Video & Transcript : 'public accountability' :

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC DEFER Public Hearing 02-25-2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • trust, or misuse of public resources.
  • >> If not, I think the AG's concern regarding the public servant definition.
  • tr trust or misuse of breach of public tr trust or misuse of public<00:02:16.879><c> resources.
  • </c> public resources. public resources. and<00:02:18.560><c> then</c><00:02:18.720><c> we'll</c><00:
  • Are you the public servant definition.
Bills: SB2731 , SB2830 , SB2914 , SB3072
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The Judiciary Committee met on a decision-making agenda and considered four Senate bills. SB 2731 would cap misdemeanor jail terms at 364 days and allow people previously sentenced to one year to seek modification; the chair recommended passage with amendments limiting the change to nonviolent offenses, and the measure was adopted with one no vote. SB 2830 would extend the statute of limitations for misconduct-in-office offenses by public servants to allow prosecution during service and for 10 years afterward; members discussed tightening the definition of misconduct in office while leaving the public servant definition unchanged, and it was adopted with amendments. SB 2914, which would prohibit public disclosure of legislators’ personal contact information and certain voter and campaign records, was deferred because the chair believed existing law already covered much of the issue and wanted to see how that law works over time. SB 3072 would require a mandatory 12-month minimum sentence for first-degree theft involving property or services valued over $250,000; the committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the sentence could be imposed as a condition of probation or before parole, and it was adopted with the vice chair voting with reservation. The committee then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/25/26

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • It strengthens our public community.
  • </c> On February 4th, we held a public On February 4th, we held a public hearing<00:15:27.199><c> on<
  • </c> while doing little to improve public while doing little to improve public safety.<00:26:59.679><
  • Um, we talked a lot about it in Public Safety Committee.
  • You know granting public health issue.
Bills: HF3351
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because this bill includes recurring public funding, transparency and accountability are essential.
  • We must demand radical transparency in how public funds are appropriated, and absolute accountability
  • ...in how public funds are appropriated, and absolute accountability in how outcomes are measured.
  • how public funds are appropriated, and absolute accountability in how outcomes are measured.
  • The public schools, invest in your public schools.
Bills: S1062 , S1718 , S7038
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 17, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You'll have public ones at workplaces. You'll have public ones at hotels, especially.
  • You'll have public ones at workplaces.
  • of the Public Service Commission.
  • </c> Committee, any questions for Public Committee, any questions for Public Service<00:49:14.960><c>
  • Any further public testimony?
Bills: SF0095 , SF0107 , SF0112
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Committee, February 16, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> strategic lawsuit against public strategic lawsuit against public participation<00:03:18.159><c>
  • </c> public forums on matters of public public forums on matters of public interest,<00:04:37.120><c>
  • forums on public statements in public forums on public interest<00:26:41.840><c> issues</c><00:26:42.320
  • As such the as a public official.
  • </c><00:46:04.880><c> Wyoming</c> encourage public debate. Wyoming encourage public debate.
Bills: HB0103 , HB0070 , HB0091
Committee: House Judiciary
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee, February 16, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • health and public safety.
  • Is there any other public comment?
  • Any public testimony? All right. We'll close public testimony. All right.
  • Any public comment on this bill? bill? Any public comment on this bill?
  • <c> comment</c> we'll close public comment we'll close public comment committee.<01:29:38.560><c> What
Bills: HB0103 , HB0070 , HB0091
Committee: Senate Judiciary
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Uh is there any um an accountability Uh is there any um an accountability plan?
  • </c> Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory. Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory.
  • And then, uh, we again, talking about audits, the auditor of public accounts.
  • accounts.
  • U we have also of public accounts.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met. Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted. The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support. Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Transportation Apr 3rd, 2025 at 10:00 am

