Video & Transcript : 'Amite River Basin' :
Page 183 of 261
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- We're currently at Twin Rivers Unit, where we're offering another HEAL circle.
- Rivers Unit where we're offering another HEAL circle.
Committee:
Senate Law & Justice
Summary:
The committee work session began with a staff presentation on state tort liability, focusing on why Washington’s tort payouts and claims have risen and how sovereign immunity, statutes of limitation, damages rules, and case law shape state exposure. Staff and the Attorney General’s Office highlighted that DCYF, DSHS, and DOC account for the largest share of claims and payouts, with Washington’s broad waiver of immunity and lack of caps on non-economic damages making it unusual compared with many other states. The discussion emphasized childhood sexual abuse claims, foster care and juvenile rehabilitation liability, and the impact of recent cases and the 2024 statute of limitations changes. Agency witnesses from DCYF, DSHS, and DOC described rising claims, delayed payout timing, difficulty defending older cases with limited records, and efforts to reduce future liability through practice changes, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, staffing, and early resolution programs.
The committee then shifted to parole and sentencing. Staff from the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and Public Safety Policy and Research Center reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing and parole to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained that parole can coexist with sentencing guidelines in other states through different models. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to three-strikes, persistent offender review, and a second-chance review process, noting that the task force did not reach consensus on those ideas. Judges Veronica Galvan and Cindy Larson, speaking for the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association, supported considering a parole or review-board model as a way to address racial disparities, improve fairness, and create a more centralized and transparent review process with data collection and judicial review.
The final panel began with prosecutors, with Eric Eisenger introducing himself and indicating he would speak from both his role as Benton County prosecutor and as a former defense attorney. The transcript cuts off before the prosecutors’ full testimony or any committee action on the parole topic, and no votes were taken during the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice May 27th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, River. Just quickly, Mr. Chair, we had an officer in Bloomfield shot this morning early.
- They can't seemingly go to the movies, can't go out and have, we used to go out to the river and drink
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Augusta, for frame of reference, is about 45 minutes east of Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, on the Ohio River
- Augusta, for frame of reference, is about 45 minutes east of Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, on the Ohio River
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.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/29/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/27/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Would that include river water?
- Um, putting thermal pollution into a river, say, with these power plants, is highly regulated.
- Um, it's not good to boil all of the fish in a river if you have a power plant.
- </c><05:11:12.798><c> say</c> thermal uh pollution into a river say thermal uh pollution into a river
- </c><05:11:26.560><c> if</c> to boil all of the fish in a river if to boil all of the fish in a river
Committee:
House Science, Technology and Energy
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- County or down maybe way down on the ocean, or maybe over as far as you can go in the Connecticut River
- but about Coos County or places far down on the ocean, or as far as you can go in the Connecticut River
- > the</c> far over as you can go in the far over as you can go in the Connecticut<00:24:00.400><c> River
- ><00:24:00.640><c> towards</c><00:24:01.000><c> Charleston</c><00:24:01.600><c> or</c> Connecticut River
- towards Charleston or Connecticut River towards Charleston or the<00:24:01.919><c> other</c><00:24:02.159
Summary:
The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective.
Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator.
Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- :10.079><c> and</c> Further, Professor Burton, just a note: we built a new middle school in Oyster River
- ><c> $50</c><00:49:32.680><c> million</c><00:49:33.680><c> on</c><00:49:33.839><c> a</c> in Oyster River
- I come from Grafton 5, that's Haverhill, Benton, Piermont, Warren, Landaff, up on the Connecticut River
- Benton Pont Warren Landa up on the Benton Pont Warren Landa up on the Connecticut<01:18:41.560><c> River
- um I'm here today to Connecticut River um I'm here today to introduce<01:18:44.560><c> 494</c><01:18
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects. Representative Cahill, the prime sponsor, said the bill would raise the annual minimum from $50 million to $60 million and help address a long backlog of school construction and renovation needs after years of a moratorium on applications. He argued that districts forced to build during the moratorium were left to shoulder costs through local property taxes, and he cited examples such as Londonderry, Claremont, and other communities with aging or inadequate facilities. He also said the current aid structure, including paying 80% upfront and 20% at completion, concentrates too much spending at once and limits how many projects can be funded.
Several committee members asked about the fairness and structure of the program. Representative Maguire questioned whether aid should be distributed more broadly to all districts rather than only a few selected projects, and Representative Luneau noted that the committee would also be considering related bills on catastrophic aid, special education aid, and the school foundation formula. Cahill responded that building aid has historically been targeted to property-poor communities and that the state should be a reliable partner in school construction. He also said the bill includes a small retroactive component for communities that built during the moratorium, which he described as a compromise.
Testimony in support came from Representative Cluder, who described Claremont’s Stevens High School project as a case where a bond issue narrowly failed and the city later had to fund renovations without state aid, contributing to high property taxes. He said the bill would help property-poor communities and urged passage. Tony Weinstein of New Market also supported the bill, saying his community had serious facility and safety needs, had moved forward with scaled-back renovations during the moratorium, and still faced debt-service burdens without state participation. Robert Thompson, superintendent in Hampstead, testified that his district needs an addition for overcrowding, safety, and special education space, and said building aid would help reduce out-of-district placements and transportation costs. No vote was taken in the hearing.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-22 - 10:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the Keene, New Hampshire Little League fills a trailer with deposit bottles and drives across the river
- drives<00:58:39.400><c> across</c><00:58:39.920><c> the</c><00:58:40.760><c> the</c><00:58:40.880><c> river
- </c><00:58:41.160><c> to</c> drives across the the river to drives across the the river to Springfield
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- There's another project that's downstream that is the Roseau River Rehabilitation project, in which they're
- the, uh, is that's downstream that is the, uh, is the<00:20:14.320><c> Roseau</c><00:20:14.640><c> River
- </c><00:20:15.000><c> Rehabilitation</c><00:20:15.880><c> project,</c> the Roseau River Rehabilitation
- project, the Roseau River Rehabilitation project, in<00:20:16.520><c> which</c><00:20:16.720><c> they're
Committee:
Senate Finance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Elk River Elks, Zimmerman Thunder, Princeton Tigers. We appreciate the committee's time.
- > Administrator and just for the record Administrator and just for the record Elk<01:23:07.960><c> River
- </c><01:23:08.280><c> Elks</c> Elk River Elks Elk River Elks Zimmerman<01:23:10.240><c> Thunder,</c><
Bills:
HF4094 , HF3390 , HF3813 , HF3583 , HF3751 , HF4324 , HF4789 , HF3596 , HF4033 , HF4424 , HF4053
Committee:
House Taxes
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 59 (4-14-26) - Part 1
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I would think that the people who sat in these chairs, well, on the other side of the river over there
- other</c><00:45:24.800><c> side</c><00:45:24.880><c> of</c><00:45:24.960><c> the</c><00:45:25.119><c> river
- </c><00:45:25.280><c> over</c><00:45:25.440><c> there</c> the other side of the river over there the
- other side of the river over there when<00:45:25.839><c> the</c><00:45:26.000><c> old</c><00:45:26.160
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/13/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- more Minnesota kids be safe in the water, whether that's in a pool, whether that's in a lake, or on a river
- lake,</c><00:04:52.200><c> or</c><00:04:52.440><c> on</c><00:04:52.560><c> a</c><00:04:52.600><c> river
- </c> that's in a lake, or on a river that's in a lake, or on a river experiencing<00:04:53.760><c> the
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Highway 13 is the first east-west road, if you will, south of the river, south of 494.
- ,</c><00:18:04.320><c> south</c><00:18:04.640><c> of</c><00:18:04.799><c> the</c><00:18:04.960><c> river
- ,</c><00:18:05.679><c> south</c> if you will, south of the river, south if you will, south of the river
Committee:
House Capital Investment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Kristen Scott, and I'm a proud AFSCME member and a paraprofessional in the Elk River School
- paraprofessional<00:53:16.840><c> in</c><00:53:16.880><c> the</c><00:53:17.000><c> Elk</c><00:53:17.160><c> River
- </c><00:53:17.360><c> School</c> paraprofessional in the Elk River School paraprofessional in the Elk
- River School District.<00:53:18.600><c> I'm</c><00:53:18.720><c> here</c><00:53:18.840><c> today</c>
Bills:
HF3794 , HF4472 , HF4410 , HF4347 , HF4412 , HF4398 , HF4397 , HF4201 , HF4199 , HF4203 , HF3706 , HF4071 , HF4120 , HF4175 , HF4188
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a high school counselor in my 13th year at Two Rivers High School in the West Saint Paul Mendota
- school counselor in my 13th year at high school counselor in my 13th year at Two<00:03:31.000><c> Rivers
- 31.680><c> in</c><00:03:31.760><c> the</c><00:03:31.840><c> West</c><00:03:32.040><c> Saint</c> Two Rivers
- High School in the West Saint Two Rivers High School in the West Saint Paul<00:03:32.480><c> Mendota
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 14, February 25, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- them racing casinos, but there's multiple other opportunities throughout those states just across the river
- throughout those states just<00:35:41.839><c> across</c><00:35:42.240><c> the</c><00:35:42.560><c> river
- </c><00:35:44.160><c> So</c><00:35:44.880><c> I</c> just across the river, etc., etc.
- So I just across the river, etc., etc.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- who was going through a mental health crisis and was trying to drown themselves in the Mississippi River
- 00:52:01.359><c> in</c><00:52:01.599><c> the</c><00:52:01.680><c> Mississippi</c><00:52:02.079><c> River
- </c><00:52:03.440><c> I</c> themselves in the Mississippi River.
- I themselves in the Mississippi River.
Committee:
House Housing Finance and Policy
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 14, February 25, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's right out the side of the hill, right by the river.
- hill,<00:36:40.320><c> right</c><00:36:40.560><c> by</c><00:36:40.800><c> the</c><00:36:40.960><c> river
- </c><00:36:41.599><c> Um,</c><00:36:42.079><c> lots</c><00:36:42.480><c> of</c> hill, right by the river
- Um, lots of hill, right by the river.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-AM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Great River.
- </c><00:14:18.880><c> Great</c><00:14:19.120><c> river.</c> joining us today.
- Great river. joining us today. Great river. [applause] >> Thank you, Mr.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 19 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area, the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area, Mississippi River
- Hills National Heritage<01:41:42.480><c> Area,</c><01:41:42.800><c> Mississippi</c><01:41:43.360><c> River
- </c><01:41:43.720><c> Parkway</c> Heritage Area, Mississippi River Parkway Heritage Area, Mississippi
- River Parkway Commission,<01:41:44.920><c> and</c><01:41:45.120><c> Mississippi</c><01:41:45.640><c>