Video & Transcript : 'refiners' :

Page 39 of 163
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Education and the Department of Education institute procedures for maintaining, updating, improving, and refining
  • 01:10:43.600><c> update</c><01:10:44.080><c> and</c><01:10:44.320><c> improve</c><01:10:44.880><c> refine
  • </c> B maintain update and improve refine B maintain update and improve refine curriculum<01:10:46.320
  • maintaining, updating,<01:10:53.760><c> improving,</c><01:10:54.239><c> and</c><01:10:54.480><c> refining
  • </c> updating, improving, and refining updating, improving, and refining curriculum<01:10:55.440><c>
Summary: The Legislative Oversight Committee met to review statewide education improvement and assessment issues under RSA 193-C:8-a, with the chair focusing on curriculum frameworks, academic standards, and resource elements tied to the state’s adequate education statutes. The chair walked through the statutory relationship between minimum standards for public school approval, academic standards, and local control of curriculum, noting that New Hampshire law requires curriculum frameworks to guide what students should know and be able to do while leaving districts flexibility in instruction. He also raised concerns that some subject areas appear to have current frameworks or standards while others do not, and suggested the committee may need to consider an amendment creating a curriculum frameworks and academic standards coordinator at the Department of Education. Nate Green, director of the Division of Education Analytics and Resources, explained that the terms “academic standards” and “curriculum frameworks” have evolved over time and are often used interchangeably, but can mean different things depending on the subject area. He said the state’s more prescriptive standards largely developed after No Child Left Behind, especially in math, ELA, and science, while older or less-tested subjects such as arts, physical education, and health often retained looser framework-style documents. Green outlined one possible approach of standardizing terminology, but also said New Hampshire could instead define curriculum frameworks separately as a combination of standards, curriculum, and instructional approaches. He emphasized that state standards must support statewide consistency and assessment, while local districts retain control over how they teach. Committee members discussed how these distinctions affect different grade levels and subjects, using examples from math and science to show that minimum standards are broad while academic standards are more specific and grade-level based. Green described how science standards are organized by physical science, life science, and earth/space science across grade bands, while math standards are more directly tied to individual grades. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported during this portion of the meeting; the discussion remained informational and exploratory as members considered whether statutory language or departmental organization should be updated.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • that can kind of cause as well when you're thinking about uh if an individual is even trying to refinance
  • 19.760><c> to</c> uh if if an individual is even trying to uh if if an individual is even trying to refinance
  • 36:20.880><c> and</c><01:36:21.120><c> they</c><01:36:21.199><c> have</c><01:36:21.280><c> a</c> refinance
  • down the road and they have a refinance down the road and they have a lean<01:36:21.679><c> that's</
  • challenges that can kind of cause as well when you're thinking about if an individual is even trying to refinance
Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on Senate Bill 25, which would allow state-chartered credit unions to compensate board members if the membership approves it. Prime sponsor Senator Dan Innis said the bill is enabling only, intended to help credit unions recruit and retain qualified directors and align New Hampshire with other states that already allow such compensation. Credit union representatives from the Cooperative Credit Union Association and St. Mary’s Bank supported the bill, saying board service has become more complex because of cybersecurity, asset-liability management, and other regulatory demands, and that compensation could be modest and take forms such as meeting fees or educational reimbursement. In response to committee questions, they said compensation would be set by the membership, disclosed in advance, and subject to bylaws and internal policies; they also noted that board members must be credit union members and that voting procedures vary by institution, with some using mailed ballots rather than proxy voting. Members raised questions about why credit union boards were historically excluded, what kinds of compensation were contemplated, whether there would be a cap, and how voting and confidentiality would work. Testimony explained that the historical rationale was the nonprofit, volunteer mission of credit unions, but witnesses argued that the modern environment and competition for talent justify a change. They also said the bill would not mandate compensation and would not create a salary structure comparable to banks, but would allow members to approve modest compensation or reimbursements. After no further testimony, the chair closed the public hearing on Senate Bill 25. The committee then opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Senator Howard Pearl, concerning the definition of deposits in land sales and escrowed accounts. Pearl said the bill would clarify that buyer funds for upgrades and luxury items in new-home construction are not treated as refundable deposits that must be held in escrow, arguing that the current Attorney General interpretation raises builder costs, increases home prices, and can limit buyer choices. He said the proposal would allow those upgrade funds to be paid directly to builders for construction, with signed disclosures making clear that the buyer requested the items and bears the risk if financing falls through. The hearing on Senate Bill 26 had just begun when the transcript ended.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, December 15, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, China is refining about 18% of all the lithium in the world.
  • I mean, China is refining about 18% of all the lithium in the world.
  • I mean, China is refining about 18% of all the lithium in the world.
  • I mean, China is refining about 18% of all the lithium in the world.
  • And as far as refining, China is one.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/09/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is evident that increased regulatory burdens on refiners and fuel supply shortages will result in
  • It's the association that represents the folks that refine this boutique blend of gasoline.
  • And I don't think this is a good state to be refining oil for our state when we already have a lot of
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Jan 13th, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:
  • development districts, neighborhood improvement districts, and those laws need to be honed in and refined
  • transportation development districts, neighborhood improvement districts, and those laws need be homed in and refined
  • Now when it comes to the blind pension fund, that's the be homed in and refined.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • But I think it's something that I'd like to see a little more refinement.
  • By allowing SB 515 to analyze this refined data, government agencies can make sure that the unique challenges
  • By allowing SB 515 to analyze this refined data, government agencies can make sure that the unique challenges
Summary: The committee heard multiple bills, with extensive discussion focused on short-term rental regulation, street vending, park/public safety financing, transit-oriented housing fees, and demographic data collection. SB 346 would require short-term rental platforms to provide local governments with listing addresses and related information to help collect transient occupancy taxes and enforce local ordinances; supporters argued cities and counties need the data to identify unlicensed operators and recover taxes, while opposition from platforms raised privacy and due process concerns and said administrative subpoenas already exist. The bill was amended and passed 7-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, sought to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared in ways that could expose them to federal immigration enforcement; supporters described raids and fear in vendor communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. SB 499 would clarify that certain park and recreation facilities designated in local safety or hazard mitigation plans can qualify for fee deferral exemptions when they serve emergency or public safety functions; supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and recovery hubs, while some housing advocates sought a clearer nexus to development impacts. The bill passed as amended 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which would modernize traffic impact fee rules to better reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, drew support from housing and transportation advocates and passed 8-0 to Appropriations. SB 515, aimed at improving demographic data collection and reporting by local governments and state entities, passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote. The committee also took up SB 276, presented by Assembly Member Stefani on behalf of Senator Wiener, which would allow San Francisco to create a permit-and-enforcement system for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks. Supporters said the measure is needed to address fencing operations and protect legitimate vendors, while emphasizing it is narrowly targeted and not aimed at food vendors or permitted sellers. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 276, with supporters from the Mission street vendor community and San Francisco Public Works describing enforcement problems and the need for clearer rules and city resources.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • index, which is available on our website, to generate more timely estimates, and we're continuing to refine
  • And we're continuing to refine that methodology to better understand how we can continue to improve participation
  • We've been refining the program reach index methodology that I mentioned in my remarks to be able to
Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Pro Forma Floor Session Feb 25th, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • whereas Washingtonians rely on the electrical power shared over our northern border, as well as the oil refined
Summary: The Senate convened on February 24 with no roll call, approved the prior day’s Journal, and referred committee reports and listed measures as designated. One exception was Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, concerning health care market standards, which was sent to the Committee on Rules. The chamber then moved to the eighth order for resolutions. Senate Resolution 8696, recognizing Washington’s interconnected relationship with Canada, was read and adopted. Supportive remarks emphasized cross-border economic ties, family and community connections, shared environmental and scientific work, trade, border communities such as Point Roberts and Blaine, and cooperation with Canadian and Quebec officials. The Senate also formally recognized visiting Canadian and Washington guests in the gallery, including the Canadian Consul General, a Quebec delegate, the mayor of Blaine, and Western Washington University representatives. After a brief at-ease, the Senate returned to business and received supplemental standing committee reports, including Senate Bill 5998, the supplemental operating budget, and House Bill 2664, both referred to the Committee on Rules. The Senate then agreed to adjourn until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Agriculture Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • only increases the cost for farmers, but also poses environmental and health risks. and will help refine
Committee: House Agriculture
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Insurance Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • We just got off of coal, but we'll be importing now a lot of refined products, say, from countries like
  • But we're importing now a lot of refined products, say, from countries like Korea.
  • But we'll importing now a lot of refined products, say, from countries like Korea.
  • guaranteed insurance availability, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Chair on further refining
Summary: The committee heard three major insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to implement corrective actions found in market conduct and financial exams, with penalties for failure to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said current law leaves CDI without a direct way to compel remediation of repeated violations or obtain needed financial information, while opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations. After discussion, members and the author agreed to narrow the bill through amendments, including tying it to legal violations, applying penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarifying accounting language; the committee then passed the bill 5-1 to Appropriations, with one member on call. SB 1301, also by Senator Allen, would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving homeowners a chance to mitigate correctable issues, and prohibiting certain unfair non-renewal bases such as claims below deductible or claims not paid by the insurer. The author and supporters said Californians face unusually high non-renewal rates and often receive vague notices that make it hard to keep coverage, while opponents warned the bill’s original 180-day notice period and reporting requirements were too burdensome and could worsen availability. Senator Richardson said he would support the bill after the author agreed to reduce the notice period to about three months and continue working on a mitigation-based process; the committee then approved the bill 4-1, with one member on call. The committee also considered SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez, which would strengthen regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing CDI to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, expanding prohibited conduct, and tightening insurance and appointment requirements. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the 2022 licensing law left loopholes that allow misconduct to continue and that the bill would improve public safety and accountability. Opponents from the bail industry and crime victims groups argued the bill requires unavailable or impractical insurance coverage, including coverage for willful acts, and could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. Members raised concerns about the insurance language and availability, and the author said the bill was still being worked on with opposition; the committee passed it 4-1, with one member on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would let the Attorney General seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the Fair Plan and private policyholders. The author said Californians are paying rising insurance and disaster costs while fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change are not, and witnesses from flood and wildfire communities and climate policy experts supported the bill as a way to fund recovery and resilience. Opponents, including business and labor representatives, argued the bill would impose broad liability, invite litigation, and harm jobs and energy affordability. The hearing included extensive testimony, but no vote was taken on SB 982 in the portion provided.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Senate in Session Apr 9th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Over time, the computer became his canvas, expanding his ability to refine and reimagine his work.
  • with different tools and services before purchasing them to help them understand what's available, refine
  • requirements... ...before purchasing them to help them understand what's available, refine requirements
  • owe a great debt of gratitude to your appropriation staff who has worked diligently to change and refine
  • We're refining locked campus and building requirements so that security protocols apply during school
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, doctor and guest introductions, and then took up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley described the bill as a major criminal justice and behavioral health reform measure that would expand pretrial mental health diversion, strengthen treatment-based probation conditions, broaden grant uses for mental health and substance abuse programs, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, require certain DOC mental health evaluations, and create a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, data collection, and the Murphy family’s role in advancing the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then approved 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then received the Senate’s 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill, SB 2500, with Chair Hooper outlining a $117.4 billion budget that he said reduces spending, preserves reserves, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and reporting requirements. Committee chairs summarized their portions: K-12 funding at $34.7 billion with increases for FEFP, scholarships, VPK, school hardening, and school safety; higher education at $11.5 billion with workforce, nursing, reading, autism, and student aid investments; health and human services with a $1.8 billion increase for Medicaid, mental health, opioid response, disability services, and veterans programs; criminal and civil justice at $7.6 billion for corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, courts, and judgeships; transportation/tourism/economic development at about $18 billion including roads, housing, Visit Florida, and cultural grants; and agriculture/environment/general government with major Everglades, water quality, citrus, food bank, and agency IT funding. Members then questioned several budget items, especially education funding formulas, the shift of scholarship dollars below the line, the impact on public school districts, AP/IB and other accelerated program funding, the APD wait list, opioid settlement spending, arts grants, and the My Safe Florida Home and condo pilot programs. Chairs generally said scholarship and accelerated-program dollars were being restructured for transparency and flexibility rather than cut, that school districts would still receive funding based on enrollment, and that APD and other human services issues would continue to be worked out in conference. The budget discussion concluded with remarks praising staff and noting a 4% across-the-board pay raise for state employees and targeted increases for law enforcement and firefighters, followed by a recognition for FAMU Day at the Capitol.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • University of Washington revealed that ophthalmology training using simulated eyes was very effective at refining
  • University of Washington revealed that ophthalmology training using simulated eyes was very effective at refining
  • University of Washington revealed that ophthalmology training using simulated eyes was very effective at refining
  • University of Washington revealed that ophthalmology training using simulated eyes was very effective at refining
  • University of Washington revealed that ophthalmology training using simulated eyes was very effective at refining
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Policy Committee 3/11/25

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll do a quick introduction here on House File 1418, and this is a bill that's regarding refinements
  • 1418 and this is a bill that's uh 1418 and this is a bill that's uh regarding<01:04:07.640><c> refinements
  • </c><01:04:08.200><c> for</c><01:04:08.440><c> the</c> regarding refinements for the regarding refinements
  • I spent about four months, or more than 100 hours, compiling and refining my own portfolio.
  • I spent about four months, or more than 100 hours, compiling and refining my own portfolio.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/25

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I feel like there might be a little more refinement on that one, but the one that gives me a want
  • ><00:55:32.200><c> a</c><00:55:32.280><c> little</c><00:55:32.480><c> more</c><00:55:32.799><c> refinement
  • </c> there might be a little more refinement there might be a little more refinement on<00:55:33.680>
  • the kind of driving conduct that's listed here in that section, um, and considering maybe really refining
  • the kind of driving conduct that's listed here in that section, um, and considering maybe really refining
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

05/20/2026 - Senate Education

Senate Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as universities, we should work toward refining that process so that our students come out ready
Summary: The Senate Education Committee met, approved the March 25, 2026 minutes, and considered two executive nominations. First, the committee heard testimony from Aidan Kane Vaux, nominated as a student regent for the Arizona Board of Regents. Vaux described his background as an ASU biomedical engineering graduate student and researcher, his teaching and mentoring experience, and his interest in representing students. Senators asked about how his engineering training would inform board service, student concerns about tuition and cost transparency, expanding STEM and health care education, mental health resources, and improving educational access in rural Arizona. Vaux said he would bring a problem-solving, data-driven perspective and emphasized affordability, student support, rural outreach, and broader access to research and health-related opportunities. The committee voted 6-0, with one member not voting, to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Andrea Marasota Snow, nominated to the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education. Snow said she serves as Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer at Pima Medical Institute and would use her legal and regulatory experience to help the board with licensing, complaint review, compliance, and student protections. She emphasized balancing institutional growth with oversight and protecting students through the Student Tuition Recovery Fund and other safeguards. The committee voted 6-0, with one member not voting, to recommend her confirmation to the full Senate. Before adjourning, members thanked staff and nominees, and the chair noted Senator Diaz’s birthday. The committee then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

05/20/2026 - Senate Education

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as universities, we should work toward refining that process so that our students come out ready
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Finance and Tax Feb 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • your committee staff for helping in the development of this legislation and in the deburring and refining
Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met and reported several bills favorably after brief presentations, no substantive opposition, and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. CS/SB 118, by Senator Trunow, clarified how non-ad valorem special assessments may be levied on recreational vehicle parks, and an amendment removed a requirement that local governments consider RV park occupancy rates when apportioning assessments. The bill was supported by the Florida Retail Federation and passed favorably. SB 1520, by Senator Kalatayud, made changes to the Live Local Act’s missing middle property tax exemption, including allowing vesting upon final site plan approval for one year and expanding the data used for local government opt-out decisions; it also passed favorably with support from Landlord Housing Partners. The committee also approved CS/SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, which reestablishes the framework allowing distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations and applies retroactively to January 1, 2025. Support came from the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, Wine and Spirits Distributors of Florida, and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. CS/SB 680, also by Senator Mayfield, addressed double taxation of electricity used at EV charging stations by creating a sales tax exemption for separately metered electricity sold to station operators and transferred to consumers; Tesla and the Florida Retail Federation supported it, and Senator Gates spoke in favor, describing the bill as a fair solution to a prior tax administration problem. CS/SB 450, by Senator Polsky, updated property tax exemption rules for permanently and totally disabled veterans’ surviving spouses, including allowing transfer of up to 120% of the prior homestead exemption amount to a new residence. The amendment and bill were supported by the Property Appraisers Association of Florida and passed favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1074, by Senator Gates, was amended to establish uniform rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of penny distribution issues, while protecting sales tax calculations and providing liability protections; it also included safeguards for pawn and recycling transactions. The Florida Retail Federation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Associated Industries of Florida supported the measure, which was reported favorably. Senator Gates requested to be recorded as voting yes on all bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Finance and Tax Feb 12th, 2026

Finance and Tax

Transcript Highlights:
  • your committee staff for helping in the development of this legislation and in the deburring and refining
Bills: S0118 , S0450 , S0678 , S0680 , S1074 , S1520
Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard several bills, most of them focused on tax policy and property-related exemptions. CS/SB 118 clarified how non-ad valorem special assessments apply to recreational vehicle parks, and an amendment removed a requirement that local governments consider RV park occupancy rates when apportioning assessments. The bill was supported by a Florida Retail Federation representative and was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 1520, which modifies Live Local Act property tax exemption provisions by extending the vesting period for the missing middle exemption and expanding the data used for local government opt-outs; SB 678, which reestablishes the framework allowing distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax; and CS/SB 680, which creates a sales tax exemption to address double taxation on electricity used at EV charging stations. Each of these bills had support from industry or trade groups, and CS/SB 680 drew comments from Senator Gaetz praising the bill as a solution to prior tax collection confusion. The committee then approved CS/SB 450, which updates property tax exemption rules for surviving spouses of permanently and totally disabled veterans by allowing transfer of a larger portion of the exemption to a new homestead; an amendment raised the transferable amount to up to 120% of the prior exemption. The final bill, CS/SB 1074, was amended to establish uniform rules for rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the Federal Reserve’s suspension of penny distribution, while preserving tax calculations and providing liability protections; it also included safeguards for pawn and recycling transactions. All bills considered were reported favorably, Senator Gaetz asked to be recorded as voting yes on all bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.