Transportation

Bills: HB1053
Summary: The committee took up House Bill 1298 and first discussed an amendment from Senator Paulson that would add variable electronic speed limit signs to the bill while leaving the 80-mile-an-hour provision unchanged. Members said the signs would be used on interstates I-29 and I-94 in selected problem areas, based on weather or accident conditions, and that the proposal would not require a fiscal note. The discussion then broadened to Senator Rummel’s concerns about related bills, especially 2243, 1250, and 1229. He argued that the House changes were removing municipal authority to double fines, lowering or eliminating points for serious traffic violations, and undoing prior Senate positions. Several members said they were willing to use HB 1298 as the vehicle to restore the earlier fine and point provisions, including the 29 violations previously assigned three points, and to avoid concurring with the House versions. Members did not take final action on the amendments or the bill. Instead, they agreed more work was needed and asked Legislative Council to prepare a combined amendment and options for the next meeting. The committee recessed and scheduled further discussion for the next morning.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • And I believe our auditor of public accounts, Ms.
  • And I believe our Auditor of Public Accounts, Ms.
  • Those settlement accounts are now yielding as much as $200,000 a month.
  • </c><00:22:45.600><c> those</c> management those accounts those management those accounts those settlement
  • </c><00:22:47.880><c> as</c> settlement accounts are now yielding as settlement accounts are now yielding
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met for its first meeting and heard budget-related presentations from the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State, with the Treasurer beginning a presentation at the end of the transcript. Auditor Allison Ball reviewed her office’s 2024 and early 2025 work, including hundreds of county and state audits, several special examinations, and ongoing reviews such as the kinship care funding issue, the Kentucky Department of Education audit, and the Jefferson County Public Schools audit. She said her office is focused on waste, fraud, abuse, and legal compliance, and asked the committee to consider future budget changes, including aligning her appropriation with restricted funding and restoring a stronger performance-audit function. She also highlighted audits that exposed serious problems, including the Department of Juvenile Justice review, and said those reports are intended to serve as models for other entities to avoid similar failures. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office is self-sustaining through fees and does not need tax dollars, but asked for greater access to its own revenues and more flexibility in using them. He highlighted the Safe at Home address confidentiality program, saying recent changes expanded protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and that the program has grown rapidly while remaining funded by offender fines. Adams also urged lawmakers to again adjust county election funding for inflation, noting the current per-voter and per-precinct amounts were set decades ago. In questioning, Representative Hart asked whether the Safe at Home program was self-funding; Adams replied that it covers only about 10% of its operating cost and said the best solution would be to let the office use more of the revenue it already collects rather than rely on tax dollars. Treasurer Martin Medcafe, introduced with staff member Russell Weber, praised the General Assembly’s fiscal discipline and described the Treasury’s work in managing state funds. He reported strong results from the Unclaimed Property Fund, saying the office returned $35.5 million to Kentuckians in its first year and $3.8 million in the first month of the current year, and said the State Investments Commission generated $682 million in returns last year. He also highlighted financial literacy efforts through the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and said the Treasury is helping manage opioid settlement funds, which are now earning up to $200,000 per month through investment. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Mar 10th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • to the determination of the value of land that is appraised as a census of properties by the… or public
  • accounts to economic to education K through 16.
  • Senate Bill 1625 by Johnson. the reporting of certain security incidents by public water systems to the
  • SJR 60 by Campbell. a constitutional amendment to authorize the Commissioner's Court of Accounting to
  • implement certain provisions governing the impeachment trial removal from office. and disqualification of public
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

