Video & Transcript Research : 'voluntary program'
Page 193 of 500
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The revenue generated from this tax is critical as it funds Minnesota care and medical assistance programs
- The revenue generated from this tax is critical as it funds Minnesota care and medical assistance programs
- In addition, irrigation efficiency incentive programs have saved more than 143 million gallons of water
- So I think this program would let them put money in reserve and move forward if they choose to buy a
- <00:41:32.800>
would <00:41:33.000>let down so I think this program would let down
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's even approved by our SNAP programs and our school programs and our breakfast programs.
- programs and our school programs<00:36:52.160>
and <00:36:52.400>our <00:36:52.560> - programs and our breakfast programs. programs and our breakfast programs.
- We created the 10-week program in our office. We call it our metabolism fix program.
- School-based health programs.
Summary:
The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar.
Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar.
The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 10, February 20, 2026-AM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Program sponsored by Education.
- Senate File 84, voluntary water conservation program sponsored by Water. >> Senator Hicks. >> Mr.
- Thank you. program account. So, we're simply program account.
- programs.
- <01:49:32.719>
moving program fund keep the program moving program fund keep the program moving
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (02/24/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- But this is a federal program. It's a federal program.
- It varies by program.
- It varies by program.
- programs.
- What does that program do?
Summary:
The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities.
Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented.
Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion.
The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So in our legislation in Florida, there's an audit program.
- San Antonio has a similar program.
- But pre-approved plan programs are voluntary and scattered, so Arizona took the obvious step last year
- that program right now.
- . ...program in place for several years.
Summary:
The committee met to monitor implementation of several housing-related bills from the 89th session, with the chair emphasizing Texas’s housing shortage and the need to review land-use laws. For House Bill 24, witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Reason Foundation, a church-affordable housing project, Habitat for Humanity, developers, and housing advocates said the bill’s higher protest threshold and simpler council override had reduced procedural barriers to rezoning, helped projects move forward, and supported lower rents and more multifamily development. Public testimony largely praised HB 24 as working as intended, and the chair noted it had passed the committee 6-1, the House 83-56, and the Senate unanimously.
The committee then heard testimony on Senate Bill 1567, which preempted certain municipal occupancy limits based on unrelated-adult restrictions. Supporters, including Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Realtors, Texans for Housing, and Texas A&M student leaders, said the law improved clarity, reduced arbitrary local limits, and helped students and property owners use existing housing more efficiently. Opponents from College Station and Bryan-College Station neighborhood groups argued the law has encouraged investor purchases, tear-downs, and “stealth dorms,” displaced working-class residents, and harmed family homeownership. The chair noted SB 1567 had passed the committee 5-1, the House 101-19, and the Senate 30-1.
The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 15, which reduced minimum lot sizes in covered jurisdictions. Ed Pinto of AEI said the law had already led to thousands of new small lots and lower-cost starter homes, while recommending expansion to more counties and broader application to attached housing. Other witnesses from builders, Pew, and housing advocates said smaller lots can increase affordability, but some cities, such as College Station and Grand Prairie, were adding local standards that could blunt the bill’s effect. City representatives from El Paso described how they implemented the law by reducing lot sizes and widths, while urging broader applicability to more of the city. The chair said SB 15 had passed the committee 7-0, the House 86-43, and the Senate 24-7.
Finally, the committee began hearing testimony on Senate Bill 840, a by-right multifamily redevelopment measure. City officials from Garland and Plano described how they had updated local standards to comply while preserving design and setback rules, and said the bill could help redevelop built-out commercial corridors and add housing without expanding city footprints. The transcript ended as the committee continued taking testimony on SB 840.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (02/07/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- They may add new programs at any time if those new programs are outside of their mission.
- the<03:44:00.720>
Arts <03:44:00.960>the program the science program the Arts the program - It's a program that does that.
- or in other programs.
- in the program.
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 659, which would establish the New Hampshire College Graduate Retention Incentive Program. A Department of Revenue Administration analyst explained technical issues in the bill, focusing on whether the incentive is intended to operate as a rebate or a tax credit, how it would be administered, and how it would interact with the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. She said the bill’s language was unclear on the administering agency, effective tax years, caps, and carry-forward treatment, and noted that reducing BET can also reduce the BET credit against BPT, though not on a one-for-one basis. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the BET/BPT interaction, administrative costs, and whether the Department of Business and Economic Affairs would need additional staffing. Andrew Horn then testified in support, saying the bill is meant to address the large number of New Hampshire college graduates who leave the state after graduation by encouraging them to stay and by incentivizing businesses to hire them. The chair closed the hearing on HB 659 after no further public testimony.
The committee then took up HB 770, a bill to establish a program allowing New Hampshire high school students to earn tuition credits at state higher education institutions through community service. Representative Schultz described the bill as a “triple play” intended to increase volunteerism, expand service and internship opportunities for students, and make college more affordable. Ryan Casey, a junior at Bishop Brady High School, testified that the proposal would help students reduce future loan debt while benefiting communities and encouraging young people to attend college in New Hampshire. Committee members asked about eligibility, including why private and preparatory school students were excluded, whether public school students would qualify, whether mandatory service hours would count, and how the bill’s references to education and business eligibility should be read. Schultz said the exclusion of private and prep schools was intended because public school students are more clearly New Hampshire residents, and she noted that mandatory school service hours had been excluded in revisions. The Department of Education then testified that the program would require significant administration, estimating at least three full-time staff, software or tracking systems, and rulemaking to oversee volunteer sites, schools, student eligibility, and tuition credit distribution. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the hearing remained in testimony phase.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , the Transit Rider Investment Program, the Transit Rider Investment Program, uh<00:03:01.480>
- for that amendment and programming.
- for that amendment and programming.
- be I don't think the programming could be I don't think the programming could be<01:19:26.320>
- So it's actually the same program.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- the CHIP program, the childhood program the CHIP program, the childhood program and<00:13:34.000
- program, and some of them are in the Granite Health Advantage program.
- I'm glad we have that program. I'm glad we have that program.
- The Green Snow Pro program was developed as a voluntary program for commercial applicators because when
- this the brine program. this the brine program.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:33.200>
and hours so how we provide programming and hours so how we provide programming - <00:18:00.559>
um seeing statewide in other programs um seeing statewide in other programs - ,<00:18:20.880>
there's fraud happen in other programs, there's fraud happen in other programs - <00:21:11.919>
considered out like are these programs considered out like are these programs - <00:50:36.000>
that advocate for policies and programs that advocate for policies and programs
Bills:
HF4893
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Conference Committee on H.F. 2438 - Transportation Omnibus - 05/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:01:16.479>
and bit of a change to the program and bit of a change to the program and there's - see is a way to take the ebike program see is a way to take the ebike program and<00:02:28.800><
- And it want on a state waiver program.
- <00:52:32.000>
that Oklahoma have developed programs that Oklahoma have developed programs - increased mental health programs. increased mental health programs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- education Freedom account program education Freedom account program um<01:43:54.360>
and < - out strictly for one program.
- out strictly for one program.
- concern would be taking these programs concern would be taking these programs out<03:49:23.120><
- shall not include for the pilot program shall not include for the pilot program um<04:11:56.680>
Summary:
The committee opened with House Bill 184, which would create a committee to study changing school start times. Members discussed Amendment 0394, which made the study committee’s duties more investigative and adjusted reporting recipients, including the Governor. Several members raised questions about whether the committee should review evidence-based studies, local district decisions, and existing district reports; supporters said the amendment would better allow the committee to gather information and recognize local control. The amendment passed 17-0, and the bill as amended also passed 17-0. Representative Litchfield noted that no one had testified in opposition and encouraged the future study committee to review an Oyster River School District report on school start times.
The committee then took up House Bill 394, concerning cooperative school district budget committees and board member representatives. Amendment 0476 was adopted 17-0 after discussion that it clarified the bill’s language and reflected work with the School Boards Association. The committee then voted OTPA on the bill, which also passed 17-0. House Bill 738, requiring background checks for employees and volunteers at certain non-public schools or education service providers receiving public funds, was moved inexpedient to legislate. Supporters said the bill would create practical and legal problems for private citizens and homeschooling families, and the motion passed 15-2 with no minority report, placing the bill on consent.
The committee next considered House Bill 235, which would amend the educator code of ethics and conduct to add responsibilities to parents. Supporters argued parents should be explicitly included in the code, while opponents said parents were already covered in existing ethics language and statute. The bill passed narrowly, 9-8. The committee then returned to House Bill 532 on alternate dispute resolution and individualized education plan team meeting facilitation. Amendment 0480H clarified that different rules would apply separately to neutral conference, mediation, and IEP facilitation; it passed 17-0, and the bill as amended also passed 17-0. Finally, the committee moved to House Bill 564, concerning adoption of school administrative unit budgets, and voted to retain the bill for further review because members said there was still confusion about how it would apply to single-district and multi-district SAUs.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- building out our network of EV charging facilities, providing state funding to continue the NEVI program
- 00:22:54.880>
continue <00:22:55.200>the <00:22:55.360>NEVI <00:22:55.840>program - funding to continue the NEVI program funding to continue the NEVI program operated<00:22:56.799>
- <00:32:00.399>
So <00:32:00.720>we <00:32:00.960>have electrical vehicle program - So we have electrical vehicle program.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Rashard asked about DARE and other school programs.
- Senator Rashard asked about DARE and other school programs.
- and other through the DARE program and other programs<00:16:01.839>
that <00:16:02.240>the - And in that program, it was broken down into several phases.
- At that time we had uh 39 program.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (01/29/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- counseling we provide a doorways program counseling we provide a doorways program that<01:35:36.520
- The Doorways program is really important. It's like an easy access program.
- <01:46:36.480>
is to define what the doorways program is to define what the doorways program - court yes so the current um programs court yes so the current um programs that<02:09:10.480>
- <04:19:51.119>
very understanding is that program costs very understanding is that program
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 5th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a good career, and we need a lot of nurses, and we always support all our nursing programs.
- Mana's Keystone program, Hermanitas, fosters connection with Latina youth in Albuquerque and serves around
- This program offers one-on-one mentoring in personal career leadership training for girls 11 to 18.
- And I do want to note their scholarship program: they've given out more than $200,000 to young students
Bills:
HB95, HB111, HJR1, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HM2, HM16
Keywords:
HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Vermont Sister State Program. Vermont Sister State Program.
- This bill is designed to codify the sister-state program really for the first time and define what it
- Section one of the bill creates the sister-state program within the Agency of Commerce and Community
- We heard from John Dooley, Patrick Enright, the National Guard State Partnership Program Director, Sue
- <01:57:54.240>
or they have a program or they have a program or >> [clears throat] &
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/26/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um basically what this pilot program.
- to identify and run this pilot program to identify and sell<00:10:31.320>
tax <00:10:31.680>- Most of the grant-in-aid program is for maintenance, and less rarely is it new trail.
- This DNR-trained ambassador program is a unique example of how the ATV community takes responsibility
- The DNR-trained ambassador program is a unique example of how the ATV community takes responsibility
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- 01:44:25.840>
where there are apprenticeship programs where there are apprenticeship programs - >> And did an hourlong program. >> And did an hourlong program.
- <03:54:46.399>
Um, broadcast morning show program. Um, broadcast morning show program. - <03:56:06.000>
for weekend public affairs programming for weekend public affairs programming - participate in this program. participate in this program. >> Fascinating.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- They shift onto public programs when someone gets hurt and there's no coverage.
- Taxpayers lose revenue and state programs<00:35:00.760>
are <00:35:00.880>strained. - programs are strained. programs are strained.
- <01:13:45.280>
That the unemployment insurance program. - That the unemployment insurance program.
Summary:
The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target.
Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then.
Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- There are also significant costs to Social Insurance programs, or those safety net programs, and that
- There are also significant costs to Social Insurance programs, or those safety net programs, and that
- There are also significant costs to Social Insurance programs, or those safety net programs, and that
- than many programs in the different than many programs in the sense<00:27:21.399>
that <00:27: - We also have continued to receive interest from manufacturing programs, agriculture programs.