Video & Transcript : 'budget reform' :

Page 10 of 500
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Corrections Apr 30th, 2025

Corrections

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 4515 would build upon these previous reforms by allowing an individual convicted of a state jail felony
  • I do believe that this is an important criminal justice reform and a workforce development bill, and
Committee: House Corrections
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA-HWN Public Hearing 02-19-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Bills: SB2596 , SB3002 , SB3067
Summary: The joint committees on Water and Culture and the Arts and on Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 3173, which would create a cultural training pilot program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, administered by DOBOR, for commercial permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Testimony was largely supportive from Lahaina Strong, which said the bill responds to community concerns and would help commercial operators return with greater cultural understanding and respect. Supporters framed the measure as a way to rebuild Lahaina intentionally and strengthen relationships between industry and community. Opposition came from Trilogy Excursions and the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii. They said they already provide or encourage cultural education, but argued the bill as written is too broad, potentially mandatory, and could create hiring and operational problems for businesses trying to restart after the fire. They asked that any program be voluntary, collaborative, and practical, with clearer details on who must take the training, how often it would be offered, and how it would be coordinated. In response to questions, a witness said most operators would likely participate if the training were accessible and well-marketed, but that the harbor’s limited current operations and staggered rebuilding make timing important. After testimony and questions, the chairs said they appreciated the comments but wanted to move the bill forward without amendments because of a filing deadline, noting that timing and other issues could be worked out in later committees with DLNR, OHA, and stakeholders. Both committees then voted to pass SB 3173 unamended, with one member excused in each committee.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Jan 21st, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • As state budgets grow ever, And labs continue to rise.
  • If we continue as we are, higher education budgets will get smaller.
  • Then and now, the challenge is that budget is divorced from policy.
  • Then and now, the challenge is that budget is divorced from policy.
  • So I think you've heard me speak on the budget and what happened in the budget last year.
Bills: HB2286 , HB2324 , HB2363 , HB2098
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC DEFER, JDC Public Hearings 02-20-2026

Judiciary

Bills: SB2418 , SB2568 , SB2661
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up three previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2418, which repeals the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, was amended to keep prohibitions on manufacturing-related paraphernalia and then passed. SB 2568, which elevates harassment against certain public officials to a misdemeanor, was amended to place it in the harassment statute, narrow the nexus language, and extend coverage to all public employees; it passed with amendments. SB 2661, dealing with nepotism rules in the code of ethics, was amended so the ethics restrictions would apply more broadly to legislators and judges as well, and it also passed with amendments. In each case, the committee reported no no-votes or reservations and adopted the measures. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 684, the nomination of Judge Stephanie Char to the Fifth Circuit Court on Kauai. The governor’s office testified in strong support, and the Hawaii State Bar Association representative said the usual review process found her qualified. Judge Char described her Kauai roots, 17 years as a public defender, and service as a district family court judge since December 2020, saying she would bring hard work and continued commitment to access to justice. Members questioned her about recusals on a small island, her experience handling criminal and civil matters, sentencing repeat offenders, administrative appeals, and how she would approach competency and fitness issues under HRS 704. Char said she had recused only a few times, emphasized case-by-case sentencing and probation conditions tailored to underlying problems, and said she would rely on preparation and education for unfamiliar administrative matters. On 704 cases, she said defendants awaiting evaluation should generally remain in custody, with possible diversion or strict release conditions in appropriate cases, and that those found unfit would need to be sent to Hawaii State Hospital. No vote was taken on the nomination; the committee announced it would decide on Monday, February 23, at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 22nd, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Texas Bishops support criminal justice reform that provides for compassionate treatment of prisoners
  • among others, I believe Chairman Leach and several others were appointed to the criminal justice reform
  • We heard compelling testimony from the Yolo County District Attorney about a criminal justice reform
  • For three decades, I've been interested in criminal justice reform issues since I started visiting prisons
  • a former U.S. attorney and our current executive director, was appointed to the criminal justice reform
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Feb 18th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I do have a commitment, at least from Senator Orr, to put that in the budget to cover us for this year
  • You know, they're always requesting more funding for the education budget, and I know I'm making a request
  • So we are trying to protect the fund and preserve it because of those pressures we do have on the budget
  • I appreciate all the support and the compliments that have come up in the education budget.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • In that, House Administration approved the committee budgets without approval or confirmation of the
  • Would a motion be in order that the House amend the committee's budgets to remove any amounts allocated
Bills: HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB4
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Aug 6th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to congratulate the Texas Senate on their tremendous leadership on property tax relief and reform
  • Voted to pass Senate Bill 2, which reformed the property tax appraisal and rate-setting process and reduced
  • In this last budget, I want to point out that the budget also provided $1.5 billion of assistance for
  • From pre-2019 reforms, school taxes were going up by an incredible 18 percent per year; it's now down
  • government now cutting back on many programs that help our local governmental entities meet their budgets
Bills: SB15 , SB9 , SB7 , SB1 , SB2 , SB67 , SB15 , SB9 , SB7
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Apr 10th, 2025

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And and back in 2016 when the general fund budget was 2016 when the general fund budget was 2016 when
  • helped um keep the general fund budget helped um keep the general fund budget up.
  • Reform Act. Reform Act. I recognize Representative England. All I recognize Representative England.
  • , but um you know, I that it needs reform, but um you know, I that it needs reform, but um you know,
  • that because something on on reforming that because something on on reforming that because it's not
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 10th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • responsible budgeting practices.
  • Y'all know we're budget night.
  • They went over budget by $1.
  • I wish there was more things in this budget, but this is not some runaway liberal budget.
  • We adopt a budget that is. below the increase of population plus inflation, we adopt a budget.
Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB1 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HB500
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Election Laws Mar 24th, 2026

Joint Committee on Election Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kari Berman had to testify on House Bill 5086, electoral count reform.
  • In 2022, Congress passed the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act, which eliminates the risk of alternate
  • This bill is supported by the Brennan Center for Justice, the Campaign Legal Center, the Election Reformers
Bills: H5227 , H5129 , H5086
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Jan 29th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • .. ...taking pressure off the state budget.
  • And the only other somewhere else is the general fund budget or contribution rates.
  • Third, and finally, Washington State has led on many progressive economic reforms.
  • Washington has led on many progressive economic reforms.
  • And with this dark budget we are facing, we must do on DOC medical expenses and lawsuits.
Bills: SB5439 , SB6109 , SB6304
Committee: Senate Ways & Means