Video & Transcript : 'geolocation data' :
Page 153 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- prohibits the use of traffic infraction detectors for remote surveillance, and limits the use of the data
- the local hearing officer during the same time frames required for other violations. ...infraction data
- So, with those conversations, we've agreed to look at data collection on accidents.
- around the state and essentially figure out further policy with that data collection to see where we
- And I'm sure a lot of the local elected officials would want to see that data.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement, which would standardize procedures for red-light, school-zone speed, and school bus camera enforcement. The bill would allow clerks to retain 10% of penalty revenue, permit virtual hearings, require records retention, limit surveillance/data use, tighten school-zone flashing-light requirements, and add school board approval and reporting requirements for school bus camera programs. An amendment clarified reporting periods and which entity receives liability-transfer affidavits. Members raised questions about information-sharing, facial recognition, school-zone warnings, and school bus stop safety, but the committee accepted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then considered SB 1080, which was amended by a delete-all to address FDOT direct payments to first-tier subcontractors and takeover agreements involving sureties and replacement contractors. The amended bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved a slate of appointments in tabs 1 through 6 by one vote.
Next, the committee heard SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. A strike-all amendment shifted the bill away from immediate enforcement changes and instead created an e-bike task force, required crash data collection and reporting, and retained rules requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, provide audible signals, and limit speed near pedestrians. Members discussed enforcement practicality, access concerns for riders who rely on e-bikes, and the need for public education and transparency. The amended bill was reported favorably. The committee then reported favorably SB 684, which removes certain signature requirements for electronic odometer disclosures in total-loss vehicle and vessel insurance transactions, and SB 880, which creates a new license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association. The meeting ended after all items were approved and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The data exists. CDPH collects it, but it is not easy to find.
- The data exists. CDPH collects it, but it is not easy to find.
- This bill does not collect new data. It doesn't change vaccination requirements.
- No individual can be identified from school-level data.
- And so that data is real. You mentioned the autism data, right?
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee heard a lengthy agenda of education-related bills, with quorum established at the start and several measures taken up on consent or special order. The committee also announced that AB 1644, AB 2362, and later AB 2197 were pulled from the hearing. Members reminded the public of hearing rules and limited testimony to two witnesses each in support and opposition.
AB 2651, by Assemblymember Bonta, would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd-immunity thresholds. Supporters, including physicians, the California State PTA, public health groups, and school employee organizations, argued that families need timely, school-specific information to protect children and vulnerable community members. Opponents raised concerns about privacy, stigma, and whether school-level snapshots could be misleading. The bill passed the committee 5-1 and later 7-1 on the roll call. AB 2509, by Assemblymember Schultz, would allow districts to use a five-year rolling average for ADA funding calculations; supporters said it would stabilize funding amid attendance declines, while one member noted concerns about masking long-term enrollment problems. It passed 5-1 and later 7-2.
The committee also approved AB 2430, which would expand after-school access, especially for high school students, improve funding and transparency, and create a work group on program quality. Testimony emphasized the value of expanded learning for youth development and working families, and members discussed the need to address middle school access as well. AB 2526, focused on special education funding, would expand the low-incidence fund to include students qualifying for the California alternate assessment; supporters said it would better align funding with student need, while some concerns remained about over-identification. AB 2325, the Pathways to Bilingual Teaching Act, would create a grant program to build bilingual teacher pipelines through partnerships among schools, community colleges, and universities; it received strong support and passed unanimously. AB 2460, presented by Assemblymember Pellerin for Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, would update school mental-health referral protocols to address trauma related to immigration enforcement; it also passed unanimously. AB 2404, which sought to require Central Valley representation on several governor-appointed bodies, drew debate over geographic representation and board composition and ultimately failed on a 2-5 vote.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 24 March, 2026; 11:15 AM
Public Health and Welfare
Transcript Highlights:
- Problem is when you look at the data that we're using to develop the state health plan, it's there's
- data data to<00:20:11.840><c> inform</c><00:20:12.840><c> policy</c><00:20:13.200><c> making.
- </c><00:20:16.840><c> from</c> Department of Health gets data from Department of Health gets data from
- how we collect data for the state<00:20:46.200><c> health</c><00:20:46.480><c> plan.
- </c> Problem is when you look at the data Problem is when you look at the data that<00:21:15.680><c>
Committee:
Joint Public Health and Welfare
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Business, Trade & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- They provide research, data, information on where they can site their businesses.
- And what the data showed us is that in large numbers, we agree.
