Video & Transcript : 'forest practices' :
Page 248 of 500
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 4th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Consumer Protection & Business
Transcript Highlights:
- to exclude attorneys at law who adjust insurance losses from time to time... ...incidental to the practice
- It did not have that reference to being incidental to the practice of their profession, so this is a
- This is a predatory practice that almost never leads to the advantage of the property owner, who, by
- This is a predatory practice, and it should be prohibited. This bill does that.
- It is not a predatory practice for all.
Keywords:
life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency
MI
Transcript Highlights:
- They believe the utility is doing the best practice, but they would like to verify the standards that
- This bill ensures this goal by simply codifying already standard practice standards by Michigan utilities
- They believe the utility is doing the best practice, but they would like to verify the standards that
- This bill ensures this goal by simply codifying already standard practice standards by Michigan utilities
- . simply codifying already standard practice standards by Michigan utilities that concludes my testimony
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy and Environment met with 13 members present, approved the June 4, 2026 minutes, and took up Senate Bill 947, which concerns dam registration, inspections, and related enforcement. The committee discussed a substitute that made technical changes and implementation adjustments, including lower registration fees for counties with multiple dams, extending registration validity from five to ten years, allowing conditional permits, giving EGLE flexibility to modify deficiency schedules, and adding provisions related to inspection reports and low-hazard dam evaluations. Members also raised an unresolved issue involving FERC preemption and hydroelectric dams; the chair and EGLE said that issue would continue to be worked on, likely through the floor process. Public testimony cards were read in support from a range of environmental and policy groups and individuals. The committee adopted the S-1 substitute 13-0 and then reported SB 947 to the floor on an 8-3 vote with two passes.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 627, which also had been heard previously. No additional questions were raised, and testimony cards were read in support from several organizations, including the Michigan Environmental Council, Sierra Club, the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. The committee voted to report SB 627 to the floor with the recommendation that it pass, and the bill was reported on an 11-1 vote with one pass.
Finally, the committee took testimony only on House Bill 4361, sponsored by Representative Green, which would direct the Public Service Commission to create a rule allowing utilities broader vegetation management within rights-of-way to improve grid reliability. Representative Green and Thumb Electric Cooperative’s Kevin Mazur testified that the bill would reduce outages, improve safety, and align statutory standards with existing utility practices. Several senators raised concerns that the language was too broad and could allow extensive tree removal, harming property owners, local control, tree canopy, and environmental and health interests; others said utilities already have similar authority and emphasized reliability and homeowner coordination. The committee did not take action on HB 4361 and adjourned after reading in testimony cards from utilities, environmental groups, and others both supporting and opposing the bill.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- So I just don't think that this is a practical application and it's going to increase costs, reduce food
- So, again, the unintended consequence: just because something is available doesn't mean it's practical
- Next item, Print Number 1477 by Senator Kruger: an act to amend the judiciary law and the civil practice
- by health care entities; and to amend the Insurance Law in relation to prohibiting discriminatory practices
- by health care entities and to amend the Insurance Law in relation to prohibiting discriminatory practices
Summary:
The New York State Senate Finance Committee met with Senator John Liu presiding for Chair Liz Krueger, joined by members of the majority and minority. The committee considered a broad agenda of bills covering agriculture, public health, technology, taxation, corrections, education, housing, transportation, and civil rights. Among the measures discussed were a youth agriculture entrepreneurship summer employment program, a Bronx asthma study commission, a statewide multi-factor authentication requirement for governmental entities, a tax on noise emissions from certain helicopter and seaplane flights, a requirement that state events serving alcohol include New York-produced alcohol, a veterans and service members alternative resolution program, packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure legislation, limits on certain debt-collection practices involving foreign sovereign debt, commissary rules in correctional institutions, school energy performance contract recovery periods, a senior rent cap tied to income, a dental health demonstration project, farm succession planning, Operation SNUG gun violence prevention grants, expanded breast cancer screening coverage, direct Medicaid billing for creative arts therapists, a vacant storefront registry, academic credit for volunteer firefighters and EMTs, a plan to expand wheelchair-accessible vehicles outside New York City, STAR exemption notification, restrictions on certain tropical hardwoods in state contracts, a PSC guidebook on gas and electric rate making, gender-affirming care coverage and anti-discrimination provisions, and state leave for Civil Air Patrol members on airport-assigned missions.
Most of the meeting focused on the packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure bill, which drew extended debate. Supporters said the bill had been revised after months of discussion with industry, included waivers for food safety and federal-law conflicts, and could save local governments money through producer responsibility funding. Opponents argued it would raise costs, harm food packaging flexibility, threaten food safety, and hurt manufacturers and small businesses, citing examples from dairy, meat, and coffee businesses. The sponsor’s representative said the bill had been updated and that some small businesses would be exempt, while acknowledging not all concerns were resolved. The committee also discussed the fiscal impact, with testimony that upfront state costs would be reimbursed and localities could see savings.
Several other bills prompted brief policy discussion, including the helicopter/seaplane noise tax, where staff explained it would be assessed per ticket or up to $200 per flight and exempt quieter aircraft meeting DOT standards, and the sovereign debt/claims bill, where a senator warned it could drive financial activity out of New York. The committee also heard concerns about the packaging bill’s effect on New York food manufacturers and the availability of waivers. After discussion, the committee voted to report the bills; the transcript indicates the measures passed, generally with some members recorded as without recommendation or opposed, and all listed bills were moved to the floor before the meeting adjourned.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- She has practiced law since 1989. We got a chance to meet her.
- Yes, as the senator said, I've practiced law since 1989.
- So I don't practice in Oklahoma criminal court and the reason why I started not practicing criminal laws
- because I went in as an assistant to the city attorney in Woodward when I was first starting practice
- They are either they have done used this in practice or they would like the opportunity to.
Bills:
HB3045
Keywords:
accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition, 914, all
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 24 (2-10-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It should come as no surprise that a workforce bill recommended by an engineering board is both practical
- contract for this scholarship will include expeditious licensing following graduation, as well as practicing
- It should come to no surprise that a workforce bill recommended by an engineering board is both practical
- Our Kentucky Board of licensure for professional is both practical and functional.
- contract for this scholarship will include expeditious licensing following graduation, as well as practicing
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 04:29
Report of Committees 05:19
Orders of the Day/HB 470 06:54
HB 49 13:46
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 16:47
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:04
Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:37
ConC/Rules Report 33:49
Floor Amendments 35:16
Adjournment 37:07, 958, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This straightforward adjustment aligns federal policy with practical reality, given the stringent security
- As a practical matter, CBP cannot deny entry to U.S. citizens when they return from across the border
- a passport with me, but here’s my driver’s license’; they’re going to let you through, and as a practical
- Well, right now the federal government, I mean, again, as a practical matter, um, even though there is
- Um, so again, as a practical matter, when you show your Real ID, they're going to say, OK, hey, come
Summary:
The Committee on State-Federal Relations heard testimony on HB 3484, which would formalize agreements between border municipalities and treat certain infrastructure, services, and facilities as Texas assets for funding eligibility if they are within 30 miles of the border. Representative Van Deaver and a witness from Texarkana described how the bill would help Texarkana, Texas, secure state funding for jointly used facilities such as wastewater, water treatment, and airport assets that are physically located in Arkansas but serve Texas residents. Members asked about whether Arkansas benefits from the facilities and whether the bill would apply only to U.S. border cities; testimony clarified that it applies to Texas municipalities bordering another U.S. state, and the bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn.
The committee also heard HCR 112, by Representative Perez, which urges Congress to allow state-issued Real ID cards, including Texas driver’s licenses, to be accepted as identification for U.S. citizens re-entering the country at land and sea ports of entry. Perez argued that Texas already verifies citizenship and lawful presence for Real ID issuance, that most Texans already have Real ID-compliant licenses, and that acceptance at the border would reduce costs and delays for routine cross-border travel without weakening security. Members asked about the security features of Real ID, implementation timing, passport delays, and how border crossings currently work; Perez said the resolution would not replace passports for international air travel and would apply only to U.S. citizens returning at land and sea ports. HCR 112 was also left pending, and the committee adjourned after HDR 125 was withdrawn from the schedule.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Finance Jul 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm talking about best practice.
