Video & Transcript Research : 'accessibility'

Page 190 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 03/04/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • Are they able to access that money for these last three months?
  • Are they able to access that money for these last three months?
  • Are they able to access that money for these last three months?
  • Are they able to access that money for these last three months?
  • of the rural critical access many of the rural critical access hospitals<00:52:39.680> in<00:
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ACT 279 WG Info Briefing - Mon Dec 1, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And what that gives us now is they have access to this project.
  • First they have access being a beneficiary. Now they have access to a project.
  • Not everybody has that type<00:28:59.279> of<00:28:59.440> access,<00:29:00.320> but
  • , but in walking with our type of access, but in walking with our service<00:29:02.559> providers,
  • Very different from before, but now they<00:29:32.159> have<00:29:32.399> access<00:29:
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Act 279 working group met for an informational briefing with DHHL on its use of the $600 million appropriation and progress on the department’s implementation plan. The chair reviewed the working group’s oversight role, noting that it was created to monitor expenditures, project development, and progress toward reducing the Hawaiian Homes waitlist, and that the group must submit a progress report before the 2026 session and a final report before the 2027 session. DHHL said it had provided an updated booklet reflecting the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s February 2024 recommendations and a detailed accounting of encumbrances and project progress across the islands. DHHL highlighted several implementation themes: innovative financing and construction methods, land acquisitions and exchanges, technology, beneficiary services, and partnerships with counties and private entities. The department described a “project lease” model that gives beneficiaries access to a project rather than a specific lot, with options such as turnkey homes, owner-builder, self-help, or rent-to-purchase arrangements depending on financial qualification. Officials said this approach is intended to serve lower-income beneficiaries, expand access for people on the waitlist, and allow beneficiaries to receive support services such as financial literacy and down payment assistance. The department reported that roughly $511 million had been encumbered for infrastructure, about $152.8 million for acquisitions, financing, and beneficiary services, and about $36 million in other covered costs, with about $588.9 million encumbered as of December 31 and about $120 million expected to be spent by that date. Officials said the original implementation plan covered about 2,722 units, while the updated plan projects roughly 6,000 to 7,000 leases and 2,472 lots to be occupied. They also described phase-two needs for additional funding, including projects on Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu, and said they would need continued legislative support, including possible bonding and private activity bond set-asides, to complete remaining projects. Members discussed the distinction between encumbered and spent funds, and DHHL explained that encumbrances reserve money for specific contracts while construction spending occurs over time through progress payments. The department also showcased examples of innovative projects, including a high-rise project in urban Honolulu financed through a mix of private activity bonds, tax credits, and state funds, and an acquisition-based project in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi using multiple funding sources. DHHL emphasized partnerships with the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County, and said it is still assessing future projects to keep infrastructure costs manageable and ensure homes are safe and affordable for beneficiaries.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • if you are in excess of 50 miles an hour and/or you're in excess of 35 miles an hour on a limited access
  • if you are in excess of 50 miles an hour and/or you're in excess of 35 miles an hour on a limited access
  • The bill will establish access for enrollees during state holidays and after regular business hours,
  • No one's being denied access to the courts. The inmates will have the ability to file claims.
  • State parks are intended to provide access to the public to recreate. Thank you, Chairman.
Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025

Fiscal Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • if you are in excess of 50 miles an hour and/or you're in excess of 35 miles an hour on a limited access
  • This legislation addresses a persistent problem in the state's managed care system, which limits access
  • The bill will establish access for enrollees during state holidays and after regular business hours,
  • No one's being denied access to the courts. The inmates will have the ability to file claims.
  • State parks are intended to provide access to the public to recreate... Thank you, Chairman.
Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots. The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners. For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/5/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we did not have access to uh the decision makers in that.
  • :48:20.720> information disagree that motans access information disagree that motans access information
  • Thank you. people's access to voting. So we had people's access to voting.
  • It's a small dispute to get access to justice.
  • It's a small dispute to get access to justice.
Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378
Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as I in accessing administering MA.
  • There was also no evidence that it increased people having access to health care.
  • There was also no evidence that it increased people having access to health care.
  • <00:13:17.680> to increased um people having access to increased um people having access to
  • Messaging to promote consistent and understandable access across partners.
Bills: HR1
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/03/25

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • They get access to do so through their support through the Entrepreneur Fund.
  • So those are people accessing services.
  • So those are people accessing services.
  • So those are people accessing services.
  • Copo is a leader in advocating for workers and helping people access employment.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 2/27/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • The delays, uh, delay businesses’ access to capital and consume substantial resources to comply with
  • The delays, uh, delay businesses’ access to capital and consume substantial resources to comply with
  • <00:56:31.880> quality<00:56:32.280> care can ACC families can access quality care
  • can ACC families can access quality care and<00:56:32.799> providers<00:56:33.319> can<
  • This voluntary tax abatement tool will allow cities and counties who choose to opt in access more of
Bills: HF1277, HF1006
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Transportation (02/11/2025)

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • for safe access to the highway: provide maximum safety and protection to the traveling public through
  • This could lead to unsafe access points to the highway system, jeopardizing safety for all users, or
  • points the highway system access points the highway system jeopardizing<00:15:54.079> safety<
  • <00:29:53.080> of impact the cost the speed and access of impact the cost the speed and access
  • The previous senator was speaking about access to your community, as I would say.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:54:51.839> to<00:54:52.040> Legal<00:54:52.440> councel have the access
  • to Legal councel have the access to Legal councel independent<00:54:53.880> of<00:54:54.040>
  • That will allow us to have access to more loan products, as well as the department itself taking out
  • We've collectively worked together to access federal funds.
  • We've collectively worked together to access federal funds.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN Informational Briefing 01-14-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Post-meal food scraps should be directed toward composting facilities that have access to infrastructure
  • <00:10:08.120> and charging stations are accessible and charging stations are accessible and
  • um to accessing funds that already<00:36:09.960> exist<00:36:10.880> any<00:36:11.240>
  • <00:43:09.319> and land access and tenure water access and land access and tenure water access
  • , which is something we hear a lot of from the public: people losing access to the beaches, to public
Keywords: 912, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (01/20/2026)

Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:30:15.600> our to the getting back and accessing our to the getting back and accessing
  • largely to provide better roadway access largely to provide better roadway access to<01:18:18.880
  • provide access to Milford and Amherst. provide access to Milford and Amherst.
  • <01:22:29.120> The needs, not simply local access. The needs, not simply local access.
  • improved truck and commercial access improved truck and commercial access from<01:22:32.639>
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Education Finance - 01/28/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • access the 40,000.
  • access the 40,000.
  • access the 40,000.
  • access the 40,000.
  • access the 40,000.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 28, 2025, to receive updates on chronic absenteeism work funded in the 2024 education finance bill. The chair introduced presentations from districts in the student attendance pilot program—Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Chisago, and Rochester—and noted that the committee would also hear the student attendance and truancy legislative study group report and later a bill from Senator Weber. The chair also thanked educational assistants and paraprofessionals for their work in schools. Minneapolis Public Schools described common attendance challenges across pilot districts, including inconsistent attendance coding, weak family communication, difficulty identifying interventions, and uneven responses to absences. The district said pilot districts want statewide definitions for absences, tardies, and exempt codes, as well as better internal dashboards and clearer procedures. Minneapolis also highlighted strategies such as attendance teams at each school, quarterly postcards to families after five or more absences, Promise Fellows, home visits, multilingual communication through TalkingPoints, and a morning nurse line to help parents decide whether a child should stay home. The district said its main attendance goal is to raise consistent attendance from 68 percent to 80 percent by 2026. In response to committee questions, Minneapolis said its main post-COVID absenteeism reason has been illness or medical issues, followed by transportation problems, and that it does not penalize students for transportation-related absences. The district said it counts secondary absences when students miss more than three periods in a day, with truancy beginning after seven such absences, while elementary students are counted absent for the full day. Members also asked about whether reduced truancy referrals reflected more attendance or diversionary supports; the district said its approach is to focus on understanding root causes and providing support rather than quickly referring students to truancy processes. The district reported improved communication, greater parent awareness, and fewer truancy referrals so far, and said the attendance team model should be sustainable because it uses existing staff with clearer direction.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 092 Apr 15th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um I limitations on access to care.
  • This cap is detrimental to the access This cap is detrimental to the access people<04:26:21.680>
  • when it may um hurt individuals' access when it may um hurt individuals' access to<04:26:56.280>
  • should be able to access. should be able to access.
  • mechanism for those children to access mechanism for those children to access care.
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports. The Finance Committee reported Senate Bills 155, 49, and 116 with amendments and favorable referral to Appropriations, and House Bill 1188 favorably to Appropriations. The Business, Labor, and Technology Committee reported House Bill 1110 with amendments and a favorable recommendation to the Committee of the Whole, placed on the Consent Calendar, and also recommended confirmation of several appointments, including members of the State Plumbing Board, State Electrical Board, and Workers’ Compensation Cost Containment Board. The chamber then proceeded out of order for personal privileges and a resolution honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., including recognition of visiting members and students participating in its Capitol Day. The Senate next took up House Joint Resolution 1027 concerning remembrance of the Holocaust. The resolution emphasized the history of the Holocaust, rising anti-Semitic incidents, the importance of Holocaust and genocide education, and the need to confront hate and otherization. Senators Weissman and Ball spoke in support, stressing the dangers of hateful rhetoric, the need for vigilance and compassion, and the importance of learning from history. HJR 1027 passed unanimously by roll call, 35-0, and the roll call was listed as co-sponsors. Announcements followed recognizing the Sikh community’s Vaisakhi observance and a langar lunch at the Capitol, along with a proclamation for Sikh Awareness Appreciation Month. There were also notices about a Republican caucus, a Legal Services Committee meeting on Senate Bill 2683 and a litigation update, and a brief personal privilege remark about tax day and agriculture. The Senate then recessed until 10:30 a.m., later raised the call, and moved into special orders for second reading of a large group of House bills on the Consent Calendar.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Session (01/07/2026)

New Hampshire House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Children deserve consistency and access to both parents.
  • districts from accessing federal funds. districts from accessing federal funds.
  • <04:31:18.160> to effectiveness of increasing access to effectiveness of increasing access
  • <05:45:57.560> is two-tier system where access is two-tier system where access is determined
  • <06:27:43.680> because accessibility because accessibility because Granite<06:27:45.680> State
Keywords: 1189, house, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • , which will establish a statewide language access education and workforce development program at the
  • Relating to language access, which will establish a statewide language access education and workforce
  • We have the Office of Language Access in support.
  • of the disability communication access of the disability communication access board, board, board
  • It can take months to access primary care and mental health appointments.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JDC Informational Briefing 12-08-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • These can be accessed on the Legislature's website, which, as I mentioned before, was capital.hawaii.gov
  • These can be accessed on the Legislature's website, which, as I mentioned before, was capital.hawaii.gov
  • Agayani is a dedicated advocate for civil rights, women, immigrant justice, and college access, and was
  • A lot of it, by the way, there's a lot of language barriers, access to information. that up.
  • So that can also impact. limited they have access to attorneys, limited they have access to attorneys
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Transportation (01/28/2025)

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, will this bill increase accessibility?
  • it will accessibility absolutely it will increase<00:12:11.480> accessibility<00:12:12.440>
  • The key word here is on line seven, sole purpose of the Statewide Public Boat Access Program.
  • Senator Waters did a very good job explaining the situation and the public boat access program.
  • situation um and the public boat access situation um and the public boat access program program
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 04/28/2026

Energy And Telecommunications

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, but this is really focused on people who have equipment, right, and who need access to energy in
  • I also wanted to ask about utility access...
  • I also wanted to ask about utility access to capital, that's on page 2, line 10.
  • When we're talking about utilities' access to capital, whose money are we talking about here?
  • would help them access those markets.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee met under Chair Kevin Parker and considered a series of energy, utility, and clean transportation bills. The committee first advanced a bill by Senator Connery on make-ready electric infrastructure for public-serving EV charging, after members raised concerns that the costs of preparing school bus charging infrastructure could be shifted to ratepayers. The committee then advanced Senator Parker’s pilot program for resilient EV charging microgrids, with discussion focused on using existing NYSERDA resources, the role of batteries, and the bill’s purpose in supporting emergency charging during outages. Another bill on heavy distribution centers and EV charging was also advanced after debate over its application to large warehouse and e-commerce facilities. The committee also considered a bill on carport-mounted solar systems that would limit local zoning restrictions. A motion to substitute in a different bill was ruled improper for lack of notice, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on appeal. Members then advanced a PSC guidebook bill on gas and electric rate-making, and a utility shutoff protection bill for medical emergencies, life support equipment, and elderly, blind, or disabled customers, with questions about age definitions and the scope of medical documentation. The committee also advanced the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would create a pilot program for electrification and weatherization in disadvantaged communities, with members discussing whether the program would be available at no cost to building owners and how utilities would access capital. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about who would pay for the programs, whether ratepayers or taxpayers would bear the costs, and how much local control would remain under the solar siting bill. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed a recent NYISO report warning about possible summer reliability issues and urged the committee and the PSC to review it closely. The chair noted the report should be considered alongside other state planning documents, and the meeting then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management Apr 10th, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • Can't use zoning to effectively ban HUD-code homes and restrict access to affordable housing.
  • substitute addresses a significant challenge in the governance of municipal utility districts, or MUDs, accessibility
  • At all times, they have access to that.
  • I think access to records and access to any of the information, if we're reaching out to our attorney
  • Is accessible to the general public and is free of charge.
Bills: HB1835, HB2561, HB3630