Video & Transcript Research : 'Testimony'
Page 185 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Tim Walz's tax policy proposals heard in House Taxes Committee 4/23/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony.
- <00:31:29.080>
Fritsinger, testimony. - Up next, Tanner Fritsinger, testimony.
- Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you very much for your testimony.
- much for your testimony. much for your testimony.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns.
Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance.
Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/13/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- the record and commence your testimony the record and commence your testimony when<00:09:20.080>
- Sparks to state his name and begin his testimony.
- then begin your testimony. then begin your testimony.
- Will you be taking any testimony on Wednesday, Mr. Chair? Yes, Senator Dahms, we will be.
- <01:22:44.280>
on Will you be taking any testimony on Will you be taking any testimony on
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And the second point that we heard in testimony was that if we didn't approve this bill, nobody would
- And I think another thing that we heard in testimony with regard to the error rate aspect of this is
- >> From<00:49:39.520>
further <00:49:40.000>testimony, >> From further testimony - We heard in testimony, we heard testimony in Division One from the state treasurer that with the existing
- > we<01:05:17.119>
heard We heard in testimony, we heard We heard in testimony, we heard testimony
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/05/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:08:39.399>
in to provide some um verbal testimony in to provide some um verbal testimony - the the dod liaison written testimony the the dod liaison written testimony that<00:19:58.960>
- Do you happen to have a copy of your testimony?
- Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
- Thank you very much for your testimony. Thank you. Anyone else?
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Any testimony that actually is copy.
- <01:31:47.199>
Good you for hearing my testimony. Good you for hearing my testimony. - Continue with testimony for HB10. heard. Continue with testimony for HB10.
- Thank you for your testimony.
- testimony as well that I'll pass out. testimony as well that I'll pass out.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Did you also want to give testimony? Yes, ma’am.
- So at this time, if you both would want to give your testimony?
- So at this time, if you both would want to give your testimony?
- So what I'm hearing in some of the testimony, and perhaps Rep.
- That means your time's up for your testimony.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 206, which would require cardiovascular pre-screening and blood pressure testing for student athletes beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Chairman Miller said the bill was prompted by concerns about undiagnosed hypertension and sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, and Coach Marcus Scott testified about his own kidney transplant after years of untreated high blood pressure. Members asked about who would perform the screenings and how follow-up would work; the American Heart Association said existing athletic physical processes and referral networks could handle it. An amendment was adopted, and the committee reported SB 206 favorably as amended.
The committee then took up SB 305, which would require a publicly available statewide career-alignment dashboard showing how degree programs connect to workforce outcomes, including completion, employment, wages, and high-demand jobs. Chairman Edmonds and student task force member Cruz Cassard said the goal was to help students understand job opportunities in Louisiana and reduce the number leaving the state after graduation. Workforce and higher education stakeholders supported the measure as a transparency and workforce-planning tool. The committee reported SB 305 favorably.
Next, the committee considered HB 624, a school safety cleanup bill updating references from crisis management plans to emergency operations plans and aligning school emergency language with national standards. Representative Johnson and the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools said the bill would not create new mandates or costs, but would clarify existing requirements. The committee reported HB 624 favorably. The committee then heard HB 1022, as substituted, concerning school-based health care services. Representative Jackson said the bill was intended to clarify that medical decisions in school-based health centers should be made by licensed health professionals, not school staff, while preserving parental consent. Testimony from school-based health center providers supported the bill, but several members raised concerns about consent, parental authority, and whether the language shifted too much responsibility away from schools; the Charter School Association suggested adding more collaborative language. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 1022 favorably by a 10-4 vote.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Legislative Administration (03/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to report that online testimony I'd like to report that online testimony had<00:19:38.880
- The only thing I'm going to say is we heard a lot of testimony.
- And one of the things I heard testimony.
- >
silencing <00:44:11.440>people's testimony about this silencing people's testimony about - <01:19:02.719>
Um no testimony whatsoever. Um no testimony whatsoever.
Summary:
The committee first returned to House Bill 157, which had been left pending from an earlier session. After correcting the procedural posture, the committee voted on a motion of ought to pass and it failed on a roll call. A reconsideration motion then passed unanimously, restoring the bill to the floor. Representative Turcot then moved ITL, explaining the committee believed there was a better path, likely through an ad hoc study and a future bill; that motion passed 9-2, and the chair said a minority report would be required and not to place the bill on consent.
The committee next took up House Bill 331, which would require the Secretary of State to publish the current location of bills on the website until gubernatorial action. Supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and legislative limbo after bills leave the House and Senate. Online testimony was reported as 116 in support and 4 opposed. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill and placed it on consent.
