Video & Transcript Research : 'vegetation control'
Page 30 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I think utilities should be incentivized to spend as much money as they think they need to on vegetation
- I think utilities should be incentivized to spend as much money as they think they need to on vegetation
- ...to make sure that they haven't decreased on vegetation cost. Absolutely.
- There may be a good reason that a utility decides in one cycle to cut vegetation management because of
- You know, they have to make tradeoffs just like any other company, but specific to vegetation management
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs.
Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers.
The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That's for our water control structures.
- We manage 84 water control structures.
- The most likely one you're familiar with is the 84 water control structures.
- Not only provides flood control, but it holds water for water supply.
- Our route is flood control and water supply.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects.
Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures.
South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We can do what we can to control our rights of way and ignitions, but obviously we are all in California
- , so we need to control what can happen when sparks get outside of our rights of way.
- Sylvia Solis Shaw, here on behalf of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
- Good evening, Kevin Schiave, on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association,
- Good evening, Kevin Schiave, on behalf of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association,
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 21st, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- That’s for our water control structures.
- We manage 84 water control structures.
- The most likely one you’re familiar with is the 84 water control structures.
- Not only provides flood control, but it holds water for water supply.
- Our route is flood control and water supply.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work.
Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions.
Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Discussion of farm down payment assistance program modifications 2/23/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Fruit and vegetable farmers. They may farm flowers.
- I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
- I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
- I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
- And I I I I don't understand vegetables.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Controller here has a registered resource. They'll come up and sit down too, please.
- Senate Bill 1008 puts some cost controls in place. by stating that local food service permits and fees
- Many of these cost pressures are outside the legislature's control, but with this committee...
- Hand control is ensuring that restaurants don't face unnecessary regulatory hurdles that drive up costs
- So they never receive. control over that money, and yet they're liable for these loans and the dealer's
Bills:
SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50
Keywords:
SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Constitution and the state Constitution, so ultimately federal law controls if it regulates a certain
- We have no control. Can't we find something to connect it to? I'm sure we can, right? What?
- can't we find something to control can't we find something to connect<00:41:48.160>
it <00:41: - control control sorry<01:06:50.039>
or <01:06:50.319>free <01:06:50.599>shipping - we also defect seasonings and vegetables we also defect the<01:09:39.920>
effective <01:09:40.319 - we also defect seasonings and vegetables we also defect the<01:09:39.920>
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved.
The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law.
On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement.
The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Jun 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- and also make sure that CalFresh participants still have additional resources to gain fruits and vegetables
- , and also... ...additional resources to gain fruits and vegetables, and also making sure that we hold
- And it makes good on the commitment to increase the Local Control Funding Formula, which is our own school
- National Biofuels Association, we appreciate the inclusion of $2.3 million from the Air Pollution Control
- National Biofuels Association, we appreciate the inclusion of $2.3 million from the Air Pollution Control
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency.
Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency.
Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- areas Program and the agricultural Water Conservation Fund, expanding its scope to include flood control
- where we need to be and then ask the taxpayers of Texas to continue to fund something that we can't control
- represent the Texas International Association, which, um, handles all the local fresh fruits and vegetable
- It comes from a water supply that we cannot control.
- standpoint, during the winter, only 3 places in the United States have produced fresh fruits and vegetables
Bills:
SB 7
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:20:49.840>
that <00:20:50.039>some and again we we can't control that some and - meat poultry grain Dairy for vegetables meat poultry grain Dairy for children<00:21:11.279>
in - He said you are in direct control of this budget that is in front of us today, and one of the few things
- >
Direct but all allow that but you are in Direct but all allow that but you are in Direct Control- of this budget that is in front Control of this budget that is in front of<00:26:01.799>
us <00
Keywords:
Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- close coordination with partner agencies such as the Office of the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control
- So if you don't have a grocery store in your community, where can you get fresh fruits and vegetables
- Canned vegetables? No. Shelf-stable items can be in Dollar Generals, right? Unsweetened applesauce.
- Family Dollar have been expanding throughout Texas to ensure that they actually sell fruits and vegetables
Bills:
HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539
Keywords:
assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Health committee considers HF1534 4/7/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Many participants who want fresh fruits and vegetables year-round find that overly cost prohibitive.
- <00:05:22.000>
This <00:05:22.320>has ...to fresh fruits and vegetables. - This has a negative impact on my family not having access to fresh fruits and vegetables with our health
- Fresh fruits and vegetables do not contain gluten, so eat a lot of them.
- Low-income families deserve the equality to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables all year long
Summary:
House File 1534, authored by Representative Keeler, was heard and amended with the A1 amendment, which was adopted without objection. The bill would move the Healthy Eating Here at Home/Market Bucks program from the Department of Humanities to the Department of Health and expand the nutrition incentive program from farmers markets to grocery stores, with the goal of helping SNAP recipients afford fresh fruits and vegetables year-round and leveraging federal matching funds.
Representative Keeler said the proposal would better align food insecurity work with health outcomes and support both local consumers and local grocers. The Minnesota Grocers Association testified in support, describing the bill as an expansion of a successful program that would help low-income shoppers and provide added support to retailers, especially small businesses facing rising costs. A testifier, Tamara Walter, also supported the bill as a SNAP recipient and Market Bucks user, saying the program helps her family afford healthier food and that winter access to fresh produce is especially important because of diabetes and celiac disease in her household.
There was no public testimony in opposition and no member discussion. The committee then laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- playing around with freezing vegetables playing around with freezing vegetables at<00:28:51.039>
- Our label in the vegetable business.
- We produce of all those vegetables.
- <00:29:58.320>
a about 10 million pounds of vegetables a about 10 million pounds of vegetables - We got a store our frozen vegetables.
Keywords:
agriculture, livestock, depredation, crop damage, wolf compensation, elk damage, state funding, agricultural protection, trespass, criminal penalties, farm equipment, agricultural land, 1183, house
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then heard from Minnesota FFA officers, who described FFA as a student-led agricultural education organization focused on leadership, personal growth, and career success. The students explained the three-part model of agricultural education, the size and reach of FFA in Minnesota, and upcoming events at the Capitol, including an agricultural policy experience conference and FFA Day at the Capitol. Members asked about FFA’s role in encouraging the next generation of farmers, the organization’s broader focus beyond farming to include wildlife and other natural resources careers, and the mix of rural, metro, and urban chapters. The students emphasized that FFA and agricultural educators help students discover career paths and that urban chapters are active and thriving alongside rural ones.
The committee then received a presentation from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on the Agri program. The department described Agri as a legislature-created program that uses producer-payment funds to support roughly 15 grant and cost-share programs, including newer efforts such as Protect and Prepare. Testimony stressed transparency and fraud prevention: Agri is reimbursement-based, requires detailed documentation, conducts site visits on grants over $25,000, and has identified and stopped more than a dozen fraudulent applications in the past year. The department also noted a prior legislative auditor review of two larger Agri programs and said only about one-tenth of 1% of reviewed expenditures were recommended for recovery.
The department highlighted the Make It Minnesota cost-share program, which helps Minnesota food and agriculture companies attend national trade shows such as Natural Products Expo West. Testifiers then described how Agri has supported their businesses: Mark Schiller of Lon Liquor in Northfield said the program helped his microdistillery expand into milling organic flour and adding food service, while Pete Gangler of Snowpack Foods in Caledonia said Agri grants supported food safety improvements, processing capacity, and a new freezer warehouse project. The department said additional grantees would testify as well, and members asked whether the department’s fraud-prevention practices could be shared with other state agencies; staff said they already are being shared through interagency best-practice efforts.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I think utilities should be incentivized to spend as much money as they think they need to on vegetation
- And speaking of vegetation, it was, I guess, revealed or realized at the during the task force that the
- We haven't decreased spending on vegetation management costs. Absolutely.
- There may be a good reason that a utility decides in one cycle to cut vegetation management due to their
- However, specific to vegetation management in their operation and maintenance expenses, we are much more
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Health Services (7-30-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Think about CASPER for reporting prescriptions for controlled substances.
- prescriptions for controlled substances. prescriptions for controlled substances.
- All the fruits and vegetables and the meat and the poultry and the dairy, it's all around the edges.
- It's a lot cheaper to go there and get a filling meal than it is to go shop for fruits and vegetables
- All the fruits and vegetables and the meat and the poultry and the dairy, it's all around the edges.
Keywords:
00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
00:02:17 - Approval of June 18, 2025 Minutes
00:02:33 - Introductions and Discussion on Priorities
00:07:27 - Health Data Discussion-KY Health Information Exchange (KHIE)
00:34:02 - Health Data Discussion-Public Health Data
01:19:24 - Health Data Discussion-Other Health Data Platforms
01:42:40 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations (Except 201 KAR 005:010)
01:44:48 - Discussion of Optometry Regulation 201 KAR 005:010
02:25:29 - Hearing on Unified Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Application for FFY 2026 - 2027 Funds
02:33:40 - Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 Vote Clarification
02:34:03 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on Health Services met to approve the June 18 minutes and hear introductory remarks from new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services Dr. Steven Stack and new Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langfeld. Both described their backgrounds and emphasized a shared focus on using health data to improve quality, coordination, and outcomes across Kentucky. They highlighted the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHI) as a central tool for connecting hospitals, labs, providers, public health systems, Medicaid, and other state and federal data sources, and said the system supports notifications, immunization records, surveillance, and care coordination. They also outlined priorities such as continued investment in KHI, stronger interoperability, privacy protections, and expanded analytic capacity to turn data into action.
Committee members then asked about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and informed consent, particularly for pregnant women and children. Dr. Stack said informed consent should come through a licensed health care provider, that Kentucky did not mandate the COVID vaccine, and that the evidence still supports vaccination for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, citing professional medical guidance. A follow-up exchange focused on concerns about past vaccine policies and the need for patients to receive full information before making decisions.
Senator Heron asked how KIPRC/KIPR could be used to address firearm injuries. Dr. Langfeld said the key opportunity is to make data more real-time and usable for day-to-day response, while Dr. Stack said the department would continue its long-standing partnership with KIPRC and noted his view that gun violence is a public health emergency. He added, however, that because firearms are a deeply divided issue, the Department for Public Health’s current role is mainly to make data available for authorized research rather than to take a broader policy role. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- does is, it says in the title of the bill, it's related to railroad crossings and it deals with vegetation
- and what the committee sub vegetation and what the committee sub does<00:03:01.040>
it <00:03: - <00:03:17.519>
and <00:03:17.920>what the height of the vegetation and what the height - of the vegetation and what has<00:03:18.400>
to <00:03:18.560>be <00:03:18.720>cleared - <00:05:01.440>
obscured crossing the vegetation obscured crossing the vegetation obscured
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WAL/PBS Joint Public Hearing - Tue Mar 11, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- vegetation to meet new requirements can vegetation to meet new requirements can be<00:09:17.320>
costly - private property to remove vegetation private property to remove vegetation clear<00:10:04.680><
- <00:18:05.360>
clearance for all of this um vegetation clearance for all of this um vegetation - still pay for all of that vegetation still pay for all of that vegetation clearance<00:18:11.440
- electric line and the vegetation electric line and the vegetation um<00:28:29.360>
but <00
Summary:
The hearing opened with committee procedures and then took up SB 1, relating to vegetation management near utility lines. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it would shift rights, responsibilities, and liability onto the state and private landowners. Hawaiian Electric supported the measure with amendments, describing it as a first step to address wildfire risk and improve public safety and system reliability. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and Command Schools both raised concerns that the bill could impose significant costs, liability, and access burdens on farmers, ranchers, and other landowners, especially where easements are old or unclear. Life of the Land argued the issue belongs before the Public Utilities Commission, and PUC staff explained that the commission is already reviewing Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire mitigation plan and vegetation management in a docket, with a decision expected by September and public meetings scheduled for April 23 and 24. Committee members questioned the need for legislation versus negotiated solutions, and witnesses said private parties could potentially renegotiate easements without statute.
The committee then heard HB 1296, relating to disaster recovery. DLNR and OPSD supported the bill, saying it would ease regulatory burdens in post-disaster rebuilding and help speed permit review. Testimony and member questions focused on the bill’s five-year rebuilding timeline, the role of the coastal zone/SMA process, and how long permit reviews typically take; OPSD said SMA major/use permits generally take about six months, while minor permits are faster. Members also discussed whether the bill would apply to existing structures damaged in disasters and whether the amendments from the Attorney General’s office and OPSD were acceptable; no objections were raised.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1170, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. HHFDC supported the bill, and testimony from a Maui affordable housing project said the measure is needed to rebuild the Weinberg Court Apartments, a 63-unit affordable project in Lahaina, using insurance funds rather than government money. Members asked whether the bill would help existing affordable rental projects damaged before the enactment of related coastal rules, and the response was that the bill is aimed at existing structures damaged during events and intended to speed rebuilding of affordable housing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/13/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We operate a diversified dairy and crop farm where we grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa, vegetable crops,
- grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa, vegetable grow corn, soybeans, alfalfa, vegetable crops,<00:09:54.240
- I mean, we talk a lot in all our different committees around local control.
- And so, in terms of local control, at a minimum, I think that we have to, as a feedlot, let everyone
- <00:24:12.400>
opt-out control and the bill's opt-out control and the bill's opt-out provisions
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAL Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3,2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- fencing and access control save lives. fencing and access control save lives.
- Overground vegetation isn't maintained.
- That is damage control after harm has been done.
- That is damage control after harm has been done.
- That is damage control after harm has been done.
Summary:
The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation.
The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown.
For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 09/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- by Republicans and a Senate controlled by Republicans and a Senate controlled<00:35:27.119>
by - by Republicans and a White controlled by Republicans and a White House<00:35:28.560>
controlled being passed our way with zero control being passed our way with zero control of<01:20:17.199>- Republican controlled completely Republican controlled government,<00:35:52.240>
every <00:35:- And I can't control that.
- by Republicans and a White controlled by Republicans and a White House<00:35:28.560>