Video & Transcript Research : 'testimonials'
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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."
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Jun 12th, 2026
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- So we will now go forward on that hearing, and we'll begin by taking testimony.
- Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you, sir.
- Who else is here to provide testimony after this witness?
- Seeing none, that is, thank you for your testimony.
- Is there any further testimony? Okay, seeing none, that will conclude public testimony.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met to consider a Missouri Prescription Drug Monitoring Program rule proposal after the Department of Natural Resources withdrew its items. The hearing focused on 1 CSR 60-1.010, which would expand delegate-level PDMP access to additional licensed behavioral health professionals, including licensed clinical social workers, licensed master social workers, marital and family therapists, professional counselors, and psychologists, while also correcting prior rule language involving medical assistants and clinical nurse specialists.
Testimony from the PDMP executive director and supporters from Compass Health and the Department of Mental Health argued the change would improve care coordination, medication reconciliation, and safety in multidisciplinary behavioral health settings, especially CCBHCs. They said access would remain limited to licensed professionals working under a prescriber/dispenser relationship, with individual logins and penalties for misuse. Opponents and some committee members raised concerns that the rule would expand access beyond the original statutory framework without legislative change, could be used beyond treatment purposes, and should instead be addressed through statute rather than rulemaking.
After public testimony, the committee debated whether the proposal exceeded statutory authority and whether the expansion was too substantive for rulemaking alone. A motion was made to disapprove the rule on grounds including lack of statutory authority, conflict with state law, and arbitrariness. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 7-1, and the committee disapproved Rule 1 CSR 60-1.010 before adjourning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Is there Thank you for your testimony.
- Uh go ahead and give us your testimony. testimony. testimony. Thank<00:21:30.720>
you. - We've taken testimony on this bill before.
Keywords:
Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, environment
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 5, 2026 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing none, any public testimony on the bill?
- We are back Chair: and on the bill as amended, public testimony.
- Chair: Follow-up questions, any public testimony on the amendment.
- Any public testimony on the amendment? Seeing none.
- Ma'am, any public testimony on the bill? Seeing none.
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.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- Today we're hearing testimony relative to ranked choice voting.
- David. ...and we'll certainly be reviewing and reading your testimony as we receive it.
- As is often the case, we're limiting testimony to three minutes per person.
- Oliveros is going to be submitting great testimony, not be on...
- Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. All right, take note under two minutes.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked choice voting, focusing primarily on Boston’s home rule petition (H. 4262) and Bedford’s petition (H. 4916). Committee chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Keenan opened the hearing, explained the three-minute testimony limit, and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. The hearing featured testimony from a wide range of supporters, including advocacy organizations, community leaders, Boston City Council members, and Bedford residents.
Witnesses generally argued that ranked choice voting would produce majority-supported winners, reduce vote-splitting and negative campaigning, encourage coalition-building, and give voters more freedom to rank candidates without fear of wasting their vote. Several speakers emphasized local control and said Boston and Bedford should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to adopt the system. Others highlighted potential benefits for women, historically marginalized communities, and voter participation more broadly. Boston councilors and supporters also described the city’s local approval process and said the proposal would still require voter ratification if enacted by the legislature.
No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt. The committee took no substantive vote on the bills during the hearing; after testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and the committee adjourned.
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.
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 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/30/2025)
Municipal and County Government
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Wed Mar 4, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- We've submitted written testimony.
- We've submitted written testimony. Them. We've submitted written testimony. Thank you very much.
- Do you have my testimony?
- As you can see in my testimony, permits.
- , bill, and we as noted in the testimony, bill, and we as noted in the testimony, we<00:44:01.960
Keywords:
renewable energy, solar energy, self-certification, building permits, environmental regulations, HB1593, affordable housing, pet-inclusive housing, pet friendly housing, rental housing, affordable rental housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, tenant pets, companion animals, dogs, cats, landlord-tenant law, security deposit, pet deposit
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support.
The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/18/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony. Senator R., thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- Thank you for your testimony.
- and copy of the um I have some testimony and on<01:49:14.840>
the <01:49:15.000>testimony<
MN
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/27/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Please support HF 2, and thank you for your testimony. Of course. Thank you for your testimony.
- thank you thank you for your testimony thank you thank you for your testimony and<01:00:12.039><
- <01:03:44.319>
the you thank you for your testimony the you thank you for your testimony the
Keywords:
pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices