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KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Closing this is not just about infrastructure; it's about equity, opportunity, and long-term investments
- Closing this is not just about infrastructure; it's about equity, opportunity, and long-term investments
- Closing this is not just about infrastructure; it's about equity, opportunity, and long-term investments
- Closing this is not just about infrastructure; it's about equity, opportunity, and long-term investments
- Representative Petri, thank you for the quick Zoom call, we've submitted updated information to the LRC staff
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:05
HB 537 Discussion 00:00:40
HB 537 Vote 00:02:45
HJR 34 Discussion 00:03:30
HJR 34 Vote 00:07:45
HJR 30 Discussion 00:08:30
HJR 30 Vote 00:10:25
HJR 32 Discussion 00:11:00
HJR 32 Vote 00:41:00, 958, all
Summary:
The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate.
Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informational interview with Rep. Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine) Jan 6th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- not just in Minnesota but across the country as well, and what we're seeing happen is these private equity
- Do they, you know, walk away from the equity that they've built in their homes over all these years,
- uh do they, you know, walk away from<00:04:32.320><c> the</c><00:04:32.639><c> equity</c><00:04:32.960
- that</c><00:04:33.199><c> they've</c><00:04:33.440><c> built</c><00:04:33.680><c> in</c> from the equity
- that they've built in from the equity that they've built in their<00:04:34.160><c> homes</c><00:04:34.639
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- To our Democratic policy staff, where are they? Democratic policy staff, where are they?
- We have some phenomenal staff.
- staff.
- The minority staff, you know, the minority staff... ...job along with the whole majority staff, your
- And I know research staff was mentioned, but I want to mention research staff once again.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement - 03/11/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair then said he would call an audible and introduce the staff, noting that the staff puts together
- The Chair thanked all three staff members and said LCPR has the most outstanding staff in the history
- ><c> puts</c> for those that don't know the staff puts for those that don't know the staff puts together
- </c> so um if we could please have staff so um if we could please have staff briefly<00:08:40.800><c>
- </c><00:10:05.200><c> in</c> lcpr has the most outstanding staff in lcpr has the most outstanding staff
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Lily Smith, staff to this committee.
- Staff, if you'd be so kind... Oh, I messed it up already.
- You see TVW land, we cannot do this without our professional staff.
- So staff, if you'd be so kind as to announce the vote.
- Seeing none, if staff would be so kind as to announce the vote.
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program to support low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production in Washington. Committee staff and agency witnesses described the bill as implementing recommendations from a prior work group and said the Department of Agriculture and Ecology could develop the program, though Ecology recommended clarifying lifecycle emissions accounting, defining green fertilizer, and tying incentives to emissions reductions. Supporters, including a labor representative, Atlas Agro, NRDC, and TRIDEC, said the bill could reduce emissions, stabilize fertilizer prices for farmers, create jobs, and help Washington capture federal hydrogen tax credits. The committee also heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible participants in the Conservation Futures Program; tribal, county, and land trust witnesses said the change would improve conservation partnerships, reduce transaction complexity, and better support stewardship of open space, farmland, and habitat. Public testimony tallies were read into the record for both bills, with strong support and opposition noted on each.
After the hearings, the committee took up executive session on three bills. Senate Bill 5919, encouraging fire districts and insurers to create voluntary incentives for wildfire mitigation and agricultural activities, was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote with one excused. Senate Bill 5816, adding juice grapes as a covered agricultural product under the Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote with one excused. The committee deferred action on engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5838, which concerns membership on the Board of Natural Resources and includes tribal representation; staff explained a proposed amendment would reduce tribal seats to one and alternate east-west representation by term. The chair announced the next day’s hearing would start at 9 a.m. and reminded members to submit any amendments by 6 p.m. that evening.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 17th, 2025
California Assembly Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He believed that through equity, everybody in this country could rise, and he believed that an inclusive
- It's equity, and the diversity of our communities is our strength, and we know that.
- King's legacy is still felt today as we invoke his name and try to fulfill his dream of equity. and justice
- corporate ads talk about holding hands and racial harmony and whitewashing his legacy, but for racial equity
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Jan 13th, 2026
Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- I commend the Chair and the committee staff for their thoughtful analysis on this bill.
- And thank you for working with my team and staff and the discussions with the segments also.
- And health and well-being of your staff, that's a non-negotiable education.
- Like... ...of your staff, that's a non-negotiable education.
- Patel for working with our committee staff this past fall to address this very important issue.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm chair of the Birth Equity Work Group.
- Witness: The Birth Equity Work Group works to decrease disparities in maternal and newborn health care
- </c> or stroke or wounds turn into a staff or stroke or wounds turn into a staff infection<00:28:19.000
- By preserving MinnesotaCare, we uphold our commitment to health equity, ensuring everyone can live a
- ensuring everyone can live a Equity ensuring everyone can live a healthy<00:31:09.399><c> productive
Keywords:
undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:30:17.279><c> uh</c> some of the kids and the staff uh some of the kids and the staff uh particularly
- </c> historically there's been so much staff historically there's been so much staff turn<00:32:04.320
- We celebrate with a baboon festival and end the winter camping with our staff and staff from Fond du
- </c> end the winter camping with our staff end the winter camping with our staff and<00:37:52.079><c>
- staff</c><00:37:52.319><c> from</c><00:37:52.440><c> Fondulac</c><00:37:53.040><c> natural</c> and staff
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Audrey, if you would give us a staff report. Good afternoon, Chair, members of the committee.
- Audrey Vasek, staff to the committee.
- Any questions for staff?
- We will get a staff briefing from Audrey again.
- Audrey Vasek, staff to the committee: Happy to answer any questions.
Summary:
The Housing Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 2118 would limit homeowners associations’ ability to adopt or enforce new covenant restrictions on the use of a unit that are more onerous than those in place when the owner bought the property, unless the owner agrees in writing. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect buyers from having the rug pulled out from under them on things like chickens or renting part of a home. Staff explained the bill’s grandfathering and recording provisions, and that it excludes rules required by law. Testimony was split: supporters emphasized fairness, certainty, and protecting relied-upon uses, while opponents from HOA and management groups argued it would create fragmented enforcement, higher costs, administrative complexity, and conflict within communities, and that existing law and court decisions already address these issues. The committee closed the hearing without taking a vote.
HB 2236 would update Washington Housing Finance Commission statutes. The bill would allow the commission to make direct mortgage loans, extend the term of the commission attorney, remove advance notice to the state finance committee before bond issuance, repeal the housing finance program and housing finance plan requirements, and revise the commission’s purpose language. The sponsor and commission said the changes would modernize outdated statutes, improve efficiency, and give the commission more flexibility to use its revenues and financing tools for affordable housing, gap financing, preservation, and starter homes. Committee members asked about the commission’s bond structure, default risk, and the meaning of “public funds,” and the commission said the transactions remain third-party and tax-exempt, with no state credit risk.
Banking industry witnesses said they generally support the commission’s mission but wanted clearer limits on direct lending and the use of public funds, and they were working with the commission on amendment language. Committee members expressed support for the collaboration and the goal of increasing housing production. No votes were taken; both hearings were closed and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- And so to me, this is an equity issue. I will be abstaining. I feel for the victims.
- Thank you again to the Chair and to the committee staff for the work on this bill as well.
- We're going to keep talking to the author and committee staff about the measure. Thank you so much.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 4, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:23:37.400><c> and</c><00:23:37.559><c> it</c> services Branch staff and it services Branch staff
- The Mālama ʻOhana Working Group was specifically written to address and support staff around burnout,
- The Mālama ʻOhana Working Group was specifically written to address and support staff around burnout,
- For DHS staff, that furthers that plan and work and makes us closer to a trauma-informed state.
- </c><01:13:05.400><c> and</c> really to advance uh gender equity and really to advance uh gender equity
Summary:
The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-04-30 - 11:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington, relating to the office of racial equity
- approval of an amendment to the charter of the City of Burlington, relating to the office of racial equity
- It simply says that in order to build towards more equity in the property tax system, we are providing
- It simply says that in order to build towards more equity in the property tax system, we are providing
- As our fiscal staff, and I want to thank them because I'm not sure how many night hours they put into
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Sitting or standing in the aisles is not permitted, and the State Patrol and House security staff are
- </c><00:25:47.320><c> limit</c> Um, and it caps the home equity limit Um, and it caps the home equity
- </c><00:38:19.280><c> must</c> fragile infant, the hospital staff must fragile infant, the hospital staff
- It's how they've been pursuing this work with their own staff and in partnership with others.
- ,</c> because they have to either cut staff, because they have to either cut staff, they<01:24:49.640
Keywords:
HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate - 01/22/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Our designers and staff work with that customer, and we determine what part of that we need to do on
- running the utility multiplied by whatever the commission determines as appropriate return on our equity
- running the utility multiplied by whatever the commission determines as appropriate return on our equity
- running the utility multiplied by whatever the commission determines as appropriate return on our equity
- </c><01:45:05.520><c> and</c> have reminded us that the equity and have reminded us that the equity and
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER, HHS-WTL Public Hearings 03-17-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There are going to be some variation in costs in terms of getting the staff trained and up to speed and
- It aligns with our mission to provide equity to everybody in Hawaii.
- It aligns with our mission to provide equity to everybody in Hawaii.
- Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, testified in support. equity as a goal.
- So, I think um knowing equity as a goal.
Summary:
The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments.
The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity.
HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget 2nd Revised Apr 20th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- So, before I run these bills, I do Check with the senate staff and senate attorneys to make sure all
- So, I've been told by our senate staff and Senate Attorneys as well as house staff and house attorneys
- It's just what staff uses in that. Again, Commerce will enter into MOUs to...
- House Bill 4028 extends the sunset on the qualified equity investment.
Bills:
HB4028, HB4029, HB4059, HB4063, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, SB1130, SB1131, SB1132, SB1133, SB1134, SB1142
Keywords:
tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, ALS, funding, healthcare, State Department of Health, emergency declaration, public finance, state budget, financial regulations, monetary policy, referendum, constitutional amendments, special election, Oklahoma legislature, public voting, recovery fund
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, counties are directly providing transit services to fill critical regional gaps, address equity
- First, I'd like to thank the Chair and the committee staff for working with my staff on this important
- I'd like to thank the committee chair as well as the staff for working on this bill to make it strong
- Will you be willing to work with the committee staff to address technical considerations highlighted
Summary:
The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met after several delays while waiting for the Senate to finish its floor session, and the chair announced the committee would begin once a quorum was established. The committee then heard a series of tax-related bills, with most measures being held for suspense except SB 87, which was voted out. The chair also welcomed newly appointed committee member Assembly Member Juan Carrillo.
SB 359 would clarify that county-run transit systems qualify for existing sales and use tax exemptions on transit fuels such as diesel and compressed natural gas. Senator Nilo and Placer County testified that the bill would correct an inequity affecting counties operating their own transit services, especially rural counties, and would not create a new state revenue loss because the tax had not been consistently collected. Support came from the California Transit Association and the California State Association of Counties; the bill was sent to suspense.
SB 603 would allow county boards of supervisors in disaster-affected counties to extend by up to three years the five-year deadline for transferring a property tax base-year value to replacement property. The author and supporters, including the California Assessors Association and the California Association of Realtors, said the measure would give local governments flexibility to address post-disaster rebuilding delays. SB 293 would extend the deadline for filing intergenerational property transfer claims from six months to three years for disaster-impacted homeowners, with testimony focused on helping families in Altadena and preserving generational homes after the Eaton Fire; the committee discussed possible refinements and the bill was held in suspense. SB 353 would extend the farm-to-food-bank tax credit through 2032, with support emphasizing food security, waste reduction, and the program’s documented results; it too was sent to suspense.
SB 723 would raise the threshold for property tax exemptions on low-value properties, with the author arguing it would reduce administrative costs and ease burdens on small businesses, and the committee asked for technical work before the bill was held in suspense. SB 785 would create a $5,000 tax credit for durable medical equipment used by children with complex medical conditions, with supporters saying it could prevent hospitalizations and help families keep medically fragile children at home; it was also sent to suspense. SB 87, which would extend the sales tax exemption for volunteer fire department fundraising activities for five more years, passed the committee on a 5-0 vote and was sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- A variety of research and reports that staff might undertake, um, such as the reports that we made following
- Written materials that have been informally presented to commission staff, uh, we would produce those
- Uh, the Office of Public Utility Council is a small agency with 17 staff members, mostly comprised of
- of that is being utilized, how much of that were real generators, how many of those were private equity
- In a past life, my staff looked at it and we were not able to really identify, I would call, uh, players
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- District staff, which is new to us and is being navigated, is 14 million.
- To the Legislative Education Committee, 1.9 million for the House and Chief Clerk staff, and and the
- Senate leadership staff in section eight, and for the department's share of legislative publication.
- But I also just want to clarify for some of the new folks: Legislative Council Services is the staff.
- Prohibiting a hedge fund, private equity firm, corporation, or other business from purchasing a single-family