Video & Transcript Research : 'hard drive'

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Transportation Committee Jun 23rd, 2026 at 09:00 am

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hard work on two computers at one time.
  • And this data actually can be used for texting while driving, talking on the phone while driving, all
  • So it's not just speeding; it's hard braking, hard accelerating, all of those things.
  • It's hard braking, hard accelerating, all of those things.
  • And there's a lot of people that are driving recklessly, driving fast, you know, driving ignorantly.
Keywords: 904, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It is really hard for me.
  • It is really hard.
  • Yes, all the people working hard. Child care providers work hard.
  • It is hard.
  • We work very hard, and the staff has worked hard around the clock.
Summary: The hearing focused first on how wildfires and other disasters affect child care providers, families, and early education infrastructure. State officials from the Department of Social Services and Department of Education described disaster response and preparedness efforts, including shelter coordination, licensing outreach, emergency waivers, distribution of supplies, and the statewide child care disaster plan. Testimony from providers and advocates emphasized major gaps in recovery funding, insurance coverage, rebuilding support, mental health services, and coordination with local rebuild plans. Several witnesses urged more dedicated disaster-recovery funding for child care facilities and suggested statutory changes, including allowing greater flexibility for rebuilding costs and requiring early childhood programs to be included in local disaster planning. The second panel addressed immigration enforcement and its impact on child care. Advocates from the Children's Partnership, Every Child California, and CHIRLA said enforcement activity is causing families to keep children home, disrupting continuity of care, reducing enrollment, and creating fear and trauma for children and providers. They argued that immigrant and mixed-status families need clearer protections, privacy safeguards, legal support, trauma-informed guidance, and safe-haven policies for child care settings. Speakers also stressed that the child care workforce is heavily immigrant and that recent state laws such as AB 49 and AB 495 will require funding, training, and technical assistance to implement effectively. Public commenters, including child care providers, described personal experiences with fire damage, displacement, permit delays, lost income, and the emotional toll of serving families during crises. Others described how immigration enforcement has made parents afraid to attend events, drop off children, or remain connected to providers. Committee members repeatedly noted that child care is often overlooked in emergencies and asked state officials how child care systems are being integrated into disaster planning and how local and state agencies can better coordinate. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 049 Mar 4th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, uh, it was a great drive. It's a very pretty drive.
  • go for a drive. go for a drive.
  • and it was just a great drive. and it was just a great drive.
  • It's a very pretty it was a great drive. It's a very pretty drive.<00:45:26.600> Um drive.
  • Um drive.
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, suspended Rule 1B to allow a non-senator to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a special guest introduction before approving the March 2, 2026 journal. The chamber then received committee reports and messages from the House and revisor, including action on several bills and appointments, and briefly moved out of order for personal privileges recognizing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the challenges facing that community amid budget pressures. The Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 1018, designating State Highway 86 through Elbert County as the Plains to Pines Scenic Corridor, after lengthy remarks describing the route, local communities, and scenic and historic features. The resolution passed 35-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate also passed the consent-calendar bills on third reading: SB 59, SB 50, SB 51, SB 110, SB 61, and SB 26, with several senators recording no votes on SB 59, SB 50, and SB 51. SB 21, concerning the clean fleet enterprise and replacement of high-emitting trucks and fleets, also passed 33-2. The Senate confirmed governor’s appointments to the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors on the consent calendar, including Lisa Augustin, Carolyn Glover, Megan Letham, George Keriannac, and Lisa Boyer, all by a 35-0 vote. It also laid over general orders, second reading of bills, until March 4, 2026. The meeting ended with announcements about committee meetings, Read Across America Week, and a Colorado Optometrist Association reception, followed by a motion to recess until 11:00 a.m., which was adopted.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Property taxes jumped this fall, hitting families and homeowners hard no matter where they live in this
  • This isn't about picking favorites; it's about rewarding the hard work.
  • about rewarding the hard work. about rewarding the hard work.
  • We want to make life easier for families who are working hard in this state every single day.
  • We want to make life easier for families who are working hard in this state every single day.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press conference unveiling a package of affordability and tax-relief bills aimed at property taxes, taxes on tips and overtime, and vehicle registration costs. Leader Mark Johnson said the proposals were meant to counter rising costs for wages, homeownership, and driving, and argued that Democrats’ policies had made life more expensive. Several senators echoed that theme, saying Minnesotans need immediate relief and that the state has room to act because of a reported surplus. Senator Michael Kunesh described a property-tax cap bill that would limit increases for cities and counties to inflation plus 50% of population growth, with higher increases requiring voter approval. He said constituents, including seniors, a disabled veteran, and young people, are seeing unsustainable property-tax hikes, and he argued that state and federal mandates have driven local costs. In response to a question about added county workload from federal SNAP and Medicaid changes, he said the solution is both to pause new mandates and to cap property-tax growth. Senator Karin Housley outlined a proposal to end state taxes on tips and overtime, with deductions up to $25,000 for tips and $12,500 for overtime, phased out at $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for families. She said the measure would help workers keep more of what they earn and would not cost small businesses directly. Senator John Jasinski proposed rolling back vehicle registration tab fees to pre-2023 levels, saying Minnesota’s fees are far higher than neighboring states and that the change would save drivers money over time. Senator Julia Coleman also supported the package, saying the bills would provide practical relief for families facing high housing, driving, and work-related costs. No votes were taken; the event ended with questions from reporters about fiscal impacts, offsets, and whether the proposals would worsen the state’s structural budget imbalance.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Commerce and Economic Development Mar 3rd, 2025

House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We push so hard to grow the economy in New Mexico.
  • The state theoretically tracks, but as we can see, people are going to drive without insurance.
  • If you can't afford auto insurance, you're really between a rock and a hard place.
  • So people are going to continue to drive. Our society basically requires that.
  • It's a hard thing to have definite answers on; we have no history. But with that, I'll invite.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 06/02/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • God bless them for the life that they have chosen, the hard work they put out every day.
  • Are we driving people to deadlier drugs potentially?
  • And there is something that we can do when we talk about strengthening drunk driving laws, drug driving
  • LAWS, DRUG DRIVING LAW, STRENGTHENING RESTRICTIONS ON PEOPLE WHO ARE FOUND AND CONVICTED WHILE DRIVING
  • WE'RE GOING TO DRIVE THIS BUSINESS AWAY.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Transportation (01/28/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • These drivers are left without the ability to drive or are forced to risk driving on an expired license
  • It reduces the burden on DMV. are forced to risk driving on an expired are forced to risk driving on
  • license valid for driving license valid for driving purposes<00:28:26.360> this<00:28:26.519
  • But, quite frankly, once that hard copy is printed and you're waiting for it, for purposes of driving
  • A lot of them are all-wheel drive.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers. The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 3rd, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, driving license, driving while license invalid DWLI, a suspended license is a fine only Class
  • DWLI offenses remains for those whose license has previously been suspended for driving while for driving
  • Um, you don't have to drive.
  • I feel very, very, very, very hard for.
  • It, at the very least, it'll be a hard sell.
Bills: HB316
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Sep 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • That is not where they came and looked at our driving.
  • This problem and how hard it was for all those small businesses.
  • And so distracted driving is one of those things.
  • It makes it hard to manage.
  • How hard is it to get a contractor to do these jobs? Mr.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Feb 4th, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • hard to wrap your brain around, that that's an entire school district.
  • It's also hard to recruit based on salaries.
  • And what we want to do is drive the highest education possible.
  • And what we want to do is drive the highest education possible.
  • Is that basically what you're driving toward?
Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee met to discuss the needs of rural school districts and the role of Florida’s three regional education consortia: the Panhandle Area Education Consortium, Northeast Florida Educational Consortium, and Heartland Educational Consortium. Executive directors and several rural superintendents described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide shared services, professional learning, leadership development, grant support, cooperative purchasing, risk management, IT/cybersecurity help, and back-office assistance that small districts could not afford to provide on their own. They emphasized that rural districts are often very small, have limited staff, and must still meet the same state reporting and compliance requirements as large urban systems. Testimony focused heavily on teacher recruitment and retention, alternative certification, and the difficulty of staffing specialized roles such as CFOs, MIS directors, IT staff, and content-area teachers. Superintendents said many new hires are career changers or alternatively certified teachers who need consortium-supported training, and several argued for more flexibility in funding so districts can raise salaries and compete with neighboring districts and nearby states. Members also asked about the impact of declining enrollment, homeschooling, and voucher-related school choice; superintendents said those trends are reducing FTE and creating budget instability, while also requiring districts to right-size staff and programs. Several speakers described the financial strain on rural districts, including rising insurance costs, transportation costs, and the challenge of forecasting budgets when enrollment changes after the school year begins. One superintendent recounted major hurricane damage and said consortium risk-management support was essential to recovery. Others said the consortia help districts pool resources for property and health insurance, payroll, student data systems, and procurement, and that this shared approach saves money and improves services. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine insurance markets and the role of mitigation policies. May 1st, 2025 at 09:00 am

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We must be honest about the multiple factors driving the rise in catastrophic losses.
  • Chairman, President Trump is making property insurance crisis worse and driving up costs for families
  • It may not always be easy, but as my wife likes to remind me, we can do hard things.
  • everybody to drive electric vehicles.
  • But we know there are many factors that are driving insurance costs to increase.
Summary: The meeting reviewed critical issues surrounding the rising costs and accessibility of homeowners insurance across the United States, particularly in light of increasing natural disasters linked to climate change. Members engaged in extensive discussions regarding the implications for families and the economy, citing significant increases in premiums and decreasing availability of policies in high-risk areas. Supervisor Peysko highlighted the direct impact of federal policies on local communities, emphasizing the growing burden on homeowners as they face skyrocketing insurance costs amidst a backdrop of environmental challenges and regulatory constraints. The committee expressed a unified call to action for bipartisan solutions, focusing on improving building codes and enhancing disaster preparedness measures.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am their official spokesperson for their Drive Campaign, which stands for Driving Requires Initiative
  • So, thank you so much for recognizing April 2nd as Drive to Arrive Day because I think it's Drive to
  • thank you for making April 2nd Drive to Arrive Day.
  • Chairman, for your hard work. We do have the letter from Mr.
  • Pat, to Ethan, for all the hard work for the committee members.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 2/10/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:48:05.359> out Border City Dynamics and the drive out Border City Dynamics and the drive
  • ourselves you know there are hard ourselves you know there are hard choices<00:59:37.880> ahead
  • So there's other things besides state policy that drive some of these outcomes.
  • So there's other things besides state policy that drive some of these outcomes.
  • So there's other things besides state policy that drive some of these outcomes.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Ways and Means Committee began with member and staff introductions, including several new members and committee staff. Representative Zach Stevenson, the DFL lead, objected to the day’s presentation, saying he was disappointed the committee was starting with a group he viewed as aligned with Republicans rather than a nonpartisan budget presentation. The chair responded that the committee had a bipartisan agreement and that hearing a different perspective was appropriate. The committee then proceeded to a presentation from economists with the Center of the American Experiment, with questions held until the end. The presentation focused on Minnesota’s budget outlook, arguing that the state faces a structural imbalance and a projected $5.14 billion deficit in the 2028-29 biennium. The presenters said spending has outpaced revenues, highlighted a large increase in general fund spending since 2023, and argued that inflation-adjusted per-capita spending remains above pre-2024 levels through the forecast period. They said the biggest growth areas are E-12 education and especially Health and Human Services, with HHS projected to become the largest budget category and much of its growth tied to Medicaid and long-term care waivers. The presenters also argued Minnesota spends more than most states on welfare and Medicaid, citing comparisons showing the state near the top nationally in spending per person in poverty and in several Medicaid categories. They said some of the HHS growth reflects policy changes from the 2023 session, while other pressures come from enrollment growth, health care prices, federal debt, and an aging population. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting shown.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

November 19, 2025 - 01:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Something is going on to drive those numbers and drive that data and put Florida at the top of that .
  • ..to drive those numbers and drive that data and put Florida at the top of that very unenviable list.
  • I have to drive out of my way, put him in a car, and drive him to a different hospital so he doesn't
  • hard work year after year on this issue.
  • It's my driving force as a legislator. Where is the balance?
Summary: The Judiciary Committee met to consider HB 6003, a bill to repeal Florida’s “free kill” law that limits certain survivors’ ability to recover non-economic damages in medical negligence wrongful death cases. The sponsor, Rep. Trabulsy, said the bill would restore access to the courts for a small class of families and noted the measure passed both chambers last year before being vetoed by the governor. She and supporters framed the bill as a fairness and constitutional issue, while opponents argued repeal would increase malpractice exposure, insurance costs, and pressure on physician access, especially in high-risk specialties and rural areas. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters included family members who described deaths they said were caused by medical negligence and who argued the current law denies accountability and equal treatment based on marital status or whether a decedent had minor children. Opponents included the Florida Hospital Association, Florida Medical Association, Florida Chamber, U.S. Chamber, Florida Insurance Council, and other health care and business groups, who warned that repeal could worsen already high malpractice premiums, contribute to physician shortages, and destabilize access to care. Several speakers on both sides discussed possible caps on non-economic damages as a compromise, though the bill itself was presented as a clean repealer with no amendments. During debate, several members spoke in support, emphasizing equal access to the courts and rejecting the idea that the law should treat some families differently from others. Opponents of the bill argued that the current system helps preserve market stability and that liability concerns, not the free kill law, are driving provider departures. After closing remarks from the sponsor, the committee voted 15 yeas and 1 nay to report HB 6003 favorably.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So shorter drive times: how does that relate to cannabis use?
  • So our first piece looks at drive times and reported cannabis use.
  • And here it's roughly a 50% reduction in drive time predicts about a 2% increase.
  • And without the demand side, it's hard to make meaningful inferences.
  • And urban areas generally drive it, but that might just be density.
Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • We asked hard questions.
  • We asked them hard questions.
  • We also had asked them hard questions.
  • real people, real careers that drive real people, real careers that drive rural<01:24:42.320>
  • We had to make hard grant program.
Keywords: 1183, house
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • is a statutory prohibition on driving is a statutory prohibition on driving with<00:29:13.159>
  • if somebody's driving with an open<00:29:22.080> container<00:29:22.960> driving<00:29:
  • 23.320> with open container driving with open container driving with paraphernalia<00:29:24.159
  • Because that's what's going to drive our marijuana buys, and that's what's going to drive the taxes.
  • For example, impaired driving.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture and Food Systems heard testimony and began decision-making on HB 1246, which would establish the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within DCCA to regulate cannabis. Chair Tarnas described the bill as divisive and noted the hearing had received 95 testimonies in support, 135 in opposition, and 11 comments. Members were told the office would be administratively attached to DCCA, and the department emphasized it would not direct day-to-day operations. DCCA also raised concerns about banking access due to federal law, while the Department of Agriculture supported a one-plant, one-agency approach and noted its current authority over cannabis plant importation and movement. Several agencies and advocates supported the bill with cautions or requested amendments. The Department of Health said it appreciated the bill’s public health protections but remained concerned about increased adult-use access, youth mental health, pregnancy-related risks, and effects on developing brains; it requested a 12-month delayed effective date. The Attorney General’s office said legalization should include safeguards, recommended a longer implementation timeline and seed funding, and flagged issues in the bill involving impaired driving, open-container language, and penalties for under-21 possession. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill but objected to new driving and possession offenses, saying existing law already covers impaired driving. Doctors for Drug Policy Reform supported the measure, citing regulation of intoxicating cannabinoids, testing, childproof packaging, and public education as public-health benefits. Opponents focused on youth access, public safety, and the bill’s broader social effects. The Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill over access and diversion concerns, and the City and County of Honolulu Prosecutor strongly opposed legalization, citing higher-potency cannabis, youth harms, psychiatric risks, and increased poison-center calls. The Hawaiʻi Substance Abuse Coalition argued legalization should wait until prevention programs are in place and funded first, while the Hawaiʻi Family Forum and Hawaiian Republican Women also opposed the measure, citing concerns about youth exposure, added bureaucracy, and taxpayer costs. The Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi questioned the purpose of the proposed cannabis taxes, asking why cannabis should be taxed heavily if legalization is intended. The hearing continued with additional testimony after a brief audio issue for one testifier.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • It is a result of several driving factors, some of which Lynn already touched on.
  • You've both said that the market is driving down prices. We're doing better than inflation.
  • Number one, preserving and protecting a marketplace that is driving costs down.
  • drive rates down.
  • Now, let me tell you how hard it is to get to those folks.
Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee held an informational hearing on the state of broadband affordability in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the committee was examining how broadband prices, access, and affordability are affecting households, especially after the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and amid concerns about federal resistance to state broadband regulation. She noted the committee’s continued interest in policy options for 2026 and referenced prior legislation, including AB 353, that would have required affordable home internet as a condition of doing business in California. Industry witnesses from U.S. Telecom and CTIA argued that broadband and wireless prices have generally fallen in real terms even as inflation and other household costs have risen, citing competition, infrastructure investment, and faster speeds as the main drivers. They said California’s higher costs are tied to permitting delays, taxes, copper theft, and legacy obligations such as COLR requirements, and they urged the Legislature to preserve market incentives, reduce fees and regulatory burdens, and support infrastructure deployment. They also discussed fixed wireless access, federal BEAD funding, and Universal Service Fund reform, arguing that more entities benefiting from networks, including tech platforms, should contribute to support programs. Consumer and public-interest witnesses presented a different view, saying California still has a serious affordability and adoption problem, especially for low-income households. Sunny McPhee of the California Emerging Technology Fund said broadband adoption has improved dramatically over time, but about 500,000 households remain offline or underconnected and many low-income households still pay above the FCC affordability benchmark. Ernesto Falcon of the CPUC Public Advocates Office said California’s market is losing its competitive edge, with prices higher than in other states and meaningful price pressure coming mainly from fiber competition at the gigabit tier. He said roughly 4.8 million Californians are limited to one gigabit option and estimated that more competition could save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Both witnesses emphasized the need for stronger transparency, targeted subsidies, and a permanent affordability solution, including extending and refining the CPUC broadband Lifeline pilot and advancing SB 716. Public commenters, including representatives from cable providers, nonprofits, and digital equity organizations, largely supported SB 716 and a permanent broadband affordability program. Several urged the committee to remove a cap on the Lifeline program, expand the CPUC pilot, and invest in digital navigators, outreach, and enrollment assistance. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after the chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters for their testimony.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Commerce (04/01/2025)

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • it until it stops driving.
  • it until it stops driving.
  • it until it stops driving.
  • They drive around our roads. Hampshire. They drive around our roads.
  • drive in our state. It's a privilege. drive in our state. It's a privilege.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • What I'm saying is there are forces that drive energy prices up and there are forces that drive energy
  • What I'm saying is there are forces that drive energy prices up and there are forces that drive energy
  • . hard. hard.
  • <00:52:08.319> down useful program for us driving down useful program for us driving down
  • pushed so hard on moving to clean. pushed so hard on moving to clean.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all