Video & Transcript Research : 'SBA reforms'
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Jan 30th, 2026 at 08:34 am
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- ...are covered because UNM is already part of the tort reform.
- Madam Chair, this topic of medical malpractice reform isn't just for constituents; this is personal,
- Let's stop pretending that HB 99 is about reform.
- I think we need to create system-wide reform.
- I think the amendment that we had before us doesn't fix medical malpractice reform.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 459, which is designed to expand upon California's very successful experiment in progressive reform
- In the 1910s, Governor Hiram Johnson and reformers decided that special interests had too much power
- It has ushered in profound reform movements, including Proposition 13, to limit the power of taxation
- They don't like sometimes some of the reforms that citizen activists would like to place on the ballot
- This is a good government reform that supports transparency, equity, and informed decision-making at
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: Introducing Legislation to Streamline Minnesota’s Permitting Process - 02/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
- People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
- People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
- People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
- People have been talking about permitting reform for a long time, and this is the broadest, best, strongest
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- That criminal justice reform changed the way we do business.
- I thank you for doing this work and for the reforms that have so far happened.
- I'm not saying it can't be reformed.
- So I'm just saying that as we're seeing a decrease, and for all good reasons, reform, failed reform,
- So I'm just saying that as we're seeing a decrease, and for all good reasons, reform, failed reform,
Summary:
The commission on correctional consolidation and collaboration heard testimony focused on how Massachusetts uses custody levels, staffing, programming, and medical release tools, with Prisoners’ Legal Services arguing that the system is overusing expensive high-security settings and underusing step-down options. Dave Rainey said the incarcerated population has dropped substantially over the last several years, but spending and staffing have not fallen in proportion. He argued that DOC overclassifies people into medium and maximum security, relies too heavily on behavioral assessment units that function like segregation, and keeps people in restrictive settings such as Souza-Baranowski and Shattuck Hospital longer than necessary. He also said medical parole is underused and that many people with serious chronic illness or advanced age pose little public-safety risk and should be released through existing legal pathways.
Sheriffs and other commission members pushed back on some of those points, emphasizing that staffing needs are driven by the acuity of the current population, that corrections is not overstaffed, and that classification decisions involve serious public-safety judgments. They also stressed that some high-cost medical placements are necessary because people remain under sentence and require care, and that furloughs and other release tools can create security risks if contraband or substance use is involved. The discussion also covered the role of county sheriffs versus DOC in reentry, with several members saying county systems tend to do more day-to-day step-down and release planning, while DOC has more difficulty moving people through lower-security settings before release.
Ben Foreman of MassINC offered a more systemwide, data-focused perspective, praising the state’s transparency and arguing that Massachusetts has made major progress in reducing incarceration and increasing public safety. He said the state still has an opportunity to improve by right-sizing facilities, investing in community-based mental health treatment, and using the commission to better understand the capital and operating costs of the current system. In response to questions, he said he was aware of DOC studies on programs like furlough but had not reviewed recent ones, and he noted that total-control facilities like Souza-Baranowski have long been criticized in the research literature for poor outcomes.
Nora Wassel of the Women and Incarceration Project then testified that the commission should issue an interim report and scrutinize the planned new women’s prison, which she said is not justified by current population trends or available data. She argued that women are overclassified under DOC’s own tools, that reentry beds and minimum-security placements are underused, and that the system may be failing to account for women’s distinct medical and reentry needs. The meeting ended with continued discussion of reentry, furloughs, day reporting, and whether consolidation should mean fewer facilities, better step-down pathways, or both.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- This isn't just reform. This is how we do it. The focus of primary care reform is patient access.
- That had a very important and negative impact on reform.
- So we have doctors very suspicious of payment reform. At least I can...
- So we have doctors very suspicious of payment reform.
- Those things are part of the infrastructure barrier to fundamental payment reform.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access.
The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms.
The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- And um there are significant reform.
- , across the board of different reforms, across the board of different reforms, what<00:42:42.000
- I think we do need to reform C. I do have some concerns here, too. So, I'm torn.
- I I think we do need to reform<00:48:47.359>
C. - I do have some concerns here, reform C.
Keywords:
00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689
00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689
00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407
00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407
00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713
00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713
00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676
01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676
01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 689, which would authorize Kentucky to seek federal approval for a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services delivered through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, beginning in 2026. Rep. Amy Neighbors and witnesses from Owensboro Health and St. Elizabeth Healthcare said the bill would bring in about $29 million in new federal Medicaid dollars without using general fund money, help retain physicians, support rural and underserved access, and tie payments to quality metrics. Witnesses described staffing shortages, rising costs, and the need to sustain services such as OB care, primary care, and preventive outpatient services. After questions about how the funding would work and whether private practices were included, the committee voted on the bill and passed it with favorable expression.
The committee then moved to House Bill 407, as substituted, which would streamline Kentucky’s certificate-of-need process. Rep. Marianne Proctor and supporters from the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Institute for Justice said the bill would not repeal CON but would modernize a system they described as outdated and overly restrictive, citing national trends toward reform and arguing that Kentucky’s process has changed little since the 1970s. They said the substitute added language requiring the cabinet to contact a dominant provider when needed for data to make CON determinations.
Mark Gilfoil, speaking in opposition for St. Elizabeth Healthcare, argued that CON is not a barrier to care in Northern Kentucky and said the bill would weaken the process by limiting who can request hearings, present evidence, and appeal decisions, effectively giving applicants control and making approvals nearly automatic. He said St. Elizabeth serves as a safety-net hospital for low-income and publicly insured patients and warned the bill could harm that role. Members questioned both sides about the appeal process, the definition of safety-net hospitals, and whether the bill could increase facilities and create waste or abuse. The discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to know if there's any kind of reform or we're just rearranging the jett.
- I I don't see any real reform. I see moving around, moving around.
- But where's the reform?
- There's no reform.
- We need serious reform with DHS.
Bills:
SB1778, SB1570, SB134, SB1966, SB1636, SB1725, SB1726, SB259, SB504, SB592, SB2030, SB1572, SB843, SB1242, SB1255, SB1262, SB1264, SB1286, SB1581, SB1290, SB1316, SB1319, SB1369, SB1379, SB1381, SB1400, SB1427, SB1436, SB1461, SB1496, SB1509, SB1534, SB1553, SB904, SB1592, SB1645, SB1684, SB1767, SB1772, SB1813, SB1894, SB1928, SB1946, SB1980, SB2040, SB2060, SB2061
Keywords:
reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, child welfare, child safety, administrative transition, Department of Child Safety and Well-being, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, juvenile justice, foster care, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, memorial highways, bridge designations
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, now we'll move on to issue number 7: Child Care Rate Reform Transition Plan. Thank you.
- We were asked to present the Assembly's rate reform transition plan for the period between July 1 and
- First, provide an interim rate reform adjustment to the existing RMR rates table, or the Regional Market
- Second, provide an in-depth interim rate reform adjustment to the SRR, or Standard Reimbursement Rate
- These reforms would stabilize the workforce, improve care and accessibility, and ensure families can
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There have been ongoing efforts to address this through reform efforts, but those reform efforts have
- Because of a lack of data on what those reform efforts would mean and while the fiscal note process is
- there to allow those reform efforts to go forward, fiscal note deadlines mean that a bill must be filed
- that fiscal note can get here and something as large and complicated and difficult as state benefit reform
- interim get responses back and work through Refinements is a way that the state could look at these reform
Keywords:
health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Work with us on humane immigration reform.
- on oversight and government reform on oversight and government reform printed<03:59:24.640>
in - The Cash Bail Reform Act we know is unfair and bad policy.
- And I note that there's no reform act.
- <04:47:01.520>
amendment policing and justice reform amendment policing and justice reform
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- threat, President Spilka and the members of both chambers recognize the vital importance of rules reform
- The conference report includes a number of reforms. Legislature.
- The conference report includes a number of reforms, such as all joint votes will be recorded and posted
- There is the willingness... ...to find agreement to reform the rules.
- His leadership included authoring legislation on health care cost containment, drunk driving reform,
Summary:
The Senate first adopted three congratulatory resolutions recognizing the retirements of Dolores Hayes, Lisa Audet, and Kate Fitzpatrick. It then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 to refer a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to the Committee on Public Service and referring House petitions to their respective committees. The chamber also adopted a conference report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 session after remarks from Senators Creem, Tarr, Lovely, and Fattman emphasizing transparency, public access, recorded votes, longer notice for hearings and conference reports, remote participation, and periodic review of the rules. The report was accepted by a 40-0 roll call.
The Senate then took up the bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth, Senate No. 2538, commonly described as Shield Act 2.0. Senator Friedman and others argued the bill was needed to protect reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state and federal interference, to limit disclosure of sensitive information, to create a state-level EMTALA-style protection for emergency care and active labor, and to strengthen privacy and licensing protections for providers and institutions. Senators Cyr, Lovely, and Fattman also spoke in support, framing the bill as a response to recent federal and state threats and as an extension of Massachusetts’ prior shield-law work.
The chamber considered numerous amendments. Several were rejected, including amendments by Senators Finegold and Keenan and multiple Tarr amendments on topics such as medical records, consistency with existing law, and public health data collection. Some amendments were adopted, including a Montigny amendment on health-connected data disclosure, a Brownsberger amendment further protecting privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care, a Rauch amendment clarifying protections for patients in active labor, a Tarr amendment removing an exemption for data from personal tracking devices, and a Rodrigues corrective amendment. After the amendments, the Ways and Means substitute was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and it then passed to be engrossed by a 37-3 roll call.
At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a memorial adjournment in honor of former Senate Majority Leader Louis P. Bertinazi. The Governor also filed a message submitting a bill to build resilience for Massachusetts communities, authorizing future capital spending for energy and environmental affairs, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 1 p.m. and adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 2 - 05/13/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- most significant policy provisions in this bill relate to increased oversight and accountability reforms
- increased oversight<00:04:14.800>
and <00:04:14.920>accountability <00:04:15.600>reforms - <00:04:16.239>
for oversight and accountability reforms for oversight and accountability reforms - ,<00:05:04.680>
which <00:05:04.840>we <00:05:04.960>are activity bond reforms - , which we are activity bond reforms, which we are hoping<00:05:05.440>
will <00:05:05.560>
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine United States Special Operations Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed hearing in SVC-217. Apr 8th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- President Trump and Secretary Hekseth have taken bold and necessary steps to reform the Department of
- As we all know, purposeful and thoughtful reforms. reform requires purposeful and thoughtful lawyers.
- This critical position will play a key part in the implementation of several... reforms from last year's
- If it's confirmed, what role would you have in advising the President and the Secretary on reforming
- NEPA reform issues under the NDA, I think it was a little over a year ago.
Keywords:
national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations
Summary:
The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 28th, 2026 at 02:54 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- However, LESC has that funding in the Public Education Reform Fund.
- There's a $2 million earmark here from the Public Education Reform Fund balance for implementation of
- So the Public Education Reform Fund now, as you recall last year, has a statute...
- PED, and LESC to do a rigorous evaluation of these Public Education Reform Fund projects.
- Then why wouldn't you have put it in the school reform fund? Mr.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Even the Governor calls for reform of Florida's book band policies.
- Even the Governor calls for reform of Florida's book band policies.
- Even the Governor calls for reform of Florida's book band policies.
- Even the Governor calls for reform of Florida's book band policies.
- Reform takes us dangerously backwards.
Bills:
HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29, SB 5, SB 262, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 106, HB 18, HB 48, HB 27, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 2986, HB 972, HB 502, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29
Keywords:
water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty
Summary:
The Florida House of Representatives conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included HB 1105 expanding Florida Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, HB 443 on charter school regulations (passed 83-23), and HB 1539 on materials harmful to minors (passed 81-29) after extensive debate about book challenges in schools. Other bills addressed education funding, law enforcement benefits, parole guidelines, and various local issues. The Speaker announced budget negotiations with the Senate have stalled, with disagreements over spending levels and tax cuts. The House will not meet this weekend as originally planned. Session adjourned until tomorrow at 10 AM.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- I urge the commission to do its part because Washington isn't coming to save us and help us pass reforms
- The Association is in strong support of swipe fee reform legislation introduced in the Commonwealth and
- I think the first one is that swipe fee reform will not jeopardize credit card rewards.
- Reform simply reins in these excessive fees.
- And that's why a growing coalition of businesses, unions, and consumer groups are calling for reform.
Summary:
The commission met for its second hearing to study the future of credit card payments and sales transactions and their impacts on small businesses. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurants, and payment-industry representatives on interchange fees, processing fees, fraud, chargebacks, rewards programs, and the ability of businesses to pass fees on to customers. Several witnesses argued that swipe fees have risen sharply, are especially burdensome for restaurants and other small businesses, and are charged on taxes and tips that are merely pass-through amounts. They urged state action to prohibit fees on tax and tip portions, improve transparency, and allow surcharging or convenience fees, while opponents warned that state regulation could reduce fraud protections, increase compliance costs, and threaten consumer rewards programs.
Business owners and trade groups described thin margins, rising costs, and the difficulty of understanding merchant statements or negotiating with processors. Restaurant witnesses said card-not-present and online transactions create the greatest fraud and chargeback risk, with money often removed immediately from merchants’ accounts and disputes rarely resolved in their favor. Retail witnesses gave examples of rising effective rates, higher fees on rewards cards, and the burden of processing fees on low-value transactions. A representative from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and others said restaurants are effectively paying fees on meals tax and gratuities, which they argued should not be subject to interchange charges.
On the other side, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said interchange revenue helps credit unions fund fraud prevention, rapid card replacement, and member protections, and warned that state limits on interchange could weaken those safeguards and lead to higher consumer costs or reduced services. Airlines for America testified that airline credit card rewards are popular, support travel and jobs in Massachusetts, and could be harmed by interchange reform. The National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that interchange fees are set by card networks rather than competitive markets, that banks remain highly profitable even with rewards, and that states can act after recent court decisions. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questions from commissioners.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- act to promote collaboration in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools, and H-4511, S-2614, an act to reform
- H-4511 and S-2614 are important reforms we can make to safeguard our public schools, especially those
- I'm also testifying in support of an act reforming charter school funding in Massachusetts.
- Charter school financing needs to be a part of the larger conversation on education formula reform.
- And I believe that it is the state's job to look at charter reform because these deeply held beliefs,
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a lengthy hearing on a large slate of bills focused primarily on charter school policy and vocational technical education. Committee members opened with ground rules for testimony, including a two-minute limit, written testimony acceptance, and a live-streamed format. The committee then heard testimony on bills to expand collective bargaining rights in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools, reform charter school funding and reimbursement, allow enrollment preferences for high-need students in charter lotteries, and require BESE to consider district impacts when approving new or expanded charters. Several witnesses, including union leaders, parents, educators, and legislators, argued that charter growth has strained district budgets and that funding formulas should be reworked to better protect public schools; charter advocates and alumni countered that charter schools serve high-need students well and should not be penalized for their success.
A major portion of the hearing focused on vocational technical education bills, including proposals to expand access and capacity, create a large grant program, and increase MSBA reimbursement rates for vocational school construction. Supporters described long waitlists, strong labor-market demand, and the higher cost of building and maintaining vocational schools, while municipal officials emphasized the tax burden on local communities. The committee also heard testimony on charter school reimbursement bills that would extend the state’s reimbursement schedule, with witnesses from districts such as Boston, Worcester, Fall River, and New Bedford describing large net losses to charter tuition and arguing for longer reimbursement periods and structural reform.
The committee took no final votes during the hearing. In one instance, the chair said a bill would be held open until a missing senator could testify. Members asked several detailed questions about charter admissions lotteries, special education placements, funding formulas, and the practical effects of proposed charter caps and reimbursement changes. The hearing remained informational, with witnesses and committee members presenting sharply different views on whether the bills would improve equity and opportunity or harm existing public school systems.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 04/15/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- like a lot of the bills that are part of today's package, this is part of a comprehensive effort to reform
- >> Through you, Madam President, we have passed in this house a series of utility reform bills that are
- There are systems that sometimes need to be reformed.
- That's why the State Senate and many of my colleagues have introduced bills to reform parts of the PSC
- BE REFORMED.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of utility and public service bills and resolutions. A resolution sponsored by Senator Scarcella-Spanton designating April 9, 2026, as Yellow Ribbon Day was adopted after remarks honoring veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The chamber then moved through several Public Service Law measures focused on utility affordability, consumer protections, and PSC procedures, with some bills laid aside and others advanced.
Among the bills passed were measures by Senators Mayer, Cleare, Hinchey, Comrie, and Parker. Debate on the Mayer bill centered on limiting utility expenses and fees recoverable in rate cases; supporters said it was part of a broader package to reform PSC practices, while opponents argued it would not lower current bills and had been softened from earlier versions. The Webb bill creating a residential utility usage monitoring program drew extended debate over whether it would meaningfully reduce costs, who would pay for the program, and whether it could lead to government monitoring of household usage; supporters said it would give consumers more control and transparency, while critics said it would not lower rates. The Gonzalez bill, which would add consumer protections during PSC investigations and delay shutoffs in certain circumstances, also passed after questions about whether it applied to rate cases, with the sponsor saying rate cases were explicitly excluded.
Several members explained their votes, with supporters emphasizing affordability, transparency, and consumer protection, and opponents arguing the package would not address immediate rate relief and could burden ratepayers or encourage nonpayment. Senator Tedisco and others criticized PSC appointments and state energy policy, while Democratic sponsors argued the bills were part of a longer-term effort to reform utility regulation and address climate and affordability concerns. The chamber restored multiple bills to the non-controversial calendar before final votes, and the recorded results showed passage of the major utility bills by substantial margins, along with one amendment appeal being ruled nongermane and rejected.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Jan 29th, 2026 at 02:04 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Bail reform does not work, and it will not work.
- Until bail reform is addressed properly, crime is going to continue. Thank you.
- Bail reform does not work, and it will not work.
- Until bail reform is addressed properly, crime is going to continue. Thank you.
- Just to correct some historical record, I was involved in the negotiation of the bail reform.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Debating the Earned Sick and Safe Time Law / Northland Senators Share Their Priorities and Successes May 11th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, speaking of changes and updating, you wrote an op-ed about permitting reform and you said it's
- That's what permitting reform is about.
- That's what permitting reform is them.
- The reforms in Senate File 2300 don't go far enough. is not a good idea.
- The reforms in maybe been introduced.