Video & Transcript Research : 'wilderness program'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

GVO DEFER, GVO, GVO-EIG, GVO Public Hearings 02-10-2026

Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, relating to procurement, this makes permanent the small business procurement program.
  • And then some of the money that saved can go to other programs that actually help provide tax credits
  • <00:08:59.360> that that saved can go to other programs that that saved can go to other programs
  • <00:10:50.720> with<00:10:50.959> the doing this uh pilot program with the doing this
  • uh pilot program with the construction<00:10:51.680> and<00:10:51.920> how<00:10:52.079
Bills: SB2543, SB2435, SB2352
Summary: The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments. The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543. The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Postsecondary Education Feb 10th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Postsecondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some of the degree programs are accredited by different folks, and that is kind of an industry standard
  • are creating a situation where our universities aren't going to be able to have competitive degree programs
  • There is still room for programs like what you were talking about.
  • feasibility study by the state regions for higher education on offering three-year bachelor's degree programs
  • the accreditation aspect is something that's out of my field, but I was told that, yes, whatever programs
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDU-LBT, EDU Public Hearings 02-06-2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • to the workforce PEL grant program. to the workforce PEL grant program.
  • First up on our list from the programs.
  • Pell Grant and it's a PEL grant program.
  • This is relating to workforce PEL grant program.
  • Madam Chair. workforce PEL grant program. Uh chair is workforce PEL grant program.
Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Education

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • institutions that are domiciled outside of Arizona and enroll Arizona residents in a fully online program
  • A person may not operate a private vocational program through online distance education to Arizona residents
  • Non-accredited institutions must submit additional information, including approved program information
  • SB 1210 is protecting Arizona students who participate in an online, out-of-state, fully online program
  • Arizona students who participate in an online, out-of-state, fully online program, and ensures that if
Summary: The Senate Education Committee considered three bills. SB 1210 would create a separate out-of-state registration process for private post-secondary institutions domiciled outside Arizona that enroll Arizona residents in fully online programs, require certain disclosures and financial protections, and extend student tuition recovery fund protections to those students. Testimony from the Arizona Private School Association supported the bill as closing a regulatory loophole and protecting Arizona students; the committee moved it forward with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. SB 1370 would allow principals, during the first quarter of the school year, to let eligible patriotic youth groups address students and distribute materials, and would prohibit public schools from discriminating against such groups based on membership criteria or oath requirements. The sponsor’s representative said the bill would allow, not require, access and would expand a list of youth groups that has not been updated since 1978. The committee approved the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. SB 1422 would continue the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board until July 1, 2036, with termination tied to the retirement of outstanding obligations, and SB 1423 would continue the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education until July 1, 2036. Both bills were described as continuations of existing programs; WICHE’s president testified in support of SB 1423 and noted the state’s long partnership with the organization. The committee passed both bills with due pass recommendations, each by 7-0 votes, and then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education May 13th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • , and for any track within the program.
  • Programs or components to offer that instruction.
  • So I think needing to maintain that flexibility for a given institution or program. Okay.
  • This is a cleanup bill for the Texas Leadership Scholars Program.
  • the leadership program.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 22nd, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And they surveyed every development that was done through this program.
  • Yes, we're gonna have less deals in this program, but that does not mean less units.
  • This bill will do that through this federal tax credit program.
  • Didn't even run up to the $2 million for several years under that program.
  • at TDHCA and it's the bond program.
Bills: HB164
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Workforce Development Apr 10th, 2025 at 10:00 am

Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • And after reviewing it with counsel, we thought that because this is the program evaluation component
  • Senator Hogan said thank you, and the DOGE program... Senator Hogan. Thank you.
  • And we decided to put in Legislative Council program evaluation because we pass laws and we sometimes
  • And so there will be DOGE and there will be Legislative Council program evaluations.
  • But the protocols may be... ...be DOGE and there will be Legislative Council program evaluations, but
Bills: HB1119
Summary: The Workforce Development Committee reconvened to consider House Bill 1119 with amendment version 02005. Senator Hogan explained that the amendment removed a section requiring the Department of Human Services to respond to legislative management, in order to make the bill feel more like a program evaluation than an audit and to avoid placing an unreasonable burden on the executive branch. The amendment also clarified that the Child Care Advisory Committee would provide an update and that the committee would dissolve after the rewrite of licensing standards, making it a time-limited body. Committee members discussed the bill as a novel approach to forming a group to study an issue and then disbanding after reporting back. Senator Larson noted the concept was similar to broader performance-review ideas, and Senator Hogan said the Legislative Council program evaluation effort was parallel to, but separate from, other performance-review proposals. The committee then voted 4-0-1 to adopt the amendment. Afterward, the committee moved to give House Bill 1119, as amended, a do pass recommendation. That motion also passed on a roll call vote, and the committee adjourned.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Apr 7th, 2025 at 10:00 am

Education

Bills: HB1404
Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with six members present and first took up House Bill 1404, which would update North Dakota scholarship eligibility language by allowing the NDA Plus assessment to be used in place of ACT scores in certain pathways. The Department of Public Instruction explained that the bill does not eliminate the ACT entirely, but removes outdated references tied to ACT accountability testing that will no longer apply after this year’s seniors graduate. Members discussed how the change affects public and nonpublic schools, then voted 6-0 to give HB 1404 a do pass recommendation. The committee then returned to House Bill 1363, a bill dealing with school emergency response planning and automatic external defibrillators. Members adopted an amendment clarifying that the requirements apply to school-owned facilities and grounds, replacing language about school events and venues, and revising the planning language for school-based events not held on school-owned property. The committee also debated whether the bill should be mandatory or permissive; a motion to change “shall” to “may” failed, with members noting the bill’s liability protections. The committee then voted 5-1 to pass HB 1363 as amended, with Senator Gerhardt carrying the bill. Before recessing, the chair noted that House Bill 1533 would be taken up later in the day after additional information from DPI was received.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Section 4 applies to the Public Employees Retirement System, Uniform Group Insurance Program, or, for
  • the chair and vice chair, which of course Senator Bekkedahl is the vice chair of Employee Benefit Programs
Bills: SB2271, HB1216
Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 1216, dealing with prescription drug expense co-pay accumulators in health plans, was presented by Rep. Karen Carl’s, who explained it would prevent insurers from refusing to count third-party assistance toward deductibles for patients using high-cost, non-generic drugs. An amendment was offered to clarify effective dates, including a delayed January 1, 2026 start for PERS coverage. PERS testified that the amendment would align with its calendar-year benefit structure and likely reduce the fiscal note. The amendment was adopted 16-0, and the bill was set aside for further discussion later. House Bill 1199, creating a criminal justice data-sharing system and missing persons/missing Indigenous people task force, was introduced with a committee amendment changing the Attorney General reference to the Attorney General or designee. The committee noted the bill includes a $250,000 general fund appropriation for ongoing costs. The amendment passed 16-0, and the amended bill received a do pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with one no vote from Senator Magrum. House Bill 1531, appropriating $75,000 for an irrigation expansion study by the Agriculture Commissioner, was supported as a way to update older economic-impact studies on irrigation and assess opportunities for expansion. Members discussed its relationship to broader study pauses and the history of irrigation development in the state, including Garrison Diversion and remaining authorized acres. The bill passed 16-0. The committee then discussed scheduling for the coming week, noting a heavy bill load and plans for daily morning meetings before adjourning.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Education Finance Committee 3/13/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Program.
  • programs.
  • Program.
  • <01:30:42.480> that program to qualify for programs that program to qualify for programs that
  • <01:41:51.599> that programs and that uh that program that programs and that uh that program
Bills: HF846, HF1538, HF1959
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Mar 5th, 2025