House Bill 347 followed, dealing with protections for legislators’ employment when serving in office. Supporters argued it would protect elected officials from employer retaliation and clarify existing law; opponents said it was an unnecessary mandate on employers and raised enforcement concerns, especially for out-of-state employers. The committee voted 8-3 to pass the bill, and a minority report was anticipated; it was not placed on consent. The committee then considered House Bill 605, which included student loan forgiveness provisions tied to legislative service. Members opposing the bill argued legislators are not state employees and should not receive that benefit, while others noted the bill’s employment-related provisions and the difficulty of meeting the hours requirement. The committee voted 11-0 to ITL House Bill 605 and placed it on consent.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Taxes Committee considers HF169 3/11/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:09:16.399>
and then we're going to go to testimony and then we're going to go to testimony - Rachel Jenner, executive director, Allied Charities of Minnesota, to your testimony.
- Thank you for your testimony, and thank you for your service.
- Angstrom, to your testimony. Mr. Angstrom: Yes, thank you, Chairman.
- Thank you very much for your testimony.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered.
Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach.
Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your testimony.
- Adam sski from EDF Renewables testimony Adam sski from EDF Renewables if<00:20:59.760>
you <00 - uh representative AUM thank testimony uh representative AUM thank you<00:26:50.360>
Mr <00:26: - Mr sakoli sakoli skolski thank testimony Mr sakoli sakoli skolski thank you<00:26:56.200>
um < - thank you very much for your testimony thank you very much for your testimony George George Daman
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-12-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- He said the testimony he heard today was very compelling, and that the testimony he heard was stalking
- So that’s my concern: that you can have two minor ones, as far as the testimony that we heard today,
- So that’s my concern: that you can have two minor ones, as far as the testimony that we heard today,
- Pratt’s testimony, and Representative Tipton, thank you for bringing the bill, Ms. Pratt.
- Thank you for your testimony. I don’t know where I can see you; there’s a big pole here.
Keywords:
The live stream for this meeting cut off before the end. This is the complete meeting pulled from back ups.
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:05
HB 38: 00:02:42
HB 206: 00:29:22, 958, all
Summary:
The committee began with roll call and introductory remarks, including recognition of new members and guests. It then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase penalties for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation involving the same order and same individual could be elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. Tipton and domestic violence survivor Maryanne Pratt testified in support, with Pratt describing repeated abuse, protective-order violations, and ongoing fear despite arrests and jail time. Several members spoke in favor of the bill and praised Pratt’s testimony.
Members and outside witnesses raised concerns about the substitute’s language, especially the requirement that the same victim be involved and whether the bill could leave gaps for repeat abusers with different victims. Representative Burke and others questioned whether the conduct was already covered by stalking or assault statutes. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that the bill could allow technical contempt findings to be used as predicate offenses and noted that existing assault and stalking laws already address much of the conduct. Sponsor Tipton said the language was not final and that further changes might be considered in the Senate. Despite the concerns, the committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 38 with favorable expression by a 19-0 vote.
The committee then heard House Bill 206, sponsored by Representative Nemes, on wrongful conviction compensation. Nemes introduced exonerees and representatives from the Kentucky Innocence Project, and the substitute was adopted without objection. Testimony came from Paul Herd, who spent 20 years wrongfully convicted and described the difficulty of reentry, and Jon Acar, who said he was wrongly convicted as a teenager and spent years in custody and on parole. Both urged passage of the bill as overdue support for people exonerated after wrongful convictions.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Adjournment Sine Die Fri May 2, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 60
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In<00:38:30.400>
testimony <00:38:30.960>offered <00:38:31.359>by <00:38:31.520>< - c> the<00:38:31.760>
Tax In testimony offered by the Tax In testimony offered by the Tax Foundation - Any information presented or anything referenced in the Department of Health's testimony.
- I wish the public could see the late nights of work, the piles of reports and testimony you read, and
- I wish the public could see the late nights of work, the piles of reports and testimony you read, and
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Education (3-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And if you were here for the virtual school testimony, you know, if it was a Cloverport have serious
- Uh, in fact, Representative Truit may have been in the room for the testimony on that 268.
- 55.599>
I appreciate your testimony and I appreciate your testimony and I understand<00:36:56.000 - Thank you all for your testimony.
- Thank you all<00:51:47.599>
for <00:51:47.760>your <00:51:47.920>testimony.
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee heard House Bill 132, which would change home and hospital instruction funding so schools can be reimbursed sooner when students miss school for short-term mental health-related stays. Representative Nick Wilson said current law requires a student to be out five days before funding begins, leaving schools unpaid when they provide instruction during 2- to 4-day absences. The committee gave HB 132 favorable expression unanimously.
The committee then heard House Bill 193, a cleanup bill on dual credit scholarships. Representative J.T. Payne and KHEAA’s director explained that the bill consolidates academic and CTE dual credit scholarships into one statute to reduce administrative confusion, since the programs have been funded together in recent budgets. HB 193 passed unanimously with favorable expression.
House Bill 241 drew the most discussion. The committee first adopted a substitute, which members said changed the bill to give the Commissioner of Education discretion, rather than a mandate, to grant calamity days. The bill and substitute centered on virtual instruction and Cloverport Virtual Academy: supporters said the school was a pilot project that needed more time and that a prior agency effort to cap virtual instruction would have effectively shut it down, while opponents argued the substitute would reward a low-performing virtual model and extend NTI/virtual learning too broadly. Testimony from an Oldham County parent criticized NTI quality and opposed adding more virtual days. No final vote on HB 241 was included in the portion provided.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations (3-5-25) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- He said he was here in September for the first committee meeting and gave testimony then, and that he
- back then um I have been here testimony back then um I have been here I<00:31:03.159>
have <00 - He added, "I appreciate the testimony from the folks today, but you can see from their testimony today
- The chair said the testimony shows what the committee is dealing with: one witness said there should
- <00:39:37.359>
it right decision but even the testimony it right decision but even the testimony
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 202, adopting a committee substitute before hearing testimony. Senator Julie Rocky Adams explained that the substitute would require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate regulations by January 1, 2026 for intoxicating hemp-derived beverages, direct the University of Kentucky to study manufacturing, testing, distribution, sales, and consumer effects of those beverages, and impose a moratorium on their sale until July 1, 2026. Supporters, including Rep. Matt Cook, said the measure was intended as a consumer-protection step rather than a ban, citing concerns about youth access, inconsistent labeling, and the need for a clearer regulatory framework.
Members asked about the legal status of the products, whether the bill could unintentionally sweep in non-intoxicating hemp beverages, and whether there was evidence of harm. Senators were told the products are legal under the federal farm bill loophole, but that testing has shown THC levels on sampled cans did not match labels and that current regulations do not specifically address intoxicating hemp-derived beverages. Senator Higdon said CHFS had already been authorized to regulate hemp products and was moving forward with regulations and enforcement, while Senator Meredith questioned whether a moratorium would unfairly punish businesses that had already invested in the market and suggested setting a THC standard instead.
Public testimony then shifted to industry opposition. Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp said his company had invested heavily in a beverage line and argued the moratorium would function like a ban and harm small businesses. Dee Taylor of 502 Hemp and the Kentucky Hemp Association also opposed the moratorium, saying existing rules already require age limits, behind-the-counter sales, and licensed retailers, and arguing that a cap on milligrams would be preferable to a shutdown. He said retailers were seeing approved and unapproved products in the market and urged work with the Cabinet and ABC rather than a moratorium.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And yes, we had testimony after testimony of organizations and departments that came to us and said they
- And yes, we had testimony are opt in.
- And yes, we had testimony after<00:54:58.720>
testimony <00:54:59.200>after <00:54:59.599 - >
testimony <00:55:00.319>of after testimony after testimony of after testimony after testimony - c> potential testimony concerned with potential testimony concerned with potential unintended<04:
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/29/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:16:54.759>
um them away based on previous testimony um them away based on previous testimony - <00:57:07.960>
today we're going to take some testimony today we're going to take some testimony - Thank you for your testimony.
- <01:33:56.920>
I'm along thank you for your testimony I'm along thank you for your testimony - for time we're going to limit testimony for time we're going to limit testimony to<02:17:04.639>
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/21/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<00:52:55.200>
um, listening to the testimony, um, listening to the testimony, um, particularly - <01:18:59.760>
there We've we also heard in testimony there We've we also heard in testimony - Uh and I think a prior testimony I think Uh and I think a prior testimony I think from<01:26:17.440><
- I'm in hearing my testimony today.
- Thank you very much for your testimony. testimony. testimony. >> Thank<03:55:52.239>
you.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 2, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Any public testimony? No amendments? Any public testimony? Ken Pruitt, St.
- No more public testimony. We are in debate. Members, we are in debate.
- Seeing none, any public testimony? Joseph Salzberg, City of Naples.
- Any more public testimony? That's it. All right, we're going into debate on the bill.
Summary:
The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two local bills. Rep. Trabulsy presented HB 4011, which would expand the St. Lucie County Mosquito Control District service boundary by 326 square miles, subject to a referendum. The bill received supportive public testimony from Ken Pruitt on behalf of St. Lucie County, drew no amendments or opposition, and was approved favorably by a 15-0 vote.
Rep. Botana presented HB 4005 concerning the City of Naples Airport in Collier County. The bill would shift appointment authority from the City Council to a voter-approved structure with three members from Naples and two from the county. Joseph Salzberg, representing the City of Naples, testified that the city was respectfully opposed while it continued reviewing possible unintended consequences, though he said discussions with the sponsor were ongoing. There was no further public testimony or debate, and the committee passed the bill favorably by voice vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Invited testimony is now open. There's no one registered for invited testimony.
- So invited testimony is now closed. Public testimony is now open.
- Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
Bills:
HB2217
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met and considered two House bills. HB 2217 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement agencies equip patrol vehicles with bullet-resistant components such as windshields, side doors, and windows. Senator Hagenbuch explained that the measure is intended to improve officer safety in light of shootings through patrol car glass, and no invited or public testimony was offered. The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2217 favorably to the full Senate and also recommended it for the open uncontested calendar.
The committee then took up HB 2594, with Senator Creighton explaining that it updates venue rules for cybercrime and related theft cases involving intangible property such as cryptocurrency, online fraud, and intellectual property theft. The bill would allow prosecution in the county where the victim resides, where the defendant is apprehended, or where the defendant is extradited to, giving prosecutors more flexibility when crimes cross county lines. No questions or testimony were offered.
The committee voted 6-0 to report HB 2594 favorably to the full Senate. It was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing its business, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public Health Effects of Xylazine Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- And then lastly, another addition in this emergency response section, noting testimony, again, that the
- I want to just thank Commissioner Davis, who is not here today, but who sent along this testimony from
- Testimony was received that there is miscommunication, and miscommunication kind of broadly, that differs
- We've received testimony asking or highlighting the need to expand that to sort of bolster the public
- So one addition at the bottom of page 20 for first responders, we did receive some testimony that was
Summary:
The Special Commission on the Public Health Effects of Xylazine held its fifth and final public meeting to review and approve the final draft of its report before submission to the House and Senate clerks. Chair Mindy Domb opened the meeting, noted Senator John Keenan’s absence due to National Guard deployment, approved the prior meeting minutes, and explained the process for incorporating final edits and late votes into appendices. Commissioners then voted to allow staff to make agreed-upon language changes after the meeting, and later voted on the final report itself.
Staff walked commissioners through the report’s redlines and substantive updates. Changes included clarifying that xylazine is an active adulterant rather than simply a bulking agent, replacing “non-clinician” with “non-clinical staff,” removing or revising references to “hotspots” in favor of more accurate language about local trends, and refining language on wound care to refer to medical consequences and financial costs. The report also added or strengthened discussion of harm reduction measures such as drug checking, mobile health services, overdose prevention centers, oxygenation and airway support during overdose response, and the importance of naloxone remaining available while recognizing its limits for xylazine exposure. Commissioners also discussed data collection, legal protections for drug checking, and the role of the Attorney General in guidance and coordination on emerging drug threats.
The commission then took a final vote, with the members present voting to approve the report. A letter from Senator Velis, who was also absent due to active duty orders, was read into the record expressing support for the report and its recommendations. In closing comments, commissioners and staff thanked one another for the collaborative work and described the report as a useful public health resource. Chair Domb adjourned the meeting at 11:11 a.m., noting that the final report would be submitted and posted online for public access.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental Affairs May 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a witness card completely, sign it, and hand it over to
- Your signature is an affirmation that the testimony you give is true.
- We had a lot of public testimony, so we didn't vote on any bills and didn't take up any amendments.
- We will hear three-minute testimony on the amendments for this bill.
- Thank you for that testimony.
Summary:
The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 12, 2026, and focused primarily on Senate Bill 407, a congressional redistricting proposal, with Senate Bill 121 also scheduled for later. The chair explained the committee would first take up SB 407, consider amendments, then hear public testimony, and would not take up SB 116 or SB 130. Two amendment sets were adopted on SB 407: one technical set adjusting dates to align with the upcoming election cycle, and another updating the map in the bill. Committee members and the bill sponsor described the proposal as a 4-2 congressional map intended to comply with the Supreme Court’s CalA ruling, preserve traditional redistricting criteria, and avoid using race as the basis for district lines.
Supporters of SB 407 argued the map was compact, contiguous, kept parishes and cities together, and created two opportunity districts without racial predominance. Several senators said the map better reflected Louisiana’s political and demographic realities and could withstand legal challenge under the Equal Protection Clause and First Amendment. Testimony in support also emphasized fairness, representation, and the idea that the state should not move to a 5-1 map. Some speakers, including former legislators and community advocates, said the state should maintain or preserve two districts where Black voters and Democratic voters could elect candidates of choice.
Opponents of the broader redistricting effort criticized the process as rushed and confusing, especially because early voting had already begun and the Secretary of State was not present to answer questions. Some speakers said the legislature had not been properly involved in the election suspension process and raised concerns about whether votes already cast would count if maps changed. Others argued the proposed changes were an attempt to dilute political power and disenfranchise voters, particularly Black, poor, and queer communities. The committee heard extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.