Video & Transcript : 'preventive measures' :

Page 363 of 500
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Jul 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it prevented that cycle of development from occurring.
  • So we helped create a staffing model that prevented that or limited that from happening.
  • And then also one of the other things that we wanted to measure and look at, because the data that was
  • The other thing that they're starting to measure now was more non-binary folks.
  • were able to come up with shared values for the project and really the criteria that we're going to measure
Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on capital projects and workforce issues, beginning with a briefing on the agency’s long-term fleet and terminal needs. WSF officials described the history of underinvestment after the late 1990s, the current fleet reduction from 25 to 21 vessels, and the need to keep older boats in service while moving toward a 26-vessel long-range fleet and hybrid-electric operations. They said the agency is transitioning to a new vessel procurement strategy, with Eastern Shipbuilding selected to build up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries, and outlined a schedule that includes contract execution, about a year of design work, steel cutting in fall 2026, and several years of construction. Members raised concerns about the higher cost of electrified vessels, the length of the schedule, the adequacy of liquidated damages and incentives, the risks of building in Florida and transporting vessels to Washington, and whether the contract sufficiently protects the state from cost overruns and design problems. The committee also received an update on the Wenatchee conversion, which officials said is days away from entering service as the first large hybrid-electric ferry conversion. WSF explained that the conversion combined required midlife preservation work with propulsion upgrades and battery installation, and that the project took longer and cost more than originally expected because it was a prototype with significant lessons learned. Officials said the Tacoma and Puyallup conversions would follow later, but those decisions were being delayed until after the World Cup to avoid service disruptions. Members asked about the cost-effectiveness of the conversion, the expected fuel and emissions reductions, and what happens to engine crews during long conversion periods; WSF said crews were embedded in the project and that the conversions should reduce diesel use substantially once terminal charging is available. The meeting then shifted to workforce development, with Siegel consultants reviewing their 2021 and 2024 studies of ferry staffing, overtime, recruitment, and workplace culture. They said the earlier problems stemmed from seasonal staffing practices, low winter hours, limited career progression, a narrow maritime recruiting pipeline, and a culture that made retention difficult. Since then, they reported major improvements: staffing has increased from about 1,500 to 1,900, turnover has fallen, captain and engineer shortages have eased, and recruitment has broadened beyond the traditional maritime pool, including more women and other underrepresented workers. They credited new programs such as guaranteed hours, paid pilotage, AB-to-mate pathways, and the “Turning of the Tide” culture campaign, while noting remaining issues with communication, HR access, accountability, and quality of life. Members generally acknowledged the progress but asked whether staffing levels are now sufficient and how interchangeable crews are across vessels and routes. Finally, terminal engineering staff began a presentation on capital terminal work, starting with the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. They described the terminal’s age, low elevation, vulnerability to sea level rise and earthquakes, and the need for replacement piles, beams, and improved vehicle circulation. The agency said it has completed a planning and environmental linkage study, is moving into NEPA/state environmental review, and has been working with the community to balance the needs of Southworth and Vashon riders with neighborhood concerns in Fauntleroy. The preferred alternative is a larger offshore dock footprint that would improve capacity and reliability while reducing impacts to eelgrass habitat. The meeting ended before the terminal discussion was complete.
NV
Transcript Highlights:
  • We applaud this measure and thank you so much for your support.
  • We applaud this measure and thank you so much for your support.
  • Is there some absence in law now that's preventing you from prosecuting abuse cases of animals?
  • my question was going, because absolutely, I think if there's something legislatively we can do to prevent
  • Any questions on this measure? Okay. I don't see any.
Keywords: 909, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 4, 2025 - 12:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • And third, is what we're doing trying to prevent... ...emergency assessments?
  • We measure when we apply to the Office of Insurance Regulation for our rates; we get—we say, here's what
  • We measure when we apply to the Office of Insurance Regulation for our rates; we get—we say, here's what
  • when I say this, but it's true: they're not in Citizens based on an income threshold or some other measure
  • where we can fully, if we ever have one of these again, get to a point where we have the hard data to prevent
Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine defense innovation and acquisition reform. Jan 28th, 2025 at 08:30 am

Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Transcript Highlights:
  • to the acquisition regulations and DCA accounting requirements, there's also a restriction that prevents
  • When we look at the ability to scale, at some point the measure needs to be: how can we get the funding
  • As we measure the efficacy of the SBIR programs, we should really be thinking about how many big companies
  • And to prevent these kinds of increases. So, Mr.
  • I think the most important stat for me that I think about and measure our success or failure at is that
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Aug 4th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is not a story of a stopgap measure that outlived its usefulness.
  • Telehealth, including audio-only, reduces barriers to preventing patients from timely access to care.
  • And Medi-Cal enrollment processes largely prevent remote-only providers from being part of the program
  • needs to see a provider, they have the means to do it, even if there's a bunch of other barriers preventing
  • However, current policies in Medi-Cal prevent Planned Parenthood from providing care or establishing
Summary: The committee held an outcomes review hearing on AB 744 and AB 32, two telehealth bills authored by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry. Members and witnesses discussed how AB 744 established payment parity for telehealth in the commercial market and how AB 32 expanded Medi-Cal access to audio-only telehealth in appropriate circumstances, especially for patients facing broadband, transportation, language, and other access barriers. The hearing framed telehealth as a permanent part of California’s health care system rather than a temporary pandemic measure, while noting that disparities and implementation gaps remain. First-panel testimony from the California Health Care Foundation and the Center for Connected Health Policy reviewed telehealth trends, evidence of patient satisfaction, and the effectiveness of telehealth for behavioral health, chronic care, and e-consults. Witnesses said audio-only care remains important for patients without reliable internet, but Medi-Cal still has gaps in asynchronous care, FQHC/RHC billing, and remote-only provider participation. Committee members asked about reimbursement, data collection, clinical safeguards, broadband access, language access, and whether telehealth is being used to speed up appointments or reduce disparities. A second panel of providers and advocates described how telehealth has changed practice. A family physician said parity allowed his health system to invest in staffing and scheduling, and that virtual visits help seniors, working patients, and those with mobility or transportation barriers, while still allowing escalation to in-person care or emergency services when needed. Planned Parenthood said telehealth is essential for sensitive sexual and reproductive health services and urged broader Medi-Cal coverage for asynchronous care. A behavioral health clinician from Shasta County said telehealth has been critical for rural patients, though broadband and affordability remain barriers. Public comment from hospital, telemedicine, and consumer groups generally supported telehealth expansion while urging fixes to remaining Medi-Cal gaps and continued access to in-person care.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • , or HCAI, to support grants to hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress to help prevent
  • I just want to ask about whether the amount is sufficient to prevent closures and how many hospitals
  • I just want to ask about whether the amount is sufficient to prevent closures and how many hospitals
  • Is that enough time to prevent closure?
  • It will continue this kind of emergency stopgap measure and the one-time Band-Aid kind of aid.
Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress, along with a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would need to show less than 10 days cash on hand, best efforts to exhaust other financing options, a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients, and nonprofit status, with expedited contracting and rulemaking exemptions so funds could be distributed quickly. Members repeatedly questioned whether $25 million was enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day threshold was too narrow, while also raising broader concerns about hospital reimbursement rates, seismic compliance costs, federal policy changes, and the need for more up-to-date data and a longer-term solution. Several members and the LAO noted that the bill was intended as a short-term bridge to keep a very small number of hospitals open until July 1, while the larger distressed-hospital discussion would continue in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Some members argued the state should consider grants rather than loans more broadly, and others emphasized that hospitals serving Medi-Cal and uninsured patients, including safety-net facilities like MLK Community Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, face structural pressures. Public comment was uniformly supportive of the bill, with the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, counties, and CHLA all backing the proposal and urging additional funding for distressed hospitals in the coming budget. The committee approved AB 108 on a roll call vote of 18-0 and held the roll open briefly to secure remaining votes before formally reporting the bill out.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 24, 2026 - 03:00 PM

Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Why are controlling measures and oversight responsibilities for the clearinghouse process and has explicit
  • It prevents local governments from restricting the height of proposed developments for the use of setbacks
  • It prevents divest from the beginning of the pilot program. prevents divest from getting the pilot program
  • It prevents services from being denied for non-engineering reasons. Lake Forest annexation.
  • Second, it prevents a municipality from using newly adopted more restrictive land-use regulations to
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventeen - Monday, February 9

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The original intent is the same as the intent now, and that is to prevent It bears repeating there is
  • The original tent is the same as the intent now, and that is to prevent.
  • The original intent is the same as the intent now, and that is to prevent sexual crimes against children
  • They cannot have kids until what you're doing in, that measured and you give them 20 percent and then
  • I will be no on this bill, and I hope the members of this body will join me in actually trying to prevent
Keywords: 959, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Health Jan 27th, 2026

Joint Committee on Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • The result is misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and preventable harm.
  • The result is misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and preventable harm.
  • However, the hormone blockers that she takes to prevent the resurgence of her cancer have resulted in
  • Five years ago, I had an oophorectomy to prevent the ovarian cancer that killed my mom.
  • At 46, I was plunged into... ...to prevent the ovarian cancer that killed my mom.
Bills: H4796, H4838
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Elections Apr 30th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • alerted when their family members request a mail-in ballot application, as families are unable to prevent
  • Senate Bill 760 seeks to prevent ongoing election fraud from occurring by informing long-term care residents
  • SB 760 both protects the integrity of our elections and prevents the coercion of one of our most vulnerable
  • Senate Bill 760 will prevent election fraud in these types of circumstances by informing long-term care
  • situation gets coercive and we'll end up changing mail-in ballots for care facilities in the attempt to prevent
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Mar 17th, 2025

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's even a crisis line specifically, uh, to help prevent suicide with veterans.
  • Or prevented a veteran like myself from missing out on 24 years. of benefits. OK.
  • understanding of the true scope of this crisis, the state can assess the effectiveness of this prevention
  • It's veteran suicide prevention program. $571 million on a problem has not gotten better, it's gotten
  • Quote, We will measure our success not only by the battles we will win, but also by the wars that we
Bills: HB39, HB227
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • funds be restricted for specific goals set by the Legislature, and then that data is collected to measure
  • The one challenge in some cases is that the ASES funding itself is from a ballot measure.
  • The one challenge in some cases is that the ASES funding itself is from a ballot measure.
  • Some of the concerns were that with ELOP funding, there really isn't any required outcomes or measures
  • Any required outcomes or measured outcomes that were required. It's given to the schools.
Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Measure passes.
  • Without this bill and the tax measure that the voters of the Bay Area will be considering later this
  • The measure passes. Moving on to file. Thank you. Messages from the Governor would be deemed read.
  • The measure passes. Moving on to file. Thank you. Messages from the Governor would be deemed read.
  • So often, they were prevented from going back to their home communities.
Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation trailer bills. AB 107 was described as a budget junior bill making technical corrections, updating federal appropriations by about $15 million, and exempting certain Proposition 4 appropriations from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending; Senator Niello objected to the transparency implications, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117 then authorized a $590 million state loan from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to provide operating support to Bay Area transit agencies, with repayment secured by transit assistance revenues and interest; supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain, while critics questioned ridership recovery, governance, and accountability. The measure passed 28-9 after extensive debate, with several senators emphasizing both Bay Area urgency and the need for broader statewide transit funding and reform. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees. Linda Hopkins, Sonoma County supervisor and air district chair, was confirmed after brief support from Senator Becker highlighting her rural North Bay perspective. Patricia Locke Dawson, Riverside mayor and South Bay air district representative, was also confirmed, with Senator Becker again praising her academic and practical background. Both confirmations passed on largely party-line votes with broad support from the majority and opposition from a small group of Republicans. The chamber next considered SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas condemning federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs under President Trump. Supporters from both parties and multiple caucuses framed DEI as essential to civil rights, education, workforce development, national defense, and inclusion for marginalized communities, while the author argued California must resist federal rollbacks. The resolution passed after a lengthy debate and roll call, with several senators also using the discussion to share personal experiences with educational access and discrimination. Finally, the Senate took up SCR 78, authored by Senator Cabaldon, commemorating the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and warning against repeating such abuses. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, citing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of museums and historic sites such as Manzanar and the Japanese American National Museum. The resolution was presented as both remembrance and a caution against fear-driven policies and erosion of due process.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Government

House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • These measures that are put in place help to save lives.
  • These measures that are put in place help to save lives.
  • These measures that are put in place help to save lives.
  • It has to do with showing a tax measure to the people, and I vote aye. Thank you.
  • Thank you, Chairman Blackman, for hearing this measure today.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2825, which would replace criminal enforcement for unpaid court fines, fees, restitution, and incarceration costs with a civil collection framework and end arrest warrants and contempt proceedings for nonpayment. Representative Chris Lopez said the bill would let people keep working and repay debts through wage garnishment and other civil tools, while a Justice Action Network representative testified in support. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment limiting challenges to a second default judgment entered within one year of a prior one, then passed HB 2825 with a 7-0 due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2070, an emergency appropriation of $25 million for Gila County flood relief. Gila County supervisors, mayors from Globe and Miami, the county emergency manager, and public works staff described severe flooding, deaths, major debris and sediment removal, damaged roads and utilities, and the county’s inability to meet matching-fund requirements for federal or state grants. Members discussed FEMA denials, federal review, and the need to act before monsoon season. HB 2070 passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Next, HB 2129, which moves the deadline for municipal library trustees’ annual report from the first Monday in July to the second Monday, was supported by the Arizona Library Association as a simple timing fix for smaller and rural libraries. It passed 6-1. HB 2439, exempting public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ water pollution rules, was presented as a way to reduce regulatory confusion and costs for small businesses; it also passed 6-0 with one member absent. The committee then approved HB 2773, barring Arizona and its entities from assisting the International Criminal Court, after debate over sovereignty and constitutional authority, by a 4-3 vote.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Transportation Oct 16th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • speeds in one spot on a highway, might measure how fast a vehicle goes...
  • Well, instead of just measuring speeds in one spot on a highway, [point-to-point cameras] might measure
  • We're doing some research now where we developed a measurement technique to be able to measure the blind
  • We're doing some research now where we developed a measurement technique to be able to measure the blind
  • We developed a measurement technique to be able to measure the blind zones that you see in vehicles.
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • The city itself, say the city of Jonesville, can't say to the voters, 'Vote yes on ballot measure one
  • The city itself, say the city of Jonesville can't say to the voters vote yes on ballot measure one.
  • City leaders, county leaders have the responsibility to look to the future and say we want to prevent
  • The cap can prevent districts from fully using it when needed.
  • And if there's corrective measures we can look at, may even talk to staff about that.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 25, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sovereign God, you are a jealous God, and you demand our entire being and our full measure of devotion
  • And then we, as a Congress, need to use our authority to prevent This President and any President from
  • What Red flags were missed, and what reforms will prevent this from ever happening again?
  • So he now has embraced these people who would prevent persons from acquiring a home by simply buying
  • You're also going to prevent people from literally, literally having the roof over their heads and a
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/11/2026 - House Judiciary

House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • crisis, the more effective strategies are treatment, public health interventions, and overdose prevention
  • crisis, the more effective strategies are treatment, public health interventions, and overdose prevention
  • And we ask for your support with this measure. I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
  • Unfortunately, as this bill is drafted, this could prevent us from filing that forcible detainer.
  • So we have a simple fix, a new section C that basically just says that nothing in this section prevents
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several Senate bills and one House bill. SB 1039 would allow attorneys prevailing in disciplinary matters to recover lost earnings and seek reputational harm damages from the State Bar; SB 1148 would require the Arizona Supreme Court to directly license attorneys rather than delegate that function; both received due pass recommendations. SB 1061, lowering the fentanyl enhanced-penalty threshold from 200 grams to 9 grams, also passed after opposition from the ACLU and defense counsel argued it would sweep in personal-use cases and increase incarceration, while supporters said it targets trafficking. SB 1068, which limits campus firearm restrictions for concealed-carry permit holders, passed over strong opposition from gun-safety advocates and university faculty, and SB 1069, removing suppressors from the definition of prohibited weapons, also passed despite concerns about public safety and prohibited possessors. The committee then approved SB 1099, which sets statutory elements for defamation claims based on whether the plaintiff is a private or public figure and whether the matter is of public or private concern. The ACLU opposed it, warning that codifying defamation law could chill speech and conflict with evolving First Amendment precedent; supporters said it largely codifies existing case law and adds an internet-related limitation period. SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses for legitimate emergency calls unless there is a pattern of false or frivolous reports, passed unanimously after testimony that some cities were discouraging 911 calls for theft and other incidents. The committee also passed SB 1127, requiring mandatory reporters with direct knowledge of child abuse or neglect to report immediately and personally to DCS. Phoenix Children’s Hospital and DCS supported the bill but asked for clarification so medical emergencies would not be disrupted, and members discussed possible amendments. SB 1426, changing forcible detainer procedures by removing the written demand-to-vacate requirement and expediting claims, passed despite landlord-group concerns that it could affect holdover tenant cases. Finally, SB 1448, as amended, passed to expand aggravated assault protections to utility, telecommunications, video service, and related workers; supporters cited rising threats and assaults, while opponents argued existing assault laws already cover the conduct and the bill is overly broad.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 3, 2026 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Families across the state are facing life-changing consequences because of preventable mistakes.
  • And it prohibits a person from preventing another person from violating the laws of a foreign government
  • These provisions protect Florida businesses and individuals by preventing the introduction of high risk
  • Our central guardrails prevent the state from being exploited for surveillance, targeting and leverage
  • It's a time-saving measure and just really modernizes.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Jan 12th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • acquire and preserve mobile and manufactured home communities, which our analysis suggests would prevent
  • It is prevention, stability, and smart budgeting. Thank you, Bairdops.
  • It is prevention, stability, and smart budgeting. Thank you, Bairdops.
  • And also we want to appreciate the funding for the seismic because adding Hokium projects to the measure
  • These improvements were completed just in time to prevent flooding from our weather events last month
Bills: SB6003