Video & Transcript : 'accountants' :
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 12th, 2026
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 42 begins restored medical freedom, parental rights, and accountability where the law has
- Senate Bill 42 begins restored medical freedom, parental rights, and accountability where the law has
- Requirement two and three: standardization of general ledger accounting structures and data-capturing
- This tier is very similar between the two funding models and accounts for the same data approach.
- So we do, and respectfully always, we do have to take into account also costs.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , judicial compensation as well as judicial transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
- We are for strengthening judicial accountability, because I think that what you will,...
- Judge Brown, you brought up the accountability portion of the bill, and I think it's important.
- Jennifer Lundy, Executive Director for Texans for Judicial Accountability. I am for HB 1761.
- I know that we've been talking a lot about judicial compensation and accountability.
Bills:
HB40
Summary:
The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met to hear House Bill 1761, a broad judicial package focused on increasing judicial compensation and adding accountability and efficiency measures. The chair explained that HB 1707 and HB 2100 were withdrawn from the agenda, and that HB 1761 would be taken up first because many judges and stakeholders were present. The committee substitute for HB 1761 proposed a 30% increase in base judicial pay to $182,000, changes to judicial retirement linkage, stronger judicial conduct provisions, and efficiency measures such as targeted reporting for judges not meeting benchmarks, appellate in-person meeting encouragement, and time limits on certain motions. The chair and several supporters said judicial pay had reached “emergency status,” citing Texas’s low national ranking and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified judges.
Witnesses in support included presiding and district judges, the State Bar’s judicial section, business and trial lawyer groups, and prosecutors. They emphasized that many judges work long hours off the bench, handle warrants at night and on weekends, manage heavy dockets, and face recruitment problems in both urban and rural counties. Supporters also said higher pay would help attract experienced lawyers, retain judges, and improve court efficiency. Several witnesses and members discussed judicial accountability, including public reporting of court performance and the role of the Texas Supreme Court and presiding judges in setting benchmarks. Some members raised concerns that raw statistics can be misleading because judges also do substantial off-the-bench work and often help cover other courts’ dockets.
There was also testimony and discussion about the bill’s conduct and discipline provisions. A representative of the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed parts of the bill that would tie pay raises to changes affecting judicial independence, warning about subjective bail-related discipline standards and possible chilling effects. The executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct cautioned against civil penalties for complainants, saying it could discourage good-faith complaints and create litigation risks. Other witnesses supported accountability reforms but urged caution about unintended consequences, especially for family and emergency cases and for judges handling warrants and other time-sensitive matters. After testimony, the committee withdrew the committee substitute and left HB 1761 pending, then recessed the committee.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Feb 24th, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- account.
- It lists them by account, just has a bit more detail on them.
- The document shows you the major transportation accounts and the ending fund balances for those accounts
- You can see that all the accounts are positive numbers, which is a good thing.
- It will also fund the multimodal transportation account.
Keywords:
transportation bonds, general obligation bonds, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway funding, road construction, infrastructure financing, motor fuel tax, gas tax, vehicle fees, bond authorization, state finance committee, highway bond retirement fund, corridor projects, interstate improvements, right-of-way acquisition, public-private partnerships, transportation capital projects, local matching funds, emergency clause
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- You can see also that, looking at the agency, they have two dedicated funds, which are accounted for,
- They have two dedicated funds, which are accounted for.
- It looks a little similar, but you will see that this accounts for the expenditures.
- This is how... ...that this accounts for the expenditures. So this is not the ending balance.
- In addition to that, because they're loans, there are repayments that go into that account.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The EFIB presentation emphasized its small staff, low administrative costs, and a modest request for a laptop replacement. The Department of Lands presentation focused heavily on fire suppression funding, the fire suppression deficiency fund, and the agency’s endowment and forest management work. Director Dustin Miller said 2025 fire costs were just over $40 million, noted that the Legislature had previously funded the deficiency account, and warned that current holdbacks could reduce staffing for fire operations, especially in eastern Idaho. He also explained a proposed shift of 1.25 FTE and $160,000 from the Abandoned Mines Lands Fund to the Navigable Waterways Fund, and discussed House Bill 511 as a possible future fire-preparedness funding source.
Committee members asked detailed questions about how the fire suppression deficiency fund works, when it can be used, and whether it can cover prevention or only active fires. Staff explained that the fund is for active suppression and that any negative balance would later be settled through a supplemental request. Members also asked about staffing, vacancy rates, and the impact of budget reductions on fire readiness and forest health work. Miller said the agency had filled many key vacancies but still faced recruitment challenges, and he described the Eastern Idaho Forest Protective District and the agency’s growing Good Neighbor Authority work with the U.S. Forest Service.
The Department of Environmental Quality presentation covered staffing, water infrastructure funding, loan and grant programs, air and water quality, and solid waste oversight. Director Jess Byrne said targeted pay increases had reduced turnover and vacancies, and that DEQ had distributed more than $835 million in grants and low-interest loans over five years, mostly to small communities. He also said the agency has fewer staff than 25 years ago despite a much larger population, leading to permit backlogs and reduced monitoring. Byrne explained that the Drinking Water Loan Fund is built from federal capitalization grants, state match, and repayments, and that its rising balance reflects awarded but not yet reimbursed projects rather than unused money. He also said DEQ is considering fee increases in air quality and drinking water programs, and supported a proposed solid waste transfer only if it includes a fee structure. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- It accounts for valid and existing rights and obligations.
- So what this means is there's no driver's license required to open an account.
- It's completely content neutral and has taken into account all of the case law.
- It's completely content neutral and has taken into account all of the case law.
- And so I think that it would account for broader interface features.
Summary:
The committee first considered RS 33178, a proposed constitutional amendment to change how state endowment and public lands are managed. Representative Raibald said the measure would shift the focus from maximum long-term financial return to a broader approach that prioritizes ongoing revenue generation, preserves public access for recreation and hunting/fishing/trapping where possible, and still allows sale or exchange only when needed and at appraised value. He also said the amendment would create a framework for any future federal land transfers, account for existing rights and obligations, and direct revenues into a dedicated fund for managing those lands. Members raised questions about wildfire impacts, tribal rights, land exchanges, and whether the proposal could lead to sales of valuable land; Raibald said the legislature would retain policy authority and that the measure was meant as a backstop. The committee voted to introduce RS 33178.
The committee then heard House Bill 542, which would regulate social media use by minors. Representative Crane and legal counsel Chelsea Yeoman argued the bill is aimed at addictive design features rather than content, citing harms to youth mental health, privacy, and attention, and saying the bill would use existing age-estimation technology to default minors off platforms unless parents give verified consent. The bill would also require removal of features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, public like counts, and algorithmic targeting for covered minors, and it would create a private right of action and Attorney General enforcement. Supporters said it would empower parents and protect children from harmful platform design; a remote industry witness opposed it, arguing it would violate First Amendment rights, conflict with precedent, and invite litigation.
Committee members asked about constitutional issues, Section 230, age estimation, parental controls, enforcement, and the bill’s $1 billion coverage threshold. Supporters responded that the bill was drafted to be content-neutral and to fit existing case law, while opponents said it still functioned as speech regulation. After public testimony from Idaho Family Policy Center in support and CCIA in opposition, the committee debated the bill. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing child safety and parental control, while others noted likely litigation and costs. The committee then voted to send House Bill 542 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Feb 12th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Transcript Highlights:
- receivable and accounts payable reconciliation each month.
- I am interim CFO, but my formal position is executive director of accounting/controller.”
- That accounts for my budget team, which is three to four people.
- That accounts includes budget, my budget team, which is three to four people.
- I think that's done by the CPAs within the Arkansas Certified Public Accounting Association.
Summary:
The meeting opened with prayer and approval of the January 8 minutes, then moved to review of education audit reports. The first report concerned Northwest Arkansas Community College, which had three findings, including repeat internal control deficiencies that caused financial statement misstatements and a tuition revenue loss tied to a new student information system. College officials said the issues were largely misclassification and process problems, not missing money, and described corrective steps such as monthly closing checklists, approval controls for journal entries, cross-training, and efforts to address staffing turnover and fill finance vacancies. Members asked about the tuition issue, whether students were notified or billed, and whether the software problem affected other institutions; audit staff said they were not aware of the same scenario elsewhere. The committee then filed the report as reviewed.
The next report was Cedarville School District, which had one finding involving $794 in improper credit card charges by a resigned elementary teacher. The district was reimbursed, a police report was filed, and the matter was referred to the Professional Licensure Standards Board; members asked whether any further action or license-related consequences were known, but staff said they were not aware of additional action. The report was filed as reviewed.
The final finding was for West Memphis School District, where auditors reported repeat capital asset issues, including failure to capitalize about $851,000 in construction costs for a baseball-softball complex and problems with inventory and asset inspection. The superintendent said the district had recently begun using Legislative Audit after prior private audits, and described new controls such as multi-level purchase approvals, separation of duties, tagging of equipment, and a cleanup of old inventory records. Members also discussed the relationship between private audits and Legislative Audit reviews, with staff explaining that private audit reports for public school districts still come before the committee and that the executive committee determines when Legislative Audit performs an audit. The committee filed the West Memphis report as reviewed and noted that 28 school districts had no findings before adjourning.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Feb 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- A fiscal note is available and shows costs from the dedicated cannabis account of about $2.5 million
- the account.
- the account.
- the account.
- The Youth Harmful Substance Prevention Account—I think that we need to really look at, you know, this
Bills:
SB6290, SB6282, SB5379, SB6197, SB6158, SB6302, SB5882, SB6303, SB6180, SB6195, SB6196, SB6204, SB6287
Keywords:
liquor regulation, cannabis board, reorganization, state agency, governance, apprenticeship, behavioral health, construction trades, workforce training, wellness, interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on County & Regional Government May 5th, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Moreover, accountability becomes diluted when procurement issues arise.
- And it is accounted for.
- So we love the bill, we love the local accountability, and we love the flexibility behind it.
- And they're accountable locally.
- And so we, we appreciate that local accountability, but we would expect it to be a nominal fee.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Children and Senior Advocacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, I stand before you to express my strong support of the App Store Accountability Act.
- These apps often lack robust safety measures and accountability, becoming a hunting ground for those
- The App Store Accountability Act is a necessary step towards safeguarding our children.
- I’m here because this bill, at its core, only takes into account when people hear the word "app."
- It's all about opening accounts. So this bill really doesn't... ...accounts.
Keywords:
HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, law enforcement, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law, Section 12-12-56, Children and Senior Advocacy, House Judiciary, reasonable effort
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/11/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- They were struck down years ago, so we have empowerment scholarship accounts.
- Once it’s fulfilled, it’ll go into another account.
- DeLatino, I’m just thinking of this from the perspective of nonprofit accounting.
- This bill is about accountability. This bill is about safety.
- This bill is about accountability. This bill is about safety.
Summary:
The committee began with brief announcements, including an invitation from Chad Heinrich of the University of Phoenix to an upcoming lunch-and-learn on artificial intelligence and education, and then members and staff exchanged end-of-session धन्यवाद and appreciation. The committee then took up several education-related bills, hearing sponsor presentations, public testimony, and member questions before voting on each measure.
SB 1497 would require larger school districts that operate self-insurance programs to obtain quotes for coverage and services at least every four years and to receive certain information from providers in advance. Supporters said the bill would increase competition, transparency, and cost savings for school employee health benefits; it passed 10-0. SB 1711 would direct the State Board of Education and ADE to compile and post age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, and to make those resources available to schools and families. Supporters framed it as a voluntary, parent-facing safety tool, while opponents argued it should include stronger evidence-based and trauma-informed requirements; it passed 7-3.
SB 1798 would create a FAFSA awareness program recognizing schools that designate a FAFSA point person and promote financial aid completion. Supporters said it would help students access postsecondary funding, especially given Arizona’s low FAFSA completion rate and unclaimed federal aid; it passed 8-2. SB 1143 would require schools and districts to submit federal civil rights data to ADE and would require ADE to publish an annual school safety report. Supporters said it would improve transparency for parents, while opponents called it duplicative and raised privacy and scope concerns; it passed 7-3. SB 1684, as amended, would create a private cause of action against public schools for serious physical injury caused by bullying after a prior report and school negligence, with an amendment limiting the claim to bullying on school property or at school events and requiring written reports. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 6-3, after debate over litigation risk, school discipline, and whether the bill should also cover private schools.
The committee also passed SB 1754, which would require ADE’s special education division to help complete incomplete complaints, post redacted complaint reports, and adopt related procedures; members emphasized transparency and privacy protections, and the bill passed 9-0 after an amendment extending the posting timeline and clarifying report contents. SB 1423, continuing the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education until 2036, passed 8-1, with one member objecting to the long sunset extension. Finally, SB 1763, dealing with school district “additional monies” funds and financial reporting, was discussed with an amendment to remove unemployment-compensation transfers and require board approval for expenditures, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Social media platform requirements related to minors 3/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:06:04.960><c> No</c> adult account user experience. No adult account user experience.
- This bill the account uh a likes count.
- </c> consent to their child's account consent to their child's account creation.<00:08:38.080><c> But
- . accounts. accounts.
- ,</c><00:29:44.960><c> and</c> holding the industry accountable, and holding the industry accountable
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- different accounts is rolled up into different accounts is rolled up into that<00:14:08.040><c> one</
- </c><00:14:44.440><c> by</c> and water conservation account by and water conservation account by $500,000
- </c><00:16:12.000><c> is</c><00:16:12.160><c> going</c> Enhancement Account is going Enhancement Account
- </c> lottery and low account. lottery and low account.
- </c> account first. account first.
MN
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> account holders with all sorts of scams. account holders with all sorts of scams.
- Tess Rice, my testifier today account.
- Um, and for that open the account.
- </c> protect them from uh, bank account protect them from uh, bank account fraud.<00:06:48.640><c> I<
- Can you talk to the accountable.
Keywords:
trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , powering data centers can't... ...to account for this new load.
- AB 1774 is a bipartisan bill that is about accountability.
- Fire survivors deserve accountability, and Californians deserve accountability.
- That makes accountability essential.
- So AB 2493 creates four complementary accountability mechanisms.
Summary:
The committee hearing covered a long agenda of energy, utility, and data-center bills, with members hearing extensive testimony on affordability, ratepayer protections, wildfire liability, and grid planning. Several measures were presented by Assembly Member Irwin and others, including AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency incentives, AB 2396 on allowing community choice aggregators to develop transmission projects, AB 2589 on returning federal tax savings to ratepayers, AB 2508 on shifting public purpose program costs off utility bills, AB 1577 on data center reporting, and AB 2383 on large energy-use facility rate design. The chair noted the hearing began without a quorum and later proceeded once quorum was established for the data-center and AB 2383 votes. AB 2182 and AB 2589 were discussed but not acted on during the portion shown, while AB 2396 drew substantial debate over wildfire liability, financing, and whether CCAs should be allowed to own transmission lines.
AB 2508 generated the most divided policy discussion, with supporters arguing that public purpose programs and energy efficiency costs should not be borne by ratepayers and should instead be funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund or other public sources. Opponents warned that moving those programs to GGRF would threaten funding stability, undermine cost-effective efficiency programs, and jeopardize important safety-net and wildfire-related spending; wildfire survivor advocates asked for amendments to ensure victims are paid first before any reallocation. Committee members raised concerns about whether GGRF is an appropriate and stable funding source, and several said they could not support the bill as drafted. AB 1577, requiring data centers to report energy, water, and noise information, passed on a 10-1 vote after supporters said the bill would help local and state planners manage rapid load growth, while opponents argued it was burdensome, duplicative, and could expose proprietary or security-sensitive information.
AB 2383, which would direct the CPUC to create a new rate structure for large energy-use facilities and require long-term contracts to prevent cost shifts and stranded assets, also drew strong support and opposition. The Little Hoover Commission and NRDC backed the bill as a way to protect ratepayers from data-center-related costs, while CCAs, the Chamber of Commerce, manufacturers, and petroleum interests objected to the bill’s scope and to CPUC oversight, especially as it could affect CCAs and other large users beyond data centers. After discussion about preserving local authority and avoiding stranded costs, the committee approved AB 2383 on a 13-0 vote and left the roll open for absent members. The hearing then moved to AB 1774, a wildfire accountability bill by Assembly Member Berman, which was introduced with testimony from fire survivors and consumer advocates emphasizing the need to verify that utility wildfire mitigation spending is actually performed before ratepayers are charged.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition to bonds, the supplemental includes $68 million from the Common School Construction account
- , $67 million from the Climate Commitment accounts, and $13 million in federal funding.
- From the Climate Commitment Account, investments are proposed.
- account whole.
- This is on top of the 288 million that the legislature transferred from this account last year.
Bills:
SB6003
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the STOP CSAM Act. Mar 11th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- They fear accountability before a jury of their peers. They fear a courtroom.
- They don't want to be accountable in court.
- We estimate that that may account for a decrease of up to 200,000 reports.
- The account received an offer to be a sugar baby for $5,000 a week.
- Is it going to be these mega corporations who are not accountable to anybody?
Keywords:
Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony
Summary:
The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:16:41.839><c> and</c> my savings to my checking account and my savings to my checking account
- accounts.
- They're often set up as escrow accounts. Not every bank has an escrow account agreement.
- </c> circumstances are escrow accounts. circumstances are escrow accounts.
- </c> They're often set up as escro accounts. They're often set up as escro accounts.
Keywords:
consumer protection, restitution, attorney general, consumer enforcement, unclaimed funds, victim compensation, settlement funds, special revenue fund, general fund, restitution account, consumer fraud, state treasury, eligible consumers, distribution of funds, tax subtraction, income tax, refund, unpaid compensation, Minnesota Department of Revenue, consumer redress
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:18.320><c> Uh</c><00:04:18.560><c> requires</c> account holders and users.
- Uh requires account holders and users.
- </c><00:04:24.400><c> A</c> ideiation account holders and users.
- A ideiation account holders and users.
- </c> 12 through 21 to apply to all account 12 through 21 to apply to all account holders<00:05:07.759
Keywords:
foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, criminal offense, natural resources, tree protection, state property, environment, land use, boundary amendment, administrative fines, Land Use Commission, infrastructure compliance, highway safety, driver's license, administrative revocation, alcohol-related offenses
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements.
The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures.
Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.