Video & Transcript : 'counties authority' :
Page 303 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, I apologize, Owan Safi from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority in support. Next, we have Dr.
- </c> amount amounts of state county amount amounts of state county contributions<00:28:59.600><c> to<
- </c> amounts of state and county amounts of state and county contributions<00:29:11.760><c> to</c><00
- </c> employee loan to the state or a county employee loan to the state or a county within<00:38:41.040
- </c> and related receipts on the authorized and related receipts on the authorized portion<00:59:00.319
Keywords:
reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, government travel policy, finance management, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, comptroller, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, public works special project branch, specialized public works, information technology modernization
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (01/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you have a State Police station in every county? Not in every county.
- Do you have a State Police station in every county? Not in every county.
- Do you have a State Police station in every county? Not in every county.
- Do you have a State Police station in every county? Not in every county.
- Do you have a State Police station in every county? Not in every county.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training through the police standards system. Representative Barbara Coma, the sponsor, said the bill was prompted by problems in animal cruelty cases, especially in rural areas without animal control officers, and she described it as a limited training measure. She said an amendment was forthcoming that would add an eight-hour approved course and a two-hour refresher every three years, and she emphasized that the trained officers would serve as resources rather than being required to take action themselves.
Members asked about cost, due process, overlap with animal control officers, how trained officers would be identified and notified, and whether veterinarians could fill the role. Coma responded that the bill would not be a heavy financial lift, would not interfere with animal control officers, would apply to livestock as well as companion animals, and would still require law enforcement involvement because veterinarians cannot lawfully remove animals from property. She also said the training could improve due process by helping officers better understand when animal removal is appropriate and how cases should proceed.
Sheriff William Wright, speaking for the New Hampshire Sheriffs Association, testified in opposition. He said training itself was acceptable, but the bill went beyond training by creating an obligation for sheriffs and state police to respond to and potentially investigate animal cruelty cases, which he argued would be ambiguous, unfunded, and burdensome for staffing and resources. He said some sheriff’s offices do not have investigative deputies and that the bill could create liability and uncertainty about who would lead investigations. In response to questions, he said the association would likely have no objection if the bill were limited to training, but it opposed the assistance/investigation mandate as written.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Our region is made up of six counties: McLennan County, Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, and Limestone
- Six counties together can do more than what one small county can do alone.
- I mean, while our counties are now, what, the number one or two growing counties in the United States
- We have no taxing authority. We have no ordinance-making ability. We have no taxing authority.
- So a county that's not the size of Chambers County...
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're committed to working with the author on further amendments.
- So we're committed to working with the author on further amendments.
- I would love to be added as a co-author if you'll have me.
- Tracy Ryan, Royal County representatives, California, in support. Yolanda Benson, U.S.
- Also appreciate the work with the author, oppose and less amended for the reason stated.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Redistricting Feb 25th, 2026
Special Committee on Redistricting
Transcript Highlights:
- Not specifically in Cass County. Okay.
- Not specifically in Cass County. Okay.
- and county clerks to do so in the best means possible in order to—” “And other election authorities
- Some are done by county. Some are done by state.
- And if you're born in Johnson County and you have a car, you can drive to the Johnson County Health Center
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Environmental Quality
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so our existing statutory authorities are broad.
- So in Contra Costa County, there's a few initiatives underway.
- So in Contra Costa County, there's a few initiatives underway.
- I live in Contra Costa County. These are my neighbors.
- I live in Contra Costa County.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 7th, 2026
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It overrides the decision and authority of the commission.
- It applies only to the counties directly affected.
- I'm Mike Gallagher, County Manager of Eddy County.
- I was the county manager of Lea County for 14 years prior. I strongly support HB 207.
- I am firm... ...of the Rio Santa Cruz in Rio River County.
Summary:
The committee met to hear House Bill 207, as amended, which would direct the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt rules for permits allowing certain beneficial uses of treated produced water, including industrial, commercial, energy-related, infrastructure, pilot project, and other approved uses. Representative Brown presented the bill as a science-driven response to New Mexico’s water scarcity, citing the state’s 50-year water plan and research from the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium. The committee adopted an amendment requiring the rules to be informed by credible scientific data and other evidence, including consortium research, before moving to public comment.
Supporters argued the bill would create a regulated framework for reuse of treated produced water, preserve scarce freshwater, and support economic development, construction, and energy-related uses. Testimony in favor came from the bill sponsor, the consortium’s Dr. Zach Stoll, the chair of the Water Quality Control Commission, business and industry representatives, local economic development officials, and some residents. They emphasized recent peer-reviewed studies, pilot projects, and the need for the commission to act on updated science. State agencies, including the Environment Department, said the amended bill addressed some of their concerns and kept the focus on science-based rulemaking.
Opponents said the bill would override the Water Quality Control Commission’s prior findings and force approval of uses that remain scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Many speakers from environmental groups, acequia and agricultural organizations, faith groups, and local residents warned about unknown contaminants, risks to groundwater, crops, roads, and human health, and the possibility of spills or long-term environmental damage. Several argued the bill would politicize a technical process and create liability or cleanup burdens for the public. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided; the committee recessed briefly after public comment and then returned to sponsor remarks and questions.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , when this happens, if you're not elected, you don't have any taxing authority.
- And also the other thing I think on this was, as most everybody is looking at elections to the county
- And so I think, I think, ...elections through the county now, it's a little bit more expensive.
- And so I think that's just so they can do the taxing authority.
- In every county every year.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 108, which amends the Watershed District Act to fix a problem created by last year’s changes: appointed watershed district boards could not legally levy taxes, even though several districts already had mill levies. The sponsor and staff explained the bill would preserve the existing tax authority by tying it to the soil and water district responsible for the watershed district. There was no public opposition, and the committee voted do pass on HB 108 as amended.
The committee then heard House Bill 154, a tax credit bill intended to decouple New Mexico’s Advanced Energy Equipment Tax Credit from changing federal definitions and to add fusion machines and related components to the state definition. Supporters from economic development, industry, utilities, and education argued the bill would provide certainty, attract advanced manufacturing, and help New Mexico compete for investment without changing the credit’s caps or fiscal impact. Members questioned why hydrogen, geothermal, and small modular reactors were not included; staff said those technologies were not in the federal definition and that adding them now could create unintended consequences. The committee voted do pass on HB 154, with one member voting reluctantly yes.
House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax code cleanup bill, was then presented and amended twice. The first amendment preserved New Mexico’s independent definition of qualified research for the tech jobs and R&D credit. The second removed a proposed expansion of the film tax credit to certain tribal expenditures after concerns about fiscal impact; members discussed possible future approaches for tribal film activity and the film partner loophole. The bill also makes technical and policy changes including rounding certain payments to the nearest nickel, waiving interest when tax deadlines are extended for good cause, removing small late-filing penalties in some cases, allowing delinquent taxpayers to renew permits under installment agreements, intercepting excess delinquent property tax auction proceeds for other state tax debts, clarifying tobacco tax treatment for larger vape cartridges, and tightening film credit rules. After public opposition from business groups and discussion from members, the committee voted do pass on HB 291 as twice amended.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Budget Section Commerce and Legal Service Division Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Your Cass County, your home county, uses it.
- We pay the counties' witness fees up to $30,000 per county per biennium.
- We have reached out to counties to remind them that this is available."
- Most, I think, well, certainly the rural counties don't have any.
- And then can you remind us of what authority you have?
Summary:
The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding.
Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems.
The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain.
The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have that authority now.
- They are in Van Zandt County. just making.
- County, Fayette County.
- Say you're in a small county where the county is not feeling well equipped to review a battery storage
- where the county is not feeling well equipped to 4361 Say you're in a small county where the county
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance.
ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act.
Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs May 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In one county, and it’s a county Assembly Member Rogers represents, Native people are approximately,
- This includes every aspect, from county mental health to our county social workers.
- I just, and this includes every aspect from county mental health, our county social workers.
- We have a current case right now that is being tossed around between county to county.
- There's a slogan in Modoc County.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget 3rd Reviion: SB1427 added to agenda Apr 21st, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- And the Communities and the counties that have expressed outrage over this opportunity understand that
- they're not losing out, that the state is making those counties whole, but they are doubly upset that
- Be a question for the author. Thank you very much. To pass the second.
- Authorize ODev to continue to build the program to get fresh locally produced food in the schools.
- And that would you believe that's been going on since even back when I was a county commissioner?
Bills:
SB44, SB237, SB248, SB985, SB1204, SB1239, SB1307, SB1360, SB1390, SB1400, SB1405, SB1427, SB1428, SB1732, SB1832, SB1859, SB1989, SB2018, SB2143
Keywords:
sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, ad valorem tax, manufacturing facilities, exemption, battery energy storage, employment, payroll, state tax regulation, tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Tax Reform Feb 19th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Special Committee on Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- Then this summer, I'm in Platte County, and next door to me is Clay County.
- And I thought once I presented it to Platte County and Clay County, they changed it.
- counties... ...a bill format, we can give the counties the option to opt in or out because not all counties
- It authorizes the counties to grant up to 100% property tax credit on the primary residence.
- It authorizes the counties to grant up to 100% property tax credit on the primary residence of 100% permanently
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/18/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- If you look all the way back at April 2020, that number was 389 in the county.
- Finally, the bill authorizes enforcement by the Attorney General or County Attorney and requires a violating
- I've cost just about every county in here represented because I was in your county jail... ...just about
- every county in here represented because I was in your county jail.
- The drug list without any step therapy or prior authorization.
Keywords:
orders of protection, domestic violence, court procedures, legal guardian, enforcement, healthcare, licensed health aides, scope of practice, ventilator care, training standards, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, public health, government regulation, elderly, physical disabilities, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, home and community based services, funding increase
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 029 Feb 11th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> with my colleague from Douglas County. with my colleague from Douglas County.
- County, we had Douglas<01:56:00.560><c> County,</c><01:56:00.880><c> we've</c><01:56:01.119><c> got<
- or multi-county health are county or multi-county health departments<04:26:37.840><c> that</c><04:26
- Partnership, Rio Grande County Public Health Agency, Summit County Care Clinic, Tri-County Health Network
- </c> for most of our county. for most of our county.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT WILL JUST BE PANTHERS AND TORTOISES WHO SUFFER, IT WILL BE COUNTIES.
- LANCE, PALM BEACH COUNTY SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY WAIVES IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
- FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES I ASSUME? WAIVES IN SUPPORT.
- HOUSES THAT HAVE POPPED UP OVER IN HAMILTON COUNTY.
- FOR EXAMPLE THE ATTORNEYS CAME FROM MY DISTRICT IN MY COUNTY AND COUNTY TO THE SOUTH OF ME IN A SUBSTANTIAL
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No NDAs for municipalities 3/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One is an authors' amendment and I think these are both authors' amendments. Representative Kotter.
- Louis County Commissioner.
- </c> project to neighboring counties. project to neighboring counties.
- </c> was talking to the cities and counties. was talking to the cities and counties.
- Chair, and thank you to the authors of the bill and the co-authors who brought the bill forward.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Apr 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair and committee, Randy Pettigrew from Lee County.
- One is that it impedes on executive authority.
- Appropriation is the legislative authority, not the executive authority.
- And what's not within their bar authority?
- I'm in one of those counties, San Juan County, and Shiprock has a large number, 29, 3, I think, percent
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-12 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So some of those counties are—all of them are sitting here.
- You know what's going to happen in your counties? I'll give you the answer.
- That's going to triple for these larger counties.
- That's going to triple for these larger counties.
- , Miami-Dade County.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 15th, 2026 at 01:32 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Last year we lost bar authority for the first time in over 15 years, and this bar authority is very specific
- back for the remainder of FY 26 authority, but also for FY 27 authority.
- Again, our bar authority is very limited.
- and additional Bar 27 Authority.
- That's where our BAR authority comes in.