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • and logistics programs.
  • Not an official program because we didn't have enough.
  • , P-Tech and RPEP programs.
  • And Irrespective of the cost of that program.
  • The, uh, The RET program or the What are you asking?
Bills: HB20, HB120
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • So then, since this is a loan program rather than a grant program, they can qualify for the loan and
  • Um, the dairy Services program falls under, we help regulate that.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • program, they can and should. program, they can and should.
  • pay for their recycling programs? pay for their recycling programs?
  • county-based recycling programs. county-based recycling programs.
  • <01:26:38.360> I county-based recycling programs." I county-based recycling programs."
  • We have to have a new program.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • c> and<00:30:33.039> um<00:30:33.120> I<00:30:33.440> don't fraudridden programs
  • and um I don't fraudridden programs and um I don't think<00:30:33.679> that's<00:30:33.919>
  • that are already available uh programs that are already available through<01:23:31.840> utilities
  • This bill would strengthen the ability of agencies to stop payments to program participants when fraud
  • most child care assistant program funds. most child care assistant program funds.
Summary: The committee first attempted to approve minutes from February 24 and March 3, but members identified multiple spelling errors in names, so approval was held and the motion withdrawn. The committee then took up House File 3477, a bill by Representative Long proposing a civil remedy for constitutional violations by government actors, including federal actors. An author’s amendment (A4) was adopted to remove a subdivision and clarify retroactivity. In discussion, members raised concerns about Supremacy Clause and immigration-related issues; the author responded that the bill applies evenly to state and federal actors and is meant to enforce constitutional rights, not immigration law. After debate, the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register failed on a 6-7 vote, with one member excused. The committee next heard House File 3480, authored by Representative Howard, which would commission an independent economic impact study of Operation Metro Surge. An A2 amendment was adopted to add a dollar amount for the study and clarify timing. Representative Howard said the study would help the legislature understand statewide impacts and noted reported harm to businesses, child care, schools, and local governments. Testimony in support came from Laura Santiago, reading a statement from Christopher Gomez of Willmar, who described ICE agents entering his family’s restaurant, the detention and deportation of family members, and resulting business losses. Rachel Ser, Minneapolis emergency management director, cited a preliminary city assessment estimating major impacts including food insecurity, lost wages, business revenue losses, hotel cancellations, and rental assistance needs. Some members questioned the cost and usefulness of the study, while others said suburban and greater Minnesota communities also wanted the data. The transcript ends during continued discussion of the bill.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • And they did have some lodging-in-kind programs set up there. Is that accurate?
  • And I know the National Guard programs work the very same way.
  • They may or may not be enrolled in VA programs and not have a VA card.
  • SAVE Program.
  • nonprofit service officers to assess the effectiveness of the program.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state general fund money in FY 2027 for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs projects including wireless networking at training centers, a reimbursement program for service members without government computers, lodging and kind for service members, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for the appropriations, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which restricted certain networking equipment for national security reasons, removed the reimbursement program, revised the lodging language, and tied some funding intentions to compliance, passed. After extensive testimony from the sponsor and several Army Reserve and National Guard witnesses about lack of Wi-Fi, inadequate lodging, safety concerns from long drives, and poor HVAC at joint facilities, the committee approved HB 2348 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HCR 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and let voters decide. County officials and election advocates opposed it, arguing that vote centers and early voting provide flexibility, are more cost-effective in many counties, and are necessary where geography, staffing, and facility availability make precinct voting difficult. After debate over local control, voter choice, and the practicality of precincting, the committee gave HCR 2016 a 4-3 do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military members, National Guard members, and reserve-unit members, with alternative ID options. Arizona State Parks testified in neutral, saying it supports veterans but is concerned about revenue losses; it estimated that even a modest share of veteran visits could reduce revenue by about $1.8 million annually. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by constituent requests and was meant to help veterans enjoy outdoor recreation and therapeutic opportunities. The committee then approved HB 2165 as amended on a vote of 4-0, with some members absent or not voting.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education Apr 15th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • By fostering these positive influences... programs, out of school programs, empower students to make
  • , socially and culturally relevant arts education programs.
  • A competitive grant program would help us expand access to free or low-cost programs. and communities
  • Okay, so this is not summer program.
  • There's a scholarship program program that we associate with that.