- I'm talking about best practice.
- Oh, yeah, let's not do that if there's something wrong or bad practices.
- I guess it's still the practice in general.
- That is a combined Deceptive Trade Practices Act and THFPA litigation.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey.
The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (03/04/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> practices in the state of New Hampshire. practices in the state of New Hampshire.
- </c><00:43:34.079><c> are</c> their claim reserving practices are their claim reserving practices are
- ,</c><00:44:03.359><c> what</c> depositing, investment practices, what depositing, investment practices
- and advanced practice registered nurses uh<02:03:08.080><c> grant</c><02:03:08.320><c> these</c><02:
- </c><02:13:43.199><c> are</c> where primary care practices are where primary care practices are affiliated
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- 26.720><c> dual</c><00:31:27.120><c> language</c> best practices for dual language best practices for
- </c> practice and professional development. practice and professional development.
- </c><00:32:18.480><c> as</c> highquality instructional practices as highquality instructional practices
- </c> literacy practices literacy practices and<00:35:06.800><c> specifically</c><00:35:08.079><c> centered
- </c><00:44:50.640><c> through</c> and promote best practices through and promote best practices through
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:10:55.040><c> uh</c> accurately portrays current practice uh accurately portrays current practice
- </c> not practical and we understand that. not practical and we understand that.
- </c><00:31:43.919><c> it's</c> uh discounts because in practice it's uh discounts because in practice
- So reasonable and customary practices.
- </c> our hiring practices, our policies, etc. our hiring practices, our policies, etc.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:21:22.000><c> But</c> and the practices follow from that.
- But and the practices follow from that.
- </c> more aggressive enforcement practices. more aggressive enforcement practices.
- </c><00:42:08.400><c> such</c> the doors to questionable practices such the doors to questionable practices
- What what do you that mean in practice?
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented.
Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families.
Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record.
Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Dues-paying members should have access to financial practices and decisions they contribute to without
- </c><00:13:15.839><c> and</c> have access to financial practices and have access to financial practices
- and practices we've had Nationwide<00:34:13.119><c> as</c><00:34:13.599><c> uh</c><00:34:13.760><c>
- <00:34:46.359><c> are</c><00:34:46.560><c> fundamentally</c><00:34:47.240><c> unethical</c> practices
- </c> help with creating those best practices help with creating those best practices and<01:18:11.760
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs and Joint Legislative Audit Aug 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The UC is committed to changing these practices.
- It is, you know, our practice now really to follow the lead of tribes.
- This federal change has gutted the practical force of CalNAGPRA.
- The only clean, practical, and can be reversed by statute.
- Siboba would like to focus on three practical issues.
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on the University of California’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and CalNAGPRA, based on the California State Auditor’s April 2025 report and updates from UC and tribal representatives. Committee members and tribal witnesses emphasized the moral urgency of returning ancestral remains and cultural items, criticized the lack of clear timelines and accountability, and noted that other institutions have repatriated collections more quickly. The State Auditor said UC still has major gaps in identifying collections, completing campus searches, setting measurable deadlines, securing items, and fully using repatriation funding; the auditor projected that some campuses could take until 2037, 2041, 2053, or even 2089 to finish at current rates, and said 12 of 19 audit recommendations remained open. The Native American Heritage Commission said progress has been too slow and that new CalNAGPRA enforcement regulations are being finalized.
UC Office of the President and campus leaders responded that the university has made substantial changes since 2019, including a revised NAGPRA policy, expanded staffing, new committees with tribal representation, more consultation, and more financial support for tribes. UC said it has repatriated more than 9,000 ancestors, 280,000 associated funerary objects, and 59,000 other cultural items systemwide, and that it is continuing to implement audit recommendations and improve transparency through a repatriation dashboard and funding information. Berkeley, San Diego, Riverside, and Santa Barbara each described campus-specific progress, including more staff, more consultations, more site reviews, and updated timelines; Berkeley said it is on track to publish remaining ancestors by the federal deadline, San Diego said it has repatriated 73% of remains and about 53% of cultural items, Riverside said nearly all known ancestors and associated funerary objects have been noticed or repatriated, and Santa Barbara said it has restructured its program and added staffing and tracking systems.
Members pressed UC on why timelines remain so long, why some campuses still lack clear completion dates, and whether the Legislature should use budget tools to increase accountability. The auditor suggested the Legislature could consider stronger funding conditions and clearer expectations, while some members noted constitutional limits on earmarking UC’s base budget. UC said repatriation must be tribally led, that consultation and reburial can take time, and that some delays stem from incomplete records, overlapping tribal claims, and the need to reunite items with ancestors. No formal vote or action was taken at the hearing.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental Affairs May 27th, 2026
Senate & Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- A lot of our attorneys that are here that are with me, they're not able to practice during this time.
- They're not able to practice during this time.
- And there’s a practical component of doing the math to make the dollars and cents work.
- Missouri model around best practices for intervention.
- I'm just asking, from a practical standpoint. So again, thank you for that question, Senator.
Keywords:
sales tax, exemptions, credits, rebates, uniformity, legislative rules, fiscal report, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, delegates, state election, ratification, Louisiana, public meetings, broadcast, transparency, government accountability
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- What happens when you engage in discriminatory practices is that element.
- I practiced the specialty of infectious disease from 1994 until 2024.
- So it had nothing to do with this practice. initiative.
- So it had nothing to do with his practice of medicine.
- House Bill 224 continues the revision of the code to reflect current practice.
Bills:
HB414, HB786, HB1041, HB1052, HB1118, HB1139, HB1182, HB1185, HB1214, HB1217, HB1231, SR63, SCR27, SB5, SB194, SB415, SB433, SB451, SB462, SB516
Keywords:
healthcare, criminal convictions, employment, background checks, prohibited offenses, Medicaid, claim payments, extrapolation, provider audits, medical freedom, discrimination, access, medical intervention, child protection, confidentiality, multidisciplinary teams, child advocacy centers, public records, investigations, hospital
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cost-benefit analysis requirement 3/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- agency experts that you're working with, but they are not elected, and so this I think is a great practical
- agency experts that you're working with, but they are not elected, and so this I think is a great practical
- agency experts that you're working with, but they are not elected, and so this I think is a great practical
- agency experts that you're working with, but they are not elected, and so this I think is a great practical
- the side of the metric would be asked or counted upon to provide metrics that may be difficult in practice
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Restricting who can access license plate reader data 3/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That is both general practice within the data practices act and it's practice within this statute that
- That is uh good data practices for how we want our private data to be handled in Minnesota.
- That is uh good data practices for how we want our private data to be handled in Minnesota.
- That is uh good data practices for how we want our private data to be handled in Minnesota.
- That is uh good data practices for how we want our private data to be handled in Minnesota.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> So, we're developing a standard practice right now, and it's in draft form and we're in consulting
- right now and um it's in draft practice right now and um it's in draft form<00:05:05.120><c> and</c>
- </c> standard practice. standard practice.
- </c><00:08:57.279><c> is</c><00:08:57.839><c> approved</c> once the standard practice is approved once
- the standard practice is approved by<00:08:58.480><c> the</c><00:08:58.640><c> unions</c><00:08:59.040
Keywords:
educational workers, harassment, workplace safety, temporary restraining orders, investigation procedures, retired education employees, teacher shortage, rehired retirants, entry level salary, collective bargaining agreements, pension benefits, education, teacher salaries, automatic increments, collective bargaining, teacher retention, workforce development, Pell grant program, short-term education, eligibility
Summary:
The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1.
The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.
The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments.
Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Sep 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That this is good practice for them.
- Um, we have things called communities of practice.
- We in New Mexico are engaged in many of those same practices.
- Policies and practices by their intent instead of their outcome.
- Best practices already, community-informed needs.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I practice in San Antonio.
- I have many years in practice. I started out my...
- My career in Corpus Christi in family medicine, I practiced OB for the first five years of my practice
- What was the nature of your practice when you were actively practicing?
- As a practicing physician, if I wouldn't refer...
Keywords:
trafficking, prostitution, affirmative defense, victims, criminal justice reform, victim rights, criminal justice, judicial reform, court procedures, mental health services, criminal penalties, court security, SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life