Video & Transcript Research : 'staff equity'

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment & Energy Jan 20th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • If we could get a staff briefing from Jacob, thanks.
  • Jacob Lipson, staff of the committee.
  • For the record, Meg McFadden, staff to this committee.
  • So I guess I'll ask staff. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • Right now, we have one staff person.
Bills: HB2426, HB2373, HB2416
Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2426, House Bill 2416, and House Bill 2373. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with unanimous agreement of the parties and the board, to use alternative panel compositions for appeals, including a single board member, an administrative appeals judge, or members from other environmental boards, so long as the panel includes a Washington-licensed attorney and members with environmental law knowledge. Supporters from the bill sponsor, ALUHO, Washington Conservation Action, Featurewise, and Greater Grays Harbor said the change would improve efficiency, reduce delays, and preserve full-board review for more complex cases. ALUHO offered technical comments to clarify the attorney requirement and whether Growth Management Hearings Board members are included. No vote was taken. HB 2416 would provide no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act to Spokane’s waste-to-energy facility, which would enter the program in the second compliance period. Supporters, including Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, city and county officials, labor, and port representatives, said the facility protects Spokane’s sole-source aquifer, provides waste disposal and electricity for about 13,000 homes, serves special waste needs, and could face major rate impacts without relief. Opponents from Zero Waste Washington, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, and Ecology argued the bill would give the facility preferential treatment, subsidize emissions through 2050, and set a precedent inconsistent with the state’s climate targets. AWB was neutral but asked that any new allowances not reduce the broader market supply. The hearing included discussion of carbon capture, rate impacts, and the possibility of alternative compliance language, but no action was taken. HB 2373 would require electric utilities to provide monthly bill discount programs with five income tiers, expanded outreach and enrollment options, and revised reporting on low-income assistance. Sponsor Rep. Mena said the bill is intended to make assistance more consistent and better targeted without requiring a new funding source. Commerce staff said the bill responds to a patchwork of utility programs and a statewide energy assistance need estimated at about $270 million. Supporters, including the Northwest Energy Coalition, Community Action Partnership, Tacoma Public Utilities, Commerce, and PSE, said monthly assistance is needed and the bill could improve access and consistency. Utilities and rural co-ops, including WPUDA, Grays Harbor PUD, College PUD, and Ferry PUD, opposed the bill as written, warning it would function as an unfunded mandate and could require significant rate increases, especially for small or rural systems. Several witnesses urged a state-funded alternative such as HB 1903. No vote was taken on any of the bills.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • slide shows a flow chart on the process of how an application is approved by the Texas Film Commission staff
  • The Texas Film Commission staff completes an initial review of documentation, including the local spend
  • If this review shows any discrepancies or issues, the staff notifies the applicant and. works with them
  • Once these financials have been verified, the Film Commission staff reviews. use all the recommendations
  • I'm so glad you got to hear from my friend Chad Gunderson when I had spoken with Senator Huffman's staff
Bills: SB22, SB 22
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • If staff will brief us on the amendments, please.
  • For the record, Martha Whaling, staff to the committee.
  • For the record, Martha Whaling, staff to the committee.
  • If anyone does have amendment requests, just let staff know ASAP, please.
  • “For the record, Martha Whaling, staff to the committee.
Summary: The House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee met on February 3 to take executive action on House Bill 2523, concerning the Community Reinvestment Program, and House Bill 2606, concerning performance measures and reporting for the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, and then held public hearings on House Bill 2684 and House Joint Memorial 4012. Staff briefed a proposed substitute for HB 2523 that would change how Community Reinvestment Account funds are distributed, expand Commerce’s reporting and tribal consultation duties, add Office of Equity and WSIPP responsibilities, and require more detailed plan updates and oversight. During executive session, the committee adopted Amendment 285 to require the community reinvestment plan to be updated every five years instead of every 10, but rejected amendments that would have barred recipients from other state down payment programs, restricted grants to officers and family members, required an independent third-party audit, or expanded the WSIPP study. The proposed substitute HB 2523 then passed out of committee on an 8-5 vote. HB 2606, which responds to a JLARC audit by streamlining overlapping duties among the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, the state broadband office, and the Office of Equity, was moved out of committee with a unanimous do pass recommendation. Members described it as a modest but useful efficiency measure, and the vote was 13-0. The committee then heard HB 2684, which would create rebuttable presumptions that people in 10 specified groups are socially disadvantaged for purposes of OMWBE certification. Supporters, including Middle Eastern and North African business owners, argued the bill would correct exclusion of MENA-owned firms from certification and contracting opportunities; opponents argued it would entrench identity-based classifications and raise constitutional concerns. OMWBE testified that the bill would be workable and that social disadvantage is only one factor in certification. The committee also heard HJM 4012, which asks Congress to bring the Major Richard Starr Act to a floor vote to allow combat-injured service members who retire before 20 years of service to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation. Veterans advocates strongly supported the memorial, and the committee closed the hearing without taking final action on either public-hearing item, noting both would be considered again the next day.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Jan 26th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Higher Education & Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Matt Shever-Conning Source staff.
  • Any questions for staff? In the EBB. Thank you, Kelly. Any questions for staff?
  • The private equity fund or hedge fund, if you— The private equity fund, or hedge fund, if you will, would
  • Equity is improving.
  • Let's hear a staff briefing from Ms. Gunn. Asa, good morning or good afternoon. Kelly Gunn, staff.
Summary: The committee began with a work session on dual credit, hearing an overview from the Council of Presidents and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, followed by ERDC. Presenters described Washington’s six dual credit programs, noted that about 90% of the class of 2024 took some dual credit, and said dual credit students have higher postsecondary enrollment and credential attainment rates. They also highlighted growth in Running Start, College in the High School, and CTE dual credit, while flagging challenges around funding, advising, access, and consistent statewide policy. ERDC described its annual report, dashboard, research briefs, and future work on school characteristics, special topics, and a planned causal-effects study of dual credit outcomes. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6227, by Sen. Wilson, would direct WASAC to work with public institutions to formalize data collection on parenting students and convene a work group to recommend implementation; the sponsor and multiple student advocates testified that better data is needed to identify and support student parents. SB 6235, by Sen. Hohley, would prohibit public colleges from entering certain private equity or sovereign wealth fund agreements involving intercollegiate athletics; the sponsor argued it would protect institutional control, while UW and WSU testified in opposition, warning it could limit future financing options and create competitive disadvantages. SB 6217, by Sen. Boehnke, would extend the Washington College Grant to eligible non-degree credential programs; supporters from the community and technical college system, workforce groups, and employers said it would help students access short-term training tied to family-wage jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on SB 6209, which would make students at private for-profit four-year institutions eligible for the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship only if their programs meet a gainful-employment standard. Supporters from DigiPen and other private career schools said the bill would preserve access for low-income and underrepresented students in specialized programs, while some testifiers urged that certificate and two-year programs also be included. The hearing also included testimony from students and advocates supporting the bill’s focus on accountability and economic mobility.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026 at 06:03 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it would be whatever staff they had at the local hospital.
  • Page 24, line 14, the advocacy staff there.
  • Is that the advocacy staff that we talked about, or is that a different type of advocacy staff?
  • Yeah, Madam Chair, Representative McQueen, that's the agency's advocacy and the advocacy staff, so the
  • So that's a different provision in the new advocacy staff that we talked about in my office that has
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • vetting process where we have hearings within the branch, present our needs, and then other judges and staff
  • vetting process where we have hearings within the branch, present our needs, and then other judges and staff
  • I'll just tell all of you that I'm very proud of the staff and the committee.
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 35, which would create one additional judgeship in the First Judicial District. Senator Trujillo and Chief Judge Bichai explained that the position had been approved through the judiciary’s unified budget process based on caseload and weighted-caseload needs. Members asked about how the new judge would be appointed, election timing, and courthouse space; the judge said the district would make room temporarily and that technology had helped with courtroom efficiency. One member of the public testified in opposition, alleging questionable case-assignment practices in the district court. The committee then voted do pass on SB 35 to the Finance Committee without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 17, the Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act, with extensive testimony on both sides. Supporters, including the sponsors, gun-violence survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement, city representatives, educators, and advocacy groups, argued that the bill would address a retail-to-criminal pipeline by requiring gun dealers to secure inventory, train employees, track sales, report suspicious activity, and restrict future sales of certain military-style firearms and large-capacity magazines. They cited gun violence statistics, local homicides, and the impact on children and schools. Opponents, including NRA and industry representatives, sheriffs, ranchers, dealers, and other citizens, argued the bill would violate the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, create a de facto registry, impose costly burdens on lawful businesses, and fail to stop criminals. Several opponents also raised concerns about litigation costs and the effect on rural gun owners. Committee members then questioned the sponsors and debated the bill’s definitions, recordkeeping, confidentiality, and dealer requirements. Senator Duhigg offered and the committee adopted several amendments, including removing narrow loss-language tied to fire/theft/flood, changing backup timing language back to the federal standard, and revising the confidentiality/IPRA language to protect names and personal identifying information of transferees. The sponsors said the bill was intended to align with or build on federal standards in some areas while adding state-level dealer oversight. The chair allowed extended amendment discussion and indicated the committee would continue working through the substitute bill.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 4th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • Page 24, line 14, the advocacy staff there— is that the advocacy staff that we talked about?
  • Or is that a different type of advocacy staff?
  • Advocacy staff there—is that the advocacy staff that we talked about, or is that a different type of
  • advocacy staff?
  • And the new advocacy staff that we talked about in my office has been taken out.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 3, which revises definitions in the Mental Health Code and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act related to “likelihood of serious harm” and decisional capacity. The sponsor said the goal was to make the standards more workable for courts and treatment providers in civil commitment and assisted outpatient treatment cases. Members adopted a friendly amendment that narrowed and clarified the language, including adding “intentionally,” tying decisional capacity language to a mental disorder, and specifying that a qualified mental health professional makes that determination. A second friendly amendment was then adopted to make the bill’s language consistent throughout the code by adding “serious” before references to harm to self or others in several places. Public testimony on SB 3 was mixed. Disability advocates, the ACLU, and Disability Rights New Mexico expressed continued concern about involuntary treatment, civil liberty implications, possible overuse of commitment as a shortcut around guardianship or capacity procedures, and the risk that some people could remain in the system for a long time. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, police, and firefighters, who said the bill would provide clearer standards, better tools for crisis response, and alternatives to repeated arrest or emergency hospital transport. After debate, the committee voted 10-0 to give SB 3 a due pass as twice amended. The committee then took up House Bill 70, which was presented with a committee substitute intended to make the bill “sleeker” and address concerns raised by members. The substitute restored existing limits on commission decision-making, strengthened hearing examiner independence, reinstated current ex parte and Open Meetings Act guardrails, removed a proposed consumer advocate provision, and changed one provision from “may” back to “shall.” Members asked a few clarifying questions, including about advocacy staff and hearing examiners, and the sponsor said the changes improved the bill. The committee voted 9-0 to do not pass the original bill and due pass the committee substitute. The chair announced the committee had completed its two bills and adjourned after discussing upcoming meeting times.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, when I started in 2024, I had a staff of one. I now have a staff of 13.
  • So, you currently have 13 staff.
  • How many staff would you need?
  • How many staff would you need? process. How many staff would you need?
  • </c> private equity wants to invest in this. private equity wants to invest in this.
Bills: HF4059, HF76
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • While<00:21:12.880><c> staff</c><00:21:13.360><c> confirmed</c><00:21:13.919><c> spending</c> While staff
  • </c><01:42:11.920><c> to</c> veterans unless we have the staff to veterans unless we have the staff to
  • Uh because all of a sudden the staff.
  • You want more staff, right?
  • Well, of course, as across all staff?
Summary: The Legislative Oversight and Investigation Committee met without a quorum, so no votes were taken. Staff presented a study of the Kentucky Fire Commission focused on firefighter minimum training standards and administrative spending. The presentation explained that Kentucky’s training standards are built from NFPA guidelines, that the commission currently requires 115 hours for volunteer firefighters and 300 hours for paid firefighters, and that those reduced hours were adopted by removing electives and other non-NFPA content. Staff also said the commission’s IFSAC certification testing for firefighter 1 and firefighter 2 aligns with NFPA standards, but the commission cannot require local departments to train or certify firefighters. Staff recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours and work with KCTCS to better separate administrative costs for certain programs so compliance with the statute can be demonstrated. The finance portion of the report said the commission is funded by general fund appropriations for State Fire Rescue Training and by an insurance premium surcharge that supports the Firefighter Foundation Program Fund. Staff reported that the commission stayed within the 5% administrative cap tied to the overall surcharge allotment, but could not confirm compliance with a separate 5% cap for specific programs because KCTCS accounting does not break out those costs in enough detail. Staff suggested the General Assembly may want to clarify what counts as administrative cost in statute. Members asked about investment returns, local fire department funding, and whether training documentation is required; staff said some of those topics were outside the study scope and that IFSAC testing relies on chief certification that a candidate is ready to test. Representatives from the Fire Commission then responded, saying they agreed with the report’s recommendations and would work to clarify the 5% issue with legislators and KCTCS. They explained that the reduction in training hours was intended to remove electives, better align with NFPA standards, and address the difficulty volunteer departments have in getting members to complete lengthy training. Commission officials said training is documented through rosters and annual compliance reviews, and that IFSAC-certified firefighter testing is based on demonstrated skills rather than a required number of training hours. They also said the difficulty in tracking the second 5% cap stems from the way KCTCS’s PeopleSoft system records reimbursements as single transactions, making it hard to isolate administrative costs by program.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 4/7/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • Teachers and support staff do our best to fill in the gaps, but there's a huge detriment to our students
  • Teachers<00:43:04.560><c> and</c><00:43:05.080><c> support</c><00:43:05.480><c> staff</c><00:43:05.760
  • ><c> do</c><00:43:05.920><c> our</c><00:43:06.040><c> best</c> Teachers and support staff do our best
  • I'm assisted by his mother and three paid staff persons.
  • his mother and three paid paid staff person. person. person.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Child Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you to the staff, and thanks so much for hearing the bill and to the testifiers.
  • The nonpartisan research staff did a survey of every single state.
  • This is why we have such amazing nonpartisan staff to guide us on the journey of lawmaking.
  • And thank you, Chair Moeller and Chair West, and the nonpartisan staff.
  • We also provide a thankful bonus around the holidays so staff don't feel pinched.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Helping us to stabilize pay our staff a fair wage and continue serving our communities.
  • Thank you to the staff, and thanks so much for hearing the bill and the testifiers.
  • They also do a thankful bonus around the holidays so staff don't feel pinched.
  • </c> same benefits and compensation to staff same benefits and compensation to staff without<01:19:53.400
  • </c><01:20:13.440><c> we</c> additional compensation to our staff we additional compensation to our staff
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Folks who might have equity the market.
  • Um, and um thank you obviously to the staff, I too, for your incredible work and all of um my staff and
  • Vice Chair Miyares's um staff here.
  • ,</c> and um thank you obviously to the staff, and um thank you obviously to the staff, I<00:37:38.480
  • and Vice Chair Miyares's um my staff and Vice Chair Miyares's um staff<00:37:42.600><c> here.
Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 02:41 pm

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We want to address health equity and we want to address disparities. We want to address poverty.
  • Included in those are having BHSD staff that are going to be out in Farmington.
  • We do have two councils of government that have staff. Areas right now.
  • Jablonski, Deputy Chief of Staff at Project ECHO. And I am not Dr. Carla Thornton. I apologize.
  • Chairman, if I may add to your point, I invited our chief of staff, Adrian Avila, to the meeting.
Bills: HB1
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 02:01 pm

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We’re using comp staff. We’re using contract staff all over the state.
  • But we have split our staff and have staff that would cross the state in order to support those needs
  • I directed my staff, my in-house staff, to go down there and assist Mesa Lands.
  • We've kept incredible great staff. We've got new staff.
  • I think at OSI we've kept incredible great staff.
Bills: HB1
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Jan 22nd, 2026 at 11:06 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It really takes a consistent staff that is dedicated to student achievement to make our colleges work
  • minutes after floor session ends, but members should be on the lookout for a text message from this staff
Bills: HB1
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:36 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of the initiatives the committee took up this interim was they asked LFC and DFA staff to collaborate
  • We have staff now within Wesley's team whose whole job is to help communities.
  • I am a staff scientist at Los Alamos National Lab and I am also the quantum science coordinator for the
  • Once people enter that pipeline of students and postdocs, many get converted into junior staff. members
  • I'll tell my staff, you know, build me something.
Bills: HB1