Video & Transcript Research : 'unexpected needs'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/13/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:29:50.120>
and types of um housing that are needed and types of um housing that are needed - But I think that property owners and developers can take into account the need, how much space is needed
- so critical it establishes much needed so critical it establishes much needed guard<01:12:37.040
- We need to have accountability.
- We need to clean it up.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development May 12th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And so this is very needed.
- So we need to fix this.
- So we need to fix this, you know, and we need to look at a new way that we're doing this.
- So we really need to protect our industries. We need to protect these jobs.
- But at this time, we really need to know what the potential... ...this, but at this time, we really need
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development met on May 12, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard extensive testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 77, which urges federal action to address labor shortages affecting Louisiana’s crawfish industry and other seasonal employers. Representative Butler, Commissioner Strain, industry representatives, landscapers, nursery operators, and Farm Bureau supporters argued that H-2A/H-2B visa limits and processing delays are hurting crawfish processors, landscapers, nurseries, and related businesses, causing lost production, higher costs, and broader economic harm. Members emphasized that the workers discussed are legal guest workers, not illegal immigration, and several senators voiced support. HCR 77 was reported favorably, with a motion to co-author also noted.
The committee then considered House Bill 81 on property rights and accountability for violations. Representative Boyer presented the bill, but Senator Long asked that it be voluntarily deferred so he could work on possible amendments and improve the measure before it advances. The author agreed, and the bill was deferred.
The committee also heard and acted on several bills related to agricultural policy and food systems. House Bill 512, concerning cell-cultured meat, was presented as a measure to protect livestock producers and allow continued research while prohibiting the product; after questions about research and labeling, it was reported favorably. House Bill 717, a labeling companion measure for cell-cultured meat, was also reported favorably. House Bill 1194, which would direct the LSU AgCenter to study food deserts and develop a plan, drew concern from the AgCenter over capacity and funding; members agreed to report it without action so it could be recommitted to finance and worked on further. Finally, House Bill 663, revising the membership of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, was presented on behalf of the absent author and reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Oct 2nd, 2025
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to make sure that the people that we serve and that need the help the most will have the opportunity
- are most in need.
- The needs are growing right now.
- Do we need to request additional funding?
- This is severely needed. It is timely.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to Treatment Facility.
- needing higher levels of care and so on. needing higher levels of care and so on.
- when guardianship is not needed.
- to them when and where they need it. to them when and where they need it.
- address the need at hand.
Bills:
HF2434
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't need two social workers.
- I don't need two social workers.
- I don't need two social workers.
- I don't need two social workers.
- <01:39:43.800>
of needed to address the complex needs of needed to address the complex needs
Summary:
The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 28, 2025, to receive updates on chronic absenteeism work funded in the 2024 education finance bill. The chair introduced presentations from districts in the student attendance pilot program—Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Chisago, and Rochester—and noted that the committee would also hear the student attendance and truancy legislative study group report and later a bill from Senator Weber. The chair also thanked educational assistants and paraprofessionals for their work in schools.
Minneapolis Public Schools described common attendance challenges across pilot districts, including inconsistent attendance coding, weak family communication, difficulty identifying interventions, and uneven responses to absences. The district said pilot districts want statewide definitions for absences, tardies, and exempt codes, as well as better internal dashboards and clearer procedures. Minneapolis also highlighted strategies such as attendance teams at each school, quarterly postcards to families after five or more absences, Promise Fellows, home visits, multilingual communication through TalkingPoints, and a morning nurse line to help parents decide whether a child should stay home. The district said its main attendance goal is to raise consistent attendance from 68 percent to 80 percent by 2026.
In response to committee questions, Minneapolis said its main post-COVID absenteeism reason has been illness or medical issues, followed by transportation problems, and that it does not penalize students for transportation-related absences. The district said it counts secondary absences when students miss more than three periods in a day, with truancy beginning after seven such absences, while elementary students are counted absent for the full day. Members also asked about whether reduced truancy referrals reflected more attendance or diversionary supports; the district said its approach is to focus on understanding root causes and providing support rather than quickly referring students to truancy processes. The district reported improved communication, greater parent awareness, and fewer truancy referrals so far, and said the attendance team model should be sustainable because it uses existing staff with clearer direction.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and so we need site visits. We need bona fide audits.
- Um, and so we need site visits. We need bona fide audits.
- Um, and so we need site visits. We need bona fide audits.
- Um, we need to talk offline. We need more discussion about this.
- Um a needed deeply needed conversation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/12/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- counties need something. counties need something.
- We need the single administrator. We need to make the change.
- We need the single administrator. We need to make the change.
- the food, that they need the more need the food, that they need the more options<02:59:44.000>
and - we need your help. we need your help.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- needs that are here. needs that are here.
