Video & Transcript Research : 'degree program'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Economic Development May 12th, 2025

Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill allows state agencies to partner with colleges and employers to create training programs tailored
  • The current statute for the Made in Texas program requires that all or virtually all significant parts
Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lastly, we have over $250 million for citrus recovery programs to make citrus great again.
  • Is there a decrease in the school lunch program in this budget, or are we?
  • So there’s nine different Florida Forever programs.
  • And so now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. Senator Simon is here.
  • Back to our regularly scheduled programming. Senator Simon is here. Tab 3, CS for SB 530.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to engineering regulation, cybersecurity, financial services, and state administration. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; it was reported favorably after questions about whether it would reimburse victims of unlicensed practitioners, with the sponsor noting it would not and that affected individuals would need to pursue complaints and private legal action. CS/SB 576 created a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing of cybersecurity services and priority for fiscally constrained counties; it received support from local government and industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1078 set transition requirements for gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and controlled access to agency records under a memorandum of understanding, and it also passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 314, which creates a regulatory framework for payment stablecoin issuers in Florida, and CS/SB 530, which updates lottery operations, security, retailer rules, and bonding requirements. CS/SB 1614, after adoption of a technical substitute amendment, would limit local governments’ eligibility for certain state funding if they have excess funds, have recently been audited by the legislative audit committee, or fail to affirm expenditure of prior funds; the sponsor said it would give the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee more enforcement leverage, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 990 authorizes protective cell captive insurance companies to expand insurance market capacity and potentially lower premiums, while CS/SB 1588 is a step toward implementing last session’s gold and silver legal tender law; both were reported favorably. Additional bills passed included CS/SB 1440, which adds cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, loan originators, and money service businesses, and CS/SB 1568, which creates a Florida Stable Coin Pilot Program allowing DFS fees to be paid with approved stablecoins. The stablecoin bill was amended to add guardrails, including fee limits, website notice requirements, and restrictions if no approved issuers are available. The committee also received a brief budget overview highlighting major funding items such as Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, water quality, Farmers Feeding Florida, citrus recovery, school lunches, state parks, and law enforcement and staffing items, and members later recorded additional votes before the committee adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • the changes to uh federal programs the changes to uh federal programs eligibility<00:11:30.640><
  • This committee, particular uh program.
  • which establishes a 2-year pilot program which establishes a 2-year pilot program within<00:47:42.880
  • ride free program. Um bear with me here. ride free program. Um bear with me here.
  • This is um a pilot program at real.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to human services, homelessness, transit, and family supports. HB 2116 HD1, concerning grants from the Office of Community Services to nonprofits providing training and volunteerism opportunities, drew strong support from Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and multiple organizations in written testimony. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable people affected by federal program changes and cuts by connecting them to reintegration and support services. HB 1879 HD1, establishing a subsidized youth transit program coordinated with counties, received extensive testimony in support from the Department of Health, Department of Taxation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, and others. Testifiers emphasized equity, school attendance, reduced transportation costs, climate benefits, and broader access for youth. Several witnesses urged amendments to make the program universal rather than means-tested, and committee discussion noted implementation questions for neighbor islands and rural areas. HB 2214, creating a refundable diaper tax credit for low-income families with children age four and under, was supported by the Hawaii Diaper Bank, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and several other organizations. The Department of Taxation recommended making the credit non-refundable and clarifying definitions to aid administration, while supporters argued refundability was important for low-income families who may owe little or no income tax. HB 2310, an emergency appropriation to replenish DHS funds used to provide SNAP benefits during a federal shutdown, also drew broad support from DHS, Catholic Charities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Aloha United Way, and others; witnesses praised the state’s rapid response and said the appropriation would prepare DHS for future emergencies. The committee also heard HB 2168 HD1 and HB 2427 HD1 on education for students experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied homeless youth; the Attorney General recommended technical amendments to avoid conflicts with existing law and to clarify McKinney-Vento-related definitions, while advocates stressed the need for school access, transportation, meals, and other supports for homeless and runaway youth.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 14th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, we must pass. this bill to keep our university athletic programs competitive.
  • The NIL program. I'm not advised.
  • Well, mostly these athletic departments are paid for through the football program.
  • . based upon the percentage of income those athletic programs bring in.
  • State of Texas should be the forerunner in doing an NIL program appropriate.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • program up, we uh came up with a program program up, we uh came up with a program called<00:07:44.840
  • Road Program.
  • The Transportation Alternative Program is a federally funded program.
  • And it is a good program.
  • It It's a great program.<00:48:32.680> It<00:48:32.880> It program. It It program.
Summary: The committee met for the first interim meeting of the 2025 Budget Review Committee on Transportation and heard from Bobby Jo Lewis, commissioner of Rural and Municipal Aid at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. She reviewed the new County City Bridge Improvement Program, created in the 2024 regular session, reporting that phases one and two are complete, 45 bridges have been funded so far, and about $18.45 million has been authorized. She said roughly $6.549 million remains for phase three in the current fiscal year, with about $26.445 million in bridge applications still pending. For fiscal year 2026, the program will again have $25 million and will use four application phases. She also described a training resource, Local Bridges 101, and said a new executive advisor, Greg Meredith, has been brought in to help with the bridge program. Members asked how rollover applications would be handled, whether they would be re-evaluated with new applications, how the program would account for bridge longevity and load posting, and how isolated communities would be prioritized. Lewis said applicants not funded in FY25 would be contacted and could choose to roll their applications into FY26, and all applications would be evaluated together at the end of each phase. She said preservation projects are assessed for how much they extend a bridge’s life, and isolated community access bridges or closed bridges with no detour access receive priority. She also said the department aims for equitable distribution across regions and plans to produce a map showing where funds have been awarded. Lewis then turned to the County Priority Projects Program and the Local Assistance Road Program established in House Bill 546 and related resolutions. She said the application cycle opened June 1 and closes October 1, with 106 memoranda of agreement being prepared for awards in House Joint Resolution 46. She described updated application and reporting forms, a scoring matrix, and a County City Pavement Evaluation Manual used to rate projects based on preservation of assets, average daily traffic, recent improvements, safety, cost, and district priority. She said projects must be rehabilitation projects designed to restore the original condition of the road, cannot exceed $500,000, and must use local match percentages tied to the economic development grant program formula. She also reported on funding status for prior road projects, including completed, partially completed, pending, and underrun amounts that may be reauthorized. Committee members asked about photo documentation, online access to project materials, how to measure whether projects truly restore roads to original condition, and what happens when project costs exceed estimates. Lewis said the department is still working on how best to store and share the large volume of photos, and that projects are certified through district offices and local sign-off after completion. She said overages are the responsibility of the applicant because the state does not have additional money beyond the awarded amount. No formal votes were taken during the discussion.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • This program was.
  • For 70 years, the small business administration's flagship lending program, the 7A program, has provided
  • Your story is just one example of why SBA programs like the Community Advantage Program is so important
  • in the 7A program.
  • Community Advantage Program? The Advantage Program gave us $250,000.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 03-31-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • you know that at Koloa Elementary School on Kauai, we are in the second year of piloting a reading program
  • In her free time, Omari has been working to develop a Teen Mental Health program called Kamari Chat,
  • , Matthew gives back to his community by serving as the vice president of the Leaders in Training program
  • 55.120> Training president of the Leaders in Training president of the Leaders in Training program
  • and has led a variety of program and has led a variety of impactful<00:13:58.920> community<00
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 3rd, 2026

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • um as far as uh the degree requirements. um as far as uh the degree requirements.
  • > technical<00:07:58.800> education CT program is for technical education CT program is
  • <00:08:08.560> are would uh would under this program are would uh would under this program
  • Education Assistance Program and GAP. Uh Education Assistance Program and GAP.
  • to this particular program.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • > crucial<00:18:10.400> for Our internship program is crucial for Our internship program
  • degree with 1 year of experience.
  • <00:21:34.680> with to have to use a bachelor's degree with to have to use a bachelor's degree
  • <01:06:35.400> The<01:06:35.520> program enterprise contract program.
  • The program enterprise contract program.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 26th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our program was a two-year program. The training was conducted on-site.
  • the program.
  • The FAME program down in New Braunfels is a two-year program and it ends in an associate's degree.
  • So, the second question is, if that program is not the type of program you like.
  • Then the RFP program is the program that you do like.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs May 5th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Not cutting off funds to libraries that offer diverse and engaging programming.
  • Parents should be trusted to... decide what programs are right for their children.
  • Defunding these programs takes away that choice. So I urge you to vote no. on this bill.
  • We shouldn't get rid of a free public reading program just because a few adults don't like it.
  • I think they should choose or attempt to punish them for those programs.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Border Security (Part I) Apr 3rd, 2025

Border Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • finish the let me get to the question, um, and, and, uh, so that complexity requires a much higher degree
  • unless you have that answer, I guess I can ask it to you is on the infrastructure liaison officer program
Bills: SB 36, SB 2202
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Border Security (Part II) Apr 3rd, 2025

Border Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • But we always support an additional charge, an additional tool, second-degree felony for somebody that's
Bills: SB36, SB2202
Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security heard Senator Birdwell present SB 2202, which would create a state offense for knowingly transferring a firearm for profit or other remuneration to a member of a foreign terrorist organization. Birdwell argued the bill responds to cartel violence and southbound gun trafficking, and he explained a committee substitute that removed an exemption for federally licensed gun dealers and removed a requirement that DPS coordinate with Mexican law enforcement. He said the goal was to give Texas a state-level tool if federal enforcement is lacking. Invited testimony came from DPS Colonel Freeman Martin and border prosecution unit chair Tanya Ash. Both said the bill could be useful in some organized-crime and cartel cases, but they emphasized that proving a defendant knowingly transferred a gun to a foreign terrorist organization would be difficult and would usually require strong direct or circumstantial evidence, such as recorded statements, informants, or coordinated investigations. They said the measure would be more workable in complex cartel cases than in routine patrol stops, and they noted existing state and federal tools already address straw purchases, firearms trafficking, and related offenses. Members also discussed tracing seized firearms, cooperation with ATF, and the limits of state jurisdiction over international issues. No public testimony was offered, and SB 2202 was left pending. The committee then took up SB 36 as pending business. A committee substitute was adopted without objection, and the substitute bill was reported favorably to the full Senate by a 4-0 vote, with Senators Birdwell, Flores, Hinojosa of Hidalgo, Eckhardt, and Hinojosa of Nueces participating. The committee also accepted a motion in writing and ordered the bill recommended for local and uncontested calendar placement. The chair then announced the committee would recess subject to call.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/17/25

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • and extracurricular activities programs and extracurricular activities these<01:03:30.079> are
  • The letter notes that publicly financed donor refund programs such as the PCR empower individuals to
  • The PCR program has been around for over 40 years, I believe. It was implemented initially in 1990.
  • The PCR Modernization Act updates the program, as its name suggests.
  • The PCR Modernization Act updates the program, as its name suggests.
Bills: HF72, HF66, HF69, HF73