Video & Transcript : 'consensus mechanism' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House DFL school safety proposal fails committee vote 4/16/26
Transcript Highlights:
- 13.280><c> existing</c> non-public schools through existing non-public schools through existing mechanisms
- </c> mechanisms. Um this is a wonderful idea. mechanisms. Um this is a wonderful idea.
- If this bill moves along the legislative process, we hope to find a consensus language which preserves
- </c><00:22:47.760><c> language</c><00:22:48.480><c> which</c><00:22:48.720><c> preserves</c> a consensus
- language which preserves a consensus language which preserves flexibility<00:22:49.760><c> and</c><00
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4893, a school safety and gun violence prevention bill, and first adopted a DE1 amendment before hearing the bill. The author and supporters described the measure as a layered approach to school safety, combining increased funding for student support personnel, required school safety plans, and anonymous threat reporting systems. They cited research from the Violence Prevention Project and other sources arguing that many school shooters are insiders, often show warning signs, and frequently leak plans beforehand, making early intervention and trusted adults in schools important.
Members and testifiers also discussed the bill’s firearm storage provisions. Representative Green explained that the bill would require firearms on school property and in vehicles to be unloaded and locked, and would limit or remove principals’ discretion to allow firearms in school buildings, while preserving access for trained school security personnel. Supporters said the bill would improve clarity and safety for schools, while a representative from private schools raised concerns that the language could limit flexibility and create staffing and accountability problems for non-public schools, prompting discussion of possible amendments.
Several student and organizational testifiers supported the bill, including students from Edina High School, Education Minnesota, the Minnesota School Counselors Association, and the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota. They emphasized the impact of gun violence on students’ mental health and learning, the value of anonymous reporting systems, and the need to invest in counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, but the committee did adopt the DE1 amendment and continued discussion of possible changes, including with the BCA and school safety center.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/15/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- the commission structure, so you can get everybody in a room, talk about it, and perhaps reach a consensus
- 01:21:47.480><c> perhaps</c> uh perhaps uh perhaps reach<01:21:49.120><c> a</c><01:21:49.160><c> consensus
- about</c><01:21:50.920><c> how</c><01:21:51.160><c> to</c><01:21:51.280><c> proceed</c> reach a consensus
- about how to proceed reach a consensus about how to proceed going<01:21:52.200><c> forward.
- to uh prevent uh uh some mechanism to uh prevent uh abusers<01:29:09.800><c> from</c><01:29:10.520><
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- um can address it through um u through its<02:35:23.840><c> appropriation</c><02:35:24.399><c> mechanisms
- </c> its appropriation mechanisms this year. its appropriation mechanisms this year.
- And, to be cliched, we can't put all our eggs in one basket because there has not been consensus to do
- /c><02:39:55.920><c> to</c><02:39:56.960><c> do</c><02:39:57.200><c> this</c> there has not been consensus
- to do this there has not been consensus to do this effectively effectively effectively and<02:39:59.680
Committee:
House Education Funding
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- By law, the way the council is set up, it requires a near consensus of members, so it has to have the
- <00:21:13.880><c> requires</c><00:21:14.640><c> a</c><00:21:14.799><c> near</c><00:21:15.159><c> consensus
- </c><00:21:15.720><c> of</c> set up it requires a near consensus of set up it requires a near consensus
- compliance with the Minnesota State Building Code, which includes the building code itself, the mechanical
- now, because we've been in a code cycle, we are a little bit behind with our building codes and mechanical
Committee:
Senate Labor
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> nomination, you have to have consensus. nomination, you have to have consensus.
- </c> mechanisms for extraction. mechanisms for extraction.
- This is, I think, the consensus of the consensus, uh, just to make sure that something gets out.
- This is I think the consensus<03:30:27.120><c> of</c><03:30:27.359><c> the</c><03:30:27.520><c> consensus
- uh just to consensus of the consensus uh just to make<03:30:29.439><c> sure</c><03:30:29.600><c> that
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:01:14.000><c> was</c> Here's what the global consensus was Here's what the global consensus was
- So, there is no global consensus. I'm sorry.
- But, we are global consensus. I'm sorry.
- This implements a mechanism where there's an automatic range of growth.
