a significant increase in costs.
- also impacting cost.
- This not only increases housing costs, as the price of land is such a huge factor in the cost of new
- Costs: you've heard a lot today about costs.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts.
Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations.
CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- nation indirect cost cost I would like nation indirect cost cost I would like to<00:31:29.279>
- and reduce the need for asset preservation funds, energy costs, staffing costs.
- :21:53.880>
costs Staffing costs Staffing costs two<01:21:56.480>other <01:21:56.760>- to rising costs.
- to rising costs.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing on Appropriations and Revenue (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay. would cost taxpayers far would cost taxpayers far more more more um<00:05:59.039>
in <00: - as a normal programmatic cost incurred as a normal programmatic cost so<00:10:57.120>
it's <00 - So just to follow up on maybe the administrative costs, do you think there will be some cost reductions
- Okay, and Senate Joint Resolution 25. 27 anyway so this is a cost one way or 27 anyway so this is a cost
- The one caveat with that is our laboratory cost that we would see an increase in our laboratory cost
Keywords:
Due to a technical issue in the room, the quality of the stream will be diminished. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Meeting start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:02:00
SB 61 Discussion Only 00:03:25
SB 13 Discussion Only 00:07:19
SJR 25 Discussion 00:25:33
SJR 25 Vote 00:28:40
SB 61 Discussion Only 00:29:44, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools, but initially had no representative from the governor’s office or cabinet available to explain the fiscal estimate. Senators questioned why the executive branch’s estimate was $4.25 million to $8.5 million while the committee’s internal fiscal note showed little or no impact. When Department for Public Health staff later joined, they explained their estimate was based on a roughly $85,000 cost for a large outbreak investigation, using a 2014 outbreak as a benchmark, and said the bill could increase workload and outside laboratory costs if private swimming pools became more common as rental properties. They reported 822 waterborne cases in 2024, with 8 tied to private swimming pools, and later corrected an earlier figure to 14 private-pool-related investigations over five years. Senators pressed on the discrepancy between those numbers and the projected 50 to 100 incidents, and staff said the higher figure was a ballpark estimate. The discussion also clarified that private pools are generally excluded by definition, while pools held out for rent may be treated as public pools under current definitions. No vote on SB 61 was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 13, concerning the reprocurement of managed care organizations for Medicaid. Department for Medicaid Services officials said the bill would require work on a new RFP, system changes, and oversight improvements, and estimated the cost at $2.8 million based on prior procurement spending of about $2.5 million in 2018-2019, with a 10% growth adjustment. They explained that the work is administrative and therefore matched at 50/50 federal-state funding, not the 80/20 rate used for benefits, and said the expense would be incurred whether the bill passed or not if the state proceeded with an RFP. Senators discussed possible savings from reducing the number of MCOs from five to three, but agency staff said those savings were hard to quantify and that provider and member disruption could create offsetting costs. The committee later moved on to Senate Joint Resolution 25, which would ask the Revenue Department to report on the cost of issuing farmers a wallet-sized tax-exempt card instead of a paper certificate. The resolution was adopted by roll call, with all members present voting aye, and it was reported favorably to the floor.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I just want to know what my eggs are going to cost next month.
- There were some additional costs.
- If the federal government sees us that way, it's more efficient for us as a state than to compile that
- If the federal government sees us that way, it's more efficient for us as a state than to compile that
- potential changes to Medicaid and other health programs, support coverage transitions, and address cost
Keywords:
auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 4 May 19th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill costs, before law enforcement, 11 million dollars.
- You're saying, "Oh, it'll cost $11 million."
- Very little cost.
- So Dodge says it's about efficiency and clearly it's not.
- Let's not create inefficiency under the name of making more efficiency.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Agriculture Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- AJR 6 will help us feed our kids, lower the cost of healthy food, while creating jobs and strengthening
- cost of abatement before attempting to recover the cost through placing a lien on the property.
- Local governments simply do not have the funds to front these costs.
- This not only increases the cost for farmers, but also poses environmental and health risks.
- So it's like a cost of the entire security. Yeah, I'll just be able to have a good case.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met with an initial quorum delay, then heard four items: AJR 6 on protecting federal funding for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care program, AB 732 on abandoned agricultural land, AB 1042 on honeybee health, and consent item AB 1506. The chair reviewed hearing procedures and public comment rules before moving through the file in order.
AJR 6, authored by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, urged federal officials to preserve funding for local food programs that connect California farmers with school meals and food banks. Supporters, including a farm owner and a school nutrition director, said the program benefits children’s nutrition, helps small farms, and strengthens local economies. There was no opposition, and the committee members who were present voted to adopt the resolution; later absent members were added, bringing it to eight votes and sending it out.
AB 732, by Assemblymember Macedo, would give county agricultural commissioners a faster enforcement tool against abandoned or neglected orchards and vineyards by allowing civil penalties instead of relying only on liens. Testimony from growers and a county agricultural commissioner described pest infestations, economic losses, and high abatement costs tied to neglected land, and the bill was presented as a response to SGMA-related fallowing and low commodity prices. The committee voted due pass to the Judiciary Committee, and after absent members were added it also reached eight votes.
AB 1042, by Assemblymember Ransom, proposed a Managed Honeybee Health Program with grants, research, technical assistance, and an expanded advisory committee to support pollinators essential to California crops. Witnesses from the fresh fruit and beekeeping sectors emphasized that bee declines threaten crop production and the broader agricultural economy. The committee voted due pass to Appropriations, and the bill ultimately received eight votes. The consent calendar item, AB 1506, was also approved and sent to Appropriations.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So there is an opportunity cost to saving versus other types of things that you may want to put into
- Chair and Senator, this is only a piece of that School of Medicine cost.
- Grants related to efficient water use there on line 297.
- Moving on to page 28, also at NMSU, $8 million for costs related to a film studio.
- It wouldn't cost you anything.
Keywords:
SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- them courage to do what is good, and just, and merciful in your sight. regardless of the political cost
- That's what I've been told, so this is going to have a huge cost loss. to the city of Fort Worth and
- So, limited cost, but high cost of compliance for business, that we're going to get away with this and
- Incidentally, this is at no cost whatsoever. whatsoever to the taxpayer.
- This bill helps law enforcement work more efficiently and, most importantly, gives missing children a
Bills:
HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135, HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392
Keywords:
constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine reforming SBIR-STTR for the 21st century. Mar 5th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- bill empowers DoD to repurpose underutilized and overly-regulated STTR Phase 2 funding to more efficiently
- These programs are highly efficient and pay dividends for the American people.
- It is expected to save the Air Force over $550 million in sustainment costs.
- savings, sustainment cost savings for the Air Force.
- So, you know, cost savings that we realize for the government.
Keywords:
SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer
Summary:
The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- trained to move toward the immediate threat, even with incomplete information, because any delay can cost
- During a crisis, it's that trust that leads to faster decisions, more efficient use of resources, and
- During a crisis, it's that trust that leads to faster decisions, more efficient use of resources, and
- But you can only imagine how much that costs in overtime and things like that.
- And so we try to group, you know, share the costs and put out those resources. Thank you.
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on active and mass shootings in California, focusing on prevention, response, training, communications, and gaps in preparedness across law enforcement, schools, campuses, fire, EMS, and state agencies. Opening remarks emphasized the frequency and impact of gun violence, the need for faster coordinated response, and the importance of learning from recent tragedies such as the Stockton-area mass shooting described by Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The first panel included representatives from police, sheriff, and campus public safety agencies, who discussed incident command, interoperable communications, next-generation 911, threat assessment, emergency notification systems, and the value of joint drills and cross-agency planning.
Witnesses also highlighted differences in training and authority across jurisdictions, especially for private university public safety departments versus public campus police. Campus representatives said they rely heavily on municipal law enforcement for armed response, while also using run-hide-fight protocols, text alerts, surveillance, and threat assessment teams. Members raised concerns about standardized training, after-action reviews, mental health resources, school resource officers, and whether campus safety plans and drills are sufficiently consistent or workable. Sheriff Withrow argued that early intervention and accountability are being weakened by well-intentioned laws, while other witnesses stressed prevention through relationships, diversion, and coordinated support services.
The second panel from Cal OES, the Department of Education, POST, and EMSA described statewide systems and standards. Cal OES outlined its Reduce the Risk initiative, gun violence restraining orders, mutual aid, unified command, after-action reporting, and nonprofit security grants. The Department of Education explained California’s statutory school safety framework, annual safety plans, regulated armed assailant drills, and local flexibility, while acknowledging compliance gaps and the need for more mental health support. POST described the new requirement for 16 hours of standardized active shooter training for recruits and ongoing local training options. EMSA explained its role in medical response and terrorism training standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Costs, the timeframes.
- It costs more than a fire engine. I remember when a ladder truck cost $1 million.
- or was it the same cost?
- That may cost $700,000.
- That may cost $700,000.
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on the rising cost and long delivery times for fire apparatus and related equipment, with opening remarks stressing that aging fleets, supply chain problems, and delayed replacements are affecting emergency readiness across California. Cal OES and Cal Fire described statewide procurement challenges, including higher prices, multi-year delivery timelines, two-year encumbrance limits, and the strain on mutual aid when engines remain in service beyond their intended replacement cycles. Cal Fire said it operates 537 engines, with 300 meeting replacement criteria and 243 at least 16 years old, and explained the difference between mandatory contracts and one-time acquisitions. The Department of General Services said vendors have cited labor costs, chassis pricing, and the need for longer production timelines, while also noting that statewide contracts can include nominal price increases but not open-ended price hikes.
Local fire chiefs from Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Napa, and Fullerton testified that apparatus prices have risen sharply while delivery times have stretched from under a year to three to five years or more. They described specific examples of engines and ladder trucks costing far more than prior purchases and arriving years later, forcing departments to keep older reserve apparatus in service, spend more on maintenance, and defer other budget priorities. Several witnesses said industry consolidation has reduced competition and contributed to delays and price increases, with Los Angeles County and Fullerton noting they have pursued antitrust complaints and litigation against major manufacturers. Napa also described proprietary parts and software limiting in-house repairs, and Santa Barbara County said a vendor’s unfulfilled delivery promise caused the department to lose its place in line.
Members asked about possible solutions, including whether the state should consider manufacturing apparatus itself, whether procurement rules or prototype requirements could be streamlined, whether DGS staffing or contract processes could be accelerated, and whether more stable long-term purchasing commitments would help manufacturers plan production. Witnesses said safety-driven specification changes are necessary but can add time, and that the main bottlenecks are industry capacity, consolidation, and vendor performance. The vice chair raised concerns about how grant funding windows and local matching requirements are affected by multi-year delays, especially for small and rural departments that rely on grants and on used apparatus passed down from larger agencies. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with committee members indicating interest in possible legislative, regulatory, and antitrust follow-up.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26 - Part 1
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- conduct these proceedings efficiently conduct these proceedings efficiently while<00:01:12.000><
- We've got time to get a fiscal note and we don't know what the ongoing cost to it is.
- We've got time to get a fiscal note, and we don't know what the ongoing cost to it is.
- >> Efficiency<00:36:05.760>
over <00:36:06.000>here. - >> Efficiency over here. >> Efficiency over here.
Keywords:
veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Governor's education policy bill discussed 3/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- already received one meal at no cost already received one meal at no cost under<00:09:26.000>
- Both come with cost to district.
- Both come with<00:20:48.080>
cost <00:20:48.320>to <00:20:48.559>district. - with cost to district. with cost to district.
- ability to operate efficiency ability to operate efficiency efficiently<00:20:59.440>
with
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I know your insurance costs have gone up. I know groceries cost more. I know housing costs more.
- Housing costs are through the roof. People are looking for help.
- Someone's neglect, who only got suspended for 10 days, cost $18 million. They shifted the costs.
- , escalating insurance costs, and inflation.
- Renters may see little or no reduction in their monthly housing costs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We hope that new technology will help us find ways to bring costs down.
- Very simply, we were trying to be more efficient.
- Some of it is old and can be fixed to be more efficient for people and the environment.
- It's a safety risk and it costs...
- and lower the cost of water dramatically if you can find ways to do that.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/01/2026 - Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- As a result, we questioned the cost related to that sample item, which was $3,807.
- We questioned costs for this specific transaction, which were $41,05.
- We questioned costs for this specific transaction, which were $41,05.
- The special audit could cost between $547,000 and $625,000.
- We have not noted any fraud, but we have noted questioned costs.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- That is a big difference in cost.
- So what are y'all doing in terms of AI to drive cost efficiencies and improve customer service?
- So are we on cost and on schedule?
- You're so efficient. So I know that the department runs efficiently with your presentation.
- of labor, but also the increasing cost of technology.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/13/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- northern Minnesota the compounding costs northern Minnesota the compounding costs are<00:43:10.880
- Wildfire, um, it's out of control, and I wonder how much that will cost them, cost us, then, uh, to our
- will cut project Transportation costs will cut project Transportation costs reduce<01:05:05.319>
- <01:05:10.079>
and <01:05:10.400>environmentally efficient and environmentally efficient - <01:13:39.199>
has 2018 doll so I'm guessing the cost has 2018 doll so I'm guessing the cost
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Emergency Management
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Labor and Industrial Relations May 7th, 2026
Labor & Industrial Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- So there is a cost to it.
- There's a cost of their time.
- Getting them the cost—let me go back to that—reducing the cost for... Getting them the cost.
- I know it’s a small cost to physicians, but that’s a minor cost.” “Yes.
- me money and cost me time.
Summary:
The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote.
The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.