Video & Transcript Research : 'border wall'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 24th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- They have this really cool deal called the Wall of Wind, where they can recreate very, very heavy winds
- Will they still be able to do that Wall of Wind? I've seen it. I've been there.
- I do know that the Wall of Wind, I think they're actually getting a fairly significant federal grant
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably.
The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 13, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- FIU has an extraordinary center and a tool called the Wall of Wind.
- The Wall of Wind does some of the most amazing simulations of cat-five storms with rain intrusion.
- I look forward to spending some time down there seeing the Wall of Wind.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard five bills. HB 1097 would rename the Florida Catastrophic Storm Center at FSU as the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management, transfer the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide recurring and nonrecurring appropriations to support independent insurance research and collaboration with OIR and other universities. Members discussed university roles, model oversight, independence from industry funding, and student/workforce benefits. The bill passed favorably on a roll call vote.
HB 319 would create a regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosk businesses, requiring registration with the Office of Financial Regulation, consumer disclosures, and penalties for violations. Much of the discussion focused on fraud prevention, especially for seniors, and whether the bill should include transaction caps or stronger recovery tools; AARP supported the bill but urged additional protections. The bill passed favorably. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and Community Property Trust Act, including decanting, trustee claims, redemption by satisfaction, and homestead transfer treatment; an amendment conforming to the Senate version was adopted, and the bill passed favorably.
CS/HB 97 would allow service of process for exploitation injunctions against unascertainable scammers through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text or social media, and would let courts freeze funds temporarily while the matter is heard. Testimony from elder law practitioners and AARP supported the bill as a tool against scams, while some members raised due process and overreach concerns; the bill passed favorably. HB 839 would shorten the overpayment recovery window for claims submitted to psychologists and HMOs to match other health providers, with the goal of improving parity and access to mental health care; an amendment was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the final roll call votes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 27th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Most of us on this side of the aisle would say we were the party of Wall Street, and we're not anymore
- We weren't the party of Wall Street.
- In fact, it was double the amount of money that Democrats had raised from Wall Street on top of the non-profit
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine research security risks posed by foreign nationals from countries of risk working at the Department of Energy¿s National Laboratories and necessary mitigation steps. Feb 20th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I wrote about that in the Wall Street Journal. I submitted that as testimony.
- I have to say that before the wall came down in Europe, I was actually in East Germany, and I got to
- see, it was weeks before the wall came down, and I could see what a closeted country looks like.
Keywords:
national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security
Summary:
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- IAFF, our International Firefighter Union, is going to etch Matt Troy's name in stone on our memorial wall
- , our International Firefighting Union, is going to etch Matt Troy's name in stone on our memorial wall
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held a hearing on several public safety-related bills, with testimony focused heavily on firefighter cancer presumptions, death benefits, and age-limit waivers for public safety appointments. Boston Firefighters Local 718 and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts testified in support of legislation tied to the late Boston firefighter Matt Troy, describing his service, his occupational cancer diagnosis, and the family’s ineligibility for benefits because his diagnosis fell just short of the statutory presumption period. Witnesses urged the committee to advance the bill so his widow could receive accidental death benefits and to address broader concerns about cancer risks, bunker gear, and early detection programs for firefighters. Committee members asked questions about how the diagnosis date affected eligibility and discussed the need for broader systemic changes rather than repeated home-rule petitions. Senator Nick Collins and Representative Dan Hunt both testified in support of the Troy-related bills, and the committee also heard that written testimony had been submitted by additional supporters.
The committee also heard local home-rule petitions to extend the employment of fire chiefs in Rochester and Northfield. Representative Alan Silvia supported H. 4235 to allow Rochester Fire Chief Scott Wego to continue serving until age 70, citing his nearly 50 years of service and leadership in department improvements. A Northfield select board chair testified virtually in support of H. 4236 to keep Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dennell on the job, explaining that he has been central to building planning, volunteer recruitment, training documentation, and an organizational review as the town prepares for his eventual retirement. Both local bills were presented as measures to preserve continuity and support ongoing public safety planning in their communities.
Another major topic was S. 2583, which would waive the maximum age requirement for Jonathan Lewis to be appointed to the Massachusetts State Police. Senator Collins described Lewis’s community service and strong exam score, and Lewis testified about his background in Dorchester, his prior interest in becoming a trooper, and his recent ranking on the eligibility list. Committee members expressed support and noted the importance of recruiting qualified candidates and diversifying the force. The committee also heard support for H. 4443, which would raise the maximum age for original appointment to firefighter or police officer positions, and members discussed related retirement and health-review issues that have arisen in prior home-rule cases. At the end of the hearing, no further witnesses came forward, and the committee voted to adjourn.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/12/26 - Part 3
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And one of the reasons we're banning prediction markets is we've seen there was a Wall Street Journal
- And one of the reasons we're banning prediction markets is we've seen there was a Wall Street Journal
- We're not dependent on electricity that's generated some other place that comes across our borders, oil
- We're not dependent on electricity that's generated some other place that comes across our borders, oil
- We're not dependent on electricity that's generated some other place that comes across our borders, oil
Summary:
The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring parental involvement for minors using platforms in Minnesota. Early on, members reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13) after first rejecting a narrower amendment to the amendment (A18) on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then offered a technical amendment (A14) to address liability and drafting concerns, but withdrew it after saying it contained an unintended drafting error and could create legal problems, including issues around data collection and rulemaking.
During third reading debate, supporters described the bill as a first step to protect children from addictive social media design, online exploitation, and harmful data practices. Representative Scott said the bill would require parental consent and limit addictive features for child accounts, while emphasizing that the consent language must be prominent and that the bill’s effective date would not begin until next July. Representative Enen, Representative Feist, Representative Greenman, and others backed the measure as a bipartisan effort to hold big tech accountable and protect kids, though Greenman also noted that the legislature had not shown the same willingness to confront gun violence.
Opponents and skeptics raised concerns that the bill relies on parents understanding complex legal and technical terms, that it may not fully protect children, and that it could still leave gaps around liability and privacy. Representative Leeing questioned why the bill does not simply restrict addictive features for all children and asked about parental waivers and location tracking; Scott responded that the bill uses IP address information and does not specifically address liability waivers, but said the measure is a policy choice intended to empower parents. The debate ended with broad support from several members, and the bill was presented as likely to pass, though no final vote on the bill itself was included in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- If it's just left to who has the best rock climbing wall at whatever four-year institution, that's where
- 00:47:37.359>
best <00:47:38.160>rock <00:47:38.400>climbing <00:47:38.880>wall - <00:47:39.200>
at who has the best rock climbing wall at who has the best rock climbing wall - proposed to grow session, Governor Walls proposed to grow teacher<01:02:24.319>
apprenticeships <01:08:09.920>of students outside of the four walls of students outside of the four walls
Keywords:
student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, HF2238, Minnesota, workforce development, construction trades, youth skills training, youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, construction training, career and technical education, CTE, child labor laws, minor labor, labor exemption, workforce pipeline, skilled trades
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/18/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- like three times in the past, just in relation to the 287(g) agreements as opposed to the Northern Border
- opposed<00:55:20.880>
to <00:55:21.040>the <00:55:21.200>Northern <00:55:21.599>Border - opposed to the Northern Border Alliance. opposed to the Northern Border Alliance.
- unanimously three times in the past, in relation to the 287(g) agreements rather than the Northern Border
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, with this problem with these tanks, these are single-wall tanks.
- They don't have interstitial space, which is a double-wall system. These are single-wall tanks.
- They don't have interstitial space, which is a double wall, which I think should be addressed in another
- I think that both single-walled and double-walled tanks have improved extraordinarily since the mid to
- which this terrible disease touches the lives of our patients and their families outside the four walls
Summary:
The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda.
Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage.
The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Wall, I've got a couple.
- Wall. Wall. >> All right,<03:39:58.000>
Mr. <03:39:58.399>Wall. - Wall. >> All right, Mr. Wall. >> Hi<03:39:59.520>
there. - <03:42:05.200>
Wall? there any questions for Mr. Wall? there any questions for Mr. Wall? - Wall, I've got a couple. Uh, first >> Mr. Wall, I've got a couple.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- repeatedly in his budget proposals Walls repeatedly in his budget proposals have<01:03:02.160>
no - and Minnesota Democrats Governor Walls and Minnesota Democrats have<01:23:18.320>
refused <01: - <01:45:55.520>
first time that since Governor Walls first time that since Governor Walls first - We have seen Governor Walls again propose a billion dollars in cuts to Minnesota nursing homes and to
- <02:08:53.520>
again We have seen Governor Walls again We have seen Governor Walls again propose
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- refer to as the Shakopee Sabers, and that is one of two high schools in the state of Minnesota with wall-to-wall
- and part of a wall-to-wallmies and part of a nationwide<00:32:42.720>
network <00:32:43.200>- rigid schedule and seat time within a rigid schedule and seat time within school<00:32:55.480>
walls not <00:32:56.960>fully <00:32:57.360>align <00:32:57.840>with school walls- , does not fully align with school walls, does not fully align with the<00:32:58.240>
needs <00 - rigid schedule and seat time within a rigid schedule and seat time within school<00:32:55.480>
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 19th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the governor that we ought to be worried more about our public schools than who's coming across our border
- And parents are – many are up against the wall of what they feel like their options are, and this will
Bills:
HB 3
Keywords:
emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure, Project 25, P25, broadband emergency alerting, outdoor warning sirens, homeland security, disaster response
TX
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2026-04-16
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- was just a starting point for us to make sure that we're being intentional about inclusivity from border
- to border.
- intentional about that we're being intentional about inclusivity<00:54:12.560>
from <00:54:12.720>border - <00:54:13.000>
to <00:54:13.120>border. - <00:54:13.880>
I inclusivity from border to border. I inclusivity from border to border.
Bills:
HF4338
Keywords:
human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review, postpayment review, surety bond, compliance training, case management, targeted case management
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Herning was also part of the legislative working group that talked to border-to-border
- talked<01:08:22.759>
to <01:08:22.880>the <01:08:23.520>state <01:08:23.920>border - <01:08:24.200>
to <01:08:24.280>border talked to the state border to border talked - to the state border to border different<01:08:25.040>
groups <01:08:25.480>on <01:08:25.680
Keywords:
education finance, school funding, K-12, prekindergarten, pre-K, early childhood education, general education aid, special education, literacy aid, school meals, free school meals, school breakfast, school lunch, charter school lease aid, charter schools, nonpublic pupil aid, private school aid, transportation aid, desegregation aid, integration aid
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The region north of Kbecanti and Pine Chasago County borders is out of the basin, and the Mount Simon
- <00:20:20.720>
And counties south to the Iowa border. - And counties south to the Iowa border.
- :21:07.600>
Pine <00:21:08.000>Chasago <00:21:08.559>County <00:21:08.880>borders - and Pine Chasago County borders and Pine Chasago County borders um<00:21:11.440>
is <00:21
Keywords:
boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- the law as a protective seal for victims of domestic violence, which does not stop at international borders
- c> violence which does not stop at violence which does not stop at international<00:16:26.240>
borders - c><00:16:27.680>
Canada <00:16:28.160>orders <00:16:28.480>for international borders - Canada orders for international borders.
- Patrol able to talk Customs and Border Patrol able to talk to<01:14:13.440>
the <01:14:13.679>
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force (12-16-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Kentucky will do very well in cross-border shopping over the next couple years if that goes into place
- So, um, anyway, it would be a big increase in business for those grocery stores in the border counties
- on the the those uh those grocery stores on the the in<00:13:37.200>
the <00:13:37.360>border - Kentucky borders nine states. There are many rural areas.
- Kentucky borders nine nutrition experts.
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month.
Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered.
Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.