- This implements a mechanism salary.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations (3-5-25) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I would like to see some mechanism where they can sell down their product with some guardrails
- I would like to see some mechanism where they can sell down their product with some guardrails in place
- we'll be able to to draft<00:42:30.079><c> some</c><00:42:30.359><c> quick</c><00:42:30.640><c> consensus
- on</c><00:42:31.520><c> that</c><00:42:31.680><c> so</c><00:42:31.880><c> we</c> draft some quick consensus
- on that so we draft some quick consensus on that so we can<00:42:32.119><c> move</c> can move can move
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 202, adopting a committee substitute before hearing testimony. Senator Julie Rocky Adams explained that the substitute would require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to promulgate regulations by January 1, 2026 for intoxicating hemp-derived beverages, direct the University of Kentucky to study manufacturing, testing, distribution, sales, and consumer effects of those beverages, and impose a moratorium on their sale until July 1, 2026. Supporters, including Rep. Matt Cook, said the measure was intended as a consumer-protection step rather than a ban, citing concerns about youth access, inconsistent labeling, and the need for a clearer regulatory framework.
Members asked about the legal status of the products, whether the bill could unintentionally sweep in non-intoxicating hemp beverages, and whether there was evidence of harm. Senators were told the products are legal under the federal farm bill loophole, but that testing has shown THC levels on sampled cans did not match labels and that current regulations do not specifically address intoxicating hemp-derived beverages. Senator Higdon said CHFS had already been authorized to regulate hemp products and was moving forward with regulations and enforcement, while Senator Meredith questioned whether a moratorium would unfairly punish businesses that had already invested in the market and suggested setting a THC standard instead.
Public testimony then shifted to industry opposition. Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp said his company had invested heavily in a beverage line and argued the moratorium would function like a ban and harm small businesses. Dee Taylor of 502 Hemp and the Kentucky Hemp Association also opposed the moratorium, saying existing rules already require age limits, behind-the-counter sales, and licensed retailers, and arguing that a cap on milligrams would be preferable to a shutdown. He said retailers were seeing approved and unapproved products in the market and urged work with the Cabinet and ABC rather than a moratorium.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 04/04/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Institutions report that the 2024 report more violent acts such as non-consensual biting, punching, and
- strangulation during non-consensual sexual incidents.
- </c><00:48:21.880><c> non-consensual</c> and strangulation during non-consensual and strangulation during
- non-consensual sexual<00:48:23.280><c> incidents.
- uh in place and transparency mechanisms uh in place and routinely<02:17:00.319><c> refuses</c><02:17
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- defensible-space compliance responsibilities often are deferred, and at this point in time, there is no mechanism
- As per omnibus policy, all measures must have consensus between all members of the committee.
- The timing of this support mechanism is critical, as industry seeks to continue investing private capital
- SB 1424 also contains critical reporting mechanisms to ensure funds are meaningfully impacting charging
Summary:
The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- defensible space-compliant responsibilities often are deferred, and at this point in time, there is no mechanism
- As per omnibus policy, all measures must have consensus between all members of the committee.
- The timing of this support mechanism is critical as industry seeks to continue investing private capital
- SB 1424 also contains critical reporting mechanisms to ensure funds are meaningfully impacting charging
Committee:
House Revenue and Taxation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:09:19.360><c> coming</c><00:09:19.600><c> to</c><00:09:20.399><c> some</c><00:09:20.720><c> consensus
- </c> trying to start coming to some consensus trying to start coming to some consensus on<00:09:21.680
- Uh, I've done some work over the years on mechanical council reform.
- that this person is consensus that this person is >> So<00:59:17.200><c> just</c><00:59:17.359
- </c> work yet to be done to get to consensus. work yet to be done to get to consensus.
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
Keywords:
Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, ethnic councils, diversity, governance, state participation, community representation, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, Minnesota Historical Society
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <c> the</c><00:05:31.120><c> council</c><00:05:31.440><c> the</c> Tax, uh, uh, when the CFG, the Consensus
- The pass-through entity tax that you all passed as a mechanism to assist business owners to deal with
- to assist uh uh business mechanism to assist uh uh business owners<00:09:04.800><c> to</c><00:09:04.959
- Uh, you might remind you that the consensus forecasting group is going to be meeting in September.
- Uh, you might remind you that the consensus forecasting group is going to be meeting in September.
Summary:
The committee first established a quorum, approved the July minutes, and recognized Jennifer Hayes of the Department of State Budget Director for her retirement and long service. Secretary Hicks then presented a review of fiscal year 2025 closeout for the general fund and road fund, explaining that the general fund ended with a $313 million surplus and the road fund with a $61 million surplus. He attributed the general fund result to strong corporate income and LLC tax receipts, investment income, and lower-than-budgeted spending, while noting that individual income tax and sales tax underperformed estimates. He also described how the general fund surplus was allocated, with $62 million used for necessary government expenses and $251 million deposited into the budget reserve trust fund, which remained at historically strong levels. For the road fund, he said the surplus would be deposited into the Department of Highways construction account, and he highlighted record motor vehicle usage tax receipts despite lower motor fuels tax revenue due to a rate decline.
Members asked questions about the pass-through entity tax, delayed filing deadlines, THC beverage sales, and income tax collection from undocumented workers. Hicks said the pass-through entity tax remains difficult to model because of timing issues and the first year’s unusual filing pattern, and that staff are still working with the Department of Revenue and other states to improve forecasting. He said the delayed filing deadline likely would not require a major restatement and that any related receipts would still be counted in fiscal 2026. On THC beverages, he said the issue would be considered in the next forecasting cycle. On the undocumented-worker question, he said withholding may capture some of the revenue but referred broader collection efforts to the Department of Revenue.
The committee then shifted to an overview of the federal reconciliation act’s potential impact on the next biennial budget, with Hicks and Commissioner Lisa Dennis focusing on Medicaid and SNAP. Hicks said the Congressional Budget Office estimated roughly $900 billion in federal savings over 10 years, driven in part by work or community engagement requirements for the Medicaid expansion population and limits on state-directed payments. He emphasized that CMS still must issue regulations to define how the state-directed payment reductions will be calculated, making the exact fiscal impact uncertain. He referred members to a prior Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board presentation for more detail, and the discussion remained informational with no votes or formal actions taken on the federal changes.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/30/2026)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- So currently, that's the only mechanism that the tow industry has if people don't, you know, other than
- knowing whether we're upsetting things that, um, the transportation worked very hard on and got consensus
- <c> from</c><02:31:25.760><c> other</c><02:31:26.080><c> from</c><02:31:26.399><c> other</c> got consensus
- on from other from other got consensus on from other from other people,<02:31:27.600><c> uh,</c><02:
- actually having to spend enormous amounts of money because, in other words, if it's almost like a mechanic
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- comments with which they agree, so that we can keep an informal tally of places where there might be consensus
- comments with which they agree, so that we can keep an informal tally of places where there might be consensus
- We've had a difficult time getting the consensus we wanted in the Senate, but then we haven't been able
- This legislation includes a mechanism to reinstate the Clean Environment Fund.
Summary:
The hearing focused mainly on two subjects: expansion of the Massachusetts bottle bill and bills to remove woody biomass from state clean-energy and greenhouse-gas programs. On the bottle bill, supporters from municipal, environmental, public health, and local government groups argued that the 5-cent deposit is outdated, redemption rates have fallen, and expanding coverage to more beverage containers—especially water, sports drinks, and small alcohol bottles—would reduce litter, cut plastic waste and microplastics, and save cities and towns money. Several speakers also backed raising handling fees for retailers and redemption centers, and some supported restoring a Clean Environment Fund so unclaimed deposits would support recycling-related purposes. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Beverage Association and the National Waste and Recycling Association, argued that curbside recycling and transfer-station systems are more convenient, that the targeted containers are valuable to local recycling programs, and that the proposal would shift costs onto consumers and municipalities. Committee members questioned witnesses about redemption rates, handling fees, the 2014 ballot question, and whether the bill had changed from prior sessions.
The biomass portion drew strong support from Springfield officials, state legislators, environmental advocates, and public health groups. They said woody biomass should not count as clean energy because burning wood produces particulate pollution and carbon emissions, and they warned that current law contains a loophole that could help finance the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy biomass plant in Springfield. Witnesses emphasized Springfield’s air-quality and asthma burdens, the public health impacts of PM2.5, and the need to close the loophole before a January 1, 2026 deadline. One forest-industry witness supported a separate bill promoting modern wood heat with pollution controls, arguing it is cleaner than older wood systems and has minimal ratepayer cost, while noting that those credits would be affected if the governor’s broader energy affordability bill repeals the alternative energy portfolio standard.
No votes were taken during the hearing. The chairs managed testimony by alternating between the bottle bill and biomass topics, asking speakers to keep remarks brief and to note when they agreed with prior testimony. Several legislators also testified in support of the bills, and committee members asked follow-up questions on deposit levels, retailer handling fees, recycling economics, and the public-health rationale for the biomass restrictions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Business and Professions Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Business and Professions
Transcript Highlights:
- So I am optimistic that we are going to be able to come to consensus as we move forward.
