Video & Transcript Research : 'dependency cases'
Page 206 of 500
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- case in Maryland?
- It's also the case that unions do not have the corner on safety.
- It's also the case that unions do not have the corner on safety.
- It's also the case that unions do not have the corner on safety.
- It's also the case that unions do not have the corner on safety.
Summary:
The House of Delegates met on February 27, 2026, with a prayer, roll call showing 130 members present, and the reading of the previous day’s journal. The chamber then took up several House resolutions recognizing guests and honorees, including Harold Futch Sr. II and his daughter R.V. for their collaboration on the album “Harmony” and R.V.’s status as the youngest Grammy winner; Michelle Eberle for her leadership of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange; and the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County on its 85th anniversary. Each resolution was read and adopted with applause and congratulations.
The House also received Senate Bill 108 from the Senate consent calendar and, by unanimous consent, had it read the first time and referred to committee. In the Economic Matters Committee report, the House adopted favorable reports and sent multiple bills to third reading, including HB 306 on dealer website price transparency, HB 461 on rural readiness and capacity building, HB 573 on fair housing discrimination standards, HB 798 on small minority- and women-owned business capital access, HB 850 on open house disclosure requirements, HB 951 on land records revisions, HB 996 on corporations and associations revisions, HB 1026 on rounding cash transactions, and HB 1312 on legal tender species establishment.
HB 306 drew the most debate over its title, which included the “Jack Fitzgerald Price Transparency Act.” One delegate argued the title improperly referenced a private business and should be removed; the floor leader responded that the bill honored consumer advocate Jack Fitzgerald and that the dealership was employee-owned. A motion to special order the bill failed on a roll call vote of 95 no to 38 yes, and the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. HB 691 on permitting efficiency for housing development projects was also special ordered until the next day after members sought more time to review possible amendments.
The House adopted amendments and favorable reports on several bills, including HB 243 on comprehensive and general plans, HB 343 on housing counseling services, HB 483 on charitable organization audit thresholds, HB 523 on residential foreclosure restrictions, and HB 243’s amendments clarifying prospective application. Members asked questions about HB 243’s planning requirements and about HB 523’s “zombie mortgage” protections; the floor leader explained that HB 523 would protect homeowners from surprise foreclosures on old debts without forgiving the underlying debt, while HB 243 would modernize comprehensive planning standards without changing local subdivision review processes.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Mar 11th, 2026
Transportation and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- But in all those cases, we have great regulations and we have great protections and reclamation so that
- But in all those cases, we have great regulations and we have great protections and reclamation so that
- But in all those cases, we have great regulations and we have great protections and reclamation so that
- roughly 51% to 64%. roughly 51% to 64%. depending<00:30:53.919>
on <00:30:54.080>the - So for me when we depending on the poll.
Keywords:
SB341, Alabama, veteran license plate, veteran tag, distinctive license tag, specialty plate, radiation exposure, atomic bomb testing, ionizing radiation, World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans, Cold War veterans, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Department of Veterans Affairs, probate judge
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Transportation and Public Works Feb 12th, 2026 at 09:12 am
Transcript Highlights:
- In this case, what this bill does is say, no more. You should... Thank you.
- In this case, what this bill does is say no more.
- In many cases, not in all cases.
- Chair, member of the committee, that is defined by the Department of Workforce Solutions, dependent on
- Chair, member of the committee, that is defined by the Department of Workforce Solutions, dependent on
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund. The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment striking the section that would have imposed a 1% gross receipts tax on electricity sales. After a recap of the bill’s remaining provisions, including a $400 million seed amount and future transfers from motor vehicle excise tax revenue, the committee heard brief support from Associated Contractors of New Mexico and the Asphalt Pavement Association and no opposition. The amended bill then passed on a roll-call vote.
The committee then heard HB 270, a public works/apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to approved apprenticeship and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for public works construction projects, while eliminating an exemption for certain road, highway, utility, and maintenance work. Supporters, including union carpenters, electrical workers, the building trades council, and apprenticeship advocates, argued the bill would expand training, help address labor shortages, and provide a return on public investment. Opponents from utility contractors, highway contractors, and Associated Contractors of New Mexico said they already operate federally approved in-house training programs, warned the bill would raise project costs, and argued some trades have no accessible approved programs.
Members questioned how the bill would interact with existing in-house programs, whether rural contractors and nonunion firms would be affected, and whether the state-approved fund and federal highway training requirements could conflict. A proposed amendment to exempt projects of $50 million or less was introduced but tabled. After extensive debate, the committee voted 6-5 to pass HB 270. The meeting also included discussion of a prior procedural error in which HB 270 had been heard before being properly assigned, which the chair said rendered that earlier action void. At the end of the meeting, the committee received a brief New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 presentation on district projects, budget, and construction status.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Public Pension Oversight Board (1-16-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- And I know that your bill primarily addresses the court case, and if you would please proceed.
- addresses<00:01:40.320>
the <00:01:40.560>the <00:01:41.360>court <00:01:41.680>case - <00:01:42.640>
and <00:01:43.119>um <00:01:44.240>and addresses the the court case - and um and addresses the the court case and um and I<00:01:44.960>
so <00:01:45.280>if - The other thing to consider is that with number three, depending on what tier they are, that payout at
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Attendance Roll Call: 00:11
Legislative Proposal:
Representative Blanton: 01:12
• House Bill 220
Approval of Minutes: 10:07
Legislative Proposal:
Senator Nunn: 10:24
• Sick Leave Flexibility for School District Employees
Adjournment: 34:35, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Representative John Blanton’s bill on pension spiking and Kentucky Public Pension Authority administration. Blanton said the measure would make a prior court-related pension-spiking fix retroactive to July 1, 2022, so employees who retired between that date and the court ruling would be treated the same as those covered by the earlier legislation. KPPPA staff said they did not think the bill would go beyond the Court of Appeals ruling, but noted it could prompt requests from people who retired before July 1, 2022. Members asked about how many retirees might be affected, whether the language was narrow enough, and whether the bill could open the door to additional claims; Blanton estimated roughly 1,000 retirees would need review, with fewer actually impacted. No vote was taken on the bill in the excerpt.
The committee then heard Senator Matt Nunn and Scott County Schools Superintendent Billy Parker present a proposal allowing school districts to offer teachers and other employees a voluntary payout for unused sick days. Supporters said the idea could improve attendance, reduce substitute costs and classroom disruptions, help retain younger teachers, and potentially lower long-term retirement-related costs because the payout would not count toward pension compensation. They emphasized the program would be optional for districts and employees, would require teachers to keep at least 15 sick days in reserve, and would be district-funded rather than a state cost. Members raised questions about budget impact, tax treatment, pension effects, and whether the incentive would actually change behavior; the bill sponsor and witnesses said the payout would be taxed like other compensation and would not affect TRS or CERS benefits. One member requested reporting on how the program would be used, and the sponsor said he would be open to adding that. The sponsor also noted a later committee-substitute change would allow use of accumulated sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise on the school calendar, with a personal statement from the employee.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine perspectives from the field, focusing on farmer and rancher views on the agricultural economy. Feb 26th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The water, in the case of Texas, our water situation is threatening our very existence.
- We're having to eat all of that because for many of us, depending on what your specialty crop is, our
- And I guess also a reminder that this economy, especially our rural farm economy, depends on immigration
- Unfortunately, in the case of Little Bear Produce, I wish Senator Lujan was still here.
- programs and that thought has stuck with me for a year, years at a time because it shouldn't be that case
Keywords:
agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Econ. Dev., Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- 09:36.360>
of look at the state of Kentucky a lot of look at the state of Kentucky a lot of cases - <00:09:37.360>
on <00:09:37.519>hold <00:09:37.760>but <00:09:37.839>I cases - they may be put on hold but I cases they may be put on hold but I wanted<00:09:38.160>
to <00: - We typically have combined that in the morning or afternoon, depending upon when the turf meeting took
- in the morning or afternoon depending in the morning or afternoon depending upon<00:19:10.000>
Keywords:
00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call
00:34 Economic Development Cabinet
27:51 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum, so the minutes from the last two meetings were not approved. Secretary Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development then gave a broad overview of the cabinet’s work and an update on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPD), with Deputy Secretary Katie Smith and General Counsel Matt also present. He said the cabinet’s strategy is to focus on high-wage job creation, especially in automotive transformation, business and financial professional services, tourism, logistics, agri-tech, aerospace, and other high-tech sectors, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses and existing employers.
Noel highlighted several program results and examples, including average incentivized wages approaching $27 per hour, 877 jobs and $346 million in investment through hub operations, $90 million through Commonwealth Ventures, help for hundreds of companies through the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance, work with 220 companies through the Kentucky Science and Technology Council, nearly 3,000 students in Advanced Kentucky, and more than 1,100 participants in Kentucky Valor. He also cited 35,000 workers trained through Bluegrass State Skills, 177 businesses helped by the small business tax credit, and 77 entertainment incentive transactions totaling about $200 million and 7,400 jobs. On the grant side, he said the cabinet had approved 155 projects under a federal grant program, committing $99 million, with outreach aimed at smaller communities and all 120 counties.
The main focus of the second half was KPD. Noel described it as a program that requires more than basic due diligence, emphasizing community readiness, local vision, title and mineral-rights review, sewer validation, and consultant review. He said 109 projects had been awarded in the earlier rounds, and in 2024 there were 45 requests for information seeking $81 million against $35 million in available funding, showing strong demand. He also said the cabinet has worked with local economic developers through five regions aligned with area development districts, and that the secretary, deputy secretary, or commissioner of business development must attend the regional meetings, with 100% attendance reported for the key three last year. In response to questions, he said Jefferson County’s lack of KPD projects so far likely reflects where local land and development strategies are in the process rather than a lack of interest, and he said the cabinet has not heard that Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules are clearly helping or hurting competitiveness, though he offered to look into it further.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Depending on the year, range between 25 and 30%.
- Depending on much is ticket sales? Okay.
- As it stands, our research is entirely dependent on federal grant funding.
- <03:18:01.200>
So, order in felony cases uh statewide. - So, order in felony cases uh statewide.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/13/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm here in opposition of SF 3655. um cases. Second is the reduction of um cases.
- Um when that is the case, holder.
- um and uh or non-domemestic in the case um and uh or non-domemestic in the case of<01:42:07.119>
- order has um a right or in some cases order has um a right or in some cases it's<01:42:26.880>
- >> Uh Madam Chair, that might be the case >> Uh Madam Chair, that might be the case
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- My hospital depends on adjustments to those payments to keep its doors open, and it's struggling to do
- My hospital depends on adjustments to those patients. they need and gives them the care that they need
- My hospital depends on adjustments to those payments to keep its doors open and it's struggling to do
- Every company, depending on what they sell, puts conditions on.
- Every company, depending on what they sell, puts conditions on.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing.
On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals.
Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:00 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- So, this is how I think that we can change where we are not dependent on general revenue from the state
- So, you're right, there's both pathways depending on the program that they're in, so that varies.
- I don't think that's the case.
- But, just in case there is a change, because the federal landscape is much more unpredictable than it
- has been in the past, I just want everyone to kind of know the worst-case scenario.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 14, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- DIFFERENT GRADING STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS AND FRIENDS AND EVEN DIFFERENT CULTURES IN SOME CASES.
- TESTING AND LIEU OF TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION AND THE RECEIVING STATE AND EVEN ALLOWS IN SOME CASES
- IDENTIFY IF THE STUDENT IS BEHIND ANYTHING ON THE CURRICULUM THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE JUST IN CASE
- WHEN THE PRESIDENT CAME ABOARD WE WERE SERVING MORE THAN 500 VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND TODAY
- IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS IT IS WHERE THEY ARE STILL ACTIVE AND UP TO SIX MONTHS DEPENDING UPON
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 28th, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- as far as I know, that was majority information LFC also received, but I believe there were several cases
- If that's the case, that would be different than the $50,000.
- But Madam Chair, Representative, again, it depends on the concert that you go to as far as the price.
- It depends on what kind of ticket, but if you're looking at the high end per adult, you're looking at
- It hasn't always been the case, but it's working well now. Oh, that's good to hear.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- In the case stopping and rendering aid.
- In the case of<01:01:40.640>
John <01:01:40.880>Wesley <01:01:41.359>Holt, <01:01 - That's why I think it's so important in many cases that we have something on a national level that we
- <02:01:01.119>
somebody safety is is there in case somebody safety is is there in case somebody - If that's the case, let's see what we can do to help them.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- . dependents. dependents.
- <01:06:35.040>
we're <01:06:35.200>of dependent care credit which we're of dependent - Exclusion of student loans, enhancement of the dependent care assistant programs.
- Exclusion of student loans, enhancement of the dependent care assistant programs.
- Exclusion of student loans, enhancement of the dependent care assistant programs.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Artificial Intelligence Task Force 2025 (8-14-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- In some cases, diligence on the site.
- Now depending on who the data decision.
- , public service commission in this case, public service commission in this case, we<00:34:21.679
- >> Yeah, we currently, uh, in a case at the Public Service Commission on a separate case, and in that
- Uh, it's a case study on Aval Texas.
Keywords:
Meeting Start - 00:00
Roll Call – 00:15
Approval of Minutes of the July 15, 2025, Meeting 00:55
Helping Power Kentucky’s Growth – 01:25
Powering and Deploying AI – 41:00
Fueling America’s Intelligence – 56:12
Adjournment – 01:10:37, 958, all
Summary:
The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum, adopted prior meeting minutes, and then focused on energy policy and economic development as they relate to AI and data centers. John Bevington of LG&E and KU, introduced by Caroline Clark of LG&E/KU and PPL, described the utility’s Kentucky-only service territory, vertically integrated system, 1.3 million customers, and about 7.5 gigawatts of generating capacity. He said the company has supported 76 Kentucky projects in 2024 totaling about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, with a large share of statewide announcements occurring in its service area.
Bevington said LG&E and KU’s current project pipeline is unusually strong, totaling about 170 projects and 8.5 gigawatts of requested power, with data centers accounting for about two-thirds of that demand. He broke the pipeline into existing customer expansions, new-to-Kentucky projects, and 20 data center projects representing about 5.6 gigawatts of potential load. He highlighted a Louisville data center project by PO Development Company and Powerhouse Data Centers that has announced a 400-megawatt facility and may expand to 525 megawatts, estimating that such a project could represent about $4 billion in investment. He also explained that large data centers generally must locate near transmission lines and that utilities must conduct studies, order long-lead equipment, and secure reimbursement commitments before proceeding so other customers are not harmed.
Members asked about how Kentucky compares with other states, the size of data center projects, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects reflect current Kentucky interest, which he attributed in part to the state’s sales tax exemption for data centers, and noted that states like Ohio have had similar incentives for years. In response to questions from Senator Thomas, he confirmed that data centers can vary in size and said the state should have a regulatory environment that supports economic development, while emphasizing that the benefits would flow to the state, local communities, and schools rather than just the utility. He also cited national and regional data suggesting data centers generate indirect jobs and tax revenue, and said LG&E and KU are investing in transmission, reliability, solar, and gas generation projects, including proposed additional 645-megawatt natural gas units and other system upgrades, to meet expected demand.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The parents will not have to depend on outsiders to do this.
- And if so, how does the state plan to assert jurisdiction in such cases?
- And if so, how does the state plan to assert jurisdiction in such cases? Senator McGillian.
- And I have not ever handled a case for somebody who is in jail or...
- But 1983 civil rights actions are federal cases.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348.
The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0).
The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- If that is not the case, to be honest, I'm not sure at this point where elk might come from, but I do
- If that is not the case, to be honest, I'm not sure at this point where elk might come from, but I do
- If that is not the case, to be honest, I'm not sure at this point where elk might come from, but I do
- Um, again, in our throughout the state, different areas depending upon water levels and what's going
- . case. case.
Keywords:
natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, wild rice, watercraft regulation, environmental protection, aquatic ecosystems, HF1426, product stewardship, extended producer responsibility, EPR, electronics recycling, e-waste, battery recycling, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, electrical products, covered products
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (1-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- on the level of per hour depending on the level of expertise<00:19:02.880>
so <00:19:03.280>- I mean, we certainly have some genetic mutations, but often that is not the case.
- I'd love to have some of those case managers at times. Possibly your department could arrange this.
- I would like to have some of those case managers come to my office and have a conversation with me.
- that sort of thing so the case that sort of thing so the case management<01:26:06.560>
process
Summary:
The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it.
The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward.
The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection.
Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Our state depends on the success of Minnesota's children, youth, and families.
- tribal nations in Minnesota<00:02:44.159>
our <00:02:44.280>state <00:02:44.560>depends - <00:02:44.840>
on <00:02:44.959>the Minnesota our state depends on the Minnesota our - state depends on the success<00:02:45.400>
of <00:02:45.519>Minnesota's <00:02:46.080>< - If the audit reveals suspected fraud, the case is referred to law enforcement.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP-TOU Joint Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- And I guess with DNR, I guess it would depend on how we set up a special fund.
- on how we set up a guess it would depend on how we set up a special<00:36:44.400>
fund. - cost of service uh regulation rate case cost of service uh regulation rate case which<01:18:32.159
- And I think that's also part of what the challenge of a cost of service rate case is.
- challenge of a cost of service rate case challenge of a cost of service rate case is.<01:30:44.320
Bills:
HB1617
Keywords:
carbon emissions, tax credit, fossil fuel, agriculture, food security, environmental tax, greenhouse gas, 910, house, all
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on HB 1949, which would create a public dashboard for the green fee to improve transparency and accountability. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and many community and conservation groups was generally supportive, with several speakers urging that the governor’s project recommendations remain largely intact and that community-driven projects continue to guide spending. One amendment was suggested to place the dashboard at the Department of Budget and Finance for fiscal expertise, while other testimony favored keeping it with the commission. Members asked about procurement, ETS involvement, recurring hosting costs, and whether the dashboard could be funded from green fee revenues; the commission said it could work with ETS and that green fee funds could reasonably be used. The committees then voted to pass HB 1949 with amendments.
The committees also heard HB 2618, which would require the governor to submit a separate bill for amounts tied to any increase in the transient accommodations tax and, in later discussion, was expanded into a broader restructuring of future green fee allocations. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, and others supported the bill and emphasized the value of more predictable, dedicated funding for conservation and climate-related work. During decision-making, the chair described amendments creating several special funds under DLNR, including a watershed biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction fund, an aquatic resources conservation fund, a coastal restoration fund, a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund, and a green fee special fund for remaining revenues, with recommended amounts discussed for some of the funds. The committees voted to pass HB 2618 with amendments.
The hearing then moved to HB 1644, a consumer protection measure for residential solar sales that would require compliance with consumer protection laws, licensing or contractor affiliation for sellers, and a standardized disclosure form. Testimony in support came from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and several solar companies and individuals. Supporters said the bill would address complaints about third-party sales practices and improve disclosure, especially around financing. The committee then began hearing HB 2243, which would require electric utilities to provide public, electronic customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission; the Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC offered comments supporting the measure’s intent.