Video & Transcript : 'ports of entry' :

Page 136 of 500
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • For young people, the coordinated entry system looks at vulnerability mostly by length of time homeless
  • because of their source of income.
  • of San Joaquin, to testify in support of the bill.
  • There, because that's kind of the gist of this bill.
  • And yet, because of some of the protections, they can't move ahead with any type of building.
Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

September 23, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then further to the right is Stephen O'Kee, who is the finance director from the city of Port St.
  • My name is Stephen Okie, and I'm here representing the City of Port St.
  • In 2025, Port St. Lucie was named an All-America City, one of just 10 nationwide.
  • City of Port St. Lucie has a general fund reserve balance of 20%.
  • Most of that is because of grants.
Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-20 - 10:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> of 2026. of 2026.
  • </c><00:53:47.440><c> of</c> Commissioner of the Department of Commissioner of the Department of Corrections
  • the program shelters or offices, and to provide some kind of coordinated entry to determine what are
  • c><01:37:28.320><c> coordinated</c><01:37:29.200><c> entry</c> provide some kind of coordinated entry
  • provide some kind of coordinated entry to<01:37:30.160><c> determine</c><01:37:30.800><c> what</c><01
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division III (02/21/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • He said youth re-entry is a federal requirement of all states that began in January and is somewhat similar
  • He said youth re-entry is a federal requirement of all states that began in January and is somewhat similar
  • He said youth re-entry is a federal requirement of all states that began in January and is somewhat similar
  • He said youth re-entry is a federal requirement of all states that began in January and is somewhat similar
  • It sort of summarizes that, and on the bottom it summarizes the youth re-entry program, kind of the key
Summary: The House Finance Division Three work session on February 21, 2025 focused on the Division of Medicaid Services budget. The chair opened with procedural guidance, noting the division’s role is to make recommendations to the full Finance Committee, that the budget must be balanced, and that members should track possible amendments ahead of a March 26 target for House Bills 1 and 2. Members also discussed the importance of using official budget documents and online resources, and the chair said no motions would be taken at this session. A major early topic was concern over a five-point Medicaid policy document and the timing of House Bill 2. Representative Tarki objected that the document appeared to be an unofficial draft and argued that significant Medicaid policy changes should have been transmitted by February 15 under state law. He said the lack of an official, posted document raised transparency concerns because the changes could affect tens of thousands of residents. Committee leadership responded that the five-point document was a working document, that it would be posted online within minutes, and that House Bill 2 is often delayed while the Office of Legislative Services finalizes and formats the governor’s proposed trailer bill. DHHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman then began the budget presentation. White said the committee would use the PowerPoint as the document of record, starting with the governor’s operating budget pages 885-893, and noted that Medicaid is the largest accounting area in the state budget. He said the governor’s budget reflects about $60 million in reductions within the Medicaid area, with Granite Advantage handled off-budget and another $10 million in reductions there, for roughly a $70 million difference overall. Members asked whether the comparison was being made against an efficiency budget or a prioritized-needs budget, and White said the department could look at it different ways. The presentation then outlined Medicaid’s role in New Hampshire: it provides health coverage, serves as the state’s direct interface with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and helps finance related services such as long-term supports, school-based services, adult dental coverage, and re-entry programs for people leaving correctional settings. White also reviewed enrollment and program context, saying New Hampshire has about one in seven residents enrolled in Medicaid, making it the fourth smallest Medicaid program in the country by enrollment, and described recent efforts such as youth re-entry and the Medicaid unwind after the end of the federal continuous coverage period. He said the state had to process more than 238,000 redeterminations after the public health emergency and that the department tried to avoid unnecessary coverage loss during that transition.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Insurance Committee Apr 2nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members of the committee, my name is Robert Horell, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of
  • Members of the committee, my name is Robert Horell, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of
  • a few gallons of water out of the ocean and thinking you've somehow solved the problem of rising sea
  • Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Bank of Montreal, they’ll stay out of the business, knowingly stay out
  • of business.
Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Human Services Apr 15th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Does HHS have any kind of authority to look into matters of that under current law?
  • This bill should help to lower the cost of... of drug prices.
  • of abuse.
  • None of us need that.
  • Came out of school.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Postsecondary Education Apr 7th, 2026

Postsecondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Department of Justice sued the state of Oklahoma.
  • It would help them obtain some entry-level college credit if they scored high enough on some of those
  • It would help them obtain some entry-level college credit if they scored high enough on some of those
  • Would it help them obtain some entry-level college credit if they scored high enough on some of these
  • At a two-year university that would help with some of those entry-level courses that are often a barrier
Summary: The Postsecondary Education Committee considered a series of higher education and career-tech bills, with members asking mostly clarifying questions about eligibility, implementation, and alignment with existing law. House Bill 1477, requested by the State Regents, would limit concurrent enrollment to students age 21 or under; it passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1593 updated language on the Oklahoma State University Board of Trustees to reflect current practice and passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1725 addressed expressive activities on public campuses by allowing security fees for students or student groups, but not based on the content of expression, and also directed free speech training through the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1670, a State Chamber priority bill, aimed to strengthen startup ecosystems, venture capital, and industry-embedded research to help move university research into private-sector jobs, and it passed 9-0. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1726, which would establish a baseline training course for graduate student instructors at colleges and universities. Supporters said it would standardize instruction across institutions and help ensure a consistent level of preparation for graduate instructors teaching undergraduates; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1633 would align Oklahoma statute with federal law following a consent judgment regarding tuition eligibility for individuals not lawfully present in the United States; members discussed how “lawfully present” would apply to DACA recipients and others with federal immigration status, and the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 1735, a cleanup measure shifting certain oversight of technology center career tech schools more directly under the State Board of Career and Technology Education, passed 9-0. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1480, a pilot program for paid apprenticeships for 16-year-old students within career tech settings, despite questions about why a pilot was needed when career techs were already prepared to do similar work; it passed 9-0. Finally, an amendment to Senate Bill 1632 changed “shall” to “may” and allowed the State Board of Regents to use workforce assessments such as WorkKeys to award some entry-level college credit for students who score highly, especially those returning to community college or seeking an associate degree; after discussion about the limits of the credit, the amended measure passed 9-0. The meeting concluded with thanks to members as the committee’s final meeting.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • end of Louisiana, beginning of the season, middle of the season, and end of the season.
  • Just wanted to state this fact that I spent a lot of time in Port Sulphur in the fall, prime-time menhaden
  • I probably encounter this and the couple guys that fish around me on the beaches of Port Sulphur, Bastian
  • I probably encounter this and the couple guys that fish around me on the beaches of Port Sulphor, Bastion
  • I don't know if any of y'all are familiar, but... Port Sulphur.
Summary: The committee took up House Bill 886 by Rep. Orgeron, which would make seasonal catch totals and related reporting for the commercial menhaden fishery publicly available by carving out an exception to confidentiality rules. The author said the bill was intended to align with the original intent of prior reporting legislation and to ensure the public can see how much menhaden is being taken from Louisiana waters. Supporters, including Louisiana Wildlife Federation, CCA, charter captains, and recreational anglers, argued the fishery uses a public resource and that transparency is needed for policymaking. Opponents said they did not object to transparency in principle, but one speaker asked that size-sampling data be removed, arguing it has no scientific value and is already handled through NOAA and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Council processes. The committee reported HB 886 favorably without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 855, also by Rep. Orgeron, which would establish a 22-foot depth requirement for the commercial use of purse seines in the menhaden fishery. The author said the bill was based on a state-funded bycatch study showing red drum bycatch rises sharply in shallow water and that the current quarter-mile buffer is insufficient, especially in nearshore areas where recreational fishing and sensitive habitats are concentrated. Supporters emphasized the public trust nature of menhaden, the economic value of recreational fishing, and concerns about bycatch, beach fouling, and localized depletion. Several speakers cited the bycatch study, public comments opposing the recent reduction from a half-mile to a quarter-mile buffer, and the belief that deeper-water fishing would reduce impacts on redfish and other species. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries staff and the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Scott Rayburn, answered questions about the current buffer rules, enforcement, and the science behind the 22-foot threshold. They explained that the recent reduction to a quarter-mile buffer came from a commission directive and that the department had investigated complaints but found no violations. Dr. Rayburn said the 22-foot figure came from modeling red drum bycatch as a function of depth and that the study focused on red drum because of its economic and social importance, while not analyzing every species in the same way. Opponents of the bill, including West Bank Fishing and Ocean Harvesters representatives, said the rule of three is a standard confidentiality concept, argued the bill should not be framed as anti-transparency, and urged removal of the size-sampling provisions. The committee heard extensive testimony but no final action on HB 855 was recorded in the excerpt.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Introduction of doctor and a nurse of the day, or correction of previous study's journal, house and senate
  • Out saying those few words Doesn't take a lot of time. I invite all of Oklahoma to pray.
  • When we have a deficit of money, we have a little bit of. Money to spread out.
  • And this is a very real fear of our residents here in the state of Oklahoma.
  • The core of this issue.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 1767 will hopefully stop illegal shipments of spirits into Oklahoma.
  • It does a couple of things: it strengthens our existing prohibition against out-of-state shipping of
Bills: SB1767 , SB1859 , SB1767 , SB1859
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

State of the Union Address by the President of the United States (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The chair appoints as members of the committee on the part of the House to escort the President of the
  • as members of the committee on the part of the Senate to escort the President of the United States into
  • hundreds of billions of dollars.
  • Another pillar of next number of years.
  • </c> of the Declaration of Independence. of the Declaration of Independence.
Bills: HB4626 , HR1075 , SB2503 , HB6329
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

State of the Union Address by the President of the United States (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As a proud daughter of the age of 72.
  • :52.960><c> native</c><00:30:53.279><c> of</c> of Perkins Oklahoma a native of of Perkins Oklahoma a
  • For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like myself, this is a sacred house of
  • </c> of this term. of this term.
  • </c> not just issues of of affordability. not just issues of of affordability.
Bills: HB4626 , HR1075 , SB2503 , HB6329
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 18th, 2025

Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • All of them grow produce, or most of them grow produce in less than one acre of farms, and all of them
  • But yeah, it's a really comprehensive Program, so there's lots of entry points, and currently, we are
  • Some of our food hubs actually adopt the approved Supplier program as an entry point, and others have
  • Of the overall price of the system.
  • Prior to that, we were part of the research section of the Laboratory of Anthropology and part of their
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 24th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next, we're going to Senator Rodriguez, tab 34, CS for CS for SB 1224 on fraudulent entry of residential
  • CS for SB 1224 creates the concept of fraudulent entry upon real property.
  • Fraudulent entry is the act of entering into and taking possession of a residential dwelling unit by
  • CS for SB 1224 creates the concept of fraudulent entry upon real property.