- cannabis beverages, which can be sold in containers with 100 milligrams of THC, without any practical mechanism
- And as the doctor alluded to, I know from experience that keeping consensus on animal bills is often
- And as the doctor alluded to, I know from experience, that keeping consensus on animal bills is often
Committee:
House Business and Professions
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So because I couldn't find consensus between lottery gaming operators and the charities or the three
- We wanted to find a funding mechanism not allowed it continue.
- </c><02:13:54.400><c> is</c> this in this bill is the mechanism is this in this bill is the mechanism
- </c> just trying to understand the mechanism just trying to understand the mechanism here<02:14:41.679
- </c> question is what mechanisms question is what mechanisms ensure<02:29:07.600><c> that</c><02:29:07.920
Committee:
House Ways and Means
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's the primary mechanism for distributing funds to protect and rehabilitate trails throughout the
- The monies are to be used for the purpose of conducting a study that assesses financing mechanisms for
- The study will give ADOT and the legislature a clear understanding of financing mechanisms to better
- We didn't offer it because there wasn't consensus.
- On scope of practice changes, I am almost always in the camp that we need consensus if you're going to
Bills:
SB1041 , SB1088 , SB1118 , SB1128 , SB1168 , SB1176 , SB1189 , SB1207 , SB1250 , SB1272 , SB1274 , SB1286 , SB1428 , SB1457 , SB1461 , SB1503 , SB1519 , SB1537 , SB1582 , SB1618 , SB1654 , SB1713 , SB1827 , SCR1012 , SCR1020
Keywords:
electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that we're not only protecting the cards themselves, but that we're also continuing to provide a mechanism
- that we're not only protecting the cards themselves, but that we're also continuing to provide a mechanism
- She led through consensus building and bipartisan cooperation.
Summary:
The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn.
A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee.
The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Feb 27th, 2026 at 02:30 pm
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- Fortunately, this bill, the mechanics are, you've got to get a majority of neighbors on board.
- Did you look at other funding mechanisms? The county ferry districts are by property tax.
- It only occurs if the parties can't reach a uniform consensus.
- And then we say, okay, if we can't reach uniform consensus among all parties for some of these longer
- This will be a viable mechanism for us to afford that for our taxpayers. Thank you. I'm finished.”
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Keywords:
vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Education Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- conversations happening surrounding There are still ongoing conversations happening surrounding the mechanism
- technologies and requires California's higher education institutions to develop policies addressing non-consensual
- Nowadays, so many people are forced to endure toxic, non-consensual digital spaces.
- Nowadays, so many people are forced to endure toxic, non-consensual digital spaces.
- Nowadays, so many people are forced to endure toxic, non-consensual digital spaces.
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on several education-related bills, beginning with AB 65 on paid pregnancy leave for public school employees. The bill drew strong support from teachers, school employees, unions, and education groups, who argued it would provide up to 14 weeks of paid leave, reduce financial penalties tied to sick leave use, and help recruit and retain educators. Some witnesses and members raised concerns about funding, district eligibility, and implementation, but the bill was advanced on a do-pass recommendation to the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, with one member not voting and the bill placed on call for absent members.
Members then heard AB 673 on an unaccompanied youth support grant program for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, AB 1552 on reporting recommendations to strengthen civic engagement in higher education, AB 1572 on annual CIF review and qualification standards for sports officials, and AB 1586 on opioid overdose response training and naloxone access for school resource officers. AB 673 and AB 1552 received support from education, youth, and advocacy organizations; AB 673 also drew questions about overlap with existing homeless and foster-care-related programs, while supporters said the bill targets a vulnerable subpopulation that is often missed. AB 1552 and AB 1572 were broadly supported and advanced, and AB 1586 was backed by treatment providers, school nurses, and education groups as a practical student-safety measure; all were moved forward with do-pass recommendations and placed on call.
The committee also considered AB 1721, which would create a work group to review and streamline school safety plans, and AB 2060, which would establish a mentor teacher grant program and stipend to strengthen the teacher pipeline. Both bills were supported by administrators, educators, and school-related organizations, and both advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 2440, aimed at clarifying Proposition 28 arts and music education funding rules and allowing small districts to pool resources, also received broad support and moved to Appropriations. AB 1784, which would extend pregnancy-related protections to undergraduate students and prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions, passed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after support from higher education and women’s advocacy groups. Finally, AB 2660, which would codify the CalBridge STEM pathway program and related efforts to diversify the STEM workforce, was supported by higher education and workforce advocates and advanced to Appropriations after questions about the related EnLACE program and its funding sources.