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

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just really curious how that applies to quasi-public facilities such as a mall that is access for the
  • If not, we'll move on to our next item on the day, SCR 160 urging the Hawaii Public Housing Authority
  • For this, we have the Hawaii Public Housing Authority in person in support. item of the day. item of
  • </c> that applies to quasi public that applies to quasi public facilities<00:11:51.600><c> such</c><00
  • settings and what the quasi public settings and what the timeline<00:12:06.760><c> is.
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.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 23rd, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • It wouldn't be to educate the public on it?
  • This would be motor vehicle offices, not public tag agents. Okay.
  • This would be motor vehicle offices, not public tag agents. Okay.
  • She doesn't mind spending the $23 to go to the public tag agency.
  • On the public sector side, the government does the opposite.
Bills: HB372 , HB582 , HB593 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB762 , HB781 , HB845 , HB882
Summary: The House Transportation Committee heard an update from Office of Motor Vehicles leadership, who said the agency had achieved efficiencies, was operating in the black, had improved employee morale and staffing, and expected to begin testing the driver’s license portion of its modernization project in September. Members then took up several OMV-related bills. HB 781, creating a fleet vehicle registration program, was amended to delay implementation until January 1, 2028 or until the OMV registration system is updated, and was reported with amendments. HB 712, which waives OMV fees for driver’s licenses and state IDs for homeless persons who meet eligibility requirements, drew support from homelessness advocates and some members who said it would remove a barrier to work, safety, and housing; concerns were raised about verification and workload, but the bill was amended to require the department to waive fees and to require proof of homeless status, then reported by a recorded vote. HB 372, requiring OMV public education on roundabouts, was discussed as a safety and awareness measure, but the author agreed to voluntarily defer it in favor of pursuing a resolution or other approach. The committee also advanced HB 746 on oversized trucking permits after amendments clarified a one-year moratorium on new local permit requirements while preserving existing permits, and HB 732, which would allow the OMV commissioner to waive or reduce certain fees in humanitarian cases such as hospice, was reported favorably. HB 722, providing for automatic reinstatement of driver’s licenses after payment of fees and fines except for DUI-related suspensions, was amended and reported with amendments. HB 593, increasing the maximum local service fee for certain OMV field offices, prompted debate over costs to motorists and local control; an amendment exempted Shreveport, and the bill was reported with amendments by a 9-5 vote. HB 613, adding an eagle image to indicate U.S. citizenship on licenses and IDs, was amended and reported with a recorded 8-5 vote after members questioned its practical effect and recognition outside Louisiana. The committee also heard HB 582 and HB 762 on insurance lapse fees and debt recovery, with HB 582 reported favorably after the author agreed to work with another member on a similar bill, while HB 762 was discussed as a way to avoid adding a 15% Office of Debt Recovery fee to OMV-related debts.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Mar 23rd, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then on the health savings account, I think this just clarifies that the types of accounts that are
  • saving money up in that account just to spend on medical expenses.
  • purpose and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
  • But it's for a direct public benefit, public necessity, week. ...either side.
  • But it's for a direct public benefit, public necessity, because expropriation is a great power and authority
Bills: HB135 , HB142 , HB170 , HB194 , HB215 , HB216 , HB226 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB609
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26 - Part 1

Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> thought of and debated by our public thought of and debated by our public safety<00:21:35.360><c
  • </c> the topic that our experts in public the topic that our experts in public safety,<00:23:32.240><
  • And so the commissioner of public safety—this committee handles the commissioner of public safety in
  • And so the commissioner of public safety—this committee handles the commissioner of public safety in
  • And so the commissioner of public safety—this committee handles the commissioner of public safety in
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26 - Part 2

Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that's I think what we want from our public service and public services is that it's running how
  • And that's I think what we want from our public service and public services is that it's running how
  • And that's I think what we want from our public service and public services is that it's running how
  • And that's I think what we want from our public service and public services is that it's running how
  • </c> charge at public charging stations. charge at public charging stations.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce Mar 11th, 2026

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • We should not put it in as a may and give somebody some wiggle room as to not hold them accountable under
  • made this morning that y'all don't even know yet because it hasn't hit the papers yet, but it is public
  • We basically had to buy a platform that scrubs every public platform, right, and that represents all
  • the Louisiana companies that are out there to grab in the public.
  • is changing the construct of the Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board, just for moving mainly the Public
Bills: HB207 , HB267 , HB300 , HB464 , HB618 , HB853
Committee: House Commerce
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Public policy must do the same.
  • Public policy must do the same.
  • Public policy must do the same.
  • Public policy must do the same.
  • </c> These are public health issues. These are public health issues.
Bills: HF3668 , HF2779 , HF2771