Video & Transcript : 'sensitive discussions' :

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AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Feb 19th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • Does that answer your question that we would actually have that with a sensitive way?
  • This was related to kind of two agencies discussing what's best because of the rules and statutes that
Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates with no questions, and several Commerce rules were approved, including repeals tied to the minority business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act because they were superseded by Act 116 or duplicative of statute. The Insurance Department’s new rule for online marketplace guarantee providers was also approved, with Airbnb used as an example of the type of platform covered. The Department of Education presented an update to the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program to align payment milestones with Act 502 of 2025, and DFA presented a rule implementing a new tax credit for Arkansas rice used in beer and sake production under Act 874 of 2025. Members asked about verification of grain bills and whether the credit was broadly available; DFA said the rule tracks the statute and requires producers to submit the grain bill with their return. DHS then presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes from Public Law 119-21, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64, changing treatment of dependents and exemptions, and adjusting energy assistance income treatment; the rule was approved despite one public comment. Later, DHS Medical Services amended the Medicaid Rehab Hospital Manual to allow rehab hospitals to operate psychiatric units and bill Medicaid for those services, and also secured approval for a recovery audit contractor exemption because Arkansas law bars contingency-fee contractors and the state already has other program integrity safeguards. The Board of Public Accountancy’s rules implementing Act 428 of 2025 were approved after discussion of a new CPA licensure pathway requiring a bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience, changes to substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of a government/not-for-profit coursework requirement. The committee also approved the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, retained all 18 DAPSAF rules under a review of Group 3, filed outstanding 2023-session rulemaking updates, and adjourned after filing monthly updates.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Feb 19th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • Does that answer your question that we would actually have that with a sensitive way?
  • This was related to two agencies discussing what's best because of the rules and statutes that kind of
Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates and had no questions, so both were filed. The Department of Commerce sought repeal of rules tied to the minority and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act, explaining the rules were repealed by implication or duplicative of statute; all were reviewed and approved. The Insurance Department presented a new rule implementing Act 426 of 2025 for online marketplace guarantee providers, using Airbnb-style host damage protection as an example, and it was approved. The Department of Education updated the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program rule to reflect statutory payment amounts for milestones and diplomas, and it was approved. DFA presented a rule creating a reporting method for the Arkansas rice beer and sake excise tax credit; members asked about verification of Arkansas rice use, and the rule was approved. DHS presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes to work requirements and energy assistance counting, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64 and removing some exemptions; it was approved after questions about terminology and waiver-related issues. The committee also approved DHS Medicaid rules allowing rehab hospitals to bill for psychiatric units and exempting Arkansas from the federal recovery audit contractor requirement, citing other program integrity measures already in place. The State Board of Public Accountancy, under Labor and Licensing, presented rules implementing Act 428 of 2025, including a new CPA licensure pathway with a bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience, substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of the government not-for-profit accounting requirement; despite some negative comments, both rules were approved. The committee then granted the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, and approved its request to retain all 18 Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation rules under Act 781 review. Remaining outstanding 2023-session rulemaking and monthly updates were noted in packets with no questions, and the meeting adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 28th, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We found out this patient, in her mid-30s, had a normal EKG, normal labs, and caffeine sensitivity.
  • We're never going to get a chance to discuss this later, so I've got to ask you now.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • So that's what I recall from committee discussion. Okay. I recall from committee discussion.
  • I'll just open it for a discussion on those amendments. Okay. Senator Bame. Why?
  • Our discussions in House were in my discussion with Anna Gibson.
