Video & Transcript : 'energy equity' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Child Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Children and Families Finance and Policy
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This is nothing to do with equity. This is nothing to do with inclusion.
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Summary:
The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and favorably reported several bills. SB 1672 removed duplicative state provisions related to labor pools; CS/SB 940 prohibited third-party sale of restaurant reservations without the restaurant’s consent; and CS/SB 1820 made changes to motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer franchise law, including disclosure of performance measures, anti-retaliation protections, and limits on franchise termination or nonrenewal. The committee also approved CS/SB 324, creating a revolving loan program to help small businesses affected by prolonged public works construction, and SB 936, which creates a recurring three-year study of the effects of AI, robotics, and automation on Florida’s workforce and economy. SB 1322, the Florida Rural Jobs Act, was amended and reported favorably to encourage private investment in rural small businesses through a state tax credit program. The committee also reported favorably on CS/SB 910, which regulates for-profit veterans’ benefit assistance services, and CS/SB 656, which extends protections from extraordinary collection actions to all bill-of-care payment actions by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 1264, a broad Department of Commerce agency bill. The strike-all amendment added or revised provisions on Secure Florida, the RISE venture capital tax credit program, data center tax exemptions, business development classifications, military land transfers, and other economic development matters, while also repealing regional planning councils from statute. That repeal drew extensive opposition from local officials and regional council representatives, who argued the councils are important for emergency management, grant writing, planning, and support for small and rural communities. Supporters of the amendment said the councils could continue locally without state statutory involvement. After debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, though Senators Davis and Smith voted no.
The committee also considered CS/SB 1238, which would tighten reemployment assistance rules by disqualifying claimants who fail to meet job-search requirements or refuse work, and by adding verification and reporting requirements. Supporters framed it as adding guardrails and preventing fraud, while opponents argued Florida’s unemployment system is already difficult to access and that the bill would add unnecessary barriers and costs. Despite opposition from labor and advocacy groups, the bill was reported favorably, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of Alexis Yarborough and John Gilbert to the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Ground has been a steadfast force in the fight for civic engagement, voter education, and racial equity
Keywords:
sales tax reduction, budget cuts, boating safety, water treatment, municipal utilities, school safety, medical malpractice, firearm purchase age, cursive writing instruction, first responder support, veto overrides, veterans funding, infrastructure projects
Summary:
The Florida House convened for regular business, with Speaker Perez announcing historic budget plans including the largest state tax cut in Florida history - a permanent 0.75% sales tax reduction from 6% to 5.25%, saving Floridians nearly $5 billion annually. The House will propose a budget lower than both the Governor's proposal and last year's budget. Several bills passed including Lucy's Law (boating safety), water access facilities funding, municipal utility rate corrections, hazardous walking conditions for schools, and medical malpractice 'Free Kill Law' repeal. The controversial firearm purchase age bill (HB 759) passed 78-34, lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18, despite emotional opposition citing the Parkland shooting. Other bills addressed cursive writing instruction, peer support for first responders, and government sunset reviews. Multiple veto override motions were approved unanimously, reinstating funding for veterans programs and infrastructure projects.
TX
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 4th, 2025
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- We look at this bill really just to create equity. to be paid into these funds so that we can support
Committee:
Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 14th, 2025
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- You'll see there what's in statute now is still from that 2011 equity allocation model.
Committee:
Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from Dr. Kelly O’Dare on first responder behavioral health access, peer support, and suicide prevention. She described UCF Restores, the Second Alarm Project, and related partnerships that provide culturally competent treatment, peer training, clinician education, disaster response support, and behavioral health navigation. She cited survey and state data showing significant rates of sleep problems, anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide among Florida first responders, and said evidence-based treatment has helped many patients recover, including a reported 76% who no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria after treatment. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, peer support standards, and whether the state should create more consistent statewide requirements; O’Dare said peer support training must be specialized, linked to higher levels of care, and supported by sustainable funding and statewide coordination. The committee also heard from a public commenter who supported the work and emphasized the need for adequate resources and peer support infrastructure.
The committee then received a Department of Children and Families presentation from Casey Penn on the proposed funding methodology for community-based care lead agencies under HB 7089. Penn explained that the new model is intended to be actuarially based, reimbursement-oriented, and more transparent than prior funding approaches, using historical expenditures, standardized reporting, and two main tiers: Tier 1 for largely fixed administrative and operational costs, and Tier 2 for direct child-serving costs based on per-child-per-month blended rates. He said the model includes a 2% risk corridor for Tier 2, hold-harmless funding in the first year, and optional Tier 3 performance incentives, with an estimated additional state appropriation need after offsets. Senators raised concerns about prevention, historical inequities, reasonableness of costs, administrative overhead, blended state and federal funds, adoption subsidies, high-acuity placements, and disaster-related disruptions. Penn said some of those issues could be addressed in future iterations as the child welfare information system is modernized, and he agreed to provide written responses to committee questions.
