Video & Transcript : 'environmental bond' :
Page 300 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- siblings together to the extent possible and placing them in foster care together so that they have that bond
- , that sibling bond, something like that makes all the difference in the world to those children.
- that get in the way when you're in foster care, the department needs to make sure that these integral bonds
- DCF would need to try to remedy any concerns... ...that these integral bonds aren't fading.
- I'm working on healing myself and my relationships, but our bonds were fractured by DCF.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a package of Department of Children and Families bills focused on care and protection proceedings, sibling placement, parenting time, foster parent eligibility, adoption timelines, and a proposed Harmony Montgomery Commission. Rep. Marjorie Decker framed her bills as a set intended to reduce trauma for children removed from home by promoting sibling placement, visitation, cultural continuity, and limits on barriers to foster/adoptive placement. Witnesses from CASA, the Massachusetts Child Welfare Coalition, CPCS, and others generally supported the sibling-placement and parenting-time bills and the Harmony Commission, while several urged that the commission include a birth parent with lived experience and that its scope remain focused on child safety and family rights. A former juvenile court judge also supported the Harmony Commission, citing failures in the Harmony Montgomery case and broader concerns about DCF power and child representation. No votes were taken during the hearing.
A large portion of the hearing focused on Senate 114, the “Family Protection and Transparency Act,” which would require DCF to provide families with written and verbal notice of their rights during investigations, including the right to remain silent, consult counsel, and refuse entry absent legal authority except in emergencies. Supporters included parents, former foster youth, attorneys, advocates, and a peer mentor, many of whom described personal experiences of confusion, coercion, retaliation, and family separation when DCF became involved. They argued the bill would improve due process, language access, transparency, and accountability without limiting DCF’s emergency powers. Several witnesses also described intergenerational DCF involvement and said families often need resources and legal guidance rather than punitive intervention.
Testimony on House 268 emphasized the importance of keeping siblings together in foster care whenever possible. Advocates cited research showing better mental health, educational, and reunification outcomes when siblings remain together, and several young people testified about being separated from brothers and sisters and the lasting impact of that separation. CPCS supported the bill and said regular sibling visitation should be required when joint placement is not possible. House 269, 270, 271, 288, and 293 were also on the notice, but the transcript reflects little or no testimony on some of those measures. The hearing concluded after the committee heard from all scheduled witnesses and invited written testimony for additional details.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to record levels, or about $8.4 billion, is that it's been... ...recognized by Wall Street, by the bond
- as the reason why we saw two years ago a historic rise to AA+ for Massachusetts as Massachusetts' bond
- Another factor that led to Wall Street improving our bond rating to a record-high level of AA plus, because
- responsibility and careful budgeting has also led, as we heard earlier, the Commonwealth to our prime bond
- responsibility and careful budgeting has also led, as we heard earlier, the Commonwealth to our prime bond
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood.
The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents.
Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: DFL Members Announce Fraud Prevention Package - 03/17/26
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm also carrying a bill that would amend our Minnesota Constitution to allow bonding dollars to go for
- amend our Minnesota Constitution<00:15:46.160><c> to</c><00:15:46.280><c> allow</c><00:15:46.480><c> bonding
- </c><00:15:46.880><c> dollars</c><00:15:47.320><c> to</c> Constitution to allow bonding dollars to Constitution
- to allow bonding dollars to go<00:15:47.560><c> for</c><00:15:48.120><c> tech</c><00:15:48.360><c> infrastructure
- I think it is going to be bonding dollars over periods of time. >> Have you consulted with Governor Walz
Summary:
Senate DFL leaders held a press conference outlining a fraud-prevention agenda centered on transparency, accountability, and modernization of state systems. Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Minnesotans are angry about fraud and that the caucus has already passed multiple fraud-prevention measures, but more work is needed. She and other senators emphasized that outdated county and state IT systems leave programs vulnerable to waste and abuse, and said they want to pursue both immediate upgrades and longer-term funding solutions, including possible bonding for technology infrastructure.
Senator Zena Mohamed described legislation to overhaul program integrity in Medicaid and human services by adding safeguards before, during, and after provider enrollment and service delivery. She said the goal is to prevent theft before dollars are spent, rein in third-party entities that profit without accountability, and improve consumer protections and reporting pathways. Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger highlighted a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks, arguing they are heavily used in scams targeting seniors and vulnerable people, and also backed a state consumer financial protection bureau and stronger False Claims Act enforcement.