  • I think it may be something we have to discuss more as a committee to just make sure we've got the right
  • Well, we'll need some time to discuss it with the House membership with Chair Heinert and the rest of
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The Senate conference committee on Senate Bill 2330 met to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, which concerns human trafficking and exploitation prevention and awareness education in schools. House members explained their amendments, including adding non-public schools, narrowing some statutory language, removing the appropriation section because funding had been moved into the Attorney General’s budget, and changing the bill’s structure to reduce what they viewed as an overly broad mandate. Senators and House members then debated whether the education should be required for all grades or limited to specific grades, and whether it should be delivered every year or every other year. Testimony from Amy Boyd-Bomey of YouthWorks and Stacey Schaefer of the 31A Project supported focusing the program on grades 6 and 10, with later discussion adding grade 12. They said sixth grade is a key entry point into junior high and social media exposure, tenth grade is important because of dropout risk, and twelfth grade would be the last opportunity to reach students before adulthood. They also said repeating the same material every year could dilute the message, that the curriculum should be thoughtful and trauma-informed, and that “best practices” may be preferable to the bill’s “evidence-based” language because of cost and feasibility. They emphasized that presenters must be prepared for disclosures from students after the training. Committee members also discussed logistics and funding. The witnesses said the Attorney General’s budget line for the program would fund third-party organizations through a grant process, with reporting requirements, and that the proposed amount was based on their cost estimates. Members raised concerns about whether the funding would cover all schools and grades, especially if non-public schools were included. Several members argued against mandating the program in non-public schools at this time, citing uncertainty about related legislation and the need to maximize available funds, while others said private school students also face trafficking risks and should not be excluded. The committee did not take final action on the bill; instead, members agreed to continue working on amendments, including grade levels, annual versus biennial implementation, the “may include” language, the “evidence-based” standard, and the non-public school issue, and to reconvene at a later meeting.
NJ

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

Assembly Session Jun 30th, 2026

New Jersey House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • where they live, what they buy, when and how often they shop, what devices they use, and even how sensitive
  • This is one of several tax increases on businesses we'll be discussing and voting on today.
  • But when asked, and we discuss it, they'd all just rather pay lower property taxes in the first place
  • Today, as discussion on this bill takes place, you may hear narratives that misrepresent it.
  • I want to add on to what I had discussed prior.
Keywords: 1146, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 31, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, just be sensitive to that.
  • So, just be sensitive to that.
  • Just thank you for the discussion, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
  • </c> many of us have heard about, discussed many of us have heard about, discussed nationally,<01:06:
  • We discussed this in this committee last year, so I appreciate being before you again.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Feb 2nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there any further discussion?
  • Additional discussion?
  • Discussion, Representative Couture. Omni 313 be adopted. Discussion, Representative Couture?
  • Discussion.
  • Additional discussion. Vote yes. Thank you, Representative Callan. Additional discussion.
Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2073, which would require nonprofit health carriers with surplus above 600% of risk-based capital to pay 3% of the excess to support the Cascade Care Savings premium assistance program. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $80 million in FY 2027 based on 2024 surplus data, while carriers and business groups argued their reserves are needed to pay claims, manage risk, and avoid premium increases. Supporters said the bill would redirect consumer-funded surplus to help Washingtonians afford coverage, especially as federal subsidies expire. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying and financial information in WASFA applications. Staff explained the bill would exempt WASFA records from public disclosure, restrict sharing to narrow purposes, and shorten retention periods, with significant fiscal impacts tied to purging records and updating data-sharing practices. Student and advocacy testimony strongly supported the bill as a privacy and safety measure for immigrant and mixed-status students. The committee also heard House Bill 2403, which lowers the penalty for failure to register as a sex offender and adds community custody and DOC supervision; public defense supported it as a cost-saving, consensus reform, and staff projected DOC savings. House Bill 2587 was also heard, creating a Commerce pilot to provide limited advance grant funding to eligible nonprofits; supporters said it would help smaller nonprofits manage reimbursement-based contracts, while staff estimated indeterminate but potentially significant administrative costs. The committee heard House Bill 2607, which would require DCYF to periodically rebase child care subsidy rate regions to better reflect local cost differences. Supporters from Benton and Franklin counties said current regional rates are outdated and unfairly low in fast-growing areas; staff said the fiscal impact was indeterminate. The committee then moved into possible executive session on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 1170, dealing with generative AI disclosures and provenance tools, was amended and ultimately passed out of committee on an 18-9 vote after all proposed amendments were rejected. Substitute House Bill 1570 was amended to narrow its scope to Western Washington University and then passed out of committee on a 17-9 vote. The committee also began action on proposed Third Substitute House Bill 1710, which would create a state pre-clearance requirement under the Washington Voting Rights Act, but the transcript cuts off during consideration of amendments to that bill.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development - 03/31/2026

Housing, Construction, and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Any questions or discussion? No. Got a motion. Senator Salazar, second from Senator Walsick.
  • On a motion of Senator Walsick, we continue discussion.
  • As you and I have discussed many times, and I am with you.
  • Any questions or discussion?
  • Any questions or discussion? Please. This is an option.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development met on March 31, 2026, with a quorum present and noted that the Legislature was in budget negotiations and approaching a scheduled break. The committee took up several housing-related bills, with most being reported to Finance after discussion. The first bill, S.3742A, would require information to be provided in new and renewal leases for certain housing accommodations, and it was reported without opposition. S.4659B, the Rental Emergency Stabilization for Tenants Act, generated the longest debate; supporters said it would give local governments outside New York City a more flexible way to determine a housing emergency and opt into rent stabilization, while opponents argued it lacked a clear vacancy-rate standard, could discourage development, and would benefit higher-income tenants. The bill was ultimately reported, with some negative votes and one or more votes without recommendation. The committee then discussed S.8168, which would create a deconstruction and salvage framework for building materials, including local options, technical assistance, grants, and related code updates. Supporters said it could reduce landfill use, lower disposal costs, and encourage reuse markets, while opponents questioned costs, market demand, and whether the program would raise housing and demolition expenses. The bill was reported, again with some negative or without-recommendation votes. S.8595, dealing with how certain valuations and amounts due are calculated in foreclosure actions, was also reported. S.8672, the Employer-Assisted Housing Matching Grant Act, would provide a state match for employer housing assistance for certain nonprofit human services employers; members raised concerns about scope, possible double-dipping, and whether the program should be expanded to other workers, but the bill was reported with some negative and without-recommendation votes. The final bill, S.94A, made a minor amendment to the Housing Access Voucher Pilot Program regarding priority applicants and unit inspections, and it was reported as well. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized that several proposals were optional for local governments or employers rather than mandates, and many of the exchanges focused on affordability, housing supply, local control, and the fiscal effects of the bills. No floor votes were taken; the committee’s actions were limited to reporting the bills to Finance, with some reported favorably and others reported with negative or without-recommendation votes.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Environment and Natural Resources Mar 3rd, 2025

Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The PFAS discussion is new.
  • So I think the PFAS discussion is going to be our next one.
  • I think the PFAS discussion is going to be our next one.
  • Any other questions, discussion? Okay. Thank you so much, Ms.
  • Any other questions, discussion? Okay. Thank you so much, Ms.
Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Florida On-Site Wastewater Association on advanced onsite wastewater treatment systems. Roxanne Groover described several technologies used in Florida, including NSF-245 systems, performance-based treatment systems, in-ground nitrogen-reducing biofilters, membrane/media filters, and sequencing batch reactors. She emphasized that these systems can substantially reduce nitrogen compared with conventional septic systems, discussed permitting and maintenance requirements, and noted that some grant programs help fund upgrades in springs and other impaired-water areas. Members asked about phosphorus and PFAS treatment, funding for non-springs watersheds, incentives for new construction, and whether more data should be collected on system performance. The committee then took up CS for SB 164 on vessel ownership, derelict vessels, and anchoring/mooring rules. The bill was explained as clarifying who is responsible for derelict vessels and using vessel title as prima facie evidence of ownership. Two amendments were adopted: one requiring FWC to offer an electronic long-term anchoring permit system and clarifying that the permit does not override other anchoring limits, and a technical amendment correcting a drafting error. Public testimony included opposition from a cruiser advocacy representative who argued the bill would unfairly restrict responsible boaters and harm the marine economy, and support from another boating coalition representative who said the bill was a proactive step to address derelict vessels. The committee then passed CS/SB 164 favorably by roll call. Finally, the committee considered SB 38, which makes clarifying changes to FWC trust funds. The bill would allow investment and carryover of the administrative trust fund balance, expand use of the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund for feline disease research, monitoring, and habitat acquisition, and allow use of the Non-Game Wildlife Trust Fund for law enforcement and related coordination agreements. With no debate or opposition, the committee passed SB 38 favorably by roll call and then adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS Informational Briefing 04-09-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • towards the parents more sensitivity towards the parents having<00:12:30.480><c> to</c><00:12:30.639
  • the kind of will be available to discuss the kind of trauma-informed<00:12:42.079><c> care</c><00:12
  • So, you know, we have engaged in some discussions regarding the opportunities that if there are gaps
  • So, um, so that part of that was in the discussion of the development of the Kako program.
  • </c> that part of that was in the discussion that part of that was in the discussion of<01:27:24.560>
Keywords: 912, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Public Safety Committee Apr 14th, 2026

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • We would like to be able to discuss them with the author's office. Thank you very much.
  • So we're looking forward to the discussion with the author's office later this week. Thank you.
  • So we're looking forward to the discussion with the author's office later this week. Thank you.
  • And likewise, we had a good discussion yesterday. I understand where you're trying to go.
  • As we discussed, I'm not going to be able to support the bill today.
Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, juvenile justice, mental health, and criminal procedure. SB 1157 by Senator Archuleta would create a framework for less restrictive juvenile placements in the probation setting, with Judicial Council rules on issues such as insurance, staffing, background checks, notice, and zoning. Supporters said the bill would add needed safeguards for youth still serving custodial terms, while opponents argued it would impose rigid standards on a diverse continuum of placements and that the Judicial Council is the wrong entity to set substantive program rules. Members generally supported the goal of accountability, but the bill was not moved because quorum was not yet established at that point in the hearing. SB 1012 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, the Fire Camp to Career Act, would require CDCR to connect California Conservation Camp participants to state-approved apprenticeships and require apprenticeship programs to consider prior fire camp training. Supporters, including labor organizations, formerly incarcerated workers, and fire-training advocates, said the bill recognizes real skills gained in fire camps and creates a path to stable employment after release. Committee members largely supported the measure, with one noting that certification still must reflect demonstrated competency. SB 1012 was presented favorably, though the transcript does not show a final roll-call vote before the meeting moved on. SB 1306 by Senator Cortese would align California law with federal exemptions for certain low-concentration GBL chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing and research. Supporters said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens without affecting pure GBL or public safety, and committee members expressed support. SB 1401 by Senator Stern would align felony incompetent-to-stand-trial procedures with existing misdemeanor procedures, including timelines, information-sharing, and conservatorship referral tools. Supporters said it would prevent people from falling through gaps in the mental health system, while opponents warned it could expand court control and weaken confidentiality and due process. The committee passed SB 1401 to Appropriations on a roll-call vote, with members voting aye and the bill held on call for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1027 by Senator Strickland, which would create a task force to study street prostitution, human trafficking, victim services, and community impacts. Supporters from law enforcement, cities, and district attorneys said the bill would help identify victims and develop better statewide responses; some opponents remained opposed to the bill as introduced but said they would review the amendments. Members praised the amended version, and the committee passed SB 1027 as amended to the Governmental Organization Committee on a roll-call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. SB 1307 by Senator Jones, dealing with fraudulent or forged real estate documents and clouded titles, was also heard; after opposition withdrew, members supported the measure and moved it forward as amended, held on call for absent members. The transcript then shifted to SB 1276 by Senator Rubio, which would clarify that knowingly viewing livestreamed or AI-generated child sexual exploitation is criminalized; the author and witnesses described it as a needed update to keep pace with technology and close loopholes protecting predators from accountability.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • hearing will not provide all of the answers, but will provide a forum for these very important discussions
  • And we already discussed, we deployed this to support our clinician workforce and reduce administrative
  • Thank you so much for participating in this part of our discussion, and we are going to move on now to
  • Thank you so much for participating in this part of our discussion.
  • Privacy and security: robust measures are essential to protect patient identities and sensitive health
Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Health and Privacy Committees focused on generative AI in health care, with opening remarks emphasizing both its potential to improve care and its risks around privacy, bias, liability, workforce impacts, and unequal access. Chair Bauer-Kahan and Chair Bonta framed the discussion around how California can encourage beneficial innovation while protecting patients, especially given the sensitivity of health data and the possibility that AI could worsen existing disparities if not carefully governed. The first panel featured representatives from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Penguin AI, and Google, who described current uses of AI such as ambient clinical scribes, nursing documentation tools, imaging triage, maternal-fetal risk prediction, and administrative automation. Speakers said these tools can reduce clinician burden, improve patient experience, speed treatment, and in some cases improve outcomes, including a reported mortality benefit from a Kaiser predictive model and faster thrombectomy times at Cedars-Sinai. Members raised concerns about accuracy with accents and multilingual visits, whether predictive tools could reinforce bias or lead to more interventions such as C-sections, and how to ensure a human remains in the loop for important decisions. The second panel, including representatives from the California Health Care Foundation, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, focused on policy and governance challenges. Testimony highlighted examples of AI supporting homelessness outreach and community health work, but also warned that biased algorithms can encode inequities, especially when trained on data that reflect under-treatment of Black, rural, or low-income patients. Witnesses urged clearer standards for trustworthy AI, stronger monitoring and governance structures, better data access for accountability, and attention to the safety net’s limited resources. Several speakers argued that states should require health systems to have AI governance processes, clarify liability between developers and deployers, and regulate downstream uses of AI while preserving access to data for lifesaving research and oversight.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Criminal Jurisprudence Mar 11th, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, I mean, certainly open to, to if that were to come to a discussion and we, we make that distinction
  • Of course, as you've discussed, possession of a stolen firearm is also a felony, so you don't have to
  • You all have discussed them at length. I want to add one more thing here.
  • And so I'm sure that you and I can discuss this further then if you have no, no answers right now.
  • We do support the other bill that was discussed today.
Bills: HB268, HB305, HB307
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (04/14/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there any discussion on the consent calendar motion? >> Seeing none, all in favor say I.
  • Is there any discussion on the consent calendar motion?
  • That inventory, as discussed by the second speaker, is then left at the residence.
  • Um, the students will discussions.
  • </c> halls, limiting firearms in sensitive halls, limiting firearms in sensitive settings<02:20:01.760
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NY
Transcript Highlights:
  • meeting of the Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing as we begin to discuss
  • There is a host of a very lengthy list of individual programs which will be part of our ongoing discussion
  • WHICH WILL BE PART OF OUR ONGOING DISCUSSION. AND I TURN IT BACK TO THE SENATOR.
  • As we enter the final stages of budget negotiations, we strongly urge that all discussions occur on a
  • So we are as sensitive as anyone to the issues that are concerning people.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs. On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered. Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms. Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 2nd, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there discussion on that motion? Representative Crane. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • Any discussion on that motion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.
  • So we came back in 2023, like I discussed in the earlier bill, and we made it clear through law what
  • Is there discussion on that motion? Representative Palmer. Representative Palmer: Mr.
  • Chair: Any further discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all in favor signify by saying aye.
Keywords: 989, all
Summary: The committee first heard RS 33112, a proposal to prohibit Idaho state government from using logos, mottos, or slogans associated with elected officials on official documents, presentations, and correspondence. Representative Scott said the intent was to keep government communications neutral and avoid promotional slogans such as “Leading Idaho,” but members raised drafting concerns and questioned whether the language could unintentionally affect ordinary state seals or mottos. After discussion, Scott asked that the RS be returned to the sponsor, and the committee voted to do so. The committee then considered RS 33140, which would require civil asset forfeiture reports now filed locally to also be sent to the State Controller’s Office for storage and publication, with the reporting deadline changed from February to April to match existing timelines. Scott said the goal was greater transparency and better legislative oversight, and she explained the reporting would cover forfeiture data, not storage of seized property. Members asked about costs, the reporting form, and whether the bill covered only law enforcement forfeitures; the committee adopted the amendment and voted to introduce the RS. RS 33141 followed, seeking to add penalties for agencies that knowingly fail to report executed MOUs, MOAs, contracts, and related agreements to the State Controller. Members questioned the scope of the penalty, possible liability issues, and whether quasi-government entities were included. After discussion, the committee voted to return RS 33141 to the sponsor for reworking. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 504, a lottery bill aimed at preventing bulk-buying syndicates from purchasing large numbers of tickets and capturing winnings, often through out-of-state groups. Lottery officials said the bill would set a $5,000 per 24-hour purchase limit, allow investigators to deny winnings tied to bulk-purchase violations, and preserve transparency by keeping prize information public. Members asked about enforcement, whether the bill would affect ordinary groups of Idahoans, and whether the same group could evade the limit by using multiple buyers. After no public testimony against the bill, the committee voted to send HB 504 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Waiting for elections to take place can also slow progress on time-sensitive projects.