Representatives of the Florida Coalition for Children and CBCs responded that the model is a major improvement but urged additional safeguards, including an administrative cap, clearer separation of direct and indirect costs, and better treatment of federal and pass-through funds. They argued that the system already has oversight and that deficits reflect insufficient appropriations rather than excess spending, while also noting that higher-acuity children and regional differences can drive costs. No votes were taken on either topic, and the meeting ended with committee staff introductions and adjournment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Regulated Industries Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THE ELDERLY POPULATION IS LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME AND THEY DON'T HAVE HIGH EQUITY IN THE UNITS?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/26/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- As you know, batteries are growing and evolving part of day-to-day life, providing energy for everything
- We received a Department of Energy grant to help provide some of those safety pieces that were talked
- We received a Department of Energy<00:43:08.440><c> grant</c><00:43:08.920><c> to</c><00:43:09.040><c
- > help</c><00:43:09.280><c> provide</c><00:43:09.680><c> some</c><00:43:09.800><c> of</c> Energy grant
- to help provide some of Energy grant to help provide some of those<00:43:10.080><c> safety</c><00:43
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/17/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> What we're trying to do with the energy stuff, and here it is.
- to</c><01:51:37.040><c> do</c><01:51:37.119><c> with</c><01:51:37.280><c> the</c><01:51:37.360><c> energy
- </c> >> What we're trying to do with the energy >> What we're trying to do with the energy
- It has to do with energy volatility, energy price hedging, and so on.
- And these procurement agreements, when they have been established for these energy purposes, have tended
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Seclusion Working Group - 10/08/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And you should see the amount of energy and effort that is going into that work and that learning and
- And you should see the amount<01:20:41.120><c> of</c><01:20:41.440><c> energy</c><01:20:41.920><c> and
- effort that is amount of energy and effort that is going<01:20:43.760><c> into</c><01:20:44.159><c>
- </c><01:21:59.440><c> is</c><01:21:59.760><c> best</c> So, I wonder if our energy is best So, I wonder
- if our energy is best placed<01:22:00.480><c> at</c><01:22:00.960><c> how</c><01:22:01.360><c> could
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/19/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- What I've been hearing from our members is that the three largest areas are labor, energy, and the overall
- increase in the cost of labor, probably a quarter per—or, excuse me, a 25% increase in the cost of energy
- ><01:50:44.920><c> of</c> report missing meals due to lack of report missing meals due to lack of energy
- to prepare food Studies have also energy to prepare food Studies have also shown<01:50:48.239><c> the
- or postpartum individuals—conditions that are known to lead to decreased mobility, dexterity, and energy
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance (02/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And then for an anaerobic digester, it's a waste-energy thing. I'm not sure.
- And then for an anaerobic digester, it's a waste-energy thing. I'm not sure.
- <00:52:57.480><c> for</c> and flaring or burning that gas for and flaring or burning that gas for energy
- :58.559><c> some</c><00:52:58.799><c> cases</c><00:52:59.680><c> but</c><00:52:59.839><c> the</c> energy
- recovery in some cases but the energy recovery in some cases but the reality<00:53:00.400><c> is</c>
Summary:
The Finance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 619, which would appropriate $1 million to the Solid Waste Management Fund for matching grants to municipalities and businesses for waste diversion projects, with 50% of the money prioritized for food waste diversion. Representative Karen Ebel, the sponsor, said the fund would help New Hampshire meet its solid waste diversion goals, preserve landfill capacity, and support composting, recycling, and related local business activity. She cited New London’s composting program as an example, saying 172 families participated and 32 tons of food waste were diverted in 2024, reducing tipping and trucking costs.
Committee members asked about possible alternative funding sources, including a surcharge on landfill tipping fees. Ebel said many other states use such surcharges to fund recycling and solid waste programs, while New Hampshire relies on general funds. She also said the current fund balance was about $900,000 because some money had been used for staffing, and that the grant program was still in rulemaking. Questions also focused on how household composting works and whether municipalities could generate revenue from compost; Ebel said participation is optional, most programs use buckets and transfer stations, and the main benefit is cost savings from reduced disposal rather than compost sales.
Testimony in support came from the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the Northeast Resource Recovery Association. Both said municipalities are interested in food waste diversion and composting, that these programs can reduce long-term disposal costs and property tax pressure, and that there is growing demand for technical assistance and grant support. The Northeast Resource Recovery Association said food waste makes up about 24% of municipal and business waste, that fewer than two dozen communities and fewer than two dozen businesses currently offer such services, and that a City of Lebanon pilot program saw about 30% savings by composting on site. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but is working on rulemaking for the grant program and expects strong interest from municipalities, private composters, farmers, and anaerobic digester operators. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 85 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- protections during periods of extreme heat, to the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Summary:
The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Committee on Rules reports extending committee reporting deadlines on various House orders. The House suspended the rules as needed and adopted each extension, including for the Committees on Aging and Independence, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, Housing, and Transportation. The House also concurred in several Senate petitions referred under Joint Rule 12, including proposals on charter school funding, a Salem police retirement, utility shut-off protections during extreme heat, and seatbelt education for passengers in large vehicles.
The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported four local bills for House consideration: legislation concerning employees of the Dedham-Westwood Water District, the membership of the Prim Board, the Williamstown Library Trustees, and rodeos. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave each bill a second reading and ordered them to a third reading. The House then passed several local bills to be engrossed, including measures on the Cotuit Fire District water commissioners, the town charters of Acushnet and Provincetown, the elected term of Holden’s moderator, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was amended to add an emergency preamble.
The House also adopted an amendment substituting a new bill for House Bill 2244, relating to making the Chicopee city charter gender neutral, and passed the amended bill to be engrossed. Later, the House considered and enacted additional measures, including House Bill 4530 making fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations, House Bill 4531 establishing the 2026 state primary election day, and House Bill 3298 designating July 2 as Machado-Joseph Disease Awareness Day. The session ended with the House adopting an adjournment order and adjourning to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Pro Forma Floor Session Feb 25th, 2026
Washington Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- environmental challenges and seek to exchange knowledge in areas of ecological stewardship and the process of energy
Summary:
The Senate convened on Tuesday, February 24, approved the previous day’s Journal without objection, and handled committee referrals. Among the measures referred, engrossed substitute House Bill 2548, concerning health care market standards, was specifically sent to the Committee on Rules rather than the committee listed in the standing committee report. The chamber also received supplemental committee reports later in the day, including Senate Bill 5998, the operating budget supplemental, and House Bill 2664, both referred to Rules.
The main floor action was consideration of Senate Resolution 8696, which recognizes Washington’s interconnected relationship with Canada. The resolution highlighted economic, cultural, environmental, and border-community ties, including trade, shared infrastructure and energy links, cross-border family connections, tribal and First Nations relationships, and cooperation on issues such as climate policy, disaster response, and scientific research. Senators Schumake, Short, and Slatter spoke in support, emphasizing border communities, shared natural resources, research partnerships, and the long-standing friendship between Washington and Canada. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.
After adoption, the Senate recognized visiting Canadian and regional officials and representatives, including the Canadian Consul General in Seattle, the Consulate’s trade commissioner, Quebec’s delegate in Seattle, the Mayor of Blaine, and Western Washington University representatives. The Senate then went at ease, later reconvened briefly to process the supplemental committee reports, and adjourned without objection until Thursday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 12th, 2026 at 11:20 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She helped build our higher energy. Dr.
Bills:
HB111 , HB108 , HB145 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB63 , HB64 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HB4 , HB7 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB88 , HB96 , HB166 , HB285 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Natural resources, hunting, management, education, energy, and the environment. >> Bill, consider the
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- THE NEXT NINE WEEKS CONDUCTING THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE AND THAT IS WHAT WE WILL DO WITH ALL THAT ENERGY
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- of applying for a grant that later becomes problematic, it would seem it'd be good to spend your energy
- of applying for a grant that later becomes problematic, it would seem it'd be good to spend your energy
- of applying for a grant that later becomes problematic, it would seem it'd be good to spend your energy
- of applying for a grant that later becomes problematic, it would seem it'd be good to spend your energy
- of applying for a grant that later becomes problematic, it would seem it'd be good to spend your energy
Committee:
House Education Funding
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jul 16th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The House bill relative to energy affordability, clean power, and economic competitiveness, House No.
- Management and Maintenance to grant easements to NSTAR Electric Company, doing business as Eversource Energy
Summary:
The Senate took up a series of local and statewide measures, including bills on parking fines in Scituate, a conservation restriction in Middleton, park and field dedications in Boston, toxic-free medical devices, a regional school district vote, and several local personnel and land-use matters. It also approved or engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District, fire and police employment in Conway, reclassifying Beverly fire alarm operators, a Waitley Water District dissolution, a Dighton conservation land/public way issue, Milton liquor licenses, Billerica bike path land transfer, and an easement exchange involving Eversource. Several of these were advanced by suspending rules, ordering third readings, or concurring in House amendments; the Senate also accepted a committee report consolidating S. 545 with H. 899 and passed the consolidated park-dedication bill to engrossment.
A major focus was the bill requiring health care employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. Senators and sponsors described the measure as a compromise aimed at protecting health care workers through annual risk assessments, prevention plans, paid leave, reporting requirements, privacy protections, and a narrow warrantless-arrest provision for assaults on health care workers. The Senate adopted a number of amendments, including changes to employee definitions, complaint protections, disfigurement language, paid leave coverage, federally qualified health center exemptions, de-escalation and community-based response language, mental health treatment coverage, and a one-year pause for certain DDS-related provisions. Some proposed amendments were adopted, while others were rejected or withdrawn, and the bill was ultimately ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed.
The Senate also considered the home care and long-term services bill, with members emphasizing home care licensure, oversight, and planning for long-term care financing. Amendments added or modified provisions related to home care training, evacuation procedures, minority-party representation on commissions, MassPACE participation, and representation for people living with dementia; one amendment on family caregiving was withdrawn after discussion. The chamber likewise advanced an economic development bond and appropriation package through a Ways and Means substitute and adopted a conference committee process on a separate energy affordability bill after the House disagreed with the Senate’s version. The session included ceremonial moments honoring guests and memorializing Jane Yolen and Charlene M. Naylor, and it ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday.