Video & Transcript Research : 'testimonials'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The chair, we will now open, move to, we will open public testimony.
- Does he want to have testimony? Yes, he left. Thank you.
- Greg Brock, does he want to have oral testimony? Yes, he left. Okay.
- So with that, is there any more public testimony? Hearing none, the testimony is now closed.
- So with that, is there any more public testimony? Hearing none, the testimony is now closed.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing.
The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer.
Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- You have our written testimony, so I won't belabor all those points, but our modeling projections and
- She had submitted testimony in support. What about Dr. K Dudley is present. Okay.
- I just, uh, I have submitted testimony and I am in very strong support of this bill.
- She had testified<00:16:23.440>
submitted <00:16:23.759>testimony <00:16:24.079>in - c> testified submitted testimony in testified submitted testimony in support.<00:16:24.800>
What - c> testified submitted testimony in testified submitted testimony in support.<00:16:24.800>
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education heard SB 657 SD1 HD1, which would appropriate funds for SOEST at UH Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Testimony was strongly in support from UH researchers, DLNR, and several other organizations. Supporters said the center’s modeling and data are already used by state and county agencies for sea level rise, shoreline setback, flood, and infrastructure planning, and that local funding is increasingly important because federal climate research funding is uncertain. Members discussed how the work might be framed to avoid federal political pushback, and witnesses said the research can be described in terms of infrastructure protection, public safety, and cost savings. They also confirmed the funding would primarily support salaries for climate modelers and would help backfill federal cuts. The committee recommended and adopted passage of the bill unamended.
Members also discussed the practical value of the center’s work, including Kauai’s sea level rise constraint district, future rainfall and flooding modeling, and the need for more granular data than current FEMA maps provide. Additional support was noted from the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, the Ulu Pono Initiative, Surfrider Foundation, Hawaii Region Climate Protectors, Hawaii Coalition Earth, and the Climate Change and Health Working Group. The committee then voted to pass SB 657 SD1 HD1 as recommended.
The committee later took up SB 1252 SD2, a bill requiring the Board of Regents to establish a specialized training program for health care providers on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and appropriating funds. The chair explained that the HD1 version incorporated suggestions from the John A. Burns School of Medicine, added a preamble recognizing existing programs and the need for coordination, and left a blank appropriation and FTE count in the bill while including the amounts in the committee report. With no discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 1252 SD2 with amendments.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members will pick up right where we had to go into recess, and that is with taking public testimony on
- The floor is now open for public testimony.
- Thank you for your testimony.
- The floor is now open for public testimony. The chair calls Carmen Tilton.
- If you could get your written testimony to us, uh, we'd appreciate that.
Bills:
SB 227, SB 269, SB 407, SB 463, SB 527, SB 547, SB 1283, SB 1380, SB 1383, SB 1511, SB 1640, SB 1784, SB 2069
Keywords:
school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 1, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there any public testimony on the amendment? Seeing none, is there any debate on the amendment?
- Is there any public testimony on the bill? We do have some public testimony?
- Public testimony, and we do have some public testimony.
- Any public testimony? We do have public testimony.
- Is there any further public testimony? All right, members, we're in debate. Go ahead.
Summary:
The committee heard three member bills. CS/HB 1095 would create a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program in Hillsborough County for probationers ordered to abstain from drugs and alcohol, with frequent testing, immediate arrest for violations, and a cap of 150 participants. An amendment removed the fiscal impact by eliminating an appropriation and directing any appropriated funds to the administering entity; the amendment and bill both passed, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute.
CS/HB 1455 would establish mandatory minimum sentences for repeat sexual offenders or predators who commit specified sexual offenses, including 10-year and 20-year minimums depending on the offense, with no gain time or discretionary early release. The only public testimony was in support from the Smart Justice Alliance. The committee approved the bill 11-1 and reported it favorably.
CS/HB 1283 would make the sex trafficking of a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person a capital felony punishable by death or life imprisonment. Members questioned the fiscal impact, housing on death row, and how the death penalty process would work; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at the worst offenders and that current law already provides mandatory life for trafficking a child under 12. Public testimony included opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and support from the Smart Justice Alliance. After debate focused on constitutionality and the death penalty, the committee passed the bill 10-3 and reported it favorably.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the bill, sent up the committee substitute, explained the differences, and we'll now take public testimony
- The floor is now open for public testimony. Chair calls Mark Friesenhahn.
- The floor is now open for public testimony. Chair calls Mark Friesenhahn.
- That is pretty much my testimony. We need your help to fix it. Thank you. Thank you very much. Mr.
- Public testimony is closed, and the bill and its committee substitute will be left pending.
Keywords:
rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (04/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:25.120>
of Uh, without stealing the testimony of Uh, without stealing the testimony - testimony for the uh thank you for your testimony for the uh the<00:34:09.520>
good <00:34:09.760 - <00:35:00.960>
It department's letter of testimony. It department's letter of testimony. - Appreciate your testimony. testimony. testimony.
- Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. testimony. testimony.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits.
Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute.
Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/10/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- um succinctly um wrap up your testimony um succinctly um wrap up your testimony if<00:08:03.759>
- if a speaker has written testimony if a speaker has written testimony please<00:08:06.720>
indicate - to what nhma it stated in his testimony to what nhma it stated in his testimony that<00:44:29.400
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony. Are there questions?
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/28/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- updated furthermore all of the testimony updated furthermore all of the testimony including<00:13
- hold this closer thank you uh testimony hold this closer thank you uh written<01:39:22.320>
testimony - testimony testimony and<01:54:43.880>
representative <01:54:44.440>swanman <01:54:44.960 - deadline leaving most of its testimony deadline leaving most of its testimony unfiled<04:25:48.800
- <05:27:31.600>
here was raised in previous testimony here was raised in previous testimony
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/22/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 04/21/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank testimony today for your patience.
- If testimony of a couple free minutes.
- present your testimony. Uh, thank you. present your testimony. Uh, thank you.
- So, um thank you for your testimony. Mr. So, um thank you for your testimony. Mr.
- Thank you for the testimony. testimony. testimony.
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind.
Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul.
Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- proceed with your testimony. proceed with your testimony.
- Next on >> Thank you for your testimony.
- >> Mr. you you said in your uh testimony >> Mr. you you said in your uh testimony that
- Next on >> Thank you for your testimony.
- So, uh in the testimony earlier, here.
Keywords:
public utility, interim rates, utility rates, rate case, general rate case, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, PUC, rate increase cap, rate freeze, refunds, customer refunds, ratepayer protection, electric utility, gas utility, regulated utility, ratemaking, return on equity, rate base, test year, rate design
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Please adhere to these their testimony.
- . to testimony then or do you want to to testimony then or do you want to any<00:07:42.520>
further - >> Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Cook. >> Thank you for your testimony, Mr.
- this testimony present this testimony. testimony. testimony.
- proceed with testimony. proceed with testimony. >> Thank<00:26:20.560>
you.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- . testimony. testimony.
- Um, Senator Lang’s testimony, uh, Dan Bennett’s testimony really covered the majority of it.
- . testimony. testimony.
- <01:11:24.400>
Seeing your testimony. Any questions? Seeing your testimony. - "Well, thank you for your testimony."
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (1-22-26)
Tourism & Outdoor Recreation
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Heather, thank you for your testimony. Um, a couple things.
- Oh, Representative Pollock, Heather, thank you for your testimony. Um, couple things.
- Oh, Representative Pollock, Heather, thank you for your testimony. Um, couple things.
- Oh, Representative Pollock, Heather, thank you for your testimony. Um, couple things.
- Oh, Representative Pollock, Heather, thank you for your testimony. Um, couple things.
Keywords:
Meeting start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:04
HB 168 discussion: 01:39
HB 168 vote: 21:04, 958, all
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 168, sponsored by Representative Ken Fleming, known as “Keegan’s Law.” The bill was presented with a committee substitute that made a wording change from “is involved” to “causes” in one section, which the sponsor said was intended to better focus on the operator of a motorboat or vessel. The bill was prompted by the death of Heather Yelton’s 12-year-old son, Keegan, in a jet ski accident, and she testified that the investigation was delayed and no blood test was taken, leaving the family without answers about whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
Representative Fleming said the bill would do two main things: allow law enforcement to seek a blood test after a serious boating injury or fatality, subject to probable cause and a judge-issued warrant, and require 911 dispatchers to notify State Police so Kentucky Fish and Wildlife can respond more quickly to water-related incidents. Committee members asked about how probable cause would work if field sobriety tests were passed, whether the bill’s penalties align with existing DUI laws, and whether the bill would affect driver’s licenses. Fleming said the bill incorporates DUI-style penalties for boating offenses but would not suspend a driver’s license because boating does not require one.
Several members expressed sympathy and support for the goal of the bill, while some raised concerns about the severity of the penalty structure and how it might interact with existing laws. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Director of Law Enforcement Jeremy McQuary said the agency would enforce the law as written. After discussion, the committee voted to pass House Bill 168 out of committee, making it eligible for consideration on the House floor.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Hicklund, we'll recognize your right to close and we'll go into testimony.
- We will proceed to testimony.
- Thank you, ma'am, for your testimony.
- Thank you so much for your testimony.
- Thank you, ma'am, for your testimony. Thank you.
Keywords:
election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health Mar 20th, 2025
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health
Transcript Highlights:
- OK, go ahead with your testimony, sir.
- Appreciate your testimony. Chair calls Barry Smeltzer. Smet Smetzler.
- Uh, thanks for the opportunity, uh, to provide testimony on House Bill 25.
- I mean, is it your testimony?
- Um, so back to my prepared testimony.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/16/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- for your testimony. for your testimony. >> Thank<01:14:50.000>
you. - >> Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you for your testimony.
- It's in my written testimony.
- It's in my written testimony. It's in my written testimony.
- >> Thank you for your testimony. >> Thank you for your testimony.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1651, which would create a civil sexual assault protective order for survivors who do not have a domestic violence or stalking relationship with the offender, and would also update the sexual assault survivors’ bill of rights regarding evidence kit retention and tracking. Representative Jennifer Rhodes, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to fill gaps for survivors assaulted by strangers, acquaintances, or others outside existing protective-order categories, and to ensure evidence is preserved for the longer of the statute of limitations or the retention period. Committee members asked whether the new order could be misused and how the bill would prevent frivolous petitions; the sponsor said the same legal process would apply and a victim would still have to prove they were actually assaulted.
Representative Eileen Kelly and Lynn Shallet of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence testified in support, saying current law leaves many sexual assault survivors without a meaningful civil remedy unless they qualify for domestic violence or stalking relief. Shallet said the gap has existed for decades and noted that other states already have standalone sexual assault protective orders. She also said the bill would clarify survivors’ rights to know the status and location of their evidence kits. Shauna Foster of New Beginnings Without Violence and Abuse described local cases where survivors were denied protective orders because they lacked the required relationship with the offender, including a co-worker assault and an assault involving an unhoused survivor.
Lisa Curtis, a survivor and founder of Safe Haven Ballet, gave emotional testimony in support, describing her own sexual assault and the difficulty of seeking protection and justice. She said survivors need safety to recover and that the bill would better align the justice system with trauma-informed support. Janet Carroll, a sexual assault nurse examiner and advisory board co-chair, testified that the bill’s evidence-kit provisions reflect federal changes and existing tracking practices. She explained that New Hampshire uses a kit tracking system that lets patients and professionals follow kits through the process, and said the bill would codify the right to be informed of a kit’s status and location. No vote was taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- The testimony for this hearing is received by invitation only, and I think most folks here know we don't
- I really appreciate your testimony.
- Thank you to the panel for your testimony.
- Really appreciate the testimony from the panel. Thank you.
- I really appreciate the testimony from the panel.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion.
Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system.
The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your testimony. >> Um, you can keep going.
- both for your testimony. both for your testimony. >> Thank<00:22:21.240>
you. - Uh, thank you for taking my testimony.
- both for your testimony. both for your testimony. >> Thank<00:38:10.200>
you. - Merrill's testimony, I think we would want to offer that as a committee. Sounds good.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 02/20/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Please state your name for the record and you may proceed with your testimony. Thank you, Mr.
- Thank you, Miss Mittendorf, for your testimony. Next, we'll go to Mr. Lightfoot.
- Please state your name and you may proceed with your testimony. Good afternoon.
- I think, based on your testimony, this is meant indeed for cities without dedicated staff.
- Thank you for your testimony.