Video & Transcript Research : 'subsurface utilities'
Page 245 of 484
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- While we do effectively utilize these tools to recover unpaid wages for workers, conducting complex,
- Although this is a relatively new initiative, it reiterates our team's commitment to utilizing all of
- our resources to recover ...team's commitment to utilizing all of our resources to recover stolen wages
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment held a review hearing on SB 588, focused on wage theft enforcement and whether the law’s tools are working as intended. Committee members emphasized that wage theft is a major and under-enforced form of theft in California, citing large backlogs in wage claims and long delays that can leave workers waiting years for payment. The hearing was framed as oversight of the Labor Commissioner’s enforcement authority and a discussion of whether additional tools or funding are needed to improve collections and deter bad actors.
Witnesses from UCLA, worker advocacy organizations, and legal aid described SB 588’s main enforcement mechanisms, including liens, levies, stop-work orders, successor and individual liability, and the ability to pursue upstream entities in fissured industries. They argued these tools have improved settlement leverage and recovery rates, especially in janitorial and property services cases, and gave examples involving Tesla, Cheesecake Factory, Optum, and grocery and care-home employers. At the same time, they said the law is less effective in industries like residential care, where employers often transfer assets or change ownership before judgments are collected, and they urged changes such as broader prejudgment lien authority, more license-revocation power, and additional staffing for the Judgment Enforcement Unit.
Worker testimony highlighted the human impact of delayed or unpaid wages. A care worker described being underpaid, denied pay for breaks and off-the-clock work, and facing intimidation when filing claims. Marta Lepe Martinez said she was owed more than $300,000, waited more than three years for a hearing, and still had not recovered any money despite a judgment and a lien on property. Another worker advocate explained that SB 588 helped identify responsible individuals and businesses earlier, increasing the chance of recovery, but said more resources and faster enforcement are still needed.
Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower said SB 588 has significantly improved collections, reporting that the Judgment Enforcement Unit has recovered $125 million since enactment and that first-year recovery rates have risen from 17% to 46%. She said the agency is using liens, levies, stop orders, and individual liability more aggressively, but acknowledged that the tools are limited when employers are undercapitalized, hide assets, or transfer property before judgment. She supported the need for more staff and continued legislative investment. Public comment from SEIU California also backed SB 588’s framework and encouraged focusing enforcement on bad actors and expanding the law’s reach.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Rethinking Paying Subminimal Wage to Persons with Disabilities Task Force Apr 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The self-advocates really voiced that they wanted to no longer utilize 14(c). That was a big deal.
- They really utilized those expectations from the settings requirements to actually move this along.
- around 14(c) usage as of April 1st, Department of Labor reported that we do have 40 entities that utilize
Summary:
The meeting was a 14(c) Task Force hearing focused on employment experiences of Oklahomans with disabilities and the state’s use of subminimum wage. Numerous self-advocates and workers testified about their jobs, accommodations, pay, transportation barriers, and the importance of community integration. Several speakers described positive experiences in competitive or community jobs, while others recounted being underused, fired without explanation, or paid by piece rate or minimum wage in sheltered or enclave settings. Many emphasized that fair pay, independence, ABLE accounts, and supportive employers matter to them, and several said they want future careers, promotions, or even to own businesses and help others with disabilities find work.
Task force members discussed recurring themes from the testimony: transportation as a major barrier, the importance of community and self-advocacy, employer misconceptions and stigma, the need for better transition services from school to work, and the difficulty families face navigating benefits and employment systems. Members also raised concerns about people being fired without explanation and about the need for meaningful options for those not ready for competitive employment. Suggestions included more employer education, reverse job fairs, job coaching, benefits planning, better coordination between DDS and DRS, and stronger transition supports in schools and through programs like Project SEARCH.
Staff then presented research on how other states have phased out or eliminated 14(c) certificates. Examples included Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, with common approaches such as phase-out timelines, technical assistance, provider transition plans, and support for competitive integrated employment. The presenters noted that Oklahoma still has 40 entities using 14(c), most of them DDS providers, but many providers are already moving away from it. Members discussed potential unintended consequences, the need for a clear timeline, the possibility of blending or braiding services, and whether Oklahoma should create a more one-stop, employer-friendly system. No votes were taken, and the group agreed to continue gathering information and return in June to begin shaping priorities and possible policy directions.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/20/2026 - Senate Director Nominations
Transcript Highlights:
- What are you looking to utilize that for and streamline?
- Chair, so the LIHTC program, depending on which low-income housing tax credit program is utilized, covers
- The low-income housing tax credit program utilized covers about 70% of the cost to build the housing,
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Ruby Dylan Williams for Director of the Arizona Department of Housing. Williams described her long career at the department, her work on operational improvements, housing development, manufactured housing, and efforts to expand supply, preserve existing housing, and improve transparency through data and technology. She also said she would work with the legislature, local governments, tribal nations, nonprofits, and private partners, and emphasized the department’s role in addressing housing affordability and homelessness across the housing continuum.
Members questioned her about the department’s response to Auditor General findings, including fraud prevention, payment verification, site inspections, and oversight of grantees. Williams said the department had rewritten policies, retrained staff, added stronger controls, and implemented verbal verification steps for wire transfers after a fraud incident. Senators also pressed her on budget priorities, possible cuts, and her view of homelessness policy, with some members characterizing her approach as closer to shelter or transitional housing before permanent placement. Williams said interventions should be individualized and that the department works with local jurisdictions and service providers to match people with appropriate support.
Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Developers, housing industry representatives, and nonprofit partners praised Williams’ private-sector housing finance experience, her knowledge of LIHTC and the QAP process, and her leadership in making the agency more efficient and business-friendly. After debate, the committee voted 3-2 to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate. Two members voted no, citing concerns about her answers on fraud oversight, cost controls, and homelessness policy, while the majority supported advancing her nomination.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- This is to support the Senior Medicare Patrol, which utilizes outreach to prevent, detect, and report
- This is to support the Senior Medicare Patrol, which utilizes outreach to prevent, detect, and report
- I think there are 205 beds that are available that we currently utilize right now for these offenders
Summary:
The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies.
Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options.
The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 30 Mar 26th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- kind of expanding upon that, when you talk about DEI or that acronym, what happens if an entity utilizes
- So, our private Christian universities are able to utilize DEI in their accreditation practices.
- Yes, there is a provision in here that allows for the accrediting agency to be sued if they are utilizing
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Government Finance Committee Mar 19th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Government Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Agencies then in turn have to kind of anticipate their future utilization.
- And so what that forces DOCR to do is obviously utilize all of their facilities and then contract with
- And so what that forces DOCR to do is obviously utilize all of their facilities and then contract with
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We are being utilized in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Tennessee,
- , that we made from last year to this year to make this more manageable for our state and for our utility
- Okay, that would be my first thing, because I know you have the utilities division, water, if you have
Keywords:
critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, China, communications, security, law enforcement, disciplinary action, administrative appeals, investigative files, due process, retaliation, county seal, law enforcement authority, sheriff's posse, public safety, county governance, ambulance services, certificate of necessity, emergency medical services, state regulations
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/18/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- to be clear, the reason you're bringing this forward is because you're looking at cost savings by utilizing
- Access shares these goals and utilizes a variety of state and federal data matches, as well as contracted
- We utilize all the available sources.
Keywords:
international organizations, government resources, public institutions, Arizona Board of Regents, foreign adversaries, campaign finance, contributions, termination statements, reporting, penalties, electoral processes, healthcare, public benefits, eligibility verification, fraud prevention, Medicaid, SNAP, transparency, accountability, state land
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Several of these institutions, what they did is they utilized their ING and, if you will, resources that
- Several of these institutions, what they did is they utilized their ING and, if you will, resources that
- We utilize that rubric to prioritize the projects.
Keywords:
foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Feb 11th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- it's going to be included, like I said, especially in self-funded or individual plans, into their utilization
- it's going to be included, like I said, especially in self-funded or individual plans, into their utilization
- Neal over there from Retiree Health Care Authority, it's going to show up in their utilization reports
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, & Judiciary (2-3-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- > staff positions that are filled are staff positions that are filled are being<00:08:08.400>
utilized - <00:08:09.280>
uh <00:08:09.520>efficiently <00:08:10.080>and being utilized - uh efficiently and being utilized uh efficiently and effectively.
Keywords:
00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call
01:42 Department of Corrections
04:14 Department of Juvenile Justice
16:22 Kentucky Law Enforcement Council
28:01 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee heard budget-related testimony from the Department of Corrections on a request for additional funding to take over operations of the Lee Adjustment Center, including $2.2 million in fiscal year 2027 and $5.2 million in fiscal year 2028. The witness said the governor’s budget did not recommend the request. Members asked about the cost savings of private operation versus state operation, the facility’s role in the department’s long-term goals, and whether the state intends to move toward operating all adult correctional facilities directly.
The Department of Juvenile Justice then presented on staffing, recruitment, retention, and facility planning. Officials described recent pay increases and other investments, including a 10% security pay raise in 2021, an 8% state employee raise in 2022, higher youth worker starting salaries, and $4.8 million in 2023 funding to sustain salary increases. They said DJJ has also expanded mental health and medical staffing, improved recruitment efforts, and seen an upward trend in hiring. In response to questions, the commissioner said barriers to recruitment and retention include the Tier 3 retirement system, the structured and restrictive nature of detention work, and competition from other employers. He also said the department wants to move toward a regional model for female facilities under SB 162 and believes those facilities can be staffed.
DJJ provided staffing figures showing 1,339 funded positions, with 157 filled and 182 vacant at a January benchmark, and 524 detention positions with 450 filled and 74 vacant. Officials said 30 correctional officers were in basic training and expected to join posts soon. Members also asked about the feasibility of staffing additional facilities and the department’s vacancy trends.
Finally, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council testified on a funding request for one attorney, one paralegal, one additional monitor, higher costs for existing monitor positions, and Lexington office rent. Officials said the request is needed to handle a growing decertification caseload and expanded oversight responsibilities as the number of academies has increased to about eight, with more than 2,100 instructors requiring biennial review. They said KLEC currently has one attorney and about 15 total staff, with roughly 180 cases pending, more than 50 complaints left to file, and another 30 cases expected soon. Members asked about current staffing, attorney salary, the number of academies, and the move to a separate Lexington office. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned without a quorum for approving minutes.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- As the Secretary mentioned, the department utilizes the Sentry System to register professional guardians
- As the Secretary mentioned, the Department utilizes the Century System to register professional As the
- secretary mentioned, the department utilizes the sentry system to register professional guardians.
Summary:
The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive updates on implementation of House Bill 1349, which created guardianship transparency measures, and on the Department of Elder Affairs’ Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG). The Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation described the statewide guardianship database for judges and a public-facing website, noting the system went live in March 2025 after a soft launch in 2024. Officials said the database now includes information from all 67 clerks, with 388 users, about 6,400 wards, and 518 professional guardians. Members asked about unique identifiers, data duplication, training, and how the system is being used; CCOC said it is working to use registration numbers as identifiers, improve search functions, expand training, and seek continued funding.
Secretary Michelle Branham then outlined OPPG’s implementation of HB 1349 and its broader oversight role. She said the department has doubled education requirements, expanded transparency through the Sentry system, and brought investigations fully in-house in August 2024. She described the complaint and investigation process, including legal sufficiency review, regional investigators, mandatory in-person interviews, and possible outcomes ranging from corrective training and fines to suspension or revocation. Members asked about complaint categories, disciplinary actions, whether guardians can be suspended during investigations, and how older cases are handled; the secretary said most complaints are administrative/technical, serious allegations are referred to law enforcement, and one older case discussed remained ongoing.
The Auditor General’s office presented its operational audit of OPPG, covering July 2022 through January 2024 and follow-up on prior findings. The audit identified problems with monitoring private professional guardians and public guardian offices, complaint processing timeliness, incomplete public profile information, late registration renewals, failure to assess contract penalties, weak collection safeguards, missing follow-up on required public guardian reports, lack of needed rules, and Sentry system access/security controls. In response, Secretary Branham said the department does not dispute the findings and has already taken corrective steps, including launching Sentry, hiring additional monitors, moving investigations in-house, adding automated renewal reminders, updating forms, and drafting new rules. She also said the department plans to seek subpoena power and stronger fines in the next legislative session. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after members’ questions were completed.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 18, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Enbrel, utilization metrics are not defined in statute or rule.
- Typically for it procurements, you're going to utilize an ITN that includes appointed evaluators in negotiators
- But we utilize those purchasing mechanisms to make those it commodity purchases such as laptops and computers
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Nov 6th, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- incredibly important for us to be able to monitor and understand how our state dollars are being utilized
- In New Mexico that take SNAP, that are there for people to be able to buy and utilize that service, that
- Areas, and treat that wood in some way or another, whether it's burning it or utilizing it for some other
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Nov 5th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- to the board, they stated that assumptions in their calculations remain the same, which means it utilizes
- You know, that doesn't even cover the increase in our, for example, utility bills.
- The foot facility is completely done at this point in time, and we finally received access to city utilities
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Finance Sub Committee Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We're just waiting for some access to city utilities.
- So that special appropriation is about to utilize our technical experts.
- Water Utility Authority ribbon cutting next week, and I hope you all have received this invitation.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- It's late, and we need something in hand that we can utilize and use, Mr.
- President, again, are allowing the state of New Mexico to move forward without utilizing just only The
- We can still, through the Department of Health, utilize the guidelines and recommendations by this particular
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Aug 27th, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- encompassing everyone, and the ones that we have the power to encompass are not necessarily being utilized
- Are treatment courts being fully utilized in your perspective? Thank you, Chair.
- All of our treatment courts, in fact, even for adults, are being utilized and operational.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 12th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The New Mexico Utility Contractors Association future legislation to deal with permitting issues.
- And again, this area has water, utilities, and fiber, and we're doing a pretty good job of getting more
- If there are any emergencies with utilities or anything else, especially that would affect the customer
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- There's also their rent, utilities, and signage that is paid for and worked out by Council Service.
- Has that been utilized? Like, was this body of work utilized?