- additional needs. additional needs.
- They need this money. Um we their EMAs. They need this money.
- it needs a little clarification. it needs a little clarification.
- > to about that need us needing that is to about that need us needing that is to try<02:29:02.080
Summary:
The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits.
Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies.
The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes bill to cut wait times for prescribed opioid addiction treatment drugs Apr 27th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I need it today. I need help right now. I need it today. They just hit rock bottom.
- it don't get it at the moment they need it.
- it don't get it at the moment they need it.
- it don't get it at the moment they need it.
- "There's such a need for substance use treatment in this state and in this country.
Summary:
House File 4493 would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, especially buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill is intended to save lives by giving people immediate access to treatment at the moment they seek help, rather than making them wait for a doctor’s appointment or navigate more cumbersome methadone access. He emphasized that pharmacists are widely accessible, including in greater Minnesota, and that optional training would support safe prescribing.
Representative Bierman spoke in strong support, calling the measure a life-or-death step forward for people with substance use disorder and noting that many people do not receive treatment when they need it. He said he initially had concerns but Baker listened to his suggested changes and worked with him and bill drafters, which helped address those concerns. Bierman also referenced the ongoing fentanyl crisis and encouraged members to learn more from displays honoring overdose victims.
Baker closed by sharing personal remarks about losing his son to addiction and describing how limited treatment options were at that time. He said the new federal change allowing pharmacist training makes the bill timely and urged members to support it. After discussion, the House took a roll call vote and passed the bill 134-0, with the title agreed to.
VA
Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Commission on Unemployment Compensation Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They're not spectacular, but we know that when people need unemployment insurance, they need unemployment
- And if claim volumes are high, we also need to make sure that we are able to meet those needs when they
- We have to make sure that we write the regulations, we need to hire staff to run the program, we need
- we need it to work for employers, we need it to work for workers, we need it to work for the medical
- So that's sort of a baseline observation that we need to make and we need to measure and we need to continue
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 21st, 2026 at 08:25 am
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And to wrap up, there's a critical need for adult education in our state.
- capacity to ensure resources are proportional to need.
- So each year, at the beginning of the year, they certify their total need that they think they will need
- So it's kind of a safety net to continue to fund adequacy as needed.
- And so they are maybe not in need. So what does that look like now?
Summary:
The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then took up an interim study proposal on adult education and the Excel Center model. Representatives from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, the Excel Center network, and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities testified that roughly 300,000 Arkansans over age 19 lack a high school diploma or GED, and argued that the Excel Center provides a supported diploma pathway for adults who struggle with GED testing. Witnesses highlighted wraparound services such as free child care, transportation assistance, tutoring, life coaching, and career services, and cited outcomes including high retention, growing enrollment, and research showing higher employment and earnings and lower criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members raised questions about the state’s role, existing adult education programs, and how the study would be structured; the motion to adopt the ISP passed, though there was some procedural disagreement about when questions should have been taken.
The committee then heard a detailed adequacy funding overview from BLR staff Katie Walden and Adrian Beck on Arkansas K-12 education finance. They reviewed national funding principles and explained Arkansas’s system, including state and local revenue sources, the Public School Fund, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, and the Facilities Partnership Program. Staff said K-12 state and local revenues totaled $6.6 billion in 2025, with foundation funding making up the largest share of district and charter funding, followed by additional, categorical, and supplemental funds. They also explained the matrix-based foundation formula, the role of the uniform rate of tax, and how categorical and supplemental funds support areas such as alternative learning, English learners, special education high-cost cases, teacher salary equalization, declining enrollment, and student growth.
Members asked several follow-up questions about how specific funding categories are defined and used, including student support staff, instructional aides, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the inclusion of Excel Center amounts in state-local funding totals. Staff said some of those details would be addressed in a later presentation and offered to provide additional records, including district lists and historical information. The meeting ended after the funding overview, with no additional votes or actions beyond the ISP adoption and adjournment.
NM
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on SB 221, SB 213, SB 218 (06/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:10.159>
And that's what we need to do. And that's what we need to do. - need to participate<00:07:54.240>
in. - Um, and so I just don't see the need for this bill in its entirety.
- the need for this bill in its entirety. the need for this bill in its entirety.
- I think we're think we need a break.
Summary:
The committee worked through several election-related bills and conference committee compromises. On SB 221, members discussed a streamlined re-registration form for voters removed from the checklist, with the Secretary of State to develop the necessary form; one member opposed the bill as unnecessary and warned that more frequent purges can disenfranchise voters, but the committee ultimately accepted the compromise and prepared it for signatures.
On SB 213, the committee reviewed technical language changes to the HB 340-related provisions, including changing “legislative body” to “governing body” and replacing “measure” with “warrant article.” Despite those edits, one member argued the bill could chill public employees’ participation in official duties and should be held to the Senate position; another said the bill was unnecessary in light of other voting restrictions already enacted. No position change was made, and the bill remained opposed by at least some members.
On SB 218, the committee agreed to add the word “applicable” in two places, and to remove sections 5 and 6 from the Senate version so pre-processing language would be restored. The House also asked to strike a sentence giving the Secretary of State broad authority over errors identified in the process, preferring that such matters remain in statute. Members generally described these edits as improvements, though some still opposed the bill overall. The meeting ended after a final comment on SB 213 seeking to remove language requiring public employees’ factual information to be provided only in response to public requests, followed by adjournment.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- enhancing the needs of our state highway system. ...needs in those spaces.
- We've got a lot of needs.
- What do you need?
- needs.
- needs.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development.
Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund.
The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- But it does need to be filled once.
- Here in New Mexico, we need to measure it.
- We need to measure it in groundwater levels, and we need to measure it in terms of metering.
- We need to build on that.
- We need to support local and tribal leadership as part of that modernization, and we need to prepare.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- But I think it also The resolution also speaks to the need for us as a state to look at what CYFD needs
- And again, we need to do things differently.
- for both their current and long-term needs. term needs.
- to be spent for additional Unmet needs.
- Um, let's see here, they would also need to...
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 1/6/25
Transcript Highlights:
- That means that we need to defund the fraud that means that we need to defund our free health care.
- That means that we need to defund the fraud that means that we need to defund our free health care.
- That means that we need to have We need to defund our free health care.
- And we know that every vote needs to count. We know that every vote needs to count.
- Do you need 68 votes to elect a speaker? We need 67 votes to elect a speaker.
Summary:
House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally.
A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions.
On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 6th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- We need one more for a quorum. In the hall. So get Z. We need to come in there. All right.
- I don't need Cole for this one.
- The other side of that, you've had other people that they're saying, you know, you need—" "You need Bill
- I agree with the reset, but yeah, we need to keep in mind that if it if it breaches you a 2.5% we need
- We were still needed to do some work.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of natural resources and environmental measures, mostly local property transfers and Wildlife and Fisheries bills. It reported favorable on Senate Bills 229 and 71, which authorize property transfers in Bossier and Lafayette parishes, and on several department bills dealing with fishing and boating rules: SB 203 on possession of catch during multi-day trips, SB 429 on registration of lapsed or “orphan” boats, SB 204 on commercial fishing gear licenses for nonresidents, SB 205 reducing duplicate registration for federally documented boats, SB 213 on titling certain vessels and outboard motors, SB 257 removing Social Security number requirements from certain tags, and HB 662, a substitute bill setting a hierarchy for handling seized sick, injured, or orphan wildlife. The committee also adopted amendments and reported favorable SB 379, a technical cleanup bill tied to the Department of Conservation and Energy reorganization, though an opposition witness warned it could reduce minimum oil and gas royalties and asked for a fiscal note.
Members also advanced several measures aimed at coastal and flood-related concerns. HCR 62, by Rep. Domangue, urges FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects; members broadly supported it and discussed the burden of flood insurance in coastal parishes. SB 214 would give the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District authority to stop pumping during immediate flood risk events identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, and it was reported favorable. SB 274, as amended, requires lead hazard risk assessments and remediation for certain child care and pre-kindergarten facilities, with DEQ and LDH testimony supporting the update. HCR 78 memorializes Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, which supporters said would help Louisiana’s seafood industry and access federal loans and grants.
The committee also debated broader policy resolutions. HCR 216, by Rep. Owen, sought to repudiate the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, but after extensive discussion about its purpose, possible effects on existing projects, and whether the legislature should instead hold a hearing, the resolution was voluntarily deferred. Finally, the committee took up SCR 24 on chronic wasting disease rules, adopted amendments raising the prevalence threshold from 1.5% to 2.5% and adjusting zone and baiting provisions, and continued discussion of the bill’s reset of management rules for deer disease control.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to help those schools. We don't need to wag our finger at them. We need to help them.
- We need to help those schools. We don't need to wag our finger at them. We need to help them.
- We need to help those schools. We don't need to wag our finger at them. We need to help them.
- We need to help those schools. We don't need to wag our finger at them. We need to help them.
- We need to help those schools. We don't need to wag our finger at them. We need to help them.
Keywords:
Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, monuments, historic preservation, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, architecturally significant buildings, public property, waiver process, Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, Attorney General, civil penalty, historic marker, renaming, relocation, removal, public memorials, heritage preservation, state historic preservation fund, governmental entity