Video & Transcript : 'blue envelope program' :

Page 343 of 500
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (02/02/2026)

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> just having a trial program just having a trial program where where where on on on one<00:46:15.200
  • When a creating a tax credit program.
  • </c> appropriate for this sort of program. appropriate for this sort of program.
  • </c><01:18:19.040><c> for</c> in Massachusetts they had a program for in Massachusetts they had a program
  • </c><01:53:57.199><c> The</c> the Wasaki River Basin program. The the Wasaki River Basin program.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Apr 17th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And uh we can program those Wi-Fi gadgets to uh we can program those Wi-Fi gadgets to uh we can program
  • Um, from a programming standpoint, a programming standpoint, a programming standpoint, uh, in the program
  • programs.
  • as well school sanctioned band program as well school sanctioned band program as well chorus program
  • , coral program, vocal group, or program, coral program, vocal group, or program, coral program, vocal
Keywords: 920, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The strength and beauty of a strong library program is that it offers something for every student.
  • There were programs for little ones, and most importantly, there were endless books—books by thousands
  • Do we not have that program? Do we not read that book? Do we not buy that book?
  • Do we not have that program? Do we not read that book? Do we not buy that book?
  • I have had programs at my library in the past where I have had phone calls where people have called me
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused on several bills related to access to library materials, including measures addressing book bans and censorship in public and school libraries, as well as legislation on digital library collections and e-book licensing. Committee leaders said testimony would be limited to three minutes and encouraged written submissions. Early testimony from Chair Brian Murray highlighted H. 3595, which would address challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by limiting restrictive publisher-library contract terms, protecting patron confidentiality, and creating a special legislative commission to study the issue. A large number of legislators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, and advocacy groups testified in support of the free expression bills, including H. 3594 and S. 2328, arguing that book challenges in Massachusetts disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC titles and that librarians and educators need protection from retaliation and harassment. Witnesses described local incidents of book removals, threats, and pressure campaigns, and several said the bills would create transparent challenge procedures, keep materials available during reviews, and ensure decisions are made by trained professionals rather than political actors. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s office also submitted support, and multiple speakers cited national trends and Massachusetts-specific censorship attempts. Testimony on the digital access bills emphasized that e-books and audiobooks are essential for readers with disabilities, homebound patrons, students, and others who rely on accessible formats, but that current licensing terms are far more expensive and restrictive than print purchasing. Library representatives said libraries spend millions on digital content, face long wait times for popular titles, and often must repeatedly re-rent the same materials. Legal and library experts supported the proposed commission as a practical step toward fairer licensing and stronger bargaining power for libraries. The hearing ended after extensive testimony; no votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee May 13th, 2026

Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that's what we have asked with the Edison relief program.
  • And one thought to throw out there: I think we have some existing programs to leverage.
  • When you say state-administered utility liability program, what does that mean?
  • Is that like a fast pay, do you mean fast pay program? What is that?
  • That program is required by state law.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Housing Committee Jun 30th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • have ensured that there's total local control, so a small city or a small county gets to build the program
  • we have ensured that there's total local control, so small city, a small county gets to build the program
  • The county's video inspection program was born in 2019.
  • As testimony to the program's success, the program has since expanded based on the inspection team's
  • We've created programs to help people, but too often there's unnecessary administrative barriers that
Summary: The committee began without a quorum and first heard AB 748, which would create pre-approved housing plans for single-family homes and small multifamily projects under 10 units, with delayed implementation for smaller cities and counties. The author said the bill is modeled on the state’s ADU preapproval process and is intended to make housing approvals ministerial and faster. Support came from housing and business groups, while several cities opposed it. Senators raised concerns about local control and whether small or rural jurisdictions have the staff and infrastructure to implement the program, but the author emphasized that local agencies would still control the plans and land-use decisions. No vote was taken because there was no quorum. The committee then heard AB 1621, which would tighten timelines and accountability for post-entitlement permits, limit plan-check resubmittals, and restrict field changes unless needed for health and safety. The California Building Industry Association and many housing groups supported the bill, arguing that permitting delays raise costs and slow housing production. The League of California Cities, counties, and several local governments opposed it, saying the two-plan-check limit is too rigid and that the bill could create litigation risk and reduce local flexibility to ensure code compliance. Members debated the proper standard for additional review and whether the bill should allow exceptions for state mandates; the author said the bill was meant to stop endless back-and-forth while preserving health-and-safety exceptions. The bill was recommended for a due-pass motion to Appropriations when quorum is reached. AB 2748 was next, proposing a three-year delay in the new electric-vehicle readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing projects, keeping the older 40% standard during that period. The author and affordable housing advocates said the change would reduce costs and help scarce housing dollars go further, while opponents from environmental, transportation, and clean-energy groups argued the current code is already cost-effective and that the bill would create a double standard and reduce EV access for low-income residents. Senators discussed whether the bill should require additional EV-capable infrastructure if projects use the older standard, and several members said they supported the bill but urged continued work on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining to student housing projects at public universities and community colleges with long-range plans. The author and student housing advocates said campus housing shortages are driving student homelessness and that the bill would help projects move faster; some senators supported the concept but questioned the bill’s geographic limits and whether labor standards or rural-campus criteria might be too restrictive. The meeting also included AB 1738, which would require jurisdictions to offer virtual inspections for certain simple home inspections. Supporters said remote inspections save time and money and have been used safely in California, while one senator said she could not support virtual inspections for more complex items like roofs and solar work. No final votes were taken during the transcript, and several bills were held pending quorum or further action.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Judiciary Committee Jun 16th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I still believe in Care Act as a voluntary program.
  • The program already has low utilization rates.
  • Maybe they need to get into a different program, outpatient.
  • Maybe they need to get into a different program outpatient.
  • , a program that is unique in the nation.
Summary: The committee heard several bills. SB 911, by Senator Becker, would require notification and verification of defensible-space compliance when homes in high wildfire severity zones are transferred, using the preliminary change of ownership report; supporters said it would improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while county assessors opposed the use of the PCOR and urged a different recorded document. Members generally supported the bill but raised concerns about the 12-month compliance window and the need to keep working with assessors; the bill was held pending a quorum and later placed on call. SB 1016, by Senator Blakespear, would create a pathway for a higher-level mental health evaluation when a Care Court petition is dismissed because the person is too ill to participate or otherwise needs more intensive care. Supporters, including psychiatrists, family members, and local officials, said Care Court is leaving many severely ill people untreated and that the bill would connect them to existing LPS processes. Opponents, including Disability Rights California, county behavioral health directors, counties, and other advocacy groups, argued it would expand involuntary detention, bypass existing pre-petition screening safeguards, and undermine Care Court’s voluntary nature. The bill passed the committee on a roll call vote and was placed on call. SB 1112, by Senator Archuleta, would create a faster court process for victims of illegal or excessive “bandit towing” to recover their vehicles by posting a bond and obtaining a release certificate. Support came from Enterprise Mobility and the author, who said the bill targets bad actors and helps equalize leverage for vehicle owners; the California Auto Body Association sought an amendment to exclude auto repair shops. The committee passed the bill as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. SB 1119, by Senator Padilla, would impose child-safety requirements on AI chatbots, including risk assessments, crisis-response protocols, parental controls, limits on time and data use, reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The bill was driven by testimony from the mother of a teenager who died by suicide after prolonged chatbot interactions; industry and business groups opposed or sought amendments, citing overlap with recent law, vague standards, and prescriptive design mandates. Members expressed strong support for the bill’s goals while urging tighter definitions, and the bill was moved on a roll call vote and placed on call.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 13th, 2026 at 11:25 am

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and innovation in affordable housing development, integrated and collaborative community service programs
  • We had blue corn mush, some fruits, and coffee up in the committee room to welcome them and give them
  • education program for youth, housed at the University of New Mexico's law school.
  • President: it doesn't change the law, and it does not create new programs.
  • President, it doesn't change the law, and it does not create new programs.
Keywords: 996, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's always on a 365-day-a-year program, recruiting journalists, talking to journalists, pitching story
  • It also funds our regional marketing and matching funds program.
  • </c> always on 365 day a year program always on 365 day a year program recruiting<00:07:06.479><c> journalists
  • </c> marketing and matching funds program marketing and matching funds program last<00:07:25.400><c>
  • </c> last year the matching funds program last year the matching funds program distributed<00:07:27.280
Summary: The committee met for its second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Members then heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% tourism marketing fund. Witnesses explained that the fund supports statewide tourism promotion, advertising, research, regional marketing, and matching grants to local tourism commissions, and that it cannot be used for capital construction. They reported that the General Assembly and governor increased appropriations in the 2024 session, adding $3 million in FY25 and $7 million in FY26, and set aside funding for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative. Tourism officials emphasized that Kentucky tourism is a major economic driver, citing 2023 figures of $13.8 billion in economic impact, 79.3 million visitors, $9.7 billion in direct spending, more than 95,000 jobs supported, and nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. They said the department now uses targeted digital and over-the-top advertising in selected domestic and international markets, with 62% of media placements digital and 80% of the budget spent out of state. Members asked about market selection, how the department measures return on investment, and what attracts visitors from places such as Dallas, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.; officials said research shows a mix of family visits, outdoor recreation, and varied Kentucky offerings, and that 81% of overnight visitors are repeat visitors. They also discussed the potential impact of tariffs and trade tensions on bourbon-related tourism and international visitation, especially from Canada, and officials said they were monitoring the situation with U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA. The committee then heard from Kentucky State Parks officials on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. They said they are providing quarterly project reports and have been meeting regularly with the Finance Cabinet’s engineering and contract staff. The presentation focused on campground utilities, broadband, and structural upgrades, including $40 million for campground improvements across the park system, with completed bathhouse renovations at Barren River and Nolin Lake and additional projects underway or in planning. Officials said the work is based on camper survey feedback, such as requests for better Wi-Fi, sewer and electric upgrades, frost-free spigots, and improved site layouts, and noted that the My Old Kentucky Home campground project is under construction and expected to be completed by spring 2026.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division II (02/05/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the breakfast program, the food program, the milk program, there's all separate programs that have
  • food program the milk program the food program the milk program<00:22:36.799><c> there's</c><00:22:37.080
  • </c> nutrition program is a program about nutrition program is a program about reimbursing<00:43:52.760
  • program or plan education program program or plan program<00:54:04.160><c> program</c><00:54:04.839>
  • program um IND education program program program um IND education program and<00:54:07.079><c> then<
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 9/17/25

Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • :59.600><c> program.
  • those programs.
  • </c> of those programs. of those programs.
  • . program. program.
  • </c> strengthen these programs. strengthen these programs.
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • that direction to OEIS and the CPUC to actually develop a statutory minimum floor for incentive programs
  • They sold because they just couldn't afford it, quite frankly, blue-collar workers.
  • Instead, they launched what they call a fair and timely compensation program that requires survivors
  • So I want to ask you to consider the fairness of a program that treats utility wildfires... ...of a program
  • Post-catastrophe mortgage forbearance programs can assist to temporarily stave off foreclosures, but
Summary: The hearing focused on the SB 254 Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study and its recommendations for addressing California’s wildfire risk, utility liability, and the financing of catastrophic losses. Committee members and presenters discussed the history of the wildfire fund created after the 2018 fire crisis and PG&E bankruptcy, the role of the California Earthquake Authority as fund administrator, and the report’s three broad policy pathways: continuing mitigation investments, more equitably allocating catastrophe costs, and considering expanded state involvement in catastrophe financing. Presenters emphasized that the report was intended as a neutral, stakeholder-informed analysis rather than an advocacy document, and that the status quo is not working well for survivors, ratepayers, insurers, or utilities. CEA, CPUC, and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety each described their contributions and recommendations. CEA outlined options such as risk-tolerance standards for utilities, preserving safety certificate accountability, tying executive compensation more directly to safety, confidential near-miss reporting, liability reforms, and a fast-pay facility for survivors. CPUC stressed that wildfire mitigation and liability costs are a major driver of electricity affordability problems, and said the state should broaden how wildfire recovery and mitigation are funded beyond ratepayers alone. Energy Safety highlighted its wildfire mitigation plan oversight and recommended stronger safety reporting and stronger safety weighting in utility executive compensation. The modeling portion of the report estimated that a more durable wildfire fund could require about $36 billion in capitalization, with lower initial capital needs if risk transfer or liability reforms are used, but potentially higher ongoing premium or assessment costs. The report also examined state-backed insurer or backstop models, post-event funding mechanisms, and targeted community wildfire mitigation, which could reduce overall funding needs. Members raised concerns about the cost burden on ratepayers, the financial stability of utilities, the fairness of asking communities outside high-risk areas to pay, the role of local governments and home hardening, and whether broader climate-related liability or insurance reforms should be considered. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with plans for further committee hearings and stakeholder discussion.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We’ve had these conversations about this particular program.
  • The ag and forestry program has brought up.
  • The ag and forestry program has brought up.
  • You know, we've got the catfish, the blue crabs, the croakers, the white shrimp.
  • Whereas I know some of the other federal programs just have different, you know, goals that those programs
Summary: The committee first considered several local property-transfer and wildlife/fisheries bills, including SB 229 (Bojeur Parish property transfer), SB 71 (Lafayette Parish property transfer), and a series of Department of Wildlife and Fisheries measures. SB 203 simplified possession rules for fish on multi-day trips and remote camps; SB 429 created an administrative path to register “orphan” boats with lapsed registrations; SB 204 removed a residency-based restriction on certain commercial fishing gear licenses; SB 205 reduced duplicate registration requirements for federally documented boats; SB 213 clarified titling rules for vessels and outboard motors; and SB 257 removed Social Security number requirements from certain commercial fishing tags. Each of these bills was reported favorable, generally without objection, after brief explanations from sponsors and department counsel about reducing red tape, improving enforcement, or modernizing records. The committee also heard SB 214, which would allow the Teche-Vermilion Fresh Water District to stop pumping during an imminent flood threat identified by the National Weather Service or GOSEP, addressing liability concerns and giving local officials more flexibility in emergencies. SB 274, as amended, required lead hazard risk assessments for certain child care, early learning, and pre-kindergarten facilities and required hazards found in assessments to be addressed before licensing. Both bills were reported favorable. SB 379, a technical reorganization bill for the Department of Conservation and Energy, received two amendment sets: one changing investment language and another standardizing judicial-review procedures and online notice requirements; it was reported favorable after those amendments. The committee then adopted HCR 62, urging FEMA to review flood maps every five years instead of every ten and to better account for local flood-protection projects, with members discussing the burden of flood insurance and the need for FEMA to recognize levees, pump stations, and elevated homes. HCR 78 was also reported favorable, memorializing Congress to pass the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 in support of Louisiana’s seafood industry. HB 662, as substituted, was reported favorable after being rewritten to codify the department’s internal protocol for seized sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, prioritizing release, rehabilitation, placement, and euthanasia as a last resort. Finally, the committee considered two more contentious items. HR 216, which urged repudiation of the Louisiana Climate Action Plan of 2022, drew extended debate over whether the plan had been adopted without legislative input and whether it could affect permits or future policy; after discussion, the sponsor voluntarily deferred the resolution to return with a revised approach focused on a legislative hearing or review. SCR 24, dealing with chronic wasting disease rules, was introduced with amendments that would raise the prevalence threshold, cap samples, allow zone removal after three years without new detections, and lift baiting/feed prohibitions above a higher prevalence level; the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-03 (12:30PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We appreciate you, and we'll always ride for programs that pour into our girls like this.
  • to pet insurance and wellness programs. Are there any amendments? None of the desks, Mr. Speaker.
  • The bill also increases the minimum number of programs school districts and the Florida College System
  • have to offer for a money-back guarantee program, and that is the bill.
  • By Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee, Representative Bartleman and Representative Melo and
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Walton County Deputy Will May, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for April 3, 2025 was adopted, and CS/HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, with several companion Senate bills substituted and passed: SB 36 (Florida statutes adoption act), SB 42 (general reviser’s bill), SB 40 (deleting inoperative statutory provisions), and SB 38 (renaming references from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations). All of those passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The House also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to electronically send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection order documents. Members discussed whether judges needed to direct transmission and whether there were fail-safes if clerks did not comply. HB 615, on electronic delivery of notices between landlords and tenants, was amended to strengthen tenant protections and passed 108-0. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements, and HB 1145 on workforce education also passed, with HB 1145 receiving 100 yeas and 4 nays. HB 649, removing the paper supervised protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists, passed 77-30 after structured debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill adds a $1 million bond requirement after 25% of required signatures are collected, requires petition handlers to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, imposes background checks and training for paid circulators, shortens petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increases penalties, adds signature revocation notices, and creates additional criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Supporters argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make citizen-led amendments much harder to qualify. Numerous amendments were offered, including proposals to remove sensitive personal information from petition forms, soften deadlines and penalties, change validation thresholds, and alter the estimating conference process; most failed, though one amendment clarifying who pays for background checks was adopted. The transcript ends during continued debate on an amendment to strike most of the bill and prohibit public funds from being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • in that program.
  • So the program was designed.
  • If you're building engineering programs or health-related programs, these are facility programs that
  • , and a nursing program.
  • Funding these programs allows for program growth and sustainability.
Bills: SB1 , SB 1
Committee: Senate Finance
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 16th, 2026 at 03:09 pm

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • see there is a significant difference as to how we address medical malpractice in our neighboring blue
  • We need to be looking at a number of items, loan repayment programs housing support, potentially some
Keywords: 996, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 9th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • But Utah and this bill starts, starts is a, it's kind of like a pilot program.
  • I did wear blue and cheer for the Broncos, and there's photo evidence of that. Mr.
Committee: House State Affairs
Keywords: 989, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 03/12/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Math Corps is one of those programs, but it is not just one of those programs; it is a program that has
  • The program is also efficient relative to other programs.
  • Math Corps is not just one of those programs; it is a program that has virtually no peers.
  • The program is also efficient relative to other programs.
  • </c> Heritage language pathway program Heritage language pathway program program<01:40:23.960><c> which
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/21/2026)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> because the reality is these programs because the reality is these programs and<01:59:52.239><c>
  • That is body warn camera program.
  • In our review of the program each year, the body cam program has exceeded by a significant margin the
  • stated objectives of the program.
  • Um, then this will be the end of the body-worn camera program. each year, the body cam program has each
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (03/24/2026)

Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:
  • So there's an amendment drafted to simply change the title from respiratory therapy program teaching
  • So there's an amendment drafted to simply change the title from respiratory therapy program teaching
  • Um, and then on page eight, what I've highlighted in blue is the problematic language for us that would
  • Um, and then on page eight, what I've highlighted in blue is the problematic language for us that would
  • </c> indicated about the prior program. indicated about the prior program.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 497, a technical correction to last year’s capital budget. Shannon Reid of the Community College System of New Hampshire explained that the bill removes leftover state-agency boilerplate from a repurposed capital appropriation and replaces it with community college language, without changing any dollar amounts. She also described a requested amendment to rename a respiratory therapy renovation appropriation at Nashua Community College as an allied health instructional center, so the space can be used more flexibly for programs such as phlebotomy, radiologic technology, and LNA training. Terry Poff of the General Court then testified on the second part of the bill, which changes legislative space references to support the move of General Court offices from the second floor to the fourth floor of the annex as part of the legislative office building reconfiguration. Members asked whether the community college changes affected funding, and Reid confirmed the amounts do not change and that the bill simply speeds up a correction that otherwise would have been handled later in the lapse process. Poff said the annex space change is part of a permanent transition, though the work cannot proceed until the General Court has legal control of the space. The committee then entered executive session, adopted Amendment 1031H on a 12-0 vote, and voted ought to pass as amended on SB 497 by a 12-0 vote, with several members absent. The bill was placed on the consent calendar. The committee next opened a hearing on Senate Bill 529FN, which would give preference to lumber sourced in the United States on state-funded building projects. Representative Davis, introducing the bill for Senator Roachford, argued that New Hampshire timber is disadvantaged by grading rules that treat U.S. lumber differently from Canadian SPF lumber, even when the wood is from similar species and climates. He said the bill is intended to support New Hampshire’s timber industry and that architects and engineers would still be able to specify stronger materials when needed. Committee members questioned whether the bill should instead refer specifically to New Hampshire lumber, how it would be enforced, and what the cost impact would be. Davis and later witness Mike Olette said the issue is tied to industry grading standards rather than a government code, that the bill is meant to create a preference rather than a mandate, and that price differences are hard to pin down because lumber is a commodity. Olette, who lives near the border, testified that New Hampshire logs are often sent to Canada for milling and then return under a different grade, which he said puts New Hampshire loggers and mills at an economic disadvantage.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 4/3/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have programs that give taxpayer dollars to these industries so that they will build this stuff.
  • When we can use energy more efficiently, when we can conserve energy, when we invest in programs that
  • When we can use energy more efficiently, when we can conserve energy, when we invest in programs that
  • first-generation American, uh, and another one a couple doors down that was a white kid, blonde hair, blue
  • Clean energy investment offers programs.
Keywords: 1183, house