  • So we have to stop discussion and figure out how to best handle it.
  • But when you have a pesticide discussion, or when you have a conservation district discussion happening
  • This was clearly discussed, okay, this methodology.
  • I have value committee time, and I put this bill up so that we can have a discussion.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • But I think it's a good discussion to have and a good for this next session.
  • Worth discussion when they're here too. And so, thank you. Any other discussion by the committee?
  • with Governor Hoven's office, and we discussed this issue.
  • Any other discussion?
  • Any other discussion? Yeah, Senator Marcellais. Mr.
Summary: The meeting focused heavily on behavioral health and substance use treatment, especially the IMD exclusion and whether North Dakota should pursue a Section 1115 waiver to allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in institutions for mental diseases for adults ages 21 to 64. Turtle Mountain representatives described major local needs, including limited access to care, high syphilis rates, and the importance of timely public health data. They also discussed the tribe’s recovery center, which opened the prior year, now operating five levels of care with 16 beds, and the desire to expand capacity, possibly through an IMD waiver or related policy changes. Committee members also raised related issues such as rural health transformation funding, telehealth, workforce retention, and the need for better coordination between tribal and state public health systems. A central issue was Turtle Mountain Public Health’s long-running effort to secure a data use agreement with the state so it can receive surveillance data and respond directly to infectious disease cases among tribal members. Speakers said the tribe had a successful COVID-era agreement that allowed faster contact tracing and case management, but that agreement ended with the pandemic. They argued that current delays in sharing data, especially for sexually transmitted infections, leave the tribe unable to respond quickly, while the state and county epidemiology workload is too distant and stretched to be effective. Committee members expressed support and said they would look into the issue, noting that other tribes have secured similar agreements. The committee also heard a detailed presentation from the National Health Law Program on the IMD exclusion. The presenter explained that federal Medicaid law generally bars payment for care in facilities with more than 16 beds, but that states can use other tools such as state plan amendments, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He said IMD waivers are administratively complex, time-limited, and have shown mixed results in other states, with some gains in residential treatment access but limited evidence of improved overdose outcomes or stronger community-based care. He urged the committee to consider broader continuum-of-care solutions and cautioned that waivers alone are not a cure-all. No final vote was taken on the bill draft during the portion shown, but the committee discussed the proposal to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE to HHS to pursue an IMD waiver and report back in the next interim. Members also debated the policy rationale for the 16-bed limit, the role of the state versus tribal sovereignty, and whether the bill should move through the Health Care or Human Services committee in the future.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Pleased to be here to discuss the reproductive access programs that we have administered at HCAI.
  • Pleased to be here to discuss the reproductive access programs that we have administered at H-Kai.
  • Does that kind of thing come up in those discussions about how the state's checking for fraud?
  • And a key concept in particular that's important for today's discussion is proportionality.
  • I feel compelled to say a few things regarding the issues that have been discussed.
Keywords: 988, house, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • But I think it's a good discussion to have and a good for this next session.
  • So that is one thing that I would really like for us to discuss here...
  • Yes, I'm really glad the... ...broader discussion.
  • Any other discussion?
  • Any other discussion? Yeah, Senator Marcellais. Mr.
Keywords: 908, all