Senator Rob Kupec focused on ethics and conflicts of interest, including a proposal to bar legislative members and certain state employees from quickly moving into jobs tied to entities receiving state appropriations or grants. He also said lawmakers should strengthen penalties for theft of public funds and restrict state contracts for people convicted of fraud. Senator Heather Gustafson promoted her Office of Inspector General bill, saying oversight is fragmented and an independent office is needed for investigations, safeguards, and early detection; she said the Senate passed the bill 60-7 last year and she wants it enacted. In response to questions, Murphy and Gustafson said the OIG should have law-enforcement powers, that bipartisan support exists in principle, and that the House needs to settle on a single proposal. The senators also said prepayment review can be useful but can disrupt services, and they argued agencies must use the tools already given to them while lawmakers continue oversight.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Urban Issues Feb 11th, 2026
Special Committee on Urban Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- For children especially, as it’s been said, animals are often their first and strongest emotional bonds
- The bond between children and their animals is incredibly strong, and that bond can unfortunately be
- The bond between children and their animals is incredibly strong, and that bond can unfortunately be
Committee:
House Special Committee on Urban Issues
Summary:
The Special Committee on Urban Issues held a public hearing on House Bill 2292, sponsored by Rep. Holly Jones, which would require cross-reporting and training between child/elder abuse systems and animal welfare personnel. Jones said the bill is intended to help identify abuse earlier by training investigators to recognize signs of abuse in both people and companion animals, and she announced planned amendments to narrow the definition of animal to dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds and to extend training time from one hour to one and a half hours. She emphasized the bill is focused on companion animals, not livestock, and said it would use existing agencies rather than create a new department. The committee heard questions about the definition of companion animal and the scope of the bill.
Supporters included Humane World for Animals, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the Missouri Animal Control Association, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Wayside Waifs, and the St. Louis County Police Association. They argued that animal abuse is closely linked to child, elder, and domestic abuse, that animal control officers and humane investigators often see warning signs first, and that cross-reporting would improve early intervention and save lives. Several witnesses described cases where animal abuse coincided with child abuse or other violence, and some said current reporting systems are inconsistent or delayed. One witness also said the training could be provided at low cost through existing mechanisms.
Opponents, including the Missouri Pet Breeders Association, Missouri Cattleman’s Association, Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, and Missouri Animal Husbandry Association, raised concerns about the bill’s wording, possible inclusion of commercial breeders or livestock-related issues, and the role of humane investigators. They argued that animal abuse is already reported to law enforcement, that the bill could create confusion about authority or access to private property, and that it could impose costs and training burdens on agencies already stretched thin. Some rural witnesses said they wanted any investigations to remain with law enforcement and the Department of Agriculture, not animal welfare groups. The hearing ended without a vote or other action on the bill.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Jan 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the fund balances were a significant resource used to help balance this budget, as well as bonds
- and then the fund balances were a significant resource used to help balance this budget, as well as bonds
- But if we want to do that, we have to figure out another way of collecting revenue to replace those bonds
- Yeah, well, okay, so they're bondholders, and they're holding the bonds, and they're expecting payments
- The total on the slide, on the bonds?
Summary:
The committee first received a presentation from NCSL staff on national transportation funding trends and alternative user-fee options as gas tax revenue declines. The presentation covered declining fuel-tax purchasing power, the effects of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, and a range of state responses including indexed gas taxes, EV and hybrid registration fees, voluntary and mandatory road usage charges, transportation network company fees, retail delivery fees, and per-kilowatt-hour EV charging fees. Members asked about Virginia’s mileage-fee program, enrollment rates, and whether states had reduced gas taxes alongside new fees; the presenters said they would follow up with additional information.
Committee staff then presented a comparison of Washington’s transportation budget with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, focusing on population, lane miles, road condition, fuel taxes, preservation spending, mega-projects, and governance structures. The discussion highlighted Washington’s unique transportation pressures, including ferries, fish-passage obligations, high debt service, and major capital projects. Members asked follow-up questions about debt service, interest costs, CCA impacts on fuel prices, and whether project costs differed by state.
The committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2109 would allow vehicles being towed on trailers to use coverings to contain mud, rocks, or debris instead of requiring prior cleaning; the bill’s sponsor and construction witnesses supported it as a practical solution, and the fiscal note showed modest costs to WSP and WSDOT. House Bill 2139 would raise snowmobile registration fees to support snow park and trail grooming; State Parks, DNR, and several snowmobile advocates supported it, while some snowmobile users opposed it, arguing that enforcement of unregistered sleds should be addressed first. House Bill 2192 would expand the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s fatal crash review authority and allow it to collect certain health data; the sponsor and agency supported the bill as a public-health tool, while one attorney raised concerns about limiting civil discovery and evidentiary access in fatal crash litigation.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- probably not going to be a surprise to anybody, but last Friday, Moody's Analytics raised the state's bond
- And Moody's upgrading the state's bond rating is a reflection of that hard work on your behalf, on the
- reserve rates for the state of New Mexico is one of the most important things that Moody's, based its bond
- And Ashley, thank you for helping us with our bond rating.
- This is above the bill that I think will be introduced at the beginning of the session regarding bonding
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Balancing the Budget / Sovereignty Day at the Capitol / Promoting Animal Welfare Mar 23rd, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We got an AAA bond rating from all the bond houses, which is the best rating you can get, suggesting
- If passed, the Republican-backed bill would require MMB to delay the sale of bonds for debt that goes
- MMB to delay the sale of bonds for debt MMB to delay the sale of bonds for debt that<00:13:26.839><c>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- my good friend, the distinguished chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, has indicated that our bond
- And that bond rating has benefits whenever we seek to borrow money because it reduces our cost of borrowing
- which is the fact that, as I mentioned earlier today, our friends on Wall Street increased the state's bond
- visiting Russia, Cuba, Vietnam, Malaysia, and especially her beloved Ireland, where she felt a deep bond
Summary:
The Senate considered a fiscal year 2025 close-out supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments, many of which were withdrawn, adopted, or rejected. Early debate focused heavily on funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Massachusetts, with Senators O’Connor and Feeney arguing for restoring money for transportation, safety, and event readiness, citing projected ridership surges, economic benefits, and the need for Boston and the Commonwealth to invest. Senator Driscoll also won adoption of an amendment directing the MBTA to study and report on its local assessment formula, using Milton and Quincy as examples of perceived inequities in how communities are charged relative to service received.
The Senate then took up several other amendments, including measures on fire survivor support, vaccine liability, mental health and sidewalk projects, council on aging and public safety items, disaster relief, service dogs, and MBTA assessments. Senator Tarr offered amendments on driver record transparency and energy cost reporting, but those were not adopted. A major roll-call vote rejected Tarr’s amendment to restore a larger share of excess capital gains to the stabilization fund; supporters argued for stronger rainy day reserves, while the Ways and Means chair defended the bill’s use of a deficiency reserve fund and warned of revenue losses from federal tax changes. The Senate also adopted an amendment on shelter and Home Base spending transparency, requiring renewed reporting on emergency shelter and housing assistance programs.
Later, the chamber adopted Senator Edwards’ amendment creating a Massachusetts Federal Employee and Service Member Civil Relief Act to protect federal workers and service members in the event of a shutdown, including relief from eviction and foreclosure-related harms. The Senate also adopted Senator Rodrigues’s Ways and Means amendment, then approved the underlying supplemental budget as amended and ordered it to third reading. After the final roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a 39-0 vote. The Senate concluded by agreeing to adjourn and by honoring Mrs. Anne Lee in memory, with a brief communication from Senator Cyr noting a prior remote-vote error for the journal.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 072 Mar 27th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Mabrey and Soper and Senators Ball and Weissman, concerning the continuation of the regulation of bail bonding
- continuation of the regulation<00:36:26.840><c> of</c><00:36:26.960><c> bail</c><00:36:27.200><c> bonding
- </c><00:36:27.520><c> agents</c> regulation of bail bonding agents regulation of bail bonding agents
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary, Rules & Administration Committee - 03/09/26
Judiciary, Rules and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- child, it would have because, unfortunately, I wouldn't feel like that trusted adult was creating a bond
- with my child, a trusted bond, because they were coming and disclosing it to me.
- child, it would have because, unfortunately, I wouldn't feel like that trusted adult was creating a bond
- with my child, a trusted bond because they were coming and disclosing it to me.
Committee:
House Judiciary, Rules and Administration
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government (2-25-26)
State & Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The original bond issuance actually pledged school buildings as nodes for termination points as part
- </c> hit the projections. the issu the hit the projections. the issu the original<00:20:35.760><c> bond
- <00:20:36.080><c> issuance</c><00:20:36.799><c> actually</c><00:20:37.280><c> pledged</c> original bond
- issuance actually pledged original bond issuance actually pledged school<00:20:38.240><c> buildings<
Committee:
Senate State & Local Government
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Senate Commerce & Human Resources Committee - 02/03/26
Commerce and Human Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Bybee, so the 30% in reserves and $1.7 billion, where is the line where it starts to affect a bond rating
- Is there a definitive line where we're getting in trouble of a bond rating issue? Mr. Bybee. Mr.
- Chairman and Senator Guthrie, I'm not aware of how the bond rating agencies treat when you start to spend
- back to the days of Senator Dean Cameron and Representative Maxine Bell, when they would go on those bond
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Human Resources
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- So, all right, let's do Senate bond initiatives. Number 10. Clerk, read the calendar.
- So, all right, let's do Senate bond initiatives. Number 10.
- Mount Elementary School, budget and taxation. >> Majority moved so be considered the reading of the bond
- Mount Elementary School, budget and taxation. >> Majority moved so be considered the reading of the bond
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Jun 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- funding, particularly capital funding, uh, NMI sources of capital funding are your general obligation bonds
- So we have to have a long term plan, uh, to be able to to use the general obligation bonds, and they
- Severance tax bonds of course are another statewide issue.
- And then finally, revenue bonds are kind of a key area for us. We're limited.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. May 1st, 2025 at 09:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Charlie understands the unique and enduring bond between the United States and France, a bond that's
- As ambassador, I will strive to uphold and enhance these enduring bonds, advancing the relationship marked
- promoting academic collaborations, cultural initiatives, and tourism, we can further strengthen the bonds
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Keywords:
diplomatic nominations, foreign policy, ambassadors, U.S.-European relations, Bilateral relationships, security, trade
Summary:
The meeting focused primarily on diplomatic nominations, featuring discussions about the implications of these roles on U.S. foreign policy. Notable was the introduction of nominees for key ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, France, and the Netherlands. Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of U.S.-European relations, particularly in light of current global challenges, while other members voiced their concerns regarding the nominees’ qualifications and the impact on bilateral relationships. Public support for these nominations was evident, as was the committee's commitment to fostering stronger connections with allied nations, particularly in addressing security and trade issues.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 7th, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I've heard concerns... ...that some of these tolling authorities have bond covenants or contracts that
- OK, so the state issues the debt under bond? Well, no.
- So the state gives them the authority to issue, they give them the bonding authority to issue the debt
- was the whole concept around tolls, is that they can be self-sustaining because they pay for, they bond
Committee:
House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Keywords:
Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority -OMMA- Apr 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- requirements following a grower license revocation or expiration, and it also repeals the existing bond
- And it also repeals the existing bond requirement.
- And it also repeals the existing bond requirement.
Summary:
The Executive Advisory Council met without a quorum, so no votes were taken, but the meeting proceeded with public comment and agency updates. Public commenters focused on medical marijuana issues including transparency in OMMA proceedings, delays and accreditation at the OMMA quality assurance lab, THC potency inflation, recall and embargo procedures, and the need for more public data and patient safety protections. One commenter also urged consideration of allowing first responders access to cannabis off duty, while another praised OMMA staff professionalism during inspections and enforcement actions.
OMMA leadership responded with updates on the QA lab, saying the agency has been building the lab since receiving authority in 2023 and funding in 2024, and that validations and accreditation are being phased in. They reported current accreditation for pesticides, flower, potency, oils and concentrates, with additional validations for terpenes, water activity, filth and foreign material expected by the end of the month, and heavy metals, mycotoxins, residual solvents, and microbial testing to follow. Officials also said a website page will be launched to provide ongoing lab transparency. Compliance and enforcement updates included 779 inspections, 83 investigations, 65 administrative actions, and the hiring of a recall coordinator.
The council also discussed legislative developments. OMMA said seven bills affecting the agency remain active, including HB 4454 on clearer THC labeling and child-resistant packaging, HB 3143 and HB 3144 on extending the grow-license moratorium and capping grow licenses, and amended bills SB 640, SB 1242, SB 1501, and SB 3 addressing cleanup, training, vendor standards, and THC products outside dispensaries. Members asked about access to METRC data, recall timing, inspector training, body cameras, and whether OMMA considers itself a public health agency. OMMA said METRC data is used internally and is confidential under state law, recalls are handled through a combination of agency notice and industry action, inspectors do wear body cameras under policy, and the agency is still building out its public health and education functions. The next meeting was announced for July 17 at 9 a.m.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
General Government REVISED: Links added Feb 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- This aligns TIF approval with the same democratic standards applied to bond issues and other tax increases
- I know right now we're facing a Bond issue in our local community, and I think the cost of that is around
- But as far as I said, as far as having local elections in a small community like mine, a bond election
Committee:
House General Government
Keywords:
purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, unclaimed property, service charges, property fund, accountability, government transparency, local development, economic impact, voter approval, tax increment financing, review committee, public finance, blight, salary increase, bonus limits, job performance
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 1st, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Nevada Assembly Floor Meeting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- is put into the court... ...during the process, none of the money that's available—that's in that bond
- The bond he's talking about is a bond. ...if additional damages are found past the commissioner's award
Bills:
SB38 , SB287 , SB291 , SB292 , SB508 , SB618 , SB901 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB1626 , SB1719 , SB1999 , SB1333 , SB 38
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony