Video & Transcript Research : 'access needs'
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ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Tribal and State Relations Committee
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (04/01/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- He needs to come in.” That's not the public access that we are looking for.
- <01:07:06.079>
Um, <01:07:06.319>and <01:07:06.480>then we need this access. - Um, and then we need this access.
- <02:27:27.840>
Thank accessible to many who need them. - Thank accessible to many who need them.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 1/22/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Paul office building on Cedar Street, so just come downstairs if you need to get some receipts or need
- Lobby in Minnesota you would also need Lobby in Minnesota you would also need to<00:19:18.880>
- The other issue that came up a lot is the current... need to be concerned of the remainder of need to
- Department of Revenue needs to uh pay Department of Revenue needs to uh pay those<00:40:41.560>
uh - <01:31:59.960>
be situation we need we need people to be situation we need we need people
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Jeff Sigerson, executive director of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, who outlined the board’s mission and core programs: campaign finance disclosure, economic interest statements, and lobbying registration/reporting. He described the board as an independent agency with six members, noted current vacancies and confirmation requirements, and said the board’s budget request was essentially flat, with a base budget of about $1.793 million and most costs tied to salaries, office space, and other fixed expenses. He also reviewed the board’s enforcement structure, emphasizing civil-only penalties, a complaint-driven process, and the availability of reports, enforcement actions, and advisory opinions on the board’s website.
Sigerson highlighted several recent and upcoming changes. Local ballot question committees for city, school district, levy, and bond issues now must register with the board if they exceed $750 in activity, and the board is preparing outreach and online registration tools to help local committees comply. He also discussed the public subsidy and political contribution refund programs, saying the board paid out about $2.12 million to 230 House candidates in 2024, that 93% of candidates signed the subsidy agreement, and that 2023 PCR refunds totaled about $447,000 for candidates and $1.616 million for party donors. He noted that the PCR maximum refund was recently increased from $50 to $75 per donation, and that payments could drop significantly in 2026 if the one-time supplement is not renewed.
A major focus of the presentation was the board’s lobbying report and related legislative recommendations. Sigerson said the board is moving from tracking marginal expenses to tracking the subjects and entities being lobbied, and that lobbying will be expanded from certain metro-area governmental units to all cities, counties, school districts, townships, and other political subdivisions, potentially adding thousands of lobbyists. He said the board held two public hearings and received 23 written comments on proposed changes. The board’s main recommendations were to broaden the expert-testimony exception so that certain paid experts at local hearings would not need to register as lobbyists, while still requiring disclosure of who testified, before whom, and on what subject, and to adjust the current lobbying definition for local government employees and officials who spend more than 50 hours a month on intergovernmental lobbying work.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Mar 4, 2025, 9:00 AM HST - Day 25
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There’s still a need for capital to be accessed and money to be borrowed, and that costs ratepayers more
- think um there's some things that need think um there's some things that need to<01:20:23.880>
- we don't pass this there's still a need we don't pass this there's still a need for<01:21:43.120
- <01:26:01.000>
basic <01:26:01.440>need prefer that we do so to needs basic need prefer- that we do so to needs basic need things<01:26:02.520>
like <01:26:02.960>medical <01:26
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Jul 10th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We also have an accessibility committee that meets monthly to talk about accessibility.
- So it's facilities accessibility, websites accessibility, and language accessibility.
- The rationale behind that is that Zuni doesn't have access to property taxes, so we need to support them
- It meets... the needs already.
- or we need to sell it.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We can triage our way to get to where we need to be, but is it fair to say we need to deal with that?
- We need to attract good people. We need to retain good people.
- We need to attract good people. We need to retain good people.
- they need to do so.
- in criminal cases, was not able to access this program and get the services that they needed.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures.
Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant.
The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit.
A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
REVENUE & TAXATION- HOUSE May 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- access to quality early learning.”
- his modified van, to drive him where he needs to go, and to access those places when he gets there.
- Hunter wanted to be—” “...for anything he needs to do.
- Additionally, we know Arkansasans have pressing needs.
- It's the cost of these basic needs.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/29/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that we need to back up. This could really hurt. I think that we need to back up.
- to care: are people receiving the care they need?
- that we need to be faster and reduce the workload.
- This bill was the fruition of stakeholders addressing access fraud.
- This bill was the fruition of stakeholders addressing access fraud.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 3/5/25
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- If accommodation is needed, communicate with the sergeant staff.
- If accommodation is needed, communicate with the sergeant staff.
- I want to stress that the access is read-only.
- I want to stress that the access is read-only.
- federal and state benefits Maxis access federal and state benefits Maxis access allows<00:04:45.120
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- we do have the authority to adjust those by rule whenever needed.
- have if there's a well um that they need have if there's a well um that they need to<00:41:10.400
- is no other water uh to provide access is no other water uh to provide access to<00:41:23.319>
- and if there's followup that's needed and if there's followup that's needed for<00:58:42.240>
- <00:59:08.640>
to that the DNR has to obtain access to that the DNR has to obtain access to - and if there's followup that's needed and if there's followup that's needed for<00:58:42.240>
Keywords:
water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition
CA
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to know how we expand access to early detection and screening, which we know saves lives.
- We need to know how we expand access to early detection and screening, which we know saves lives.
- to the care small town, you have access to the care you<04:38:50.959>
need. - WIC programs across my district help many of my constituents access the resources that they need for
- the resources that constituents access the resources that they<06:49:19.120>
need <06:49:19.520
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 10:15 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- to<00:27:19.400>
sleep Needing a safe place to sleep Needing a safe place to sleep has<00: - insurance doesn't mean you have access insurance doesn't mean you have access to<00:57:54.799>
- even if Mark Zuckerberg's kid needed even if Mark Zuckerberg's kid needed coverage,<00:58:36.000
- <01:10:04.239>
for some technical amendments needed for some technical amendments needed for- think this resolution is not needed. think this resolution is not needed.
Summary:
The committee met on March 20, 2025, to hear a series of Human Services and Health resolutions. HCR 146, which asks the Department of Human Services to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project, drew strong support from disability, public health, and hunger advocates. Testifiers emphasized that the measure could create a more uniform benefits application, reduce repeated paperwork, extend certification periods from one year to three years, and ease burdens on both applicants and DHS staff. DHS said it stood on its written testimony and was available for questions. The committee also heard that a universal application could help people with disabilities avoid delays and denials caused by complex or duplicative forms.
The committee then heard HR 170/HCR 174, which requests review of Aloha-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile legal system. Supporters from Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaii and DebtFree Justice Hawaii said the resolution would help advance restorative justice, community service, and culturally grounded rehabilitation, especially if youth fees and fines are reduced or eliminated. Testimony also supported HR 133/HCR 139, which asks the Office of Wellness and Resilience to report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnesses from the developmental disabilities council, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Hawaii Community Foundation, and others said the pandemic’s trauma and behavioral impacts justify a multidisciplinary, evidence-based report, and the office requested more time to complete its findings, suggesting a deadline at the end of 2026.
The committee also heard HR 88/HCR 92, proposing a two-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program in Honolulu. One testifier described sleeping in a car and said the pilot could provide a safer option, while the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions said it supported the intent but stressed that a sanctuary is still an unsheltered situation and should lead people toward permanent housing. HCR 180, calling for collaboration among homelessness and law enforcement agencies, received comments that many of the issues are already being addressed locally. HR 103/HCR 107, which would convene a working group to strengthen Title 9 protections, received support from education, women’s, and LGBTQ advocates, who asked for student and queer representation on the working group and said federal Title 9 changes make state action important. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved from one resolution to the next after testimony and questions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Elections Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That portal can be accessed through the committee's website at aelc.assembly.ca.gov.
- So this is about opening access, keeping the same parameters.
- My rural counties would need additional support, whether it's financing... ...mandate.
- We need to improve identity verification for the return of ballots.
- We need to get this done, whether the politicians get it done or the voters get it done.
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members.
The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call.
Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Feb 13, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- tobacco products and the ease of access tobacco products and the ease of access to<01:02:20.160>
- <01:20:32.400>
and governor in a digitally accessible and governor in a digitally accessible - be accessible be accessible or<01:22:05.560>
and <01:22:05.760>meet <01:22:06.000>< - language such as digitally accessible language such as digitally accessible and<01:23:03.320>
- <01:43:51.360>
to model just philosophically we need to model just philosophically we need
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit.
HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals.
HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue.
HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jun 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a need for an accessible and objective review process to determine who is no longer a risk to
- Number two, meaningful access and a procedure that is...
- I think we need to be clear on what resources are needed to provide meaningful rehabilitation opportunities
- There are some places where our parole system needs improving.
- There are some places where our parole system needs improving.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on tort liability and parole, with the chair explaining that the topics were linked because criminal justice reform and state liability often intersect, especially in cases involving child welfare and corrections. Staff first outlined Washington’s tort liability framework, including the state’s broad waiver of sovereign immunity, statutes governing mandatory reporting and investigation of abuse, the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations, and the lack of caps on non-economic damages. Staff and presenters also compared Washington to other states and noted that Washington remains among the broadest states for state liability and childhood sexual abuse claims.
Presenters from the Attorney General’s office, Washington State Association for Justice, DCYF, DSHS, and DOC discussed how tort exposure has grown, especially in claims involving DCYF, historical child abuse, juvenile rehabilitation, vulnerable adults, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and negligent supervision. DCYF and AG staff said claims and payouts are rising, with many claims tied to older abuse and new theories of liability, while defense counsel emphasized the human harm behind the claims and argued that tort cases have historically driven accountability and reform. Agency witnesses said they face large volumes of old claims with limited records, rising verdicts and settlements, and staffing and systems challenges, and they highlighted efforts such as early resolution programs, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, and improved incident review processes.
The committee then shifted to parole. Sentencing experts reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained how parole could be integrated with sentencing guidelines through different models used in other states. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to a determinate-plus approach for three-strikes and persistent offender laws and a second-chance review process, noting there was no consensus on those ideas. Judges from the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association said a parole system could support rehabilitation and reduce disparities if it includes data collection, fairness, transparency, due process, and meaningful judicial review; they also pointed to research suggesting parole and structured reentry can reduce recidivism and costs, while warning that access and outcomes can vary by geography and other factors.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 7th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the mentality that we need to change.
- Our constituents deserve access to health care.
- Our constituents deserve access to healthcare.
- We know that hospitals in our community are closing, and we know we need to do more to preserve access
- We need to do more to give our young people the support that they need, and we need to do more to give
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Senators cheer on Department of Children, Youth and Families progress as it reaches a new milestone Aug 8th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Parents or families had to access them through multiple entry points.
- Melissa Wickland authored the 2023 bill not only creating the DCYF but also creating new service access
- points for mothers in need and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the aisle.
- I hear people say that they feel like their access to individual services is more in a streamlined way
- <00:01:12.159>
points also creating new service access points also creating new service access
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:15:07.480>
more <00:15:07.759>public accessible for all we need more public accessible - and policy change we need to investment and policy change we need to be<00:15:10.759>
yes <00:15 - park with an expansion however we need park with an expansion however we need more<00:21:42.600>
- Hibbing has great needs for new housing units, and we need your help on behalf of Hibbing and the Coalition
- <00:32:42.440>
is said you've heard that the need is said you've heard that the need is Statewide