Video & Transcript : 'curriculum development' :

Page 292 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Most of our members are focused on developing community-scale projects, but they also develop utility-scale
  • </c><00:53:53.000><c> life</c> one will not finish the development life one will not finish the development
  • is an indicator that private development should continue in the solar industry.
  • Chair Swedzinski asked for final comments. which the um development Community can which the um development
  • </c> continue to have um private development continue to have um private development in<01:39:36.719>
Bills: HF2103, HF2793
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Secondly, California agriculture research and development.
  • In the education and workforce development space, some examples of work underway, and workforce development
  • And we have new incubator spaces developing at Aggie Square in Sacramento.
  • I'm a technical and business development manager for Blue Diamond Growers.
  • or developing new branded items.
Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation was held at UC Davis and focused on how alternative proteins can support California agriculture, the bioeconomy, and farmers. Opening remarks from UC Davis leaders and committee members emphasized the university’s food science, fermentation, and sustainability strengths, and the state’s prior investments of $5 million for UC alternative protein research and an additional $1 million for ICAMP. Members framed the topic as a way to grow new markets, keep more value in-state, and address climate, food security, and commercialization challenges. The first panel featured Sana Beg of the Plant-Based Foods Institute, who argued that California agriculture and alternative proteins are complementary, not competing, and stressed that farmers are essential to the sector. She highlighted the need for ingredient processing capacity, technical assistance for growers, and predictable demand through public procurement, including schools, hospitals, and state facilities. Committee members asked about financing and market development, and Beg said guaranteed loans, grants, and state- and USDA-backed support could help de-risk investment and build the supply chain. The second panel focused on research and development. Beam Circular described the circular bioeconomy in the San Joaquin Valley, including efforts to turn agricultural residues into higher-value products, build shared infrastructure, and expand workforce training. ICAMP and UC ANR described UC Davis-centered research, pilot facilities, and a proposed plant innovation center to bridge lab-scale work to commercial manufacturing. USDA researchers discussed using byproducts such as brewer’s spent grain, tomato pomace, lima beans, and chickpeas for new food ingredients. Members repeatedly emphasized the importance of public R&D funding, consumer acceptance, and food-grade scale-up facilities. The final panel highlighted company perspectives from Optimized Foods and Blue Diamond Growers. Optimized Foods described using fungi fermentation to convert almond hulls, cocoa waste, and tomato pomace into protein-rich ingredients and stabilized nutrients. Blue Diamond outlined its grower cooperative model, sustainability practices, almond ingredient portfolio, and the Sacramento almond innovation center. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with discussion centered on research, commercialization, infrastructure, and market-building for California-grown alternative protein products.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Local and Private - Room 210, 24 March, 2026; 10:45 AM

Local and Private

Transcript Highlights:
  • But it was already developed.
  • development and industrial development<00:01:43.240><c> for</c><00:01:43.440><c> the</c><00:01:43.520
  • ><c> county</c><00:01:43.880><c> and</c> development for the county and development for the county and
  • </c> we have an economic and development we have an economic and development um<00:02:05.560><c> district
  • </c> the Belzoni Humphreys Development the Belzoni Humphreys Development Foundation.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • I’m Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Brockton.
  • Eventually, what is at some point coming there is a development called Dorchester Bay City.
  • Just imagine six million more square feet of development coming.
  • We are also the developer and co-owners of the Harbor Point apartment complex, which we developed in
  • Unfortunately, over the last 15 years, there's not been any development on this site.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee opened by explaining new attendance and public-testimony procedures, including that testimony would be recorded, livestreamed, and generally made public, with possible redactions for sensitive material. The chairs also noted that no committee rules were being formally adopted yet and that no votes would be taken during the hearing. Senator Collins briefly emphasized the committee’s oversight role on land takings and Article 97 issues, including concerns about proposed regulatory changes and the legislature’s constitutional role. The first major bill discussed was H. 3324, concerning the former Christos site on Crescent Street in Brockton and a proposed transfer of state-owned land from DCAM. Representative Michelle DuBois, Representative Rita Mendes, Mayor Sullivan, the Metro South Chamber’s Chris Cooney, Catholic Charities’ Larry Mayne, and Brockton planning director Rob May all supported the bill, describing the parcel as long vacant and arguing it should be reused for a mixed-use project with Catholic Charities, including affordable/workforce housing, an early education center, food pantry, workforce development, and language classes. Several speakers said the project would help retain Catholic Charities in Brockton and bring tax revenue and community services. DuBois outlined expected amendments, including moving one parcel into a municipal sale partnership and changing a “shall” to “may” regarding a right-turn lane. Some members raised questions about whether a deed transfer to a nonprofit was preferable to a long-term lease and about affordability definitions, but the bill was generally supported. Representative Connolly then testified on two Cambridge bills: H. 3308, relating to the Riverside Boat Club and a reconfigured DCR parcel boundary to support a lease with no loss of public space, and H. 3309, which would facilitate access to justice by preserving consideration of a vacant former probate court site for future court use. Senator DiDomenico supported the Riverside Boat Club measure and the broader goal of restoring court access in Cambridge. Members discussed accessibility, possible future court configurations, and the site’s prior use as an emergency shelter. The committee then heard testimony on S. 2217/H. 2108 concerning Columbia Point and access around the UMass/Bayside area. Harbor Point residents, including Orlando Perrella, Michael Corcoran, Richard Fulham, and Miles Byrne, described severe traffic congestion, emergency-access concerns, and frustration with the UMass Building Authority’s handling of the site and prior community commitments. Senator Collins said the committee should consider seeking an SJC opinion, and possibly an Attorney General opinion, on Article 97 and public-access rights. After the in-person testimony concluded, the committee attempted to reach remaining virtual witnesses on S. 2217 but did not receive testimony. With no further witnesses, the committee adjourned without taking any votes.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-05-14 - 1:00PM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c><00:25:04.159><c> I</c> on commerce and economic development, I on commerce and economic development
  • Our changes can be economic development.
  • This change was requested by the Department of Taxes. development when further amended as development
  • Now the question economic development.
  • Are you economic development as amended.
Keywords: 926, house, all
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-05-20 - 3:45PM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Development, Housing and General Affairs Development, Housing and General Affairs throughout<00:07:34.760
  • Communication from small developers, emerging small developers, and smaller projects, rural communities
  • </c><00:10:04.680><c> through</c> specific for housing development through specific for housing development
  • ,</c><00:16:03.120><c> Housing,</c> Senate Economic Development, Housing, Senate Economic Development
  • </c><00:16:30.080><c> Authority,</c> Vermont Economic Development Authority, Vermont Economic Development
Keywords: 926, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Development. Development.
  • </c><00:03:25.680><c> funds,</c> talk about economic development funds, talk about economic development
  • You create economic development.
  • ,</c> with economic development practitioners, with economic development practitioners, those<00:04:24.080
  • We made the economic development.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Energy and Environment, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and approved the February 10 minutes. The committee then heard a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development, led by Secretary Jeff Noel, with staff from the cabinet and Kentucky Innovation. The presentation focused on the cabinet’s strategy, including workforce, entrepreneurship, innovation, infrastructure, and placemaking, and emphasized a goal of supporting higher-wage jobs while tailoring programs to urban, non-urban, and rural “heritage communities.” The cabinet reviewed several funding tools and programs, including economic development bond funds, EDF funds, KBI, the Kentucky Innovation Pool, KSTC-related startup and commercialization programs, veteran workforce programs, and Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training funds. Officials said many projects take years to close and that funds are often committed before they are actually disbursed because reimbursements occur after project completion. They also said Kentucky is less competitive than before because of changes in tax policy and that EDF funds are increasingly important to remain competitive with other states. Members asked about whether previously allocated money remained available, whether some funds could be clawed back, and the status of the Blue Oval project. The cabinet said it is oversubscribed, with some committed dollars likely to go unused and be reoffered to other projects. On Blue Oval, officials said progress had been made and described negotiations tied to repayment and job creation requirements. They also discussed the Ford/SK loan structure, saying the companies may assume the full $250 million obligation and that repayments would be required if job targets are not met. The presentation closed with discussion of workforce coordination and the need to connect economic development projects with training and support systems, including possible ripple effects for rural suppliers and related businesses.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 3 March, 2026; 11:00 AM

Universities and Colleges

Transcript Highlights:
  • for it to be developed.
  • </c> Hattisburg, uh, our area development Hattisburg, uh, our area development partnership<00:03:00.480
  • to provide for it to be uh, developable to provide for it to be developed.<00:03:10.319><c> There</c
  • There is a master plan for it developed.
  • </c> market value because if this development market value because if this development goes,<00:05:26.720
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Aug 11th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • couple of local elected officials down in South Texas about their flooding issues and the water development
  • Builders and developers are now accountable for the water they bring to our area.
  • In 2017, the Texas Water Development Board was tasked to conduct a state flood assessment.
  • John Dubnik, Texas Water Development Board. Board.
  • Just connect them either with our outreach team or specifically our project development teams.
Keywords: 997, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So today we have representatives from the Cabinet for Economic Development to discuss some economic development
  • </c> districts, local economic developers. districts, local economic developers.
  • </c> those judges and economic development those judges and economic development folks<00:36:16.240><
  • And there's a few area development districts that know.
  • I I I development districts that know.
Summary: The subcommittee met with Secretary Jeff Null and General Counsel Matt Wing of the Cabinet for Economic Development for an overview of the cabinet’s main economic development tools, strategy, and compliance practices. Null said the cabinet uses a data-driven approach focused on competitiveness, site readiness, wages, workforce training, and long-term assets such as roads, rail spurs, water, and sewer improvements. He emphasized that the cabinet tries to balance attracting new employers with supporting existing businesses, and said compliance is a core value of the agency. Null walked members through several programs, including the closing fund, Kentucky Business Incentive (KBI), Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training support, and the KIA sales-tax refund tool for construction materials and equipment. He said the closing fund has received $80 million over two years for projects generally involving at least $10 million in investment, though some flexibility exists. He also explained that Bluegrass State Skills funding is typically about $2,000 to $3,000 per job and can be used flexibly for training, including sending Kentucky workers to be trained elsewhere or paying trainers to come to Kentucky. He described KBI as a pay-as-you-go, incremental tax credit tied to actual jobs and investment, and said the legislature’s tiered refundable credit structure allows more targeted use of incentives in heritage and non-heritage counties. A substantial portion of the presentation focused on compliance and monitoring. Null said incentive agreements are written with commercial terms and spell out jobs, investment, wages, and training commitments. The cabinet requires regular reporting, invoices, and sampling, and can use clawbacks or suspend benefits if companies fail to meet obligations or lose required environmental permits. He said the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority reviews incentive applications in public meetings and often requires company representatives to answer questions before preliminary approval is granted. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c> directly assists DHHL in development, directly assists DHHL in development, acquisition,<00:04:
  • All of our vertical development has been brought to the table by our developers as they pursue different
  • </c> Development Support? Development Support?
  • Development Development &gt;&gt; Department<00:32:20.520><c> of</c><00:32:20.600><c> Business,</c><00
  • </c> Development and Tourism in support? Development and Tourism in support?
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Committee on Housing, meeting jointly with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on Senate Bill 2787, which would expand use of the rental housing revolving fund to provide loans or grants for purchasing rental units, and Senate Bill 2957, which addresses tenant displacement and relocation protections, as well as Senate Bill 2866, which would make the state rent supplement program for kupuna permanent and appropriate funds for it. Testimony on SB 2787 included support from DHHL, HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, and others, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying language and standards for grants, and the Tax Foundation questioned whether grants fit the revolving-fund structure. On SB 2957, supporters including OHA, PACT, medical-legal advocates, and tenant representatives emphasized relocation hardships from the KPT redevelopment, language access, and the need for clearer minimum safeguards; the Attorney General suggested defining “comparable units” and correcting a drafting error. On SB 2866, HPHA, Catholic Charities, AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the kupuna rent supplement program permanent to prevent homelessness among low-income seniors. During discussion on SB 2957, members questioned HPHA and tenant counsel about the KPT low-rise relocation process and what “comparable housing” meant in practice. HPHA said all tenants were relocated, but counsel described disputes over comparability, disability and family-size issues, and at least one offered unit that was not livable. For SB 2787, members questioned DHHL about why it sought funding from the rental housing revolving fund rather than other sources; DHHL said it was still exploring options and had mostly used its funds for infrastructure, with only a small portion used as revolving funds. The chair expressed concern about relying on scarce housing funds and urged more efficient use of DHHL’s existing resources. In decision-making, the committees voted to pass SB 2957 with amendments and SB 2866 with amendments. For SB 2957, the amendments would replace the bill with a working group on tenant displacement and relocation, include a blank appropriation and defective date, and request $75,000 for the working group; the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator Favela excused. For SB 2866, the amended version would include a blank appropriation, defective date, and committee report language noting requests for $110,160 for two HPHA public housing specialist positions and $2.16 million for the state rent supplement program; this motion was also adopted, with Senator Favela excused. After the joint hearing adjourned, the committee returned to the housing-only agenda and continued discussion of SB 2787 before moving on to SB 3089, which would amend the down payment loan assistance program for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers; testimony on SB 3089 was beginning when the transcript ended.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • One is the CTE center credit, and then the research and development tax credit.
  • One is the CTE center credit, and then the research and development tax credit.
  • ><c> industry</c><00:30:22.799><c> sectors</c> development across 18 industry sectors development across
  • I am a business development manager over at BEA.
  • I am a business development Liberty.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee met to review tax expenditures, elect a chair and clerk, and hear updates on two credits due for periodic review: the career and technical education (CTE) center tax credit and the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Members first organized the meeting, then heard from Jennifer Ramsey of DRA, who explained the purpose of the tax expenditure review process and summarized the CTE and R&D credits. She said the CTE credit allows donations to CTE centers for a credit against business profits tax, is capped at 25% of a taxpayer’s liability, has a $500,000 aggregate limit, and was extended in SB 98 to fiscal year 2031. She also noted DRA could not provide detailed financial data because of statistical disclosure limits when too few taxpayers claim the credit. Committee members pressed for more historical and aggregate information, arguing they needed numbers to judge whether the credit is effective and worth continuing. The committee then heard from Chrissy Vanderhook of the Department of Education on the CTE credit. She described New Hampshire’s CTE system as serving 26 secondary centers and seven post-secondary centers, with industry partners providing internships, work-based learning, equipment, employee time, and other in-kind support that can qualify for the credit. She said the department reports annually to legislative leaders and that fiscal year 2025 credit activity was down about 48% from FY24, partly due to staffing changes and outreach issues. Members asked whether the program extends to community college-level programs, and she said it can, though she was not sure how broadly it is used that way. The committee also discussed a new Granite Patron of the Arts credit, which DRA said went into effect July 1 and is included in the tax expenditure report even though it is not yet listed in the statute. For the R&D credit, Ramsey explained that it offsets business profits tax and can carry forward to business enterprise tax, is based on incremental research spending, and currently has a $7 million annual aggregate cap. She said the cap has not yet been reached but could require proration as early as fiscal year 2026 if not increased. She noted there were 271 taxpayers claiming the credit in fiscal 2024 and that a proposal last session to raise the cap to $10 million and increase the per-company limit did not advance. Mark Liberty of BEA said the credit is an important recruitment and retention tool, especially for life sciences, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, but acknowledged BEA does not track direct revenue return. Andrea Hchvaria of New Hampshire Life Sciences argued the R&D credit is critical for startups and cited growth in applicants from 71 in 2008 to 248 in 2024, with qualified wages rising substantially over that period. Committee members repeatedly asked for more objective economic-impact data, but DRA said it only tracks who claimed the credit and the amount claimed, not broader business outcomes.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

SPEED Task Force (STF) - Tue Jan 6, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> development for permanent staff. development for permanent staff.
  • development.
  • </c> development um development has to development um development has to increase<01:43:20.000><c> but
  • </c> real estate development. real estate development.
  • Commercial developer Morgan, Commercial developer Morgan, >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Commercial developer Christine
Keywords: 910, house, all
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Developers aren't used to resistance. Their property men... Developers aren't used to resistance.
  • I also support state and local governments in developing and implementing the policy.
  • putting the pause on development here in Boston and across the Commonwealth.
  • Developers instead shifted to the type of properties not subject to rent control.
  • These exceptions help protect smaller landlords and ensure we are not stifling development.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-21, House Bill 508, an act to protect tenants by limiting rent increases. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 initiative process and said the hearing was intended to gather testimony for a report to the legislature. The measure would replace current state law that prohibits rent control, cap annual rent increases at the lower of CPI or 5%, exempt certain properties including owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, subsidized, university, nonprofit, and short-term rental housing, and exempt new construction for 10 years. It would also eliminate vacancy decontrol, so limits would continue when units turn over, and enforcement would rely largely on tenants and the Attorney General through the courts. The hearing began with expert testimony from Whitney Airgood-Obrien of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, who described Massachusetts’ severe rental affordability problems and reviewed research on rent regulation, noting mixed evidence on supply and quality effects but clearer evidence that rent regulation can slow rent growth and improve tenant stability. Supporters of the petition, led by Carolyn Chow of Homes for All Massachusetts, argued that rent stabilization is needed now to curb displacement and runaway rent increases, especially for low- and moderate-income renters. Laura Frost described her Arlington building being bought by a large firm that sought steep rent hikes, and said rent control would help prevent “tenant flipping” and community displacement. Dave Foley of SEIU Local 509 said the issue affects workers’ ability to live near their jobs, while Dr. Mark Paul and Tram Huang argued that the evidence supports well-designed rent stabilization, that vacancy decontrol encourages displacement, and that the policy should be seen as a complement to new housing production rather than a substitute. Committee members questioned supporters about the 10-year new construction exemption, the lack of vacancy decontrol, and whether rent stabilization could discourage development; supporters responded that the measure targets corporate rent gouging, that small landlords are protected by exemptions, and that production and rent stabilization can coexist. Opponents, including representatives of small property owners, chambers of commerce, and labor/building trades, argued the proposal would hurt small landlords, reduce investment, and slow housing production. They said operating costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance are rising faster than the proposed cap, and warned that the measure would reduce property values and tax revenue and could push investment to other states. Several opponents emphasized that many Massachusetts housing providers are mom-and-pop owners rather than large corporations, and said the policy would make it harder to maintain and improve housing. Committee members pressed both sides on the need for a middle ground between affordability and preserving development incentives, but no vote was taken at the hearing.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • and workforce development.
  • Steve Henderson from Workforce Development Board 83.
  • Steve Henderson from Workforce Development Board 83.
  • Gary, Steve Henderson, from Workforce Development Board 83.
  • Sharon Neal, from the Workforce Development Local Board 61.
Summary: The Labor and Industrial Relations Committee first took up House Bill 680 by Rep. Weibel, which proposes a major overhaul of Louisiana’s workforce development system. The bill and a large amendment package were described as modernizing workforce planning, consolidating some state-level strategy and administration, and strengthening coordination with local workforce partners, employers, and regional stakeholders. A transition advisory team with an 18-month sunset was added to help implement the changes, and members repeatedly raised concerns about preserving local input for different regions, parishes, and cities. Rep. Weibel, the secretary of Louisiana Works, parish officials, and other supporters said the goal is to shift more resources from overhead to training and direct services while keeping local boards and parish involvement in place. Testimony from a Utah official and from local government and business representatives emphasized that similar consolidations can create efficiencies without eliminating local responsiveness. The committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 680 with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 780 by Rep. Furman on workers’ compensation. The bill seeks to streamline disputes over compensation and medical benefits, reduce litigation, and lower costs by restoring an expedited preliminary determination process and changing the standard for penalties and attorney fees to an arbitrary-and-capricious standard. Supporters, including lobbyists and defense attorneys, argued that the current process is outdated, overly technical, and too litigious, especially because adjusters now often work remotely and the statute still relies on fax and certified-mail procedures. They said the bill would speed up decisions, reduce unnecessary attorney-fee claims, and help employers and injured workers alike. Opponents, including attorneys for injured workers, argued the bill would make it harder for workers to recover penalties when benefits are delayed, shift the burden in favor of insurers, and fail to address understaffing and defense costs. Members debated whether the bill’s new standard should replace the current “reasonably controverted” language; an amendment to restore that language was offered but opposed by the author and other members and was not adopted. The committee adopted technical amendments and other committee amendments, heard additional testimony, and continued debating the bill’s substantive changes.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 21st, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • We get the development of it— It's a dual process.
  • That is a rule that the Department of Environmental Protection is developing, or has developed, in cooperation
  • That is a rule that the Department of Environmental Protection is developing or has developing cooperation
  • Every year, when we're looking to develop our budget, our goal is to develop a budget that enables us
  • This is an alternative water supply development and water resource development project where we're going
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Higher Education Apr 15th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is true that most people don't develop cancer.
  • So, we plan to develop that over at RIS and we're also looking at developing EMP test facilities for
  • Um, and that SCIF that we want to develop, that's one of the only SCIFs for many, many miles.
  • Sure, workforce development, development is very critical in this field also.
  • Workforce development is a big thing, right?
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/03/26

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> the</c><00:02:12.800><c> Federal</c> development advisor with the Federal development advisor with
  • </c> affordable housing that is developed affordable housing that is developed with<00:14:43.040><c>
  • Land being the land available, developable, with what a housing developer wants to put onto that land
  • </c><00:30:18.559><c> and</c> um, capital and developing and um, capital and developing and preserving
  • We represent Community Developers.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, and welcome to your first committee hearing on economic development.
  • You've been here for a while on economic development, so very good.
  • And the realities of development and many aspects of local character.
  • office in the future to find out developments.
  • It supports co-ops developing nationally, as well as the Dorchester Art Project that supports developing
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held its first public hearing of the session, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola with Sen. Barry Finegold. After housekeeping on livestreaming, virtual testimony, and written testimony deadlines, the committee heard testimony on several bills, with the main focus on S. 303/H. 503/S. 305 and H. 491, all related to worker ownership and business succession. Testimony generally supported expanding employee ownership, right of first refusal for workers, and incentives for owners to sell to employee groups. Speakers from worker co-ops, technical assistance organizations, lenders, and business owners said these measures could preserve local businesses, protect jobs, build worker wealth, and help communities retain valued services and storefronts. On S. 303, Vincent Lawrence Dixon described a proposal to create tools such as a special community trustee, right of first refusal, and community institution landmarks to help communities preserve important local properties and uses when owners cease operations. On H. 491 and the employee-ownership bills, witnesses including Matthew Page Lieberman, Caleb from Circus Cooperative Cafe, Sarah Acefa of Dorchester Food Co-op, Halsey Platt, Kevin O'Brien, John Abrams, Virginia Berman, Stacey Cordero, Adrian Roman, Alex Popali, Adam Trott, and Ethan Tupelo emphasized that worker-owned businesses can be more resilient, support democratic participation, and help with business transitions as owners retire or close. Committee members asked questions about the tax incentive threshold, the timing and mechanics of the right of first refusal, and whether the bills would affect sale prices or business succession. Rep. Kristen Kassner also testified on H. 490, which would create a special commission to inventory the Commonwealth’s built environment, infrastructure, permitting, and land-use barriers to help Massachusetts adapt vacant or underused spaces for the next economy. She said the commission would help identify opportunities for housing, climate and energy tech, advanced manufacturing, and other uses, and members discussed commission composition and data sources. At the end of the hearing, the chair read a series of additional bills into the record, noted an upcoming Economic Development Expo, and the committee adjourned after a motion and second.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Capital Project 2515: The Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors requests the prior
  • I am the acting director of the Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors.
  • </c> director of the Peace Development director of the Peace Development Authority<00:06:59.120><c> Division
  • </c> Next item is the PE's development Next item is the PE's development authority<00:09:17.680><c> division
  • the peas development authority division of<00:09:31.920><c> ports</c><00:09:32.240><c> and</c><00:09
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its June 30 meeting and then considered Capital Project 2515, a request from the Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors to spend up to $125,000 from the Harbor Dredging and Pier Maintenance Fund to replace a deteriorated 99-foot floating dock at Rye Harbor. Acting Director Richard Hartley said the dock is used for passenger loading and unloading for charters and whale-watching tours and is in poor condition. Representative Edgar moved approval, Representative Wiler seconded, and the motion carried. The committee then received several informational items, including quarterly and maintenance reports from the Department of Administrative Services, the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the Pease Development Authority. It also heard a presentation from the Department of Health and Human Services on Capital Project 2516, the Beneficiary Service Improvement project supporting closed-loop referrals and related systems. DHHS described the project as a mix of Medicaid enterprise functions and New Hampshire Care Connections tools, including provider modules, third-party liability, event notifications, and closed-loop referrals to connect health and human service providers. Officials said the project is largely federally funded, with capital funds representing only part of the overall effort. Members asked about the accounting breakdown, prior committee review, provider participation, patient experience, and public response. Representative Burr questioned whether the project had been fully presented previously and raised concerns about the scope and necessity of the $8 million effort; DHHS responded that earlier work was discussed in other committees and that the current presentation covered only capital funds. Senator Waters asked about user response and patient experience, and DHHS said feedback has been generally positive but the system is still in design and implementation. In response to questions about participation, DHHS said 84 providers are currently on the network and clarified that a “provider” generally means an individual organization or health system, not each individual clinician. The committee also set its next meeting for December 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and then adjourned.