- And what the data showed us is that in large numbers, we agree.
- So at the end of the day, they even have my data.
- We know that data is valuable, and they have that data.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 14, 2025 - 11:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- , my data, your company's data, critical PII, but also your business trade secrets, your intellectual
- And ultimately, we want to be to a place where the data just drives that. >> Thank you.
- Beyond the data that we have, we do use some private vendors to help us, essentially.
- We use a number of other services to scrape job data.
- Do you have any data with this next generation emerging?
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- So in there it says it talks about the state data center migration.
- So today they have two areas where there were two data centers.
- So what their proposal is to do is to close the Mandan data center, upgrade the cooling in the data center
- So they provided the data on that.
- So they provided the data on that.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2.
The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- reporting and data protections.
- protections for access to photographic data, destruction of the data, and review of that data that is
- Incomplete crash data is a known issue.
- A few data points that AVs could provide beyond traditional crash data might include when and where the
- The data that we need to implement AVs safely also comes at a cost of energy use from data centers, and
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Transportation
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing.
A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment.
Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/2026
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- When we started doing this work, we were looking at the data to really understand the precise number
- to really understand um the precise data to really understand um the precise number<00:03:28.000><c>
- We've stratified the data by region. So we are really, we've got all hands on deck.
- </c><00:41:06.400><c> privacy</c> preserving strong data privacy preserving strong data privacy protections
- </c><00:41:35.520><c> while</c> and safeguards sensitive data while and safeguards sensitive data while
Bills:
HF729
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Gen Z is not, from the data that I'm receiving.
- And that's only data through 2021.
- These corporations own that data for life.
- These corporations own that data for life.
- These corporations own that data for life.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We review data regularly to continue to improve the system.
- So we are currently working in the New Mexico Data Exchange. We have several data sets available.
- The data on slide 13. Is for fiscal year 24.
- Barr, that you, if I remember, keep track of all of that, because the data is important, and the data
- Let's use them because we have great information, great data.
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Consensus Forecasting Group (9-16-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:44:09.119><c> from</c> sample forecasting withhold data from sample forecasting withhold data
- My data goes back to 1981. I have been collecting data for a very long time.
- My data goes back to 1981. I record. My data goes back to 1981.
- </c> want to, but I've got two data points. want to, but I've got two data points.
- I need to look at the data myself.
Summary:
The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain.
Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile.
Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Aug 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Data has shown disparities in spending per person on developmental services, Data has shown disparities
- That data is very sound. ...is eligible.
- That data is very sound data that comes out after somebody's declared eligible, and that Cedar booklet
- Quality data fuels more strategic development and innovation, and today we lack the data sensitivity
- And I want you guys to gather the data of how many youth were in those programs. guys to gather the data
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on several Department of Developmental Services proposals, with no votes taken. The first item focused on equitable access to intake and services for regional center clients, including standardizing eligibility assessments and modernizing the strengths-and-needs evaluation used to inform individual program plans. DDS said the changes would create a more consistent, equitable, and evidence-based process statewide, while the LAO explained the proposals as a response to disparities and inconsistent regional center practices. Advocates and regional center representatives were divided: Disability Rights California, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and some providers supported modernization but urged clearer safeguards, more community co-design, and stronger legislative review; others, including some regional center leaders and family advocates, warned against replacing the CEDER too quickly and stressed the need to preserve the person-centered IPP process. Committee members emphasized fair process, fidelity, and the need for a validated tool, while also noting that the proposals would not change eligibility definitions or replace IPPs.
The second major item addressed state-operated transitional and rehabilitative services, including proposed time limits for stays at Porterville Developmental Center and Canyon Springs, plus the merger of the Community Placement Program and Community Resource Development Program. DDS argued that people should not remain in locked facilities for years and that the proposal would create urgency, clearer transition planning, a right of return, and a more efficient single program for community resource development. Supporters, including Disability Rights California, the State Council, the Public Defenders Association, and some service providers, said the proposals align with Olmstead and the Lanterman Act, reduce overreliance on institutions, and should be paired with stronger mental health supports, oversight, and notice to counsel. Opponents, including a district attorney representative, argued that a blanket 24-month limit could endanger public safety and that some individuals require longer, case-by-case commitments. Committee members said they wanted a more comprehensive plan showing that community placements and supports will be ready before people are moved, and they questioned whether an arbitrary timeline could work for such a complex population.
Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed that any implementation must be fair, transparent, and backed by valid tools, adequate community capacity, and public input. DDS said both sets of proposals would require legislative approval and that the department is still open to changes in trailer bill language and further stakeholder consultation. The hearing ended with the committee indicating it would continue reviewing the proposals and hear public comment, but no formal action was taken.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- You all know the data.
- Data from Opportunity Insight supports this.
- You've heard me talk a lot about data.
- data.
- and we're glad to share data we're glad to show independent data not just college board studies we're
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its first hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including hunger-free campuses, FAFSA completion, early college/college-in-high-school programs, banning legacy preferences, AP credit consistency, and tuition equity for the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Committee leaders opened by outlining the hearing process and noting the three-minute testimony limit. Legislators and advocates generally framed the bills as equity and access measures aimed at improving college affordability, student success, and workforce development.
Representative Vargas testified for H. 1466 and H. 1467, arguing that hunger-free campus should be codified because many public college and community college students face food insecurity, and that FAFSA completion should be improved through individualized outreach and an opt-out or completion requirement. Senator Lovely, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and other advocates supported the hunger-free campus bill, citing data that 44% of public university and community college students experienced food insecurity in 2023 and that food insecurity harms graduation rates. Femi Stoltz and Shanti Lopez Toro backed the FAFSA bill, saying many students miss out on Pell grants and need direct support; they pointed to state examples such as Louisiana and to recent state action requiring FAFSA awareness. Committee members asked about the federal FAFSA rollout, regional equity in food access, and the need for long-term funding and data collection.
A large panel supported H. 1455 on college and high school/early college, including former Chair Roy, the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College, a student graduate, MBAE, and Tripp Jones. They described early college as a proven model that helps low-income and first-generation students, improves degree attainment, and supports workforce needs; witnesses said the goal is to scale from about 9,000 students and 55 partnerships toward 22,000 to 25,000 students by 2030, with possible future growth beyond that. Members raised questions about funding, public-private partnerships, parental involvement, faculty development, and whether the bill should include data review and more standardized policies across institutions. Representative Garcia also testified for H. 1432 on AP credit, saying students should receive consistent credit for AP scores of 3, 4, or 5. Senator Edwards and James Murphy testified for the legacy preference ban, arguing it is unfair and rooted in exclusionary history; they said some states have already banned legacy preferences in public and private institutions. Finally, UMass Dean Michael Fox, alumnus Dan Mayer, and student Jake Rasmussen supported S. 920 to include Stockbridge associate degree programs in MassEducate, saying tuition equity would help enrollment and support Massachusetts agriculture and green-industry jobs.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
06/10/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #25
Transcript Highlights:
- improves the efficiency and effectiveness of data sharing and data governance activities, as well as
- the efficiency and effectiveness of data sharing and data governance activities, as well as require
- no new data center can qualify for the data center equipment TPP exemption during this period.
- So any city can build a data center. They can do all that.
- So any city can build a data center. They can do all that.
Summary:
The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members.
Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board.
The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Feb 26th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- from MERIC, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, which provides a lot of our state data
- We have our P20W longitudinal data system, which we do in partnership.
- So we have longitudinal data.
- Again, it is data driven. All of this is data driven.
- Do we have the right data in place?
Committee:
House Joint Committee on Education
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences Aug 6th, 2025
Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences
Transcript Highlights:
- Based on public data, we estimate that it will save $1.2 million to $5.3 million in a 2027-29 biennium
- I don't believe we have the data to know that definitively.
- I don't believe we have the data to know that definitively. Okay. Thank you. Commissioner Orr.
- Of the 29 responsive developers, 22 had sufficient data for inclusion in the analysis.
- Finally, there were several data challenges during fieldwork.
Summary:
The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on August 6, 2025, with five commissioners present and a quorum. The commission approved the May 7, 2025 meeting minutes and welcomed new commissioner Scott Edwards, who introduced himself. Staff also confirmed the September meeting date had been changed to September 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate his schedule, and noted that testimony questions for the public hearing would be used at that meeting.
JLARC staff then presented preliminary 2025 tax preference performance reviews covering nine preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but do not meet emissions-reduction goals, and recommended continuing the public utility tax and natural gas use tax exemptions while modifying reporting requirements; they also recommended continuing the marine-use LNG sales tax exemption and considering the Department of Revenue work group’s findings. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the small-beneficiary rate appears to support smaller firms, while the larger-beneficiary rate should be reviewed and both should have clearer objectives and metrics. For nonprofit low-income housing development, staff said the preference is helping produce housing but the current metric does not align well with the objective, data/reporting problems remain, and the legislature should decide whether to continue and possibly modify the exemption, including considering annual renewal.
Staff also reviewed the multipurpose senior citizen centers exemption, concluding it meets its objective and recommending continuation, with possible consideration of making it permanent. For disabled veteran adapted housing, staff said the preference has very low uptake despite eligible veterans and recommended continuing it but modifying it in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve use. For trade convention attendance, staff said the preference aligns Washington with other states and recommended continuation. For agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, staff said the exemption reduces tax layering and recommended continuation, with clarification on whether it is exempt from expiration/performance-statement requirements. For agricultural crop protection products, staff said the preference met its revenue-growth metric and recommended extending it while considering better metrics or recategorizing it as tax relief. Finally, for energy sales to a silicon smelter, staff said the preferences were unused because the facility was never built and recommended allowing them to expire. The meeting ended with reminders about written testimony and the September public testimony session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits May 14th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits
Transcript Highlights:
- Our data analysis found that of third-party-managed sites, 212 were ranked by Ecology as high-risk or
- Our analysis of Ecology's data showed that the vast majority of, Our analysis of ecology's data showed
- Did the data need to clean up first? You know, it looked pretty good to us.
- That was really the thing with the data that we saw. But for the most part, it looked decent.
- I mean, we do have the information available in the data about whether the cleanup has started.
Summary:
The I-900 Subcommittee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s performance audit, “Community Engagement During Contaminated Site Cleanups.” Audit staff said Ecology oversees only about 8% of Washington’s active contaminated sites, while most sites are handled by third parties or have no cleanup plan yet. The audit found that community engagement requirements apply mainly to Ecology-conducted or Ecology-supervised sites, leaving many independent cleanups without required public involvement or Ecology oversight. The auditors also reported inconsistent coordination between Ecology and the Department of Health, and noted that Ecology’s community engagement practices were generally compliant at the sampled sites but lacked systematic lessons-learned evaluations, earlier outreach in some cases, and more tailored language/accessibility efforts. Tribal feedback was mixed, with some tribes saying engagement was adequate and others asking for earlier, more tailored consultation.
Committee members questioned how Ecology could be absent from many cleanups, whether SEPA or other laws still require public involvement, and whether Ecology has authority to require public participation at third-party sites. Audit staff responded that their work focused narrowly on community engagement requirements under MTCA and did not evaluate the full cleanup or permitting process, but they recommended Ecology increase transparency and consider engagement expectations for higher-risk third-party sites. Members also raised concerns about tribal identification, exposure scenarios, and whether Ecology is using the best available information early enough in site prioritization. Ecology said it appreciated the audit, agreed that community engagement should be the norm for higher-risk sites, and said it is already taking steps such as improving staff guidance, developing a tribal engagement plan, and launching a public notification subscription system. The Department of Health also said it values its partnership with Ecology and that clearer written procedures would help preserve institutional knowledge.
During public testimony, Washington Conservation Action supported the audit’s findings and urged stronger community engagement, especially in communities of color and low-income areas disproportionately affected by toxic sites. The organization said fully funding MTCA is necessary for Ecology to implement the needed improvements and noted that more modern outreach approaches and additional staff resources will likely be required. The hearing ended with the chair inviting written comments and adjourning the meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
February 2026 State Budget and Economic Forecast Presentation - 2/27/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The data include available to them.
- not having that data?
- </c> >> At this point, we don't have the data >> At this point, we don't have the data that
- </c> have about not having that data? have about not having that data?
- </c> social media tax, which is a tax on data social media tax, which is a tax on data for<01:39:29.440
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:35:34.000><c> are</c> what happens to the students data are what happens to the students data
- In terms of your question focused on data, there is general data that is collected by Mantra as students
- ><c> data</c><00:36:16.800><c> that</c><00:36:17.000><c> is</c> there is um General data that is there
- </c> but I we can follow up with precise data but I we can follow up with precise data I<01:20:56.280
- </c> portion National Benchmark spending data portion National Benchmark spending data from<01:23:52.520
Committee:
House Higher Education Finance and Policy
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, did you collect any data along those lines on the reason for the non-renewals?
- So, yes, a lot of data, or a lot of research, has been done into the data.
- And some of that data is tracked through the state website.
- Providers can still collect data, interfere with legitimate patient care.
- Providers can still collect data, clinical data, public health purpose data, and they still may discuss
Committee:
House Business