  • Fraudulent entry is the act of entering into and taking possession of a residential dwelling unit by
Committee: Senate Rules
Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees in a single vote, then took up a series of bills, most of them reported favorably. The early debate centered on SB 208, a land-use bill by Sen. McLean that would require development fees to reflect review costs and create more objective compatibility standards for residential development denials. An amendment adding housing-related provisions, including an OPAGA study of urban development boundaries, drew extended discussion over the Everglades and local control; it was adopted, while a late-filed amendment on rural boundaries was withdrawn. The bill was then reported favorably after supporters and opponents, including Miami-Dade and housing groups, weighed in. The committee also favorably reported SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments adding conservation, wildlife corridor, and Everglades-related protections, with one amendment specifically preserving stronger protections in counties covered by the Northern Everglades/Indian River Lagoon plan. Several criminal justice and public records measures also advanced. SB 436 would add resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense for battery enhancement and include certain felony battery offenses in prison release reoffender status. SB 830 would extend public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. SB 990 would authorize protected cell captive insurers in Florida. SB 600, on bail bonds, drew the most debate: an amendment by Sen. Rouson preserved the current treatment of charitable bail organizations’ deposits, with supporters arguing nonprofits help low-income defendants and critics saying the bill should distinguish commercial and nonprofit bonding; the amendment was adopted and the bill reported favorably. SB 914 on dry needling and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment also passed, the latter with an amendment removing a 10% markup requirement for buyback provisions. The committee then moved through a large education and health agenda. SB 1504 would let high school students who complete an insurance/personal finance elective qualify later for a customer service representative license. SB 1718 would expand educator preparation and temporary certification options. SB 7038 was a broad education package covering tuition waivers for Florida State Guard members, residency rules, consumer protections, dual enrollment, grading, and college funding; amendments clarified workforce licensure and exempted certain dental training from new licensure rules. SB 1092 on podiatric medicine added definitions and restrictions for cellular/tissue-based products. SB 1138 on qualified contractors created a pre-application review program for certain local governments, with historic-preservation carveouts. SB 186 on student health and safety required seizure-training and action plans in schools, and SB 560 on child welfare streamlined psychotropic-medication procedures for children in state care while adding youth advisory meetings and insurance-data review. SB 902, a broad Department of Health bill, addressed medical marijuana facility setbacks, practitioner discipline, autism microcredentials, marriage and family therapy licensure, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and family home health aide delegation; it passed after two amendments. Finally, SB 218 on land-use regulations limited hurricane-recovery restrictions to affected counties, SB 1002 expanded child-neglect definitions tied to parental drug abuse, SB 1474 tightened biosolids land-application rules, SB 1708 eased out-of-state veterinary licensure by endorsement, and SB 314 established a Florida regulatory framework for payment stablecoins aligned with federal law. Most measures were reported favorably by committee vote after brief testimony or no debate.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/34

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, there is clear, established data showing that successful re-entry of incarcerated neighbors
  • re-entry of incarcerated that successful re-entry of incarcerated our<00:01:54.159><c> incarcerated<
  • </c> support the rehabilitation and re-entry support the rehabilitation and re-entry of<00:03:40.400>
  • I went through the pandemic inside of a cell and watched how something is vital to re-entry success as
  • I went through the pandemic inside of a cell and watched how something is vital to re-entry success as
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Feb 3rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And each day after the Department of Health is denied entry is a separate violation of the chapter.
  • I think putting the safety of our community, the safety of Washingtonians, above the comfort of incarcerated
  • This amendment says that if the child is under the age of five at the time of filing of the petition
  • My understanding of the juvenile center is they're in good standing and there's no issue of DOH entry
  • The thing I would say is that Department of Health has been denied entry over the last couple years,
Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee first held a public hearing on the gubernatorial appointment of Angela Ramirez to serve as Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. Ramirez described her background in public service and said her priorities would include improving technology, addressing workforce shortages, strengthening relationships with labor, tribes, and community organizations, and protecting DSHS programs and clients during uncertain budget and federal conditions. Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck also spoke in support of her confirmation, and members raised questions about needed improvements at DSHS. The committee then moved into executive session on six bills. On SB 6062, dealing with juvenile rehabilitation, midpoint reviews, bed capacity, and transfers between DCYF and DOC facilities, all six proposed Christian amendments failed and the committee advanced the Wilson substitute to Ways and Means. On SB 6308, concerning shelter care conditions for children under five in dependency cases, the committee rejected four Christian amendments and adopted a Wilson amendment clarifying that the bill does not supersede the Washington Indian Child Welfare Act; the bill then advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6319, addressing community-based referrals for high-risk families with children under four and parental opioid use, the committee rejected three Christian amendments and adopted a technical Wilson amendment; the substitute then advanced to Ways and Means. The committee also considered SB 6286, which would authorize Department of Health inspections of private detention facilities and create a repair account funded by fines for inspection violations. All Christian amendments and one Warnick amendment failed, and the proposed substitute was advanced to Ways and Means. On SB 6080, regarding contracts and conditions for jails holding people in federal custody, all Christian amendments failed and the substitute was advanced to Rules. Finally, on SB 6184, an agency-request bill making technical and program updates, the committee adopted the bill with one amendment and sent it forward subject to signatures. The committee recessed partway through the agenda, returned to vote on the first six bills, and announced that remaining bills and the gubernatorial appointment would be taken up the next day.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Status of Persons with Disabilities Feb 26th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the things I do a lot of, I wear a fair different amount of hats in this role, which is one of
  • an entry-level apprenticeship and then as a credit analyst, and sort of, you know, working your way up
  • of an entry-level apprenticeship and then as a credit analyst, and sort of, you know, working your way
  • to see a little bit of a round of applause there.
  • a certain number of hours, and it's a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning.
Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the January minutes and then heard an update from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler on apprenticeship expansion in Massachusetts. Cutler described the Healey-Driscoll administration’s efforts to grow apprenticeships beyond the building trades into sectors such as banking, bio, early education, health care, and human services, emphasizing that apprenticeship is an earn-while-you-learn model with strong retention and career advancement. He noted recent milestones and supports, including the 10,000th registered apprenticeship, expanded tax credits, reduced program fees, added apprenticeship liaisons, and Grow grants to help employers launch programs. He also said the administration is open to using grants, incentives, and convening power to encourage more human services and disability-focused apprenticeships. Members focused on how these models could work for disability and human services providers, especially in lower-wage fields like early education and direct care. They raised examples such as sterile processing, PCA services, mental health, brain injury, independent living centers, and programs involving community colleges, Bridgewater State, and vocational schools. Cutler explained that apprentices are W-2 employees, programs must include at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning, 150 hours of related instruction, a mentor relationship, and progressive wages, but employers largely design the program themselves. He said intermediaries such as the Massachusetts Bankers Association or disability organizations can help employers navigate the process and that the state can support these efforts through grants and tax credits. The discussion also covered employer outreach, the role of community colleges, and how to make careers in disability services more visible and valued. Cutler said the registered apprenticeship tax credit is $4,800 per apprentice, can be claimed twice for longer apprenticeships, and is stackable with the disability employment tax credit. Members suggested hosting a targeted virtual panel with apprenticeship liaisons, employers, and intermediaries to identify a few priority occupations and develop concrete next steps. The meeting ended with agreement to follow up offline on specific opportunities and potential partners, including Eastern Bank and existing apprenticeship programs in health care and related fields.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/22/2026 - House Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • little tiny parts of everything west of the 303.
  • I'm a mom of two, and I've had the honor of breastfeeding both of my babies for an extended period of
  • I'm speaking on behalf of the ACLU of Arizona.
  • a certain age, a man of a certain age, a girl of a certain age, a girl of a certain age, a woman of
  • It's a bit— —of wild things thrown out there and said, kind of from both sides of it.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 25th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • entry to the secure perimeter of the correctional facility.
  • entry to the secure perimeter of the correctional facility, and there's no fiscal impact.
  • entry to the secure perimeter of the correctional facility.
  • areas of entry to the secure perimeter of the correctional facility and there's no fiscal impact.
  • I'm not. areas of entry to the secure perimeter of the correctional facility and there's no fiscal impact
Bills: SB5998
Committee: Senate Ways & Means
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 03-04-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • been kind of part of our um DNA been kind of part of our um DNA was<00:37:32.880><c> once</c><00:37:34.000
  • </c> a shadow of itself. a shadow of itself.
  • So that's kind of one of my goals is to get into any kind of agriculture, you know.
  • </c> bun bunch of of uh bun bunch of of uh banana banana banana and<00:39:42.840><c> yeah</c> and yeah
  • maintenance of of ongoing costs of maintenance of of farmland. farmland. farmland.
Summary: The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments. For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.