Video & Transcript Research : 'support plan'

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NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 20th, 2025

Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • ...use and what they can support.
  • The last thing is, I appreciate the water plan.
  • We will be very happy to support it.
  • Is there a fallback plan and what is that? That's one.
  • We're planning the next phases.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Jan 14th, 2025

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have someone who supports me greatly.
  • To date, we have 380 active missions with ongoing support.
  • The sheltering plan serves as a guide to determine the need.
  • But the county in this instance supports this plan to remove that Regional Planning Council region priority
  • We do planning workshops.
Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session, with members introducing themselves and expressing support for veterans, military families, first responders, space industry growth, and domestic security. The first presentation was from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and recovery efforts. Officials described response and recovery operations for Hurricanes Debbie, Helene, and Milton, including sheltering, meals, water, tarps, power restoration, flood control, debris removal, and public assistance funding. They emphasized that recovery is ongoing, that mitigation and resiliency investments are critical, and that Florida’s shelter space remains in deficit in many counties, especially for special needs populations. Senators asked about improving logistics capacity, technology for grant processing, HOA/private property debris issues, drainage and culvert maintenance, and ways to expand shelter capacity; the witness said more technology, better local coordination, and county-by-county planning would help, while noting limits on state authority over private property and county emergency manager qualifications. Committee members praised FDEM’s response and asked how the Legislature could help, including whether more logistical hubs, pumps, and flood-control equipment were needed. The witness said technology investments could reduce fatigue and improve grant and recovery processing, but that manpower would still be necessary. The committee also discussed the statewide emergency shelter plan, the use of schools as shelters, and the need to identify vacant commercial space and other facilities for future sheltering and special-needs needs. The witness said FDEM works with counties and commerce partners to identify available space and uses legislative funding for shelter retrofits and new construction when needed. The second presentation was from Blue Origin on its Florida operations. The company outlined its work in New Glenn, New Shepard, Blue Ring, lunar landers, and engine production, highlighting its Space Coast presence, more than 3,600 Florida employees, and over $3 billion invested in facilities. Blue Origin also described partnerships with Space Florida, public school Space Academies, internships, SkillBridge, and STEM outreach through Club for the Future. Members asked about the upcoming New Glenn launch window, which the company said was targeted for later that week, and the committee expressed interest in Blue Origin’s role in Florida’s space economy. The meeting ended with no further business and a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our plan has been shared with the Austin's Planning Department and the U.S.
  • Thank you for the opportunity to support HB997 and Act improving air quality in Airport support H.B.997
  • We've supported the redraft this session, and so I am proud and confident to stand today in support of
  • So we need a plan. What is our plan to fulfill all of the needs we have?
  • I strongly support this bill.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Committee May 14th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Great and witnesses in support? Okay. Anyone in the room wish to express support?
  • You know, support.
  • Supervisors in support.
  • We planned it out. You planned it. We coordinated.
  • Any additional folks in the room wish to express support? support.
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HED Public Hearing - Wed Apr 9, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Jack Leuen from the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency, in support.
  • Seeing Association of Hawaii in support.
  • . plan. plan.
  • Are there plans to share that plan at some point with the legislature or the broader community?
  • Next we have Jack Jack Leuen from the Hawaiʻi State Health Planning and Development Agency in support
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to University of Hawaiʻi programs, audits, and workforce development. Testimony on SCR 50, which urged establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Maui campus, was strongly supportive, with witnesses citing the state’s nursing shortage and Maui’s acute physician and nurse shortages. The committee later recommended passage with a technical HD1 amendment, and the measure was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee also heard SCR 137, SCR 138, and SCR 142, all involving proposed audits. SCR 137 sought a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation; the Foundation opposed it, and the chair recommended deferral after noting the legislative auditor’s view that the office lacks jurisdiction over the private nonprofit. SCR 138 proposed a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy, and SCR 142 proposed an audit of the UH Mānoa athletics department. UH representatives provided comments on both, with athletics explaining existing NCAA-required financial audits, internal performance evaluations, and a strategic plan that includes self-review. The committee ultimately recommended passage of SCR 138 and SCR 142 with technical HD1 amendments. For SCR 192, which proposed a veterinary medicine expansion working group, UH and other witnesses discussed the idea of exploring a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, but the chair said a community college is not the appropriate venue for a doctoral program. The committee recommended substantial HD1 changes removing Windward Community College from the title and shifting the effort to the UH system level, adding the UH president or designee and a Hilo campus representative to the working group; the amended resolution was adopted. The committee also heard SCR 193, calling for community colleges to identify bachelor’s degree and workforce pathways aligned with regional needs, and SCR 203, which sought exploration of an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements; both drew supportive comments and no opposition. The meeting recessed briefly for lack of quorum, then reconvened for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Select Committee on Pension Policy Apr 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the first bill deals with LEOFF Plan 1.
  • The restated plan retains enough assets to cover 110% of the actuarial liabilities of the plan, and the
  • Now this change aligns the provisions in the plans with provisions for Plan 3 members, and it is prospective
  • and a federal plan for the same service.
  • As everyone has said, certainly appreciative of the support of SCPP and the legislative support of the
Keywords: 904, all
Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy approved the November minutes by roll call vote, then held its annual officer elections. Senator Conway was elected chair, Representative Couture vice chair, Mike Yastramski to the executive committee as the active member representative, Bev Hermanson as the retiree representative, and Anthony Marietta as the employer representative. Each election passed by roll call vote, with 14 yes votes and 5 excused members. Staff then presented a high-level overview of the 2026 legislative session, focusing on pension-related bills and studies. Topics included the termination and restatement of LEOFF 1 in Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, DRS administration changes in House Bill 2124, administrative expense authority in Substitute Senate Bill 5834, exclusion of certain port workers from PERS in Engrossed House Bill 2179, and a one-time 3% COLA for PERS and TERS Plan 1 retirees in Substitute Senate Bill 5862. The presentation also covered new studies directed to the committee, including LEOFF 1 pension board and medical liability issues and oversight of the restated LEOFF 1 plan, plus related studies assigned to the LEOFF 2 Board and the Office of the State Actuary. Committee members asked about DRS’s role in implementing the LEOFF 1 termination/restatement bill, and DRS said it would help seek IRS approval and notify members about the bill and any challenge deadlines. A separate orientation presentation reviewed committee procedures, public comment, staff roles, voting rules, and the interim work plan. Public commenters from retiree and school administrator groups urged the committee to pursue another one-time COLA and to consider an ongoing COLA for Plan 1 retirees, pointing to inflation and the LEOFF 1 surplus account created by HB 2034. No further committee action was taken beyond adjournment, and the meeting ended after scheduling the executive committee to meet later that morning.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDU-LBT, EDU, EDU Public Hearings 02-05-2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • of this support the doe is in supportive of this support yes<00:05:22.880> okay<00:05:23.120>
  • 38:02.520> support<00:38:03.040> yes<00:38:03.960> members you Elaine in support
  • To testify: Andrew Crosslin, out; Renee Diaper Rink, in support; Alice Abalin, also in support.
  • <00:38:57.040> Alice rink and support Alice rink and support Alice abalin<00:38:59.800>
  • :02.480> additional<00:39:03.040> testifiers support any additional testifiers support
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education and Labor and Technology heard Senate Bill 420, which would extend Department of Education workers’ compensation coverage to newly graduated high school students participating in DOE-sponsored work-based learning programs through July 31 after graduation. DOE testified in support, estimating the bill could affect about 50 to 100 students in the first year and saying it would help students gain experience and transition to employment. Members asked about current coverage, costs, and partnerships; DOE said current coverage ends at graduation, there had been no incidents, and the bill would create no additional cost. The committees voted to pass SB 420 with amendments, including an amended effective date, and the bill was adopted. The Committee on Education then took up several education measures. It adopted a proposed SD1 for SB 894, a Farm to School measure that would appropriate funds to help meet a goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public schools. The committee also heard SB 789 on school cafeteria meal costs; DOE said it wanted the existing requirement lowered from 50% of meal preparation cost to 25% rather than repealed, to align with its administrative package, and explained current prices were about $2.75 while meal costs were about $9. Testifiers from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported removing the requirement entirely or at least reducing it, saying it would avoid large price jumps and move toward free school meals. The committee later voted to pass SB 789 with amendments lowering the threshold to one-fourth of meal cost and changing the effective date. The committee also heard SB 449 on a school facilities planning database. DOE said it supports better planning but believes the database should be housed within DOE rather than duplicated under the School Facilities Authority, while SFA supported the bill as a proactive decision-making tool. The Attorney General’s office suggested clarifying language to make clear references to the Board of Education. In later agenda items, the committee heard SB 423, which would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; EOEL and the board chair supported it and suggested technical language to preserve required representation. The committee also heard SB 1384, a housekeeping bill redirecting repaid early childhood educator stipend funds to the Early Learning special fund after the prior special fund was repealed; EOEL supported it and said about $31,864 was being recouped from nine recipients. Finally, SB 684 would require the Board of Education to adopt rules banning cell phones at DOE schools; testimony was in support, and members discussed the need for a consistent statewide policy, with the board expected to work on one in collaboration with DOE.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Aug 19th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is for support in... This is for support to ACA 8. Thank you.
  • Angela Pontes, on behalf of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, in support.
  • Support very much. Any other witnesses in support?
  • I'm also an in-home support caregiver provider. I strongly support.
  • Shelby McMichael, on behalf of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, in strong support.
Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on August 19, 2025, to consider ACA 8, SB 280, and an informational hearing on AB 604. The meeting began with several failed motions to adjourn, to read public comments into the record, and to recess so members could review the roughly 16,000 public comments submitted through the committee portal. The chair emphasized the hearing’s expedited format, transparency measures, and rules limiting witness testimony, and noted a letter from Speaker Rivas authorizing Assemblymember Berman to present ACA 8. ACA 8, described by supporters as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” would place before voters a temporary congressional redistricting plan tied to AB 604 and triggered only if another state, especially Texas, adopts a partisan mid-decade redistricting. Supporters, including Assemblymember Berman, labor groups, CTA, Planned Parenthood affiliates, SEIU, and other allied organizations, argued the measure was a response to partisan gerrymandering elsewhere and a defense of democracy, with voters having the final say in a November 4, 2025 special election. Opponents, including current and former redistricting commissioners, good-government groups, business and taxpayer organizations, and many members of the public, argued the proposal undermines California’s independent redistricting model, was rushed without adequate public review, could cost roughly $200 million or more, and would invite litigation and partisan manipulation. The committee also debated a proposed amendment that would bar legislators who voted for ACA 8 from later running for Congress in districts adopted under the measure. After extended procedural disputes, the committee voted to lay the amendment on the table. The hearing then continued with extensive public testimony, overwhelmingly divided between strong support and strong opposition, but the transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on ACA 8 or SB 280 before the excerpt ends.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Elect Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Obviously the details on the certification of the plan and what the plan has to require still need to
  • We support fully the concept of having plans in place. I think, like Mr.
  • So I just appreciate everyone's support.
  • It enjoyed broad support in the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee, and I would ask for your support today
  • It's a bill I certainly can support.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And I'm tired of supporting social...
  • check, but it's only for the plan check.
  • Depending on what planning commission you have and what city council you have, that's how your planning
  • , do a plan check, and it met all the criteria.
  • And one planning director.
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Fri Mar 21, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for your consideration. support for House Bill HC HCR68 and support for House Bill HC HCR68
  • each county to develop a biocurity plan each county to develop a biocurity plan may<00:31:11.200
  • Um, and including that in the plan.
  • and the board of water supply supports and the board of water supply supports house<00:35:18.240
  • <00:46:14.319> testimony supporting testimony supporting testimony um<00:46:16.480> and
Keywords: 910, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PSM Public Hearing 02-19-2025

Public Safety and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Director Tommy Johnson, in support. Okay, DCR, in support. Thank you. Allison Oka, in support.
  • <00:03:13.319> thank support okay Farm buau in support thank support okay Farm buau in support
  • > support Maka in support Kimo carvalo in support Maka in support Kimo carvalo in support for<
  • Johnson support okay DCR in support Johnson support okay DCR in support thank<00:04:18.040> you
  • Sorry, I don't know what specific plans that you know I have in mind to support these guys, but I'm just
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committees met on February 19, 2025, to hear advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with GM 645/GM 650 for Mike Lambert as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state officials, community leaders, nonprofit representatives, and others, who praised Lambert’s collaboration with communities, communication skills, and practical approach to public safety. Several speakers highlighted his work on homelessness, game rooms, community policing, and his ability to work across public health and law enforcement lines. Lambert told the committee he has 22 years of law enforcement experience, including patrol, community policing, training, narcotics/vice, and work on fentanyl, internet crimes against children, and ghost guns, and said his priorities would include building community trust, improving training and discipline, and addressing fireworks and firearms enforcement. Senators asked about fireworks, federal collaboration, ports and airport screening, recruitment, pay parity, and whether the department should expand into a more formal state police force; Lambert said he would need time to learn the new port/shipping environment and would support a state police class and expanded enforcement capacity. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then heard GM 567 for Jean Dello Jr. as chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Supporters, including Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice and Hawaii Paroling Authority staff, described him as honest, ethical, fair, and experienced in balancing public safety with rehabilitation and re-entry. Dello said he came out of retirement in 2021 to serve on the board, and that his background in federal probation and state corrections led him to favor evidence-based practices over simple compliance monitoring. He emphasized the need to weigh public safety with giving inmates a real opportunity to transition successfully back into the community. No final action or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Transportation - 02/24/25

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:09:32.760> this of 12.3 million in funds to support this of 12.3 million in funds to support
  • many years uh currently there is a plan many years uh currently there is a plan to<00:21:14.279>
  • measure laid out in our corridor plan measure laid out in our corridor plan that<00:55:57.319>
  • more thoughtful approach with planning more thoughtful approach with planning through<01:03:21.599
  • <01:24:02.600> over this committee for its Support over this committee for its Support over
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Capital Investment - 02/26/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • . support. support.
  • use plan for potential funding in 2027. use plan for potential funding in 2027.
  • local government roads to use to plan. local government roads to use to plan.
  • They have to support.
  • They have to support. constrained. They have to support.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
VA

Virginia 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services Mar 5th, 2026

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Again, we're building out this plan as we speak, but that's an important part of the plan.
  • Again, we're building out this plan as we speak, but that's an important part of the plan.
  • So there's the Part B base grant, and that supports the core medical services and support services.
  • VDH enrolled 930 clients into ACA plans, 440 clients into Medicare plans.
  • VDH enrolled 930 clients into ACA plans, 440 clients into Medicare plans.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PBS Public Hearing - Fri Mar 21, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • relating to jail planning.
  • I am in strong support of HCR 37.
  • I am in strong support of HCR 37.
  • Can you elaborate on what this plan is, this emergency plan?”
  • Can you elaborate on what this plan is, this emergency plan?”
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Health and Human Services Jan 27th, 2025

House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • So their employees will have to pay into a plan that they can't use while the company pays into a plan
  • I want to point out that legislation like this supports families. It supports particular families.
  • We support HB 11. Committee.
  • He was able to support me by ensuring that I had ample time off—several weeks to grieve and to support
  • that is equal to or better than the plan that's in place, they don't have to participate in this plan
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:13:24.000> and explicitly putting in the Planning and explicitly putting in the Planning
  • current statute as enabling planning current statute as enabling planning boards<00:32:18.519>
  • in supporting it.
  • within the Hampton master plan as well, so it's not a master plan that sits alone by itself.
  • component of the plan.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Mar 5th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's funded with general revenue, federal funds, and various program support.
  • It is in the various program support. That's where it's coming in.
  • They all have an improvement plan that's reviewed by our agency.
  • We can support those students and families.
  • Looking forward, trying to plan for the future.
Keywords: 1204, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • emergencies and planned events. emergencies and planned events.
  • a master plan or strategic plan.
  • plan, there's a big oversight gap. plan, there's a big oversight gap.
  • master plan? master plan?
  • plan is what how plan or a feasibility plan is what how you<00:35:09.040> should<00:35:09.200
Summary: The committee heard a staff report on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS), a multi-phase project intended to improve interoperable radio communications for first responders. Staff said Kentucky State Police did not appear to have violated statutes or regulations, but the project lacked an overall master plan, clear milestones, and consistent documentation, which contributed to delays, spending issues, and deployment problems. The report recommended updating the Kentucky Field Operations Guide to reflect SERVS and noted that the project has been funded in phases since 2018, with appropriations totaling roughly $216 million across 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, while about $109 million had been spent by the end of fiscal year 2025. The report raised concerns about project sequencing and oversight. Staff said most spending was concentrated in special mobile equipment, with Motorola accounting for about two-thirds of all SERVS expenditures and the top four vendors making up 81 percent of spending. They also said a sample of Motorola payments suggested possible late payments, though they could not confirm whether interest was paid. Staff criticized the use of master agreements for a project of this size, the lack of a centralized ledger, and the absence of a documented timeline or risk mitigation plan. They recommended stronger procurement and planning requirements, including possible legislative changes requiring approved master plans for large capital projects and additional funding conditions tied to SERVS master agreements. Land acquisition and deployment progress were identified as major bottlenecks, especially in Eastern Kentucky. Staff said the project began in western Kentucky using existing tower sites, but the remaining work is concentrated in harder-to-acquire areas, with more than 95 percent of new towers still incomplete. They said the Division of Real Properties did not begin formal contract work on acquisition until October 2024, despite earlier coordination, and recommended earlier consultation on future projects. Staff also noted that the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee had not been active in oversight, and survey results showed limited awareness and involvement among first responders. Committee members agreed that the lack of an initial implementation plan and the continuing need for funding reflected broader planning problems, and they discussed the need for a clearer end-to-end game plan rather than continuing to fund